18.12 RBI returns reference

NBFCs file periodic returns with RBI per the Master Direction on Returns to be submitted by NBFCs. This page lists the key returns the LMS supports, with their core fields and source data.

Authoritative source: RBI’s Master Direction on submission of NBFC returns and the DNBS return formats — verify the current format and applicability for your NBFC category and asset size before submission. Returns change periodically.

Categories and applicability

Category	Returns to file
NBFC-BL (Base Layer)	DNBS-01, DNBS-02, DNBS-PPD (annual), ALM returns, others
NBFC-ML (Middle Layer)	All BL returns + DNBS-03, DNBS-09, more frequent ALM
NBFC-UL (Upper Layer)	All ML returns + additional governance + disclosure
NBFC-AA	DNBS-05
NBFC-MFI	Microfinance-specific
NBFC-Factor	Factoring-specific

For SME WC NBFC starting up: typically NBFC-BL to start.

Key returns

DNBS-01 — Important financial parameters

Frequency: Monthly.

Content: Snapshot of financial parameters:

Total assets.
Loans and advances (with breakup).
Investments.
Borrowings.
Net worth / capital.
Asset classification distribution.
Provisioning total.
Income / expense summary.
Profit / loss for the period.

Source in LMS:

Loan book aggregates by classification.
GL postings.
Capital adequacy computation.

DNBS-02 — Statement of capital funds, risk asset ratio etc.

Frequency: Quarterly.

Content:

Tier-1 and Tier-2 capital.
Risk-weighted assets per category.
CRAR computation.
Leverage ratio.
Concentration exposures (single borrower, group, sector).

Source: aggregated from LMS loan book + capital records.

DNBS-03 — Statement of investment and lending

Frequency: Quarterly (for ML and above).

Content: Detailed breakup of investments + lending portfolio composition.

DNBS-04A / 04B — Asset-Liability Management (ALM)

Frequency: Per ALM guidelines (monthly for some categories).

Content:

Bucketing of assets and liabilities by residual maturity.
Cumulative gap analysis.
Interest-rate sensitivity.

DNBS-05 — for NBFC-AA

Specific to Account Aggregator NBFCs.

DNBS-09 — Branch information

Frequency: Quarterly.

Content: Branch list, addresses, head count, business.

DNBS-13 — Overseas investment

Frequency: Quarterly (where applicable).

DNBS-PPD — NBFC annual return

Frequency: Annual.

Content: Comprehensive annual snapshot — financials, governance, compliance, audit committee, principal place of business.

Sample DNBS-01 field reference (illustrative; verify current format)

For a snapshot at month-end:

Field	Source	Validation
Reporting period	Period definition	Month-end date
Member NBFC details	Static config	From CoR
Total loans and advances	LMS book sum	Cross-check to GL
Standard	LMS loans where class = Standard	DPD `<= 90`
SMA-0	LMS where class = SMA_0	DPD `1 – 30`
SMA-1	LMS where class = SMA_1	DPD `31 – 60`
SMA-2	LMS where class = SMA_2	DPD `61 – 90`
Sub-standard	LMS where NPA `<= 12 months` since NPA
Doubtful D1	LMS where NPA `12 – 24 months`
Doubtful D2	LMS where NPA `24 – 48 months`
Doubtful D3	LMS where NPA `> 48 months`
Loss assets	LMS where class = LOSS
Total provisions	Sum of provision rows for the date	Cross-check GL
Interest income	Period income from GL
Interest expense	Period expense from GL
Operating expense	Period from GL
Profit / loss before tax	Computed
…

Submission process

1. End of period (month / quarter / year).
2. Daily batch results have already populated the warehouse / reporting tables.
3. Compliance / finance officer:
   a. Generates return per format from reporting tables.
   b. Reviews for accuracy.
   c. Validates against expected ratios / sanity checks.
   d. CFO / CRO / authorised signatory signs off.
4. File uploaded to RBI's online return submission portal (or via specific channel per RBI direction).
5. RBI acknowledges; lender retains evidence.
6. Any errors flagged by RBI → correction + re-submission.

What the LMS must produce

For each return, the LMS / reporting module produces:

Per-period aggregate data as required by the return format.
Source-traceability: every figure traceable to underlying loan / transaction.
Validation checks: ratios reconcile (sum of bucket-wise = total loan book; classification sums = total; etc.).
Audit trail: who generated, when, what data was used, who approved.
Submission record: file submitted, ack received.

Common errors / issues

Classification mismatch between LMS aggregate and individual loans (data integrity issue).
GL doesn’t reconcile with sub-ledger (operational issue).
Late submission (operational discipline).
Format errors (system file generation issue).
Cross-period inconsistencies (e.g., previous period’s NPA suddenly upgraded mid-period; need explanatory note).

Frequency calendar

Return	When
DNBS-01 (monthly)	By 15th of next month
DNBS-02 (quarterly)	By 15th of next month after quarter-end
DNBS-03 (quarterly)	By 15th of next month after quarter-end
DNBS-04A / 04B (ALM)	Per ALM guidelines
DNBS-09 (quarterly)	By 15th of next month after quarter-end
DNBS-PPD (annual)	Per RBI’s annual return schedule

(Verify current deadlines on rbi.org.in.)

Internal review process

Before submission:

Compliance officer review — content correctness.
CFO / Finance head review — financial accuracy.
CRO review — risk-related figures.
Board / audit committee — quarterly minimum.

What the LMS must enforce

Return generation for every required return.
On-time submission.
Validation before submission.
Audit trail of every submission.
Sign-off workflow with appropriate approvers.