Ans: No.

Ans: In case of complaints relating to non-credit or delay in credit to the beneficiary account or for complaints of any other nature, the NEFT Customer Facilitation Centre (CFC) of the respective bank (the originating bank and / or SBI) can be contacted. Details of NEFT CFCs of banks are available on the websites of the respective banks. The details are also available on the website of RBI at http://www.rbi.org.in/Scripts/bs_viewcontent.aspx?Id=2070.

If the issue is not resolved satisfactorily, the NEFT Help Desk / Contact point of the RBI can be approached at nefthelpdeskncc@rbi.org.in.

The actual amount of green deposits raised during the year and use of such funds have to be disclosed as per the Annexure 2 of the framework.

Ans: Such repayments can be allowed subject to the condition that the loan is repaid by the corporate employer by deducting the amount from the borrower’s salary. Further, REs should ensure that LSPs do not have any control over the flow of funds directly or indirectly in such transactions. It has also to be ensured that repayment is directly from the bank account of the employer to the RE.

Ans. More information about this facility can be found in the following circulars issued by the RBI:

DPSS.CO.PD.No.147/02.14.003/2009-10 dated July 22, 2009, DPSS.CO.PD.No.563/02.14.003/2013-14 dated September 5, 2013, DPSS.CO.PD.No.449/02.14.003/2015-16 dated August 27, 2015, DPSS.CO.PD.No.501/02.14.003/2019-20 dated August 29, 2019, DPSS.CO.PD.No.1465/02.14.003/2019-20 dated January 31, 2020, DPSS.CO.PD.No.S-99/02.14.006/2021-22 dated May 19, 2021.

Ans. Personal Hearing can either be on physical basis or through virtual mode. However, it is not mandatory to attend/opt for the personal hearing. In case a person opts not to attend the personal hearing he//she may indicate his/her preference in writing. The application would be disposed of on the basis of documents submitted to the Compounding Authority. It may be noted that appearing for, or opting out of the personal hearing does not have any bearing, whatsoever, on the compounding amount that may be mentioned in the compounding order, as the compounding amount is calculated based on the Para 5.4 of Guidance note on computation matrix as contained in the Directions - compounding of contraventions under FEMA, 1999.

If an individual opens more than one deposit account in one or more branches of a bank for example, Shri S.K. Pandit opens one or more savings/current account and one or more fixed/recurring deposit accounts etc., all these are considered as accounts held in the same capacity and in the same right. Therefore, the balances in all these accounts are aggregated and insurance cover is available upto rupees five lakhs in maximum.

If Shri S.K. Pandit also opens other deposit accounts in his capacity as a partner of a firm or guardian of a minor or director of a company or trustee of a trust or a joint account, say with his wife Smt. K. A. Pandit, in one or more branches of the bank then such accounts are considered as held in different capacity and different right. Accordingly, such deposits accounts will also enjoy the insurance cover upto rupees five lakhs separately.

It is further clarified that the deposit held in the name of the proprietary concern where a depositor is the sole proprietor and the amount of Deposit held in his individual capacity are aggregated and insurance cover is available upto rupees five lakhs in maximum.

Illustrations

If more than one deposit accounts (Savings, Current, Recurring or Fixed deposit) are jointly held by individuals in one or more branch of a bank say three individuals A, B & C hold more than one joint deposit accounts in which their names appear in the same order then all these accounts are considered as held in the same capacity and in the same right. Accordingly, balances held in all these accounts will be aggregated for the purpose of determining the insured amount within the limit of ₹ 5 lakhs.

However, if individuals open more than one joint accounts in which their names are not in the same order for example, A, B and C; C, B and A; C, A and B; A, C and B; or group of persons are different say A, B and C and A, B and D etc. then, the deposits held in these joint accounts are considered as held in the different capacity and different right. Accordingly, insurance cover will be available separately upto rupees five lakhs to every such joint account where the names appearing in different order or names are different.

Illustrations

In terms of our circular RPCD.SME&NFS.BC.No.79/06.02.31/2009-10 dated May 6, 2010, banks are mandated not to accept collateral security in the case of loans upto Rs 10 lakh extended to units in the MSE sector.

