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Microlesson · 5-min read

AS 12 — Grants in the Nature of Promoter's Contribution

## Grants in the Nature of Promoter's Contribution

Some grants are given as a one-time incentive to encourage investment — not tied to specific expenses or specific assets:

  • Grant to set up a plant in a backward/underdeveloped region
  • Grant to invest in a priority sector or industry
  • Any grant where no further conditions remain to be fulfilled

---

### Treatment: Credit to Capital Reserve

```

Bank/CIB A/c Dr [grant amount]

To Capital Reserve [grant amount]

```

Why Capital Reserve?

These grants are analogous to a promoter injecting equity capital. They permanently strengthen the enterprise's capital base. Treating them as income would overstate P&L profitability and mislead users about the enterprise's earning power.

---

### When Does This Treatment Apply?

SituationTreatment
Grant to set up business in backward regionCapital Reserve
Grant for past expenses — no future obligationsCapital Reserve
Non-depreciable asset grant — unconditionalCapital Reserve
DGG transferred after all conditions are met (non-depreciable)Capital Reserve

---

### Key Distinction from Other Grant Types

FeaturePromoter's Contribution GrantDGG (Revenue Grant)
Goes toCapital Reserve (permanent)Released to P&L over time
Future conditionsNone remainingYes, ongoing
P&L impactNeverGradually each period

Worked example

### Example 1

Backward area grant: State government offers ₹50 lakhs to a company to set up a manufacturing unit in a tribal area. The grant has no further conditions beyond setting up the plant (which is already done).

```

Bank A/c Dr 50L

To Capital Reserve 50L

```

This ₹50L remains permanently in Capital Reserve — never transferred to P&L.

### Example 2

Priority sector grant: Central government provides ₹1 crore to a company investing in defence manufacturing (a priority sector), with no conditions beyond the investment commitment (already made).

```

Bank A/c Dr 100L

To Capital Reserve 100L

```

The entire ₹1 crore strengthens equity capital. No income recognition.

⚠️ Common exam mistakes

  • Confusing promoter's contribution grants with DGG — unlike DGG, Capital Reserve grants are NEVER transferred to P&L under any circumstances
  • Treating promoter-type grants as Other Income in P&L — they go directly to Capital Reserve
  • Mixing this up with revenue grants — the key differentiating test: are there future conditions to be fulfilled? If no, it is a promoter-type grant to Capital Reserve
Reference: Paragraph 22 (Grants in the Nature of Promoters' Contribution) — AS 12 — Accounting for Government Grants, ICAI
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