RBI Save Rupee Moves Bans Non Deliverable Derivatives (NDF), Rebooking, and Related Party Deals

Ø Forex Hedging Restricted to Curb Speculation

1. Ban on Non-Deliverable Derivatives (NDFs)

o AD banks cannot offer INR non-deliverable derivative contracts to residents or non-residents.

2. Deliverable Derivatives Allowed with Conditions

o Permitted only for genuine hedging purposes.

o Users must not hold offsetting non-deliverable positions.

3. Strict Documentation Requirement

o AD banks may seek documents/information to verify compliance.

4. No Rebooking of Cancelled Contracts

o Any INR derivative contract (deliverable or non-deliverable) cancelled after the circular cannot be rebooked.

5. Restriction on Related Party Transactions

o AD banks cannot enter into INR derivative contracts with related parties.

o Definition aligned with Ind AS 24 / IAS 24.

6. Immediate Effect

o लागू तुरंत प्रभाव से (with immediate effect) until further review.

7. Legal Backing

o Issued under Sections 10(4), 11(1), and 11(2) of FEMA, 1999.

[A.P. (DIR Series) Circular No. 03 dated April 01, 2026

Risk Management and Inter-Bank Dealings (Revised)

Attention of Authorised Dealers is invited to the A.P. (DIR Series) Circular No. 24 dated March 27, 2026 and the Master Direction - Risk Management and Inter-Bank Dealings dated July 05, 2016, as amended from time to time.

2. On a review of evolving market conditions, it has been further decided that:

a) Authorised Dealers shall not offer non-deliverable derivative contracts involving INR to resident or non-resident users. Authorised Dealers may, however, continue to offer deliverable foreign exchange derivative contracts to users to meet their hedging requirements provided that the user does not undertake offsetting non-deliverable derivative positions. For this purpose, the Authorised Dealers may call for such information / documents from users as they deem necessary for complying with the requirements;

b) Authorised Dealers shall not permit a user to rebook any foreign exchange derivative contract involving INR, whether deliverable or non-deliverable, which is cancelled after the date of issuance of these instructions. For this purpose, the Authorised Dealers may call for such information / documents from users as they deem necessary for complying with the requirements; and

c) Authorised Dealers shall not undertake any foreign exchange derivative contract involving INR with their related parties. ‘Related parties’ shall have the same meaning as assigned to it under the Indian Accounting Standard (Ind AS) 24 – Related Party Disclosures or International Accounting Standard (IAS) 24 – Related Party Disclosures or any other equivalent accounting standards.

3. These instructions shall be applicable with immediate effect, until further review.

4. The directions contained in this circular have been issued under Sections 10(4), 11(1) and 11(2) of the FEMA, 1999 (42 of 1999) and are without prejudice to permissions / approvals, if any, required under any other law.