Debt and non-debt instruments notified under Foreign Exchange Management Act 1999

Debt and non-debt instruments notified under Foreign Exchange Management Act 1999. Other than notified, others shall be deemed as debt instruments

Debt and non-debt instruments under FEMA

MINISTRY OF FINANCE
(Department of Economic Affairs)

NOTIFICATION

New Delhi, the 16th October, 2019

S.O. 3722(E).—In exercise of the powers conferred by sub-section (7) of section 6 of the Foreign Exchange Management Act, 1999 (42 of 1999), the Central Government hereby determines the following instruments as debt instruments, namely:—

(i) Government bonds;

(ii) corporate bonds;

(iii) all tranches of securitisation structure which are not equity tranche;

(iv) borrowings by Indian firms through loans;

(v) depository receipts whose underlying securities are debt securities.

2. Instruments specified below shall be considered as non-debt instruments, namely:-

(i) all investments in equity in incorporated entities (public, private, listed and unlisted);

(ii) capital participation in Limited Liability Partnerships (LLPs);

(iii) all instruments of investment as recognised in the FDI policy as notified from time to time;

(iv) investment in units of Alternative Investment Funds (AIFs) and Real Estate Investment Trust (REITs) and Infrastructure Investment Trusts (InVITs);

(v) investment in units of mutual funds and Exchange-Traded Fund (ETFs) which invest more than fifty per cent in equity;

(vi) the junior-most layer (i.e. equity tranche) of securitisation structure;

(vii) acquisition, sale or dealing directly in immovable property;

(viii) contribution to trusts;

(ix) depository receipts issued against equity instruments.

3. All other instruments which are not specified in paragraphs (1) and (2) above, shall be deemed as debt instruments.

[F.No. l/14/EM/2015]

ANAND MOHAN BAJAJ, Jt. Secy.

Download Notification Click Here >>

• Non-deduction of TDS does not make transaction as unexplained in the hands of deductee – ITAT
• Last date to submit MEF 2026-27 extended to 09.09.2026
• Validity of demand u/s 156 for default u/s 115-O, if assessment order u/s 143(3) has Nil demand
• Issue already examined and adjudicated by CIT(Appeals), can’t be reopened on same set of facts
• TDS can’t be denied for non deposit of tax deducted by the deductor – High Court