Presently, Offices of RBI Ombudsmen (ORBIOs) are functioning from 22 locations across India. However, the complainants need not contact/ approach any specified ORBIO for filing a complaint under the RB-IOS, 2021. The complaints lodged directly online through CMS Portal (https://cms.rbi.org.in) are automatically allocated to different RBI Ombudsmen for redressal upon registration of the complaint. Physical and email complaints are processed and entered in CMS for further processing, after seeking further information/ details, if missing, from the complainant.

Answer: Yes, such acceptance of deposit and refunds, if required, will be covered under current account transactions and can be made freely without any restriction from FEMA perspective.

Ans. No. However, in case the customer is desirous of receiving any benefit or subsidy under any scheme notified under section 7 of the Aadhaar (Targeted Delivery of Financial and Other subsidies, Benefits and Services) Act, 2016 (18 of 2016), the customer shall provide the Aadhaar number. In other cases, the Aadhaar number may be provided voluntarily by the customers.

Ans: No. There is no minimum balance required to open/maintain an e₹ wallet.

Although no upper limit/ cap for penal charges has been prescribed in the circular, the REs, while formulating their Board approved policy on penal charges, should keep in mind that the intent of levying penal charges is essentially to inculcate a sense of credit discipline and such charges are not meant to be used as a revenue enhancement tool. Accordingly, the quantum of penal charges shall have to be ‘reasonable’ and ‘commensurate’ with the non-compliance of material terms and conditions of loan contract.

Ans. In terms of paragraph 10.2, if a Term Deposit (TD) matures and proceeds are unpaid, the amount left unclaimed with the bank will attract rate of interest as applicable to savings account or the contracted rate of interest on the matured TD, whichever is lower.

Ans.: Yes. In case the company/LLPs/proprietorship firm doesn’t have export earnings during the reference period, but had the same earlier, then it has to submit NIL survey schedule for the current round of ITES survey.

Answer: No. AD bank in India can open multiple Special Rupee Vostro Accounts for different banks from the same country.

Ans. Yes, the cash loading of PPIs is limited to ₹ 50,000/- per month subject to overall limit of the PPI (not permitted in one type of Small PPI). The limit on loading of PPIs via electronic / online means is subject to overall limit of the PPI.

As notified  in Govt of India notification dated December 16, 2010, BSBDA-Small Accounts would be subject to the following conditions:

1. Total credits in such accounts should not exceed one lakh rupees in a year.

2. Maximum balance in the account should not exceed fifty thousand rupees at any time

3. The total of debits by way of cash withdrawals and transfers will not exceed ten thousand rupees in a month

4. Remittances from abroad can not be credited to Small Accounts without completing normal KYC formalities

5. Small accounts are valid for a period of 12 months initially which may be extended by another 12 months if the person provides proof of having applied for an Officially Valid Document.

6. Small Accounts can only be opened at CBS linked branches of banks or at such branches where it is possible to manually monitor the fulfilment of the conditions.

Ans : It is the responsibility of the user institution to communicate to the beneficiary the details of credit that is being afforded to his / her account, indicating the proposed date of credit, amount and related particulars of the payment. Destination banks have been advised to ensure that the pass books / statements given to the beneficiary account holders reflect particulars of the transaction / credit provided by the ECS user institutions. The beneficiaries can match the entries in the passbook / account statement with the advice received by them from the User Institutions. Many banks also give mobile alerts / messages to customers after credit of such funds to accounts.

• IIBs would be Government securities (G-Sec) and the different classes of investors eligible to invest in G-Secs would also be eligible to invest in IIBs.

• FIIs would be eligible to invest in the forthcoming IIBs but subject to the overall cap for their investment in G-Secs (currently USD 25 billion).

Ans : IDF-NBFCs will raise resources through issue of either Rupee or Dollar denominated bonds of minimum 5 year maturity. IDF-MFs will raise resources through issue of units of MFs.

