Reserve Bank Of India

Govt bond yields soften on better-than-expected cut-offs on SDLs

The yield on the benchmark 10-year government bond settled at 6.61 per cent, against the previous close of 6.64 per cent

Gold loan: Avoid maxing out on loan limit, maintain 20% valuation buffer

EMI-based repayment steadily reduces the principal and lowers LTV, offering better protection against price volatility than the bullet option

Supervisory data quality index of banks improves to 90.7 in Sept 2025

The overall sDQI score for SCBs improved to 90.7 in September 2025, up from 89.9 in June 2025

2026 outlook for banking sector: NIMs stable, liquidity challenge looms

After margin pressure and muted credit in 2025, banks enter 2026 with hopes of credit revival, stable asset quality and more investments, though funding and deposits remain key risks

Gains from decontrol: Removing constraints offers substantial gains

While factories faced headwinds, Indian finance gained ground in the eyes of global strategic capital

Reasonable valuations, earnings revival to aid small-cap funds in 2026

After underperforming in 2025, small-cap funds may see a turnaround as valuations become more reasonable and earnings revive; existing investors should stay invested, while new ones enter gradually

98.41% of ₹2,000 banknotes withdrawn since May 2023 returned: RBI

The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) on Thursday said 98.41 per cent of the Rs 2000 banknotes in circulation have been returned. The RBI had announced the withdrawal of Rs 2000 denomination banknotes from circulation on May 19, 2023. "The total value of Rs 2000 banknotes in circulation, which was Rs 3.56 lakh crore at the close of business on May 19, 2023, when the withdrawal of Rs 2000 banknotes was announced, has declined to Rs 5,669 crore at the close of business on December 31, 2025," it said. Thus, 98.41 per cent of the high-value banknotes in circulation as of May 19, 2023, have since been returned. A facility for deposit and/or exchange of the Rs 2000 banknotes was available at all bank branches in the country up to October 7, 2023. From October 9, 2023, the RBI's 19 Issue Offices are also accepting Rs 2000 banknotes from individuals/entities for deposit into their bank accounts. Apart from this, members of the public are sending Rs 2,000 banknotes through India Post from any po

RBI reiterates cautious stance on crypto assets, stablecoins for stability

RBI reiterated its cautious view on crypto assets and stablecoins, stressing that CBDCs should remain the anchor of trust and the core settlement asset in the monetary system

RBI flags high-cost distribution pressures in insurance sector growth model

The Reserve Bank has flagged structural pressures in the insurance sector, saying premium growth is being increasingly driven by high-cost distribution-led strategies of insurance companies rather than operating efficiency. While posing no near-term systemic risks, the surface-level stability masks emerging structural pressures that could weigh on medium-term sustainability and coverage expansion, RBI said in its latest financial stability report. "A primary pressure is the persistence of a high expense structure, particularly the acquisition costs. Premium growth has been increasingly driven by high-cost distribution-led strategies rather than operating efficiency," the report said. It further said that while in the life insurance sector, frontloaded acquisition costs limited the extent to which scale efficiencies are passed on to policyholders. Furthermore, expected benefits from digitisation remain unrealised. "From a financial stability perspective, continuously elevated expen

RBI relaxes risk-weight rules for NBFC infra loans, revises thresholds

However, RBI denied requests to dilute termination protection clauses, calling them critical for safeguarding lenders' interests in the event of early project termination

January 2026 bank holidays: Check state-wise closures in India this month

January 2025 holiday calendar, which includes a list of bank and national holidays, is now available. For final confirmation, it is recommended to cross-check with institutional and state calendars

Yield curve steepens due to heavy sovereign issues; long-end demand weakens

RBI's FSR says higher G-Sec and SGS supply and softer demand from insurers and pension funds are keeping long-term yields elevated even as short rates fall on easing and liquidity

Over 70% of fintechs' loan book unsecured: Financial Stability Report

Unsecured personal loans dominate fintech lending, with younger borrowers accounting for over half the exposure, as the RBI highlights growth and asset quality trends

Up to four banks may tap capital buffers in adverse scenarios: RBI

RBI stress tests suggest some banks may need to draw on capital conservation buffers under adverse macro conditions, though minimum capital norms are likely to remain intact

The ATM interchange conundrum: How to make the channel viable again

Stakeholders are pulling in different directions, and the ATM channel has to be reimagined to make it commercially viable. Are there any alternatives?

Why fixing the RBI-government ties matters for India's growth ambitions

The relationship between the central bank and the government is holding back India's financial sector

Growing external borrowings make NBFCs more vulnerable to rupee swings: RBI

RBI says NBFCs' higher foreign currency borrowing has helped steady funding costs, but it raises vulnerability to exchange rate volatility even with most exposure hedged

RBI warns of risks in bank-NBFC interlinkages, asset concentration

The RBI's Financial Stability Report warns that banks are increasingly buying NBFC-originated loans to scale retail portfolios, with nearly 80 per cent of assets sourced from a limited set of non-bank

RBI net short dollar position rises to $66 bn in rupee forwards by Nov end

RBI data shows its outstanding net short dollar position in the rupee forward market rose to $66.04 billion by end-November, up from $63.6 billion at end-October

Are banks open or closed on New Year's Day, Jan 1? Here's state-wise update

January 1, 2026, a Thursday, is New Year's Day in 2026. In the US, January 1st is a federal holiday; in India, it is a restricted holiday. However, in some states, banks are closed, as per the RBI