The Department of Industrial Policy & Promotion is the nodal Department for formulation of the policy of the Government on Foreign Direct Investment (FDI). It is also responsible for maintenance and management of data on inward FDI into India, based upon the remittances reported by the Reserve Bank of India.
The FDI policy is reviewed on an ongoing basis, with a view to making it more investor-friendly. To attract higher levels of FDI, Government has put in place a liberal policy on FDI, under which FDI up to 100%, is permitted, under the automatic route, in most sectors/activities.
Significant changes have been made in the FDI policy regime in recent times, to ensure that India remains an increasingly attractive investment destination. The Department plays an active role in the liberalization and rationalization of the FDI policy. Towards this end, it has been constructively engaged in extensive stakeholder consultations on various aspects of the FDI policy.
A non-resident entity can invest in India, subject to the FDI Policy except in those sectors/activities which are prohibited. However, a citizen of Bangladesh or an entity incorporated in Bangladesh can invest only under the Government route. Further, a citizen of Pakistan or an entity incorporated in Pakistan can invest, only under the Government route, in sectors/activities other than defence, space and atomic energy and sectors/activities prohibited for foreign investment.
NRIs resident in Nepal and Bhutan as well as citizens of Nepal and Bhutan are permitted to invest in the capital of Indian companies on repatriation basis, subject to the condition that the amount of consideration for such investment shall be paid only by way of inward remittance in free foreign exchange through normal banking channels.