The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has announced a record surplus transfer of Rs 2.86 lakh crore to the Central Government for the financial year 2025-26.
The decision was taken during the 623rd meeting of the RBI Central Board held in Mumbai under the chairmanship of RBI Governor Sanjay Malhotra.
According to the RBI, the central bank’s balance sheet expanded by 20.61 per cent to Rs 91.97 lakh crore as of March 31, 2026.
The Board reviewed both domestic and global economic conditions, including risks to the economic outlook, and approved the annual accounts for FY26.
The RBI said its gross income increased by 26.42 per cent over the previous financial year, while expenditure before risk provisions rose by 27.60 per cent.
The central bank’s net income before risk provisions and transfers to statutory funds stood at Rs 3,95,972.10 crore in FY26, compared to Rs 3,13,455.77 crore in FY25.
In its statement, the RBI said the revised Economic Capital Framework (ECF) allows flexibility in maintaining the Contingent Risk Buffer (CRB) within a range of 4.5 per cent to 7.5 per cent of the balance sheet size.
Taking into account macroeconomic conditions, financial performance and risk management requirements, the RBI Board approved a transfer of Rs 1,09,379.64 crore towards the Contingent Risk Buffer for FY26, significantly higher than Rs 44,861.70 crore allocated in the previous year. The CRB has been maintained at 6.5 per cent of the RBI’s balance sheet.
Following these provisions, the Board approved the transfer of Rs 2,86,588.46 crore as surplus to the Central Government for the accounting year 2025-26.
According to Union Budget estimates, the Centre expects to receive around Rs 3.16 lakh crore in dividends and surpluses from the RBI, public sector banks and financial institutions during 2026-27.
The record dividend transfer is expected to provide additional fiscal support to the government amid global economic uncertainties and ongoing geopolitical tensions in West Asia.
