NRI Investment in Shares simplified : RBI Guidelines

Foreign Institutional Investors (FIIs), Non-Resident Indians (NRIs), and Persons of Indian Origin (PIOs) are allowed to invest in the primary and secondary capital markets in India through the portfolio investment scheme (PIS). Under this scheme, FIIs/NRIs can acquire shares/debentures of Indian companies through the stock exchanges in India.

The ceiling for overall investment for FIIs is 24 per cent of the paid up capital of the Indian company and 10 per centfor NRIs/PIOs. The limit is 20 per cent of the paid up capital in the case of public sector banks, including the State Bank of India.

The Reserve Bank of India monitors the ceilings on FII/NRI/PIO investments in Indian companies on a daily basis. For effective monitoring of foreign investment ceiling limits, the Reserve Bank has fixed cut-off points that are two percentage points lower than the actual ceilings. The cut-off point, for instance, is fixed at 8 per cent for companies in which NRIs/ PIOs can invest up to 10 per cent of the company's paid up capital. The cut-off limit for companies with 24 per cent ceiling is 22 per cent and for companies with 30 per cent ceiling, is 28 per cent and so on. Similarly, the cut-off limit for public sector banks (including State Bank of India) is 18 per cent.

Once the aggregate net purchases of equity shares of the company by FIIs/NRIs/PIOs reach the cut-off point, which is 2% below the overall limit, the Reserve Bank cautions all designated bank branches so as not to purchase any more equity shares of the respective company on behalf of FIIs/NRIs/PIOs without prior approval of the Reserve Bank. The link offices are then required to intimate the Reserve Bank about the total number and value of equity shares/convertible debentures of the company they propose to buy on behalf of FIIs/NRIs/PIOs. On receipt of such proposals, the Reserve Bank gives clearances on a first-come-first served basis till such investments in companies reach 10 / 24 / 30 / 40/ 49 per cent limit or the sectoral caps/statutory ceilings as applicable. On reaching the aggregate ceiling limit, the Reserve Bank advises all designated bank branches to stop purchases on behalf of their FIIs/NRIs/PIOs clients. The Reserve Bank also informs the general public about the `caution’ and the `stop purchase’ in these companies through a press release.

To know the current list of companies allowed to attract investments from FIIs/NRIs/PIOs with their respective ceilings, CLICK HERE