ECB repayment timing can commence before completion of the prescribed maturity if minimum average maturity requirement is met. Principal repayment of an External Commercial Borrowing raised from a foreign equity holder for general corporate purpose, working capital or repayment of Rupee loans may commence before completion of five years provided the ECB satisfies a minimum average maturity requirement of five years; early instalments are permissible so long as the instrument's overall average maturity meets the mandated threshold.