Securities valuation rules: stock in trade measured at cost or categorywise net realisable value with RBI guidance for banks. ICDS VIII governs securities held as stock-in-trade: Part A applies to traders (excluding insurers, mutual funds, venture capital funds, banks and PFIs and FIIs), requires initial recognition at cost (including acquisition charges) with adjustments for pre-acquisition interest, measures securities subsequently at cost or net realisable value compared categorywise, and mandates cost carry-forward from prior year. Part B applies to scheduled banks and public financial institutions and requires adherence to Reserve Bank of India classification, recognition and measurement guidance.