The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has eased investment norms for foreign portfolio investors (FPIs) in debt, especially into individual large corporates.
Corporate Bonds
FPIs are permitted to invest in corporate bonds with minimum residual maturity of above 1 year.
The short-term investments in corporate bonds by an FPI shall not exceed 20% of total investment of that FPI in corporate bonds.
Government securities
The FPIs cap on investment in Government securities (G-secs) has been increased to 30% of outstanding stock of that security, from 20% earlier.
FPIs were allowed to invest in government bonds with a minimum residual maturity of three years.
FPIs are permitted to invest in G-secs, including treasury bills (T-bills), and SDLs (State Development Loans) without any minimum residual maturity requirement.
However, it will be subject to condition that short-term investments by FPI under either category shall not exceed 20% of total investment of that FPI in that category.
In this case, short-term investments are defined as investments with residual maturity up to 1 year.