Foreign Investment Eligibility
Check FDI permissibility, route (automatic / approval) and sectoral caps.
The Foreign Investment Eligibility checker shows whether FDI is permitted in a sector, the entry route (automatic or approval) and the sectoral cap. It draws on the FEMA Non-Debt Instruments Rules, 2019, as amended, and the Consolidated FDI Policy issued by DPIIT. It is for Indian companies, startups and foreign investors evaluating foreign investment.
Use the Foreign Investment Eligibility
Check sectoral caps and entry routes for Foreign Direct Investment under the FEMA Non-Debt Instruments Rules, 2019 (as amended by Second Amendment Rules, 2026 notified 2 May 2026) and the Consolidated FDI Policy by DPIIT.
| Sector | FDI Cap | Route | Conditions |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lottery business / gambling / betting / casinos | PROHIBITED | Prohibited | No FDI permitted in any form. |
| Chit funds | PROHIBITED | Prohibited | No FDI permitted. |
| Nidhi company | PROHIBITED | Prohibited | No FDI permitted. |
| Real estate business (other than construction-development) | PROHIBITED | Prohibited | Trading in TDRs prohibited. Construction-development permitted up to 100%. |
| Atomic energy / minerals (specified) | PROHIBITED | Prohibited | Reserved for public sector. |
| Tobacco - cigarettes / cigars manufacture | PROHIBITED | Prohibited | No FDI permitted. |
| Insurance companies and intermediaries | 100% | Automatic | Liberalised to 100% by FEMA NDI 2nd Amendment Rules, 2026 (notified 2 May 2026). LIC capped at 20% under automatic route. |
| Space sector - satellite manufacturing and operations | 100% | Automatic | Liberalised in 2024. |
| Manufacturing (most subsectors) | 100% | Automatic | Including pharmaceuticals (greenfield), automobiles, food processing. |
| IT / ITeS / BPO | 100% | Automatic | Most service sectors. |
| Single-brand retail (online or offline) | 100% | Automatic | Above 51% requires 30% local sourcing condition (5 years). |
| E-commerce (marketplace model only) | 100% | Automatic | Inventory-based B2C e-commerce NOT permitted. |
| Mining (most minerals other than restricted) | 100% | Automatic | Coal / lignite by 100% subsidiaries permitted. |
| Construction-development (townships / housing / built-up) | 100% | Automatic | Subject to lock-in and exit conditions. |
| LLP (sectors with 100% automatic FDI and no performance conditions) | 100% | Automatic | Subject to specific LLP conditions. |
| Multi-brand retail trading | 51% | Approval | Currently 51% with conditions; some states have opted out. |
| Print media (newspapers / periodicals on news and current affairs) | 26% | Approval | Below 26% only. |
| News broadcasting (uplinking / TV news channels) | 49% | Approval | Approval route, capped at 49%. |
| Defence manufacturing | 74% / 100% | Auto up to 74%, Approval above | 74% automatic; above requires Govt approval (case-by-case for modern tech). |
| Telecom services | 100% | Auto up to 49%, Approval above | Above 49% requires Govt approval. |
| Pharmaceuticals - brownfield | 100% | Auto up to 74%, Approval above | Brownfield acquisitions above 74% require Govt approval. |
| Banking - private sector | 74% | Auto up to 49%, Approval above | Above 49% requires Govt approval; voting rights capped at 26%. |
| Banking - public sector | 20% | Approval | Capped at 20% under approval route. |
| Air transport - scheduled airlines | 100% | Auto up to 49%, NRI/OCI 100% auto | Above 49% requires Govt approval (foreign airlines limited to 49%). |
| Digital media (uploading news on digital channels) | 26% | Approval | Capped at 26% via approval route. |
| Investments from land-bordering countries (China, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Nepal, Bhutan, Myanmar, Afghanistan) | All | Government Approval | Per Press Note 3 (2020) as amended by Press Note 2 (2026 Series), in force 2 May 2026: approval needed where the investor or its beneficial owner (PMLA / PML Rules r.9(3), broadly more than 10% or control) is from these countries; non-controlling beneficial ownership within that threshold may use the automatic route, subject to RBI reporting. |
Reporting requirements for FDI:
- FC-GPR: File within 30 days of share allotment via RBI FIRMS portal (firms.rbi.org.in).
- FC-TRS: File within 60 days where shares are transferred between a resident and a non-resident.
- Form FLA: Annual return on Foreign Liabilities and Assets - due 15 July for the previous FY.
- Form DI / Form InVI: For convertible debt instruments and investment vehicles.
- Late filings attract Late Submission Fee (LSF) per the RBI matrix - varies by delay duration and amount.
Land-bordering countries (China, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Nepal, Bhutan, Myanmar, Afghanistan):
Press Note 3 (2020 Series) requires prior government approval where the investing entity is from, or the beneficial owner of the investment is situated in or a citizen of, a country sharing a land border with India. Press Note 2 (2026 Series), given effect by the FEMA (Non-debt Instruments) (Amendment) Rules, 2026 in force from 2 May 2026, defines beneficial owner as under Section 2(1)(fa) of the PMLA, 2002, determined under Rule 9(3) of the PML (Maintenance of Records) Rules, 2005 (for a company, broadly more than 10% ownership or control). An investor entity from a non-land-bordering country whose land-bordering-country beneficial ownership is within this threshold and non-controlling can invest under the automatic route, but must report the investment in the form and manner specified by RBI. Transfers that shift beneficial ownership to these countries still require approval.
Important note: This tool provides an indicative output only. It does not factor in every special provision, surcharge, exception, or recent notification. Verify with the firm before acting on any computation.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between the automatic route and the approval route for FDI?
Under the automatic route, a foreign investor can invest without prior government approval, subject to the sectoral cap and conditions, and the investment is reported to RBI afterwards. Under the approval route, prior approval of the Government of India is needed before investing. Some sectors, such as lottery, gambling and betting, are prohibited for FDI altogether.
Do investors from China or other neighbouring countries need government approval?
Yes, where the approval trigger applies. Under Press Note 3 (2020 Series) as amended by Press Note 2 (2026 Series), given effect from 2 May 2026, prior government approval is needed where the investor is from a country sharing a land border with India or the beneficial owner, as defined under the PMLA and the PML Rules (broadly more than 10% ownership or control for a company), is from such a country. Non-controlling beneficial ownership within that threshold can use the automatic route, subject to RBI reporting.
How do I use the FDI eligibility checker?
Search for your sector or filter by route. The table shows the FDI cap, entry route and key conditions for each listed sector under the FEMA Non-Debt Instruments Rules, 2019 and the consolidated FDI Policy. The list covers major sectors only, so refer to the DPIIT consolidated FDI Policy for sub-sectors not shown and for sector-specific conditions.
Due in the next 30 days
FEMAFull compliance calendar → Statutory dates, which can be extended by notification. General information only.