Ans: The essential elements of beneficiary's identification are:

Beneficiary's Name
Beneficiary's Branch Name
Beneficiary's Bank Name
Beneficiary's Account Type
Beneficiary's Account No.
Beneficiary's Branch IFSC
Sender and Beneficiary Legal Entity Identifier (for eligible transactions)

Ans. Banks authorised to deal in foreign exchange are permitted to issue International Debit Cards (IDCs) which can be used by a resident individual for drawing cash or making payment to a merchant establishment overseas during his visit abroad. IDCs can be used only for permissible current account transactions and the usage of IDCs shall be within the LRS limit.

AD banks can also issue Store Value Card/Charge Card/Smart Card to residents traveling on private/business visit abroad which can be used for making payments at overseas merchant establishments and also for drawing cash from ATM terminals. No prior permission from Reserve Bank is required for issue of such cards. However, the use of such cards is limited to permissible current account transactions and subject to the LRS limit.

Resident individuals maintaining a foreign currency account with an Authorised Dealer in India or a bank abroad, as permissible under extant Foreign Exchange Regulations, are free to obtain International Credit Cards (ICCs) issued by overseas banks and other reputed agencies. The charges incurred against the card either in India or abroad, can be met out of funds held in such foreign currency account/s of the card holder or through remittances, if any, from India only through a bank where the card-holder has a current or savings account. The remittance for this purpose, should also be made directly to the card-issuing agency abroad, and not to a third party. It is also clarified that the applicable credit limit will be the limit fixed by the card issuing banks. There is no monetary ceiling fixed by the RBI for remittances, if any, under this facility. The LRS limit shall not apply to the use of ICC for making payment by a person towards meeting expenses while such person is on a visit outside India.

Use of ICCs/ IDCs can be made for travel abroad in connection with various purposes and for making personal payments like subscription to foreign journals, internet subscription, etc. However, use of ICCs/IDCs is NOT permitted for prohibited transactions indicated in Schedule 1 of FEM (CAT) Amendment Rules 2015 such as purchase of lottery tickets, banned magazines etc.

Use of these instruments for payment in foreign exchange in Nepal and Bhutan is not permitted.

Ans. Yes, authorisation is required to be obtained from RBI under the Payment and Settlement Systems (PSS) Act, 2007.

• The authorised banks are SBI & Associates, Nationalised Banks, HDFC Bank, ICICI Bank, and Axis Bank.

Response

As notified in terms of Govt. of India notification dated December 16, 2010, BSBDA-Small Accounts would be subject to the following conditions:

i. Total credits in such accounts should not exceed one lakh rupees in a year.

ii. Maximum balance in the account should not exceed fifty thousand rupees at any time

iii. The total of debits by way of cash withdrawals and transfers will not exceed ten thousand rupees in a month

iv. Foreign remittances cannot be credited to Small Accounts without completing normal KYC formalities

v. Small accounts are valid for a period of 12 months initially which may be extended by another 12 months if the person provides proof of having applied for an Officially Valid Document.

vi. Small Accounts can only be opened at CBS linked branches of banks or at such branches where it is possible to manually monitor the fulfillments of the conditions

Ans. The following should be ensured while putting through a funds transfer transaction using RTGS –

• Originating and destination bank branches are part of the RTGS network.

• Beneficiary details such as beneficiary name, account number and account type, name and IFSC of the beneficiary bank branch should be available with the remitter.

• Extreme care should be exercised in providing the account number of the beneficiary, as, during processing RTGS transactions, the credit will be given to the customer’s account solely based on the account number provided in the RTGS remittance instruction / message.

Ans. A sum of ₹10,000/- (excluding applicable GST) is required to be submitted as application fee, which can be submitted by cash or cheque or payment order or demand draft or electronic fund transfer in favour of the Reserve Bank along with the application for authorisation. The fees can also be submitted in electronic mode. For further details you may send an email.

The form and manner of application for authorisation is available at /documents/87730/30842423/PSSR23022022d57d6e9afaf44d97b9ed577d9d1c7c2b.pdf

Ans. Yes

Ans. Yes. It shall be in order for such non-bank PSPs to effect funds transfer from their current account with RBI to current accounts maintained with commercial banks for taking care of their routine payments. The current account of RBI shall not be used therefor.

