Date: 2020-12-04Category: Not ApplicableState: Union GovernmentCountry: India
Perpetual Validity for Certificate of Authorisation (CoA) issued to Payment System Operators (PSOs) under Payment and Settlement Systems Act, 2007 (PSS Act)
**Policy Summary: Perpetual Validity for Certificate of Authorisation (CoA) issued to Payment System Operators (PSOs)**
This policy, issued by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) on December 4, 2020, outlines the granting of perpetual validity for Certificates of Authorisation (CoA) to Payment System Operators (PSOs) under the Payment and Settlement Systems Act, 2007 (PSS Act). This policy stems from the Statement on Developmental and Regulatory Policies dated October 9, 2020.
The RBI will now grant authorisation to both new and existing PSOs on a perpetual basis, contingent upon adherence to specific conditions. Previously, authorisation was granted for specified periods up to five years, with similar renewals. This change aims to reduce licensing uncertainties, allowing PSOs to focus on their business operations and optimize regulatory resource utilization.
For existing authorized PSOs, the grant of perpetual validity will be examined upon CoA renewal, subject to:
* Full compliance with the terms and conditions of the original authorisation.
* Fulfillment of entry norms, including capital and net worth requirements.
* Absence of major regulatory or supervisory concerns related to operations, as determined through on-site and off-site monitoring.
* Efficacy of the customer grievance redressal mechanism.
* No adverse reports from other RBI departments, regulators, or statutory bodies.
PSOs that do not initially meet these conditions will be granted a one-year renewal to facilitate compliance. Failure to comply within a reasonable timeframe may result in the withdrawal of authorisation. The RBI retains the right to take action under the PSS Act, including imposing restrictions on payment system operations or revoking the CoA, if an entity becomes non-compliant with authorisation conditions.
This directive is issued under Section 10(2) read with Section 18 of the Payment and Settlement Systems Act, 2007 (Act 51 of 2007).
The Department of Payment and Settlement Systems, Central Office can be contacted at: Reserve Bank of India, 14th Floor, Central Office Building, Shahid Bhagat Singh Road, Fort, Mumbai – 400001. Tel: 91-22-2260 1000; Fax: 91-22-2265 9566; email: cgmdpsscorbi.org.in.
Key Entities Referenced
Reserve Bank of India: The central bank of India, responsible for regulating the country's monetary policy and financial system.
Payment System Operators: Entities authorized to operate payment systems under the Payment and Settlement Systems Act, 2007.
Payment and Settlement Systems Act, 2007: An act of the Indian Parliament that provides for the regulation and supervision of payment systems in India.
CoA: Certificate of Authorisation issued to Payment System Operators.
PSS Act: Abbreviation for Payment and Settlement Systems Act, 2007.
October 9, 2020: Date of the Statement on Developmental and Regulatory Policies, which announced the granting of perpetual authorization for Payment System Operators.
Mumbai, Maharashtra: City in Maharashtra where the Central Office of the Department of Payment and Settlement Systems is located.
P Vasudevan: Chief General Manager at Reserve Bank of India.
भारतीय�रज़वर्बक�
RESERVE BANK OF INDIA
www.rbi.org.in
RBI/2020-21/72
DPSS.CO.AD.No.724/02.27.005/2020-21 December 4, 2020
The Chairman / Managing Director / Chief Executive Officer
Authorised Non-bank Payment System Operators
Madam / Dear Sir.
Perpetual Validity for Certificate of Authorisation (CoA) issued to Payment System
Operators (PSOs) under Payment and Settlement Systems Act, 2007 (PSS Act)
This has reference to the Statement on Developmental and Regulatory Policies dated October
9, 2020 wherein Reserve Bank of India (RBI) had announced granting of authorisation for all
PSOs under PSS Act on a perpetual basis, subject to certain conditions.
2. Currently, RBI grants authorisation to new entities desirous of operating a payment
system for specified periods up to five years. Similar approach is adopted for renewal of
validity of authorisation to existing entities. To reduce licensing uncertainties and enable PSOs
to focus on their business as also to optimise utilisation of regulatory resources, it has been
decided to, hereafter, grant authorisation for all PSOs (both new and existing) on a perpetual
basis, subject to the usual conditions.
3. For existing authorised PSOs, grant of perpetual validity shall be examined as and
when the CoA becomes due for renewal subject to their adherence to the following:
a) Full compliance with the terms and conditions subject to which authorisation was
granted;
b) Fulfilment of entry norms such as capital, networth requirements, etc.;
c) No major regulatory or supervisory concerns related to operations of the PSO, as
observed during onsite and / or offsite monitoring;
d) Efficacy of customer grievance redressal mechanism;
e) No adverse reports from other departments of RBI / regulators / statutory bodies, etc.
भुगतान और िनपटान �णाली िवभाग, क��ीयकायार्लय, 14वीमंिजल, क��ीयकायार्लयभवन,शहीदभगत�संहमागर्, फोट,र् मुम्बई – 400001
Department of Payment and Settlement Systems, Central Office, 14th Floor, Central Office Building, ShahidBhagat Singh Road, Fort, Mumbai – 400001
फोनTel: (91-22) 2260 1000; फैक् सFax: (91-22) 2265 9566; ईमेल-e-mail : cgmdpssco@rbi.org.in
�हदं ी आसानह,ै इसका�योगबढ़ाइए4. Existing PSOs who do not satisfy all conditions will be given one-year renewals to
enable them to comply; if any entity fails to do so in a reasonable time, its authorisation may
be withdrawn.
5. If an entity becomes non-compliant with any of the conditions of authorisation, RBI
may undertake action as deemed fit under the provisions of PSS Act, including imposition of
restrictions on payment system operations and / or revocation of CoA.
6. This directive is issued under Section 10(2) read with Section 18 of Payment and
Settlement Systems Act, 2007 (Act 51 of 2007).
Yours faithfully,
(P Vasudevan)
Chief General Manager