The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has reported a significant increase in its balance sheet for the financial year 2024–25, rising by 8.2% to ₹76.25 lakh crore. The surge was largely driven by a substantial 33% increase in foreign exchange transaction gains, strong growth in gold reserves, and higher domestic investments. This performance enabled the central bank to transfer a record ₹2.7 lakh crore as surplus to the central government, underscoring the health of India’s monetary system and supporting fiscal stability.
Why in News?
On May 29, 2025, the RBI released its Annual Report for 2024–25. The report revealed A record surplus of ₹2.68 lakh crore transferred to the central government. A sharp 33% rise in forex income and 52% growth in gold holdings. A notable rise in e-rupee usage and a 25% jump in currency printing cost.
Financial Performance & Balance Sheet Expansion
- Total balance sheet size: ₹76.25 lakh crore (as on March 31, 2025), up by ₹5.78 lakh crore from ₹70.47 lakh crore in FY24.
- Income growth: +22.77%
- Expenditure growth: +7.76%
- Overall surplus: ₹2.68 lakh crore (up 27.37% from previous year’s ₹2.10 lakh crore)
Assets Side Expansion
- Gold reserves: ↑ 52.09%
- Domestic investments: ↑ 14.32%
- Foreign investments: ↑ 1.70%
- Forex transaction gain: ↑ 33% to ₹1.11 lakh crore
Liabilities Side Expansion
- Notes issued: ↑ 6.03%
- Revaluation accounts: ↑ 17.32%
- Other liabilities: ↑ 23.31%
Currency Management
- Currency printing cost: ₹6,372.82 crore (↑ 25%)
- Banknotes in circulation (volume): ↑ 5.6%
- Banknotes in circulation (value): ↑ 6%
- e-Rupee circulation: ↑ 334%
- ₹500 notes share: 86% in value, 40.9% in volume
- ₹2000 note withdrawal: 98.2% returned by March 2025
- Coins in circulation: ↑ 9.6% in value, ↑ 3.6% in volume
Counterfeit Notes Trends
- Detected FICNs: ₹10–₹2000 denominations saw a decline
- But: Fake ₹200 and ₹500 notes increased by 13.9% and 37.3% respectively
Static & Contextual Info
- Contingency Fund Provision: ₹44,861.70 crore
- Banknote denominations in circulation: ₹2 to ₹2000 (₹2, ₹5 & ₹2000 no longer printed)
- Coins in circulation: 50 paise to ₹20
Economic Outlook & RBI Commentary
- RBI expects India to remain the fastest-growing major economy in FY26.
Inflation outlook remains positive due to,
- Easing global supply chains
- Strong monsoon & agricultural output
- Softer commodity prices
- Warning on risks from tariff wars and inward-looking global trade policies.
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