Foreign Investment Guide

Foreign Direct Investment(FDI) in India

Complete guide to Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) in India. Learn about FDI policies, automatic route vs government route, sector-wise FDI limits, compliance requirements, and get expert assistance for your foreign investment.

100% FDI
Most Sectors
Automatic
Route Available
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FDI Routes in India

Automatic Route

  • No prior approval required from government
  • Post-investment reporting to RBI mandatory
  • FC-GPR filing within 30 days of investment
  • Most sectors allow 100% FDI under this route
  • Faster and simpler process

Government Route

  • Prior approval required from concerned ministry
  • Application to be filed with DPIIT or sector regulator
  • Approval typically takes 4-6 weeks
  • Required for sectors with restrictions or sensitive sectors
  • Post-approval compliance and reporting required

Sector-wise FDI Limits

Key sectors and their FDI limits

IT & Software

100%

Automatic Route

Manufacturing

100%

Automatic Route

Trading

100%

Automatic Route

E-commerce

100%

Automatic Route

Services

100%

Automatic Route

Defense

74%

Automatic (100% with approval) Route

Insurance

74%

Automatic Route

Media

26-49%

Government Route

Banking

74%

Automatic Route

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) in India?

FDI refers to investment by a foreign entity in an Indian company. It can be in the form of equity capital, reinvested earnings, or other capital. FDI is regulated by the Foreign Exchange Management Act (FEMA) and FDI Policy.

What are the FDI routes in India?

There are two routes: Automatic Route (no prior approval required) and Government Route (prior approval from government required). Most sectors allow 100% FDI under automatic route.

Which sectors allow 100% FDI under automatic route?

Most sectors allow 100% FDI under automatic route including IT, manufacturing, services, trading, e-commerce, and many others. Sectors like defense, media, and certain services may have restrictions or require government approval.

What is the difference between automatic route and government route?

Automatic route allows FDI without prior approval - just post-investment reporting to RBI. Government route requires prior approval from the concerned ministry or department before making the investment.

Do I need RBI approval for FDI under automatic route?

No prior RBI approval is required for FDI under automatic route. However, post-investment reporting to RBI is mandatory through FC-GPR filing within 30 days of share issuance.

What is FC-GPR filing?

FC-GPR (Foreign Currency-Gross Provisional Return) is filed with RBI within 30 days of share issuance to report foreign investment. It is mandatory for all foreign investments in Indian companies.

Are there any sector-specific FDI restrictions?

Yes, some sectors have restrictions: Defense (74% automatic, 100% with approval), Media (26-49% depending on type), Insurance (74%), Banking (varies), and a few others. Most sectors allow 100% FDI.

What are the compliance requirements for FDI?

FDI compliance includes: FC-GPR filing within 30 days, FC-TRS filing for share transfers, annual returns to RBI, and compliance with sector-specific regulations. Non-compliance can result in penalties.

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