RBI Balance Sheet Swells 20.6% to Rs 91.97 Lakh Crore in FY26

The balance sheet of the Reserve Bank of India expanded significantly in FY26 , rising by 20.6 per cent to reach Rs 91.97 lakh crore at the end of March 2026, according to its latest annual report. The sharp expansion was driven by higher domestic investments, along with a strong rise in gold holdings and foreign assets.

The total balance sheet increased by more than Rs 15.71 lakh crore , rising from Rs 76.25 lakh crore in March 2025 to Rs 91.97 lakh crore in March 2026. On the asset side, domestic investments surged 44.9 per cent , while gold assets jumped 63.8 per cent and foreign investments rose 7.9 per cent , reflecting broad-based growth in reserves and holdings.

On the liabilities side, key components including revaluation accounts , currency notes in circulation , deposits , and other liabilities also registered an increase, indicating the overall expansion of the central bank’s financial position.

The composition of assets also shifted slightly, with domestic assets accounting for 29.1 per cent of the total, while foreign currency assets and gold together made up 70.9 per cent , underlining the continued dominance of external reserves in the RBI’s balance sheet structure.

Financial performance remained strong. Income rose 26.4 per cent , while expenditure surged 102.4 per cent during the year. Despite the sharp rise in spending, the central bank ended FY26 with an overall surplus of Rs 2.86 lakh crore , higher than the previous year’s level.

The report noted a transfer of Rs 1.09 lakh crore to the Contingency Fund , while no provision was made for the Asset Development Fund during the year.

In terms of reserves, gold holdings increased marginally to 880.52 metric tonnes , compared to 879.58 metric tonnes in the previous year. However, the value of gold rose sharply due to higher global prices and currency depreciation.

Operational costs showed mixed trends, with currency printing expenses declining, while employee costs increased during the year.

Overall, the report highlights a year of strong balance sheet expansion for the Reserve Bank of India, driven by robust investments, rising reserve asset values, and steady surplus generation.