RBI's Balance Sheet Expands 20.6% to ₹91.97 Lakh Crore in FY26 on Higher Domestic Investments and Gold Holdings

The Reserve Bank of India's (RBI) balance sheet stood at ₹91.97 lakh crore as of March 31, 2026, compared with ₹76.25 lakh crore a year earlier, according to the central bank's Annual Report for 2025-26.  

The increase of ₹15.72 lakh crore represents a year-on-year growth of 20.6%. The report attributed the rise mainly to higher domestic investments, gold holdings and foreign investments during the financial year. 

Domestic Investments Record Sharp Rise 

Among the major asset categories, domestic investments registered the highest growth. These investments increased by 44.9% during FY26. 

Foreign investments also moved higher, rising 7.9% from the previous year. Gold holdings recorded a 63.8% increase, making it one of the largest contributors to the expansion in the asset side of the balance sheet. 

The RBI noted that movements in domestic investments, gold, and foreign assets together supported the overall increase in total assets during the year. 

Asset Mix Changes During FY26 

The composition of the RBI's assets changed during the financial year. Domestic assets accounted for 29.1% of total assets as of March 31, 2026, up from 25.7% a year earlier. 

At the same time, foreign currency assets, gold holdings, and loans and advances to financial institutions outside India together accounted for 70.9% of total assets. Their share stood at 74.3% at the end of FY25. 

Growth Seen Across Liabilities 

On the liabilities side, revaluation accounts increased by 63.4% during FY26. Currency notes in circulation rose 11.8% over the previous year. 

Deposits grew 11.6%, while other liabilities recorded a 21.1% increase. These changes contributed to the overall expansion of the RBI's balance sheet during the year. 

Contingency Fund Allocation 

The RBI transferred ₹1.09 lakh crore to the Contingency Fund during FY26. No amount was transferred to the Asset Development Fund. 

The Contingency Fund is maintained to meet risks arising from exchange rate movements, interest rate changes, monetary operations, and other contingencies. 

Read More: India Surpasses China to Become World’s Largest Rice Producer, Output Reaches Record 150.18 Million Tonnes! 

Conclusion 

The RBI's balance sheet increased to ₹91.97 lakh crore in FY26, supported by growth in domestic investments, gold holdings and foreign investments. The share of domestic assets in the balance sheet also increased during the year. 

For daily market updates and regular stock market news in Hindi, stay tuned to Angel One's share market news in Hindi. 

Disclaimer: This blog has been written exclusively for educational purposes. The securities mentioned are only examples and not recommendations. This does not constitute a personal recommendation/investment advice. It does not aim to influence any individual or entity to make investment decisions. Recipients should conduct their own research and assessments to form an independent opinion about investment decisions.   
 
Investments in the securities market are subject to market risks, read all the related documents carefully before investing. a