India's Forex Reserves Dip to $690.6 Billion as Weekly Data Confirms Trends
Why it matters
The latest Reserve Bank of India (RBI) Weekly Statistical Supplement (WSS) provides a detailed look at the nation's liquidity and external buffers. As of May 1, 2026, the data reflects the new reporting schedule mandated by the Banking Laws (Amendment) Act, 2025, which standardized fortnightly reporting to the 15th and final calendar day of each month.
Total foreign exchange reserves settled at $690.69 billion. The $7.79 billion weekly decrease primarily stems from a $5.02 billion contraction in gold holdings and a $2.79 billion reduction in foreign currency assets. Despite these weekly adjustments, long-term trends show robust banking activity, with non-food credit reaching ₹211.07 lakh crore.
| Metric (May 01, 2026) | Value (USD Million) | Weekly Change |
|---|---|---|
| Total Reserves | 690,693 | -7,794 |
| Foreign Currency Assets | 551,825 | -2,797 |
| Gold Reserves | 115,216 | -5,021 |
| SDRs | 18,789 | +15 |
| Reserve Position in IMF | 4,863 | +8 |
Glossary
Foreign Currency Assets (FCA): Assets held in non-rupee denominations, including the Dollar, Euro, and Yen.
Special Drawing Rights (SDR): An international reserve asset allocated by the IMF to supplement member countries' official reserves.
NaukriSync Exam Angle
Topic: Indian Economy. Key Data: Total forex reserves hit $690.69 billion (May 1, 2026), with gold comprising $115.21 billion. Exam Focus: Expect questions on the components of India's forex reserves and the impact of the Banking Laws (Amendment) Act, 2025 on banking reporting cycles.