Further, extant instructions for non-bank PPI issuers on maintenance of escrow account/s with scheduled commercial bank(s) shall continue to apply. Card networks shall not be allowed to use the RBI current account for their settlement guarantee and related activities.

Ans. The purpose of having a dedicated redress mechanism for recovery related grievances is that these grievances should be promptly addressed. Treating (clubbing) them as (with) other complaints (e.g., operational issues) may result in delayed action. However, this does not imply that a separate redress mechanism for recovery related grievances is being mandated. REs can restructure/ re-organise the existing customer grievance redress mechanism to identify and promptly address recovery related grievances.

Restructuring in respect of projects under implementation involving deferment of DCCO are excluded from the scope of the Resolution Framework. The extant regulations contained in Paragraph 4.2.15 of DBR.No.BP.BC.2/21.04.048/2015-16 dated July 1, 2015, DOR.No.BP.BC.33/21.04.048/2019-20 dated February 7, 2020 and the other relevant instructions as applicable to specific category of lending institutions, already permit revisions of the DCCO and consequential shift in repayment schedule without being treated as restructuring subject to a maximum of four years in the case of infrastructure projects and a maximum of two years in the case of non-infrastructure projects (including commercial real estate exposures). In addition to the above, DCCO of projects may be extended by a further two years in case of change in ownership subject to the conditions specified in the above instructions.

Further information is available on our website (www.rbi.org.in) and the website of the Government of India (www.finmin.nic.in)

Also see:

All You wanted to know from RBI about: Withdrawal of Legal Tender Status of ₹ 500 and ₹ 1000 Notes

Response: Interest or any charges/fees on the credit card shall not be factored in for the purpose of computing a cardholder’s credit limit usage and levying overlimit charges.

Yes, each family member can buy the bonds in his/her own name if they satisfy the eligibility criteria as defined at Q No.4.

Ans: All CP and CNP transactions on cards issued in India are secured with AFA. This AFA can be in any form and few commonly used forms are PIN, dynamic one-time password (OTP), static code, etc. The requirement of AFA is not mandatory for transactions where outflow of foreign exchange is contemplated. Similarly, in case of CP transactions (except ATM transactions) using NFC contactless technology, transactions for a maximum value of ₹5,000 per transaction are allowed to be undertaken without AFA requirement, subject to adherence to EMV standards.

After sending the duly filled in and valid MF survey schedule (excel based) to mf@rbi.org.in, an MF company will receive the system-generated acknowledgement. No separate mail will be sent in this regard. If some error is mentioned in the acknowledgement, then the respondent is required to resubmit the form by rectifying the mentioned error. After corrections, the company should receive a successful processing acknowledgement.

Foreign banks can have a common global policy on green deposits, without prejudice to the provisions of the framework for green deposits raised in India after June 01, 2023.

Answer: Permitted purpose depends on the currency pair viz. Foreign Currency - Indian Rupee (FCY-INR) and Foreign Currency - Foreign Currency (FCY-FCY).

• Permitted purpose for undertaking FCY-INR forex derivative transactions (e.g., USD-INR forwards, futures, options, etc.): Hedging exchange rate risk.

• Permitted purpose for undertaking FCY-FCY forex derivative transactions (e.g., EUR-USD forwards, futures, options, etc.): No restrictions in terms of purpose.

Ans. No, there are no restrictions towards remittances for current account transactions to Mauritius and Pakistan.

Remittances directly or indirectly to countries identified by the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) as “non- cooperative countries and territories”, from time to time; and remittances directly or indirectly to those individuals and entities identified as posing significant risk of committing acts of terrorism as advised separately by the Reserve Bank to the banks are not permissible.

Ans: The exemption can be extended to co-lending arrangements between REs for non-PSL loans subject to the condition that no third party other than the REs in a co-lending transaction should have direct or indirect control over the flow of funds at any point of time.

Ans: RE providing DLG shall deduct full amount of the DLG which is outstanding from its capital.

