Increase in limits for NRI and OCI investors to invest in stock market without SEBI registration, RBI Guv

Sanjay Malhotra, governor of the Reserve Bank of India has stated on June 5, 2026 that the limits for investment in the Indian stock market without SEBI registration is being increased for non-resident individuals (NRIs), overseas citizens of India (OCI) and all individual persons residents outside India.

This means now OCI, NRIs and other residents outside India can invest a even larger amount of money without getting a SEBI registration thanks to the enhanced limits.

The RBI press release dated June 5, 2026 said: "The limits for investment by NRIs and OCIs in equity instruments traded on the stock market without SEBI registration are being increased. Further, the same facility is being extended to all individual Persons Resident Outside India (PROIs) at par with NRIs and OCIs."


Adhil Shetty, CEO, Bankbazaar said to ET Wealth Online that the RBI's decision simplifies access to Indian equities for NRIs and OCI cardholders by allowing them to invest larger amounts in listed shares without having to obtain SEBI registration. The move reduces compliance requirements and administrative hurdles, making participation in Indian capital markets more convenient.

Shetty says: "It also broadens investment flexibility for overseas Indians who want exposure to India's growth story but may not wish to register as foreign portfolio investors (FPIs)."

The guidelines, quantum of the limits and detailed framework for this new development about investment in Indian stock market by NRI, PROI and OCI investors is expected to be announced soon.

Tanuj Shori, Founder & CEO, Square Yards said in a statement that the measures announced to encourage greater participation by NRIs, OCIs, and foreign investors in Indian financial markets are a significant positive for the broader economy.

Shori says: "By facilitating higher overseas investments and enhancing the attractiveness of Indian debt and equity markets, these initiatives are expected to support capital inflows and likely to strengthen investor confidence."

Abhishek Agarwal, CFA, chief of staff, SBNRI, said to ET Wealth Online: "At a time when the rupee is under pressure and Indian markets are seeing global risk-off sentiment, this move can make Indian stock market participation easier, larger and more accessible for NRIs and OCI cardholders."

According to Agarwal, by increasing the investment limits available without SEBI registration, the RBI is allowing overseas Indians to build higher exposure to Indian listed equities through a simpler individual-investor route. The extension of the same facility to all individual Persons Resident Outside India also signals India’s intent to attract more long-term foreign individual capital into its public market.

Santosh Agarwal, CEO, Paisabazaar said in a statement: "Non-Resident Indians (NRIs) and Overseas Citizens of India (OCIs) can now invest much more money in listed equity instruments without requiring SEBI registration. The move is aimed at facilitating greater overseas participation in Indian financial markets."

Kinjal Shah, Vice President, Bombay Chartered Accountants' Society (BCAS) said in a statement that the RBI’s decision to increase investment limits for NRIs and OCIs in listed equity instruments without requiring SEBI registration is likely to broaden participation from overseas investors in Indian stock markets.

Shah says: "By easing the investment framework, the measure can facilitate a larger flow of foreign portfolio capital into listed companies and improve market liquidity. Higher participation from the Indian diaspora may also contribute to better price discovery and a wider investor base for domestic equities."

What are the present requirements for NRIs to invest in the stock market?

Shetty says that NRIs and OCI cardholders generally do not require SEBI registration for routine investments in Indian listed shares under the prescribed investment routes and limits.

Shetty says: "SEBI registration becomes relevant when investments are made under the Foreign Portfolio Investor (FPI) framework, particularly for larger or institutional-style investments that exceed permitted thresholds or require access to broader categories of securities."

This means that NRIs, PROIs and OCI cardholders can now benefit from the proposed increase in the limits for investing in the Indian stock market without SEBI registration, using a much simpler route before FPI registration becomes necessary.

Vivek Iyer, Partner and Financial Services Risk Leader, Grant Thornton Bharat said to ET Wealth Online that at present the individual limits applicable under NRIs, OCIs and PROIs post Budget 2026 are 10%. Previously it was 5%. The overall ceiling limit applicable for all PROIs was also raised from 10% to 24%.

Iyer says that with the RBI announcement, it seems like the limits are being further enhanced but detailed guidelines are awaited.

Present rules for NRIs investing in India has some specified limits

As per Zerodha's website, the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) mandates PIS to ensure foreign investment in Indian companies stays within government-set limits. These limits exist for several reasons:

• Individual investment limits: NRIs cannot invest more than 5% in any single Indian company.
• Company-wise investment limits: All NRIs combined cannot exceed certain investment percentages (10%, 24%, 30%, 40%, or 49%) in any company, depending on the company and business sector.
• Sector-wise investment limits: Different business sectors have varying foreign investment rules. For example, in defence companies, all foreign investors (including NRIs) cannot own more than 24% of the company together.

According to Zerodha's website, if a NRI opens a Portfolio Investment Scheme (PIS) account with an eligible Indian stock market then investments can be made from both NRE and NRO bank accounts. But if the NRI wants to invest only via his NRO bank account then non-PIS method can also be used.

Zerodha's website also said that as an NRI, you can choose to open an NRO–Non-PIS account, an NRO–PIS account, or an NRE–PIS account. To trade in the equity segment, an NRE–PIS account is required, while trading in the future and option (F&O) segment requires an NRO–NON-PIS account.