MoRTH · NH + State Highway · Bharatmala · Setu Bharatam

MoRTH surety bond — every highway BG replaceable.

The Ministry of Road Transport & Highways executes India's national highway programme through NHAI, state PWDs and central PSU agencies. Bid security, performance security, mobilisation advance and retention — all four security instruments on MoRTH-funded projects now run as insurance surety bonds. Aligned with NHAI Policy Circular 3.1.41/2025 and the GFR 2023 amendment.

Get a MoRTH bond quote → Also for NHAI
Premium
0.50–1.20% p.a.
Bond capacity
Up to ₹500 cr / bond
Quote SLA
4 working hours
— 01 — BOND TYPES

Four MoRTH bonds, all replaceable.

MoRTH highway tenders use the same four security instruments as NHAI. Each can be issued as an insurance surety bond.

% of est. cost
2%

Bid bond (EMD)

Submitted with the tender. Replaces cash EMD or bid security BG. Tenure 6–9 months.

Read the bid bond guide →
% of contract
5–10%

Performance bond

Post-award security through construction and defect liability period. Tenure typically 36 months.

Read the performance bond guide →
% of contract
10%

Mobilisation advance bond

Against the 10% mobilisation advance. NHAI Clause 3.4 step-down formula applies on MoRTH-funded NHAI projects.

Read the advance bond guide →
% of RA bills
5–10%

Retention money bond

Replaces the retention held against each running account bill. Releases cumulative retention to your operations.

Read the retention bond guide →
— 02 — ACCEPTANCE

MoRTH-specific acceptance facts.

How insurance surety bonds are applied across MoRTH's programme delivery model.

Executing agencies

NHAI executes most national highway contracts; state PWDs execute state highways; NHIDCL covers border & hill areas. All three accept surety bonds.

Programme coverage

Bharatmala Pariyojana, Setu Bharatam (bridges & ROBs), national highway capacity expansion, expressway projects, ROBs and RUBs.

Bond format

Standardised NHAI bond format applies on NHAI-executed projects; state PWD bond format on SH projects. Obligee is the executing agency, not MoRTH directly.

Insurer panel

All 15 IRDAI-licensed surety insurers can issue MoRTH bonds. Rakshati routes your file across the panel so they compete on rate.

— 03 — FAQs

MoRTH surety bond questions.

Six common questions for contractors bidding on MoRTH-funded highway work.

Does MoRTH accept insurance surety bonds?
Yes. MoRTH accepts insurance surety bonds in lieu of bank guarantees on national highway and state-highway contracts. Acceptance is grounded in the GFR 2023 amendment and aligned with NHAI Policy Circular 3.1.41/2025 since NHAI is the executing agency for most MoRTH-funded national highway projects.
Which MoRTH contract types accept surety bonds?
All MoRTH contract categories: EPC, HAM, BOT(Toll), Annuity for greenfield highway projects; bridge and ROB/RUB contracts; state-highway development under Setu Bharatam and Bharatmala; toll plaza construction; and consultancy contracts requiring bid security.
Is the MoRTH bond format the same as NHAI?
Largely yes. MoRTH typically uses the NHAI-standardised bond format introduced via Policy Circular 3.1.41/2025, payable on first demand to the Project Director or the executing PWD. Some state-PWD-executed MoRTH projects use the state PWD format instead.
How much does a MoRTH surety bond cost?
Premium is typically 0.50% to 1.20% of bond face value per year. Lower band for graded contractors with track record; upper band for first-time files or longer-tenure performance bonds.
What documents are required for a MoRTH surety bond?
Company KYC, last 2 years' audited financials, current year provisional, last 3 years' work-order list, GST returns, the MoRTH or NHAI tender document, and the executing agency's bond format. The Rakshati platform pre-fills 80% of the file from public sources.
How fast can I get a MoRTH surety bond?
Indicative quote in 4 hours. Underwriting decision in 24–48 hours. Bond document delivered to the Project Director in 2–5 working days.

Your next MoRTH bond, routed across the panel.

Tell us the project — national highway, state highway, bridge, or toll plaza — and which bond you need. Four working hours later you have an indicative rate band and the document checklist.

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