Ans. Yes, another person may be authorised by the applicant to attend the personal hearing on his behalf but only with proper written authority. It has to be ensured that the person appearing on behalf of the applicant is conversant with the nature of contravention applied for. However, the Reserve Bank encourages the applicant to appear directly for the personal hearing rather than being represented/ accompanied by legal experts/consultants, etc. as the compounding is only for admitted contraventions.

Answer: Yes, a Foreign Portfolio Investor or a Foreign Venture Capital Investor, both registered with the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) under the relevant SEBI regulations can open and maintain a non-interest bearing foreign currency account for the purpose of making investment in accordance with Foreign Exchange Management (Non-Debt Instrument) Rules, 2019.

Ans. KYC verification once done by one branch/ office of the RE shall be valid for transfer of the account to any other branch/ office of the same RE, provided full KYC verification has already been done for the concerned account and the same is not due for periodic updation.

Ans: Currently, opening of e₹ wallets is linked to user’s saving accounts. This linkage facilitates frictionless user onboarding and obviates the need for separate KYC requirement. Based on the feedback and emerging use cases, new models of user on-boarding are also being explored.

Ans. In terms of paragraph 13 read with paragraph 5 of these Directions, the rate of interest on matured deposits standing in the name of a deceased individual depositor or two or more joint depositors, where one of the depositors has died, will be as per comprehensive policy duly approved by the Board of Directors or any committee of the Board to which powers have been delegated.

Ans.: Total invoice value must be in Indian Rupees (INR) in actuals (which should also include billing to subsidiary(s)/associate(s)) during the reference period.

The following REs of RBI are covered under the RB-IOS, 2021:

(i) Banks: All commercial banks, including Public Sector Banks, Private Sector Banks, Foreign Banks, Local Area Banks, Small Finance Banks, Payment Banks, Regional Rural Banks, Scheduled Primary (Urban) Co-operative Banks and Non-scheduled Primary (Urban) Co-operative Banks with deposit size of ₹50 Crore and above, as on the date of the audited balance sheet of the previous financial year;

(ii) NBFCs registered with RBI: All Non-Banking Financial Companies (excluding Housing Finance Companies) which (a) are authorized to accept deposits; or (b) have customer interface, with an assets size of ₹100 crore and above as on the date of the audited balance sheet of the previous financial year;

Note: Core Investment Companies, Infrastructure Debt Fund-Non-banking Financial Companies, Non-Banking Financial Companies-Infrastructure Finance Companies, companies in resolution or winding up / liquidation, or any other NBFC specified by RBI are excluded from the ambit of the RB-IOS, 2021.

(iii) System Participants: All Payment System Participants - banks as well as non-banks regulated by RBI are covered under the RB-IOS, 2021. These entities issue Prepaid Payment Instruments (PPIs) and facilitate transactions over National Electronic Funds Transfer (NEFT) / Real Time Gross Settlement (RTGS) / Immediate Payment Service (IMPS) / Unified Payments Interface (UPI) / Bharat Bill Payment System (BBPS) / Bharat QR Code / *99# mobile transaction service using Unstructured Supplementary Service Data (USSD) / Aadhaar Enabled Payment System (AePS), etc.

(iv) Credit Information Companies: All Credit Information Companies as defined in the Companies Act, 2013 (18 of 2013) and granted a Certificate of Registration under sub-section (2) of section 5 of the Credit Information Companies (Regulation) Act, 2005 (30 of 2005).

The list of entities, periodically updated, covered under the RB-IOS, 2021 is available at https://cms.rbi.org.in/cms/assets/Documents/RBIO_English_Portal.pdf.

Ans. Yes, a bank must offer to its savings bank account holders a minimum number of free transactions at ATMs as under:

• Transactions at a bank’s own ATM (On-Us transactions) at any location: Banks should offer their savings bank account holders a minimum of five free financial transactions in a month, irrespective of the location of ATMs. Any number of non-cash withdrawal transactions will be provided free.
• Transactions at any other banks’ ATM (Off-Us transactions) at Metro locations: In case of ATMs located in six metro locations, viz. Bengaluru, Chennai, Hyderabad, Kolkata, Mumbai, and New Delhi, banks shall offer their savings bank account holders a minimum of three free transactions (including financial and non-financial transactions) in a month.
• Transactions at any other banks’ ATM (Off-Us transactions) at non-Metro locations: At any location, other than the six metro locations as above, banks must offer its savings bank account holders a minimum of five free transactions (including financial and non-financial transactions) at other bank ATMs in a month.

