The Reserve Bank has relocated an additional 104.23 metric tonnes of its gold holdings domestically during the six-month period ending in March 2026. According to the half-yearly report on the management of foreign exchange reserves released on Thursday, the total gold holdings of the central bank showed a slight increase to 880.52 metric tonnes in March 2026, up from 880.18 metric tonnes at the end of September 2025.
The amount of gold held domestically rose significantly to 290.37 metric tonnes in March 2026, compared to 575.82 metric tonnes in September 2025 and 511.99 metric tonnes in March 2025. The report indicated that 197.67 metric tonnes of gold were held in safe custody with the Bank of England and the Bank for International Settlements (BIS), while 2.80 metric tonnes were maintained in the form of gold deposits as of March 2026.
In September, the central bank had previously reported that 290.37 metric tonnes of gold were held with the Bank of England and BIS, alongside 13.99 metric tonnes in gold deposits. The rise in precious metal prices contributed to an increase in the share of gold reserves within the foreign exchange portfolio, rising to 16.7% in March from 13.92% six months prior.
Out of total foreign currency assets amounting to USD 552.28 billion, USD 465.61 billion was invested in securities, USD 46.83 billion was deposited with other central banks and BIS, while USD 39.84 billion was allocated to deposits with commercial banks overseas. Notable adjustments in the deployment strategy for foreign currency assets were identified, with securities and commercial bank deposits relinquishing some space in favor of deposits held with other central banks and BIS.
The Reserve Bank’s net forward asset position (payable) was recorded at USD 103.06 billion at the conclusion of March 2026.
Published on April 30, 2026.
