RBI Mandates PRAVAAH Portal for Decentralized Overseas Investment Filings via Regional Offices

Introduction to the Decentralized Framework

In a significant move to streamline regulatory procedures, the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has restructured the administrative workflow for handling overseas investment references. Promulgated through A.P. (DIR Series) Circular No. 02 dated April 01, 2026, the apex bank has officially shifted the processing jurisdiction from a singular central authority to multiple regional hubs. This structural pivot is designed to optimize operational efficiency, ensure a more balanced distribution of regulatory workload, and expedite the clearance of references submitted by any person resident in India.

Transition from Centralized to Regional Processing

Historically, whenever an assessee or a domestic entity routed their overseas investment references through Authorised Dealer (AD) Category I Banks, the documentation was invariably directed to the Foreign Exchange Department situated at the RBI’s Central Office.