RBI Approves Landmark ₹2.87 Lakh Crore Surplus Transfer to Central Government for FY26

The Central Board of the RBI, under the chairmanship of Governor Sanjay Malhotra during its 623rd meeting in Mumbai, approved a record surplus transfer of ₹2.87 lakh crore to the Central Government for the Financial Year 2025-26.
This surplus transfer represents a substantial increase compared to the ₹2.69 lakh crore transferred in the preceding financial year.
The Contingent Risk Buffer (CRB) was fixed at 6.5% of the RBI's balance sheet, which sits comfortably within the prescribed range of 4.5% to 7.5%, requiring a transfer of ₹1.09 lakh crore to the reserve.
The RBI's overall balance sheet expanded by 20.61% to reach ₹91.97 lakh crore as of March 31, 2026, while gross income grew by 26.42% over the same fiscal period.
Exam Perspective: Robust RBI reserves transfers help the government contain fiscal deficit and support infrastructure funding without exerting pressure on market borrowings.