FDI Sector Cap + FC-GPR + FLA Wizard

A first-pass route and compliance check for foreign investment into an Indian company.

Selected sector cap

100%

Automatic

Technology / Software / IT

SaaS, software products, IT services — 100% automatic. No prior approval.

Automatic route

FDI up to the sector cap permitted without prior approval from RBI or Central Government. Only post-facto reporting (FC-GPR) required within 30 days of allotment.

Government route

FDI requires prior approval from the competent authority (DPIIT/ministry) before investment. Sectors like defence, telecom >49%, media, multi-brand retail require government route approval.

VERIFY

Whether a SAFE note issued to a foreign investor constitutes FDI — SAFEs are likely neither debt nor equity; the NDI Rules permit only capital instruments. RBI has not issued guidance specifically on SAFEs. Most lawyers convert SAFEs to CCPS for Indian companies. Confirm current RBI/DPIIT position.

Statutory basis: FEMA 1999 + FEMA (Non-Debt Instruments) Rules 2019 (NDI Rules / FEMA 20(R)); RBI Master Direction on FDI in India (updated periodically); Companies Act 2013 (for share issuance); IRDAI / RBI / SEBI / MIB sector-specific caps per NDI Rules Schedule I + II