EconomyFriday, 19 June 2026·The Hindu - Economy
RBI surplus transfer of ₹2.87 lakh crore in FY26 raises questions on central bank’s fiscal role
The RBI approved a record ₹2.87 lakh crore surplus transfer to the Union government for FY26, the highest so far.
Key highlights
Direct fact
In May 2026, the Reserve Bank of India approved a record surplus transfer of ₹2.87 lakh crore to the Union government for FY26, exceeding the previous record of ₹2.11 lakh crore.
Key specifics
- The FY26 transfer was ₹2.87 lakh crore, compared with the earlier record of ₹2.11 lakh crore.
- Surplus transfer stood at ₹87,416 crore for FY23.
- It rose to about ₹2.69 lakh crore for FY25 before reaching ₹2.87 lakh crore for FY26.
- The RBI’s balance sheet grew by 20.6% in one year to ₹91.97 lakh crore by March 2026.
- Gross income increased by over 26% in the same period, driven by foreign assets, domestic securities and foreign exchange operations.
Exam lens
Economy and banking question type: RBI surplus transfer, FY23/FY24/FY25/FY26 figures, balance-sheet growth of 20.6%, and ₹91.97 lakh crore are likely TNPSC MCQ points.