Answer: Exchange rate between the currencies of the two trading partner countries will be market determined.

Since instructions related to GST are issued by Central Board of Indirect Taxes & Customs (CBIC), instructions and clarifications, if any, issued by CBIC in this regard may be followed.

The Ministry of MSME, Government of India and SIDBI set up the Credit Guarantee Fund Trust for Micro and Small Enterprises (CGTMSE) with a view to facilitate flow of credit to the MSE sector without the need for collaterals / third party guarantees. The main objective of the scheme is that the lender should give importance to project viability and secure the credit facility purely on the primary security of the assets financed. The Credit Guarantee scheme (CGS) seeks to reassure the lender that, in the event of a MSE unit, which availed collateral - free credit facilities, failing to discharge its liabilities to the lender, the Guarantee Trust would make good the loss incurred by the lender to the tune of 75-90 per cent of the outstanding amount in default.

The CGTMSE would provide cover for credit facility up to ₹10 crore which have been extended by lending institutions without any collateral security and /or third party guarantees. A guarantee and annual service fee is charged by the CGTMSE to avail of the guarantee cover. For more details you may visit www.cgtmse.in.

Ans. The minimum details in both types of Small PPIs are same and are as under:

1. mobile number verified with One Time Password (OTP); and

2. self-declaration of name and unique identity / identification number of any mandatory document or Officially Valid Document (OVD) or any such document with any name listed for this purpose in the RBI’s Master Direction on KYC. The present list of mandatory document / OVDs include passport, driving licence, voter's identity card, NREGA job card, proof of possession of Aadhaar number and letter issued by the National Population Register.

Ans: If a Destination Bank is not in a position to credit the beneficiary account due to any reason, the same would be returned to the ECS Centre to enable the ECS Centre to pass on the uncredited items to the User Institution through the Sponsor Bank. The User Institution can then initiate payment through alternate modes to the beneficiary.

In case of delayed credit by the destination bank, the destination bank would be liable to pay penal interest (at the prevailing RBI LAF Repo rate plus two percent) from the due date of credit till the date of actual credit. Such penal interest should be credited to the Destination Account Holder’s account even if no claim is lodged to the effect by the Destination Account Holder.

Ans : IDF-NBFCs shall invest only in PPP and post COD infrastructure projects which have completed at least one year of satisfactory commercial operation and are a party to a Tripartite Agreement with the Concessionaire and the Project Authority for ensuring a compulsory buyout with termination payment.

Ans: There are no charges to be levied for inward transactions at destination bank branches for giving credit to beneficiary accounts.

For outward transactions undertaken using the NEFT system, RBI stopped levying processing charges on member banks from July 01, 2019.

Also, in order to give further impetus to digital retail payments, banks have been advised to not levy any charges from their savings bank account holders for NEFT funds transfers initiated online with effect from January 01, 2020.

The maximum charges which originating bank can be levy from its customers for other outward transactions, if they so desire, are given below: –

- For transactions up to ₹10,000 : not exceeding ₹2.50 (+ Applicable GST)

- For transactions above ₹10,000 up to ₹1 lakh: not exceeding ₹5 (+ Applicable GST)

- For transactions above ₹1 lakh and up to ₹2 lakhs: not exceeding ₹15 (+ Applicable GST)

- For transactions above ₹2 lakhs: not exceeding ₹25 (+ Applicable GST)

The details about charges applicable for transferring funds from India to Nepal using the NEFT system under the INRF Scheme is available on the RBI website at /en/web/rbi/faq-page-2?ddm__keyword__26256231__FaqDetailPage2Title_en_US=Indo-Nepal Remittance Facility scheme.

Ans. Taking personal jewellery out of India is as per the Baggage Rules, governed and administered by Customs Department, Government of India. While no approval of the Reserve Bank is required in this case, approvals, if any, required from Customs Authorities may be obtained.