The Foreign Investment Promotion Board (FIPB) is a government body that offers a single window clearance for proposals on Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) in India that are not allowed access through the automatic route. FIPB comprises of Secretaries drawn from different ministries with Secretary, Department of Economic Affairs, MoF in the chair. This inter-ministerial body examines and discusses proposals for foreign investments in the country for sectors with caps, sources and instruments that require approval under the extant FDI Policy (prescribed vide Circular 1 of 2011) on a regular basis. The Minister of Finance, considers the recommendations of the FIPB on proposals for foreign investment up to  1200 crore. Proposals involving foreign investment of more than  1200 crore require the approval of the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA).

FIPB is mandated to play an important role in the administration and implementation of the Government’s FDI policy. It has a strong record of actively encouraging the flow of FDI into the country through speedy and transparent processing of applications, and providing on-line clarification. In case of ambiguity or a conflict of interpretation, the FIPB has always stepped in with an investor-friendly approach.

The e-filing facility is an important initiative of the Secretariat of the FIPB to further enhance its efficiency and transparency of decision making. Any suggestions to improve the e-filing system and FIPB procedure are welcome.

E-filing requirement for foreign investment approvals improves transparency and expedites processing under the FIPB framework. The Foreign Investment Promotion Board operates as the single window clearance for non-automatic FDI proposals, providing inter-ministerial review and investor-friendly interpretation while recommendations are processed through Ministerial or collective executive approval; a mandatory e-filing facility has been introduced to improve efficiency, transparency and responsiveness and the Secretariat invites suggestions to refine the e-filing system and FIPB procedures.