Select Page

India’s foreign exchange reserves dipped by $4.1 billion to $640.28 billion as of December 27, 2024, according to the data shared by the Reserve Bank of India.

The country’s forex reserves had dropped by $8.4 billion for the week ending December 20 and had settled at $644.39 billion.

The Weekly Statistical Supplement released by the RBI showed that the primary contributor to this decline was the drop in Foreign Currency Assets (FCAs), which fell by $4.6 billion to $551.92 billion.

India’s current account deficit is projected to stay around 1% of GDP in fiscal 2025, supported by strong financial inflows and a steady services trade surplus. Despite pressures from rising merchandise trade deficits, healthy remittances and increased foreign portfolio investments have maintained stability.

Meanwhile, gold reserves were up by $541 million, bringing the total to $66.26 billion.The Special Drawing Rights (SDRs) dipped by $12 million, now totalling $17.87 billion, while the reserve position in the International Monetary Fund (IMF) did not have any changes and continued at $42.17 billion.

India’s forex kitty

India is growing in economic strength and has achieved the significant feat of joining the ranks of the world’s largest foreign exchange reserves, securing the 4th position globally after China, Japan, and Switzerland.

RBI seen loosening stranglehold on rupee in 2025

The Reserve Bank of India might have to adjust its foreign exchange strategy as the rupee is overvalued. This could lead to a weaker and more volatile rupee by 2025. Factors such as the U.S. Federal Reserve’s rate cut cycle, Donald Trump’s trade policies, US bond yields and India’s economic slowdown will impact the rupee.

India’s economy is making new records every day. While there was a time when India’s economy was considered a part of the ‘Fragile Five’. But India’s rise from the “Fragile Five” to the fastest-growing major economy is an example for other developing countries.Today, India has not only become the fifth-largest economy in the world but has also set a new record in terms of foreign exchange reserves. For the first time in history, India’s foreign exchange reserves have reached above $700 billion.

Typically, the RBI, from time to time, intervenes in the market through liquidity management, including through the selling of dollars, with a view to preventing a steep depreciation in the rupee.

The RBI closely monitors the foreign exchange markets and intervenes only to maintain orderly market conditions by containing excessive volatility in the exchange rate, without reference to any pre-determined target level or band.

  • Published On Jan 3, 2025 at 06:00 PM IST

Join the community of 2M+ industry professionals

Subscribe to our newsletter to get latest insights & analysis.

Download ETBFSI App

  • Get Realtime updates
  • Save your favourite articles

icon g play

icon app store


Scan to download App
bfsi barcode

Share it on social networks