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Microlesson · 5-min read

Schedule I — Prohibited Current Account Transactions

# Schedule I — Prohibited Current Account Transactions

Schedule I lists transactions that are absolutely prohibited — they cannot be drawn from foreign exchange at all, not even with RBI/CG approval.

## The eight prohibited heads

#TransactionRationale
1Remittance out of lottery winningsDiscourages gambling outflows
2Remittance out of racing/riding income or any other hobby (e.g. camel race)Same
3Remittance for purchase of lottery tickets, football pools, sweepstakes, banned/prescribed magazinesBars outward gambling spends
4Payment of dividend by a company where dividend balancing appliesDividend outflow capped at forex inflows earned
5Payment of commission on exports towards equity investment in JV/WOS abroadAnti-round-tripping
6Payment of commission on exports under Rupee State Credit Route (except tea & tobacco up to 10% of invoice value)No real forex receipt
7Payment under Call-Back Services of telephonesBypasses Indian telecom
8Remittance of interest on NRSR (Non-Resident Special Rupee) AccountPolicy bar

## Notes on key heads

### Dividend balancing (#4)

Dividend payable to foreign partners is limited to foreign exchange earnings of the Indian company. The prohibition kicks in only where dividend balancing is required.

> Clarification: In the absence of any information that dividend balancing applies, dividend can be paid freely.

### Rupee State Credit Route (#6)

Under this route, India supplies goods (e.g. grains to Russia); Russia reduces its INR debt; the Indian Government pays the Indian farmer in INR. No forex actually comes in. So paying commission in forex is prohibited.

> Exception: Tea and tobacco exports — commission allowed up to 10% of invoice value.

### Call-back services (#7)

International call-back arrangements that bypass licensed telecom operators — outward forex payment is prohibited.

## Memory hook

"Lotteries, Hobbies, Bans, Balancing, Round-tripping, Rupee-Credit, Call-back, NRSR" — eight items.

Worked example

### Example 1

Example 1 — Lottery prize remittance

A PRI wins ₹50 lakh in a state lottery and wants to remit to his daughter in Canada.

Answer: Sch. I #1 — absolutely Prohibited.

### Example 2

Example 2 — Buying foreign lottery tickets

Mr. P wants to remit US $500 to buy UK lottery tickets.

Answer: Sch. I #3 — Prohibited.

### Example 3

Example 3 — Export commission, tea under Rupee Route

ABC Ltd exports tea to Russia under the Rupee State Credit Route and pays 8% commission to a Russian agent.

Answer: General prohibition applies, but tea has an exception up to 10% — 8% is within the exception, so permitted.

⚠️ Common exam mistakes

  • Assuming Schedule I transactions can be done with RBI/CG approval — they are absolutely prohibited.
  • Forgetting the tea and tobacco exception (10%) under the Rupee State Credit Route.
  • Confusing 'dividend balancing applicable' (prohibited) with normal dividend (freely permitted).
  • Treating skill-based winnings like lottery — Schedule I targets lottery/racing/hobby casual income.
Bare-Act text Schedule I (Rule 3) · Foreign Exchange Management (Current Account Transactions) Rules, 2000 · click to expand
The following transactions are prohibited: (1) Remittance out of lottery winnings; (2) Remittance of income from racing/riding etc., or any other hobby; (3) Remittance for purchase of lottery tickets, banned/prescribed magazines, football pools, sweepstakes etc.; (4) Payment of commission on exports made towards equity investment in Joint Ventures/Wholly Owned Subsidiaries abroad of Indian companies; (5) Remittance of dividend by any company to which the requirement of dividend balancing is applicable; (6) Payment of commission on exports under Rupee State Credit Route, except commission up to 10% of invoice value of exports of tea and tobacco; (7) Payment related to "Call Back Services" of telephones; (8) Remittance of interest income on funds held in Non-Resident Special Rupee (Account) Scheme.
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