IN-BOUND INVESTMENTS

RBI Regulations

Most NRIs find it complex and are unclear about how to go about investing into the Indian stock markets. The lack of information regarding the fairly extensive documentation and account setup process has proved a hurdle for many Indians based overseas.

As per RBI regulations, NRIs may:

Without limit, purchase on repatriation basis:

• Government dated securities / Treasury bills
• Units of domestic mutual funds;
• Bonds issued by a public sector undertaking (PSU) in India.
• Non-convertible debentures of a company incorporated in India.
• Perpetual debt instruments and debt capital instruments issued by banks in India.
• Shares in Public Sector Enterprises being dis-invested by the Government of India, provided the purchase is in accordance with the terms and conditions stipulated in the notice inviting bids.
• Shares and convertible debentures of Indian companies under the FDI scheme (including automatic route & FIPB), subject to the terms and conditions specified in Schedule 1 to the FEMA Notification No. 20/2000- RB dated May 3, 2000, as amended from time to time.
• Shares and convertible debentures of Indian companies through stock exchange under Portfolio Investment Scheme, subject to the terms and conditions specified in Schedule 3 to the FEMA Notification No. 20/2000- RB dated May 3, 2000, as amended from time to time.

NRIs may, without limit, purchase on non-repatriation basis:

• Government dated securities / Treasury bills
• Units of domestic mutual funds
• Units of Money Market Mutual Funds
• National Plan/Savings Certificates
• Non-convertible debentures of a company incorporated in India
• Shares and convertible debentures of Indian companies through stock exchange under Portfolio Investment Scheme, subject to the terms and conditions specified in Schedules 3 and 4 to the FEMA Notification No. 20/2000- RB dated May 3, 2000, as amended from time to time.
• Exchange traded derivative contracts approved by the SEBI, from time to time, out of INR funds held in India on non-repatriable basis, subject to the limits prescribed by the SEBI.