RBI Withdraws Seven Obsolete FEMA Circulars to Rationalise Foreign Exchange Regulations

1.    Comprehensive Review: RBI is reviewing circulars issued under FEMA, 1999 since June 1, 2000.

2.    Seven Circulars Withdrawn: Seven circulars listed in the Annex have been withdrawn as they are no longer operative.

3.    Reasons for Withdrawal: The circulars have become obsolete due to:

o    Subsequent regulatory amendments;

o    Redundancy;

o    Overlap with other instructions; or

o    Supersession by newer directives.

4.    Action by Authorised Persons: Authorised Persons (APs) are required to inform their concerned constituents about the withdrawal.

5.    Legal Authority: The directions are issued under Sections 10(4) and 11(1) of FEMA, 1999.

6.    Other Legal Requirements Unaffected: The withdrawal is without prejudice to any permissions or approvals that may be required under other applicable laws.

7.    Objective: The initiative aims to rationalise, simplify and streamline the FEMA regulatory framework by removing obsolete and overlapping instructions.

 

[A.P. (DIR Series) Circular No. 21 dated September 08, 2026]

Review of Circulars issued under Foreign Exchange Management Act, 1999 (FEMA)

In pursuance of the Reserve Bank’s ongoing initiative to rationalise the regulatory framework under the Foreign Exchange Management Act, 1999 (FEMA), a comprehensive review of circulars issued since June 01, 2000, is underway.

2.      In furtherance of the aforementioned initiative, seven circulars as listed at Annex, that have ceased to be operative owing to subsequent regulatory amendments, redundancy, overlap or supersession by newer directives, are being withdrawn.

3.      Authorised Persons may bring the contents of this circular to the notice of their constituents concerned.

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

Annex

List of A.P. (DIR Series) Circulars superseded

Sr.No.

Subject

AP (DIR) Series Circular No.

Date

1

External Commercial Borrowings (ECB)  Policy - Issuance of Rupee denominated  bonds overseas

17

29.09.2015

2

External Commercial Borrowings (ECB)  in Indian Rupees

25

03.09.2014

3

External Commercial Borrowings (ECB)  Policy – Liberalisation of definition of  Infrastructure Sector

85

06.01.2014

4

Borrowing and Lending in Rupees -  Investments by persons resident outside  India in the tax free, secured,  redeemable, non-convertible bonds

81

24.12.2013

5

External Commercial Borrowings (ECB)  Policy – Import of Services, Technical  know-how and License Fees

119

26.06.2013

6

Money Transfer Service Scheme - List of  Sub Agents

49

07.11.2012

7

External Commercial Borrowings Policy – ECB by Small Industries Development  Bank of India

48

06.11.2012