gold reserves

RBI is not alone in repatriating its gold reserves. Several central banks like France’s Banque de France, Germany’s Deutsche Bundesbank, Serbia’s National Bank have done the same - buy why?

India has significantly increased import duties on gold and silver to 15% from 6%, aiming to curb rising imports and conserve foreign exchange amid the West Asia crisis. This move follows Prime Minister Modi's appeal for austerity and aims to ease pressure on the rupee and the country's balance of payments.

India’s gold imports hit a record $71.98 billion in 2025-26, rising over 24% from $58 billion a year earlier. This was largely due to skyrocketing global gold prices, which have bumped up the value of imported gold.

India has significantly increased import tariffs on gold and silver to 15% from 6% to curb imports and protect foreign exchange reserves. This move follows Prime Minister Modi's appeal for citizens to avoid gold purchases for a year, aiming to narrow the trade deficit and support the rupee amid global economic pressures.

Facing a widening trade deficit, India's Prime Minister urges reduced gold purchases. Industry bodies propose tapping into the nation's vast household gold reserves. Their plan involves using refined household gold for domestic demand and channeling imported gold into jewellery exports via gold metal loans, aiming to boost working capital and cut imports.

In Buxar, jewellery merchants express deep concern following Prime Minister Modi's suggestion to curtail gold purchases. They argue that such measures could jeopardize jobs and threaten the livelihood of small enterprises. Gold, they insist, holds immense cultural value and provides financial security for many rural and middle-class households.

India's central bank significantly boosted its gold reserves, bringing back 104 metric tonnes domestically between October 2025 and March 2026. This move, amid global geopolitical tensions and a decline in foreign currency assets, saw gold's share in forex reserves rise to 16.7%. Globally, central banks are increasingly repatriating gold, reflecting a growing trend towards bolstering national sovereignty.

India's foreign exchange reserves experienced a significant drop of $7.794 billion, reaching $690.693 billion in the week ending May 1. This decline, primarily driven by a fall in foreign currency assets and gold reserves, follows a previous decrease. The central bank's intervention in the forex market to support the rupee is a key factor behind this trend.

The move to up the gold import duty comes days after PM Narendra Modi appeals to citizens to avoid unnecessary gold purchases for a year. But is a hike in duties an effective way to curb consumption? We take a look:

Prime Minister Modi urged Indians to halt gold purchases for a year to protect foreign exchange reserves, a call supported by GTRI which highlighted a surge in gold imports straining the trade balance. Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw echoed the appeal, emphasizing reduced import spending amid Middle East conflict, leading to a sell-off in jewellery stocks.

India's jewellery industry urges against curbing gold purchases, emphasizing its cultural significance as savings and tradition. Instead, they propose enhanced gold recycling and domestic mobilization to ease foreign exchange pressure. This approach aims to protect millions of livelihoods tied to the sector, from artisans to small businesses, by circulating existing gold rather than stifling demand.

PM Modi has called on citizens to adopt measures aimed at conserving foreign exchange, as the surge in oil prices triggered by the Iran conflict has intensified pressure on the rupee and strained India’s foreign exchange reserves.

Cabinet also clears Rs 29,540 cr for infra, health, schemes

Economists believe India’s foreign-exchange reserves are still sufficiently strong to shield the rupee from the oil price shock triggered by the Iran conflict, with the country’s reserve buffers remaining far healthier than the levels seen during the 2013 taper tantrum.