The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has instructed Authorised Dealer Category I banks to route references relating to overseas investment to designated RBI Regional Offices, replacing the prior centralised processing at the Foreign Exchange Department, Central Office. The change applies with effect from 1 April 2026 and submissions must be made through the RBI’s PRAVAAH portal. The receiving Regional Office is determined by the Unique Identification Number (UIN) prefix of the foreign entity: Ahmedabad (AH), Bengaluru (BG), Mumbai (BL, BY, PJ), Kolkata (BN, CA, GA, GH), New Delhi (CG, JM, JR, KA, ND, PT, WR), Hyderabad (HY) and Chennai (KO, MA). RBI noted that amendments are being carried out to the Master Direction – Overseas Investment dated 24 July 2024, and asked AD banks to inform affected customers and constituents.
Reserve Bank of India 2026-04-01
Reserve Bank of India decentralises overseas investment reference processing to seven regional offices via the PRAVAAH portal
The Reserve Bank of India has directed Authorised Dealer Category I banks to route overseas investment-related references to designated Regional Offices via the PRAVAAH portal, replacing centralised processing at the Foreign Exchange Department, Central Office. Allocation to Regional Offices will be based on the Unique Identification Number prefix of the foreign entity, and the Master Direction – Overseas Investment dated 24 July 2024 is being amended accordingly, with banks to inform affected customers.