RBI press-release 2026-2027/726 · 21 Jul 2026
Official title
Rationalisation of Foreign Exchange Management (Non-Debt Instruments) Rules, 2019 – Draft Rules for Comments
Summary
Check the official recordThe Reserve Bank of India has released draft Foreign Exchange Management (Foreign Investment) Rules, 2026, for public consultation. This initiative follows the Union Budget 2026-27 announcement to review the existing 2019 NDI Rules to create a more contemporary and user-friendly framework. The proposed changes aim to simplify regulatory architecture, harmonize definitions, align procedural FEMA provisions with FDI policy, and reduce compliance burdens. Stakeholders are invited to review the draft and submit feedback via the RBI's 'Connect 2 Regulate' portal or email by August 31, 2026. The final rules will be notified following this consultation process.
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Key dates
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July 21, 2026
Rationalisation of Foreign Exchange Management (Non-Debt Instruments) 2019 – Draft Rules for Comments
Foreign investment into India is presently governed by the Foreign Exchange Management (Non-Debt Instruments) Rules, 2019 ('NDI Rules'). The Union Budget 2026-27 announced a comprehensive review of the NDI Rules to create a more contemporary, user-friendly framework for foreign investments, consistent with India's evolving economic priorities.
Pursuant thereto, a committee was constituted by the Central Government to undertake a comprehensive review of the extant regulatory framework. Based on the recommendations of the Committee, and in consultation with the Central Government and other stakeholders, the Reserve Bank of India has prepared a draft of the rationalized Rules.
The salient features of the proposed draft Rules, inter alia, are as under:
a) Simplified and principle-based framework: Rationalization of provisions, harmonization of definitions and a simplified regulatory architecture to enhance clarity and reduce regulatory complexity.
b) Alignment with the FDI Policy: Clear demarcation of procedural FEMA provisions from policy and sector-specific requirements, improving regulatory coherence and facilitating timely policy changes.
c) Enhanced ease of doing business: Streamlined procedures, reduced compliance burden and greater operational flexibility through a transparent and investor-friendly regulatory framework.
d) Future-ready regulatory framework: Adoption of principle-based, investee-neutral and investor-neutral provisions aligned with evolving business practices, while preserving necessary regulatory safeguards.
ᮧेस ᮧकाशनी PRESS RELEASE
भारतीय ᳯरज़वर् बᱹक RESERVE BANK OF INDIA
वेबसाइट : www.rbi.org.in/hindi संचार िवभाग, कᱶᮤीय कायार्लय, शहीद भगत ᳲसंह मागर्, फोटर्, मुंबई - 400 001 Website : www.rbi.org.in Department of Communication, Central Office, Shahid Bhagat Singh Marg, Fort, ई-मेल/email : helpdoc@rbi.org.in Mumbai - 400 001 फोन/Phone: 022 - 2266 0502
The Rules will be finalized after wider public consultations. Accordingly, the Reserve Bank of India has today placed on its website draft Foreign Exchange Management (Foreign Investment) Rules, 2026 for comments / feedback from all stakeholders.
Comments/feedback on the draft Rules may be submitted through the respective link under the 'Connect 2 Regulate' section available on the RBI's website or may be forwarded via email by August 31, 2026, with the subject line "Feedback on Draft Foreign Investment Rules".
(Brij Raj) Press Release: 2026-2027/726 Chief General Manager
