Foreign exchange reserves rise, bank credit growth slows

India’s foreign exchange reserves stood at ₹55.53 lakh crore ($640.48 billion) as of February 21, registering an increase of ₹33,918 crore ($4.76 billion) from the previous week. However, on a year-on-year basis, reserves grew by ₹4.18 lakh crore ($21.41 billion). The rise was primarily driven by an increase in gold reserves, which jumped by ₹2.07 lakh crore ($21.90 billion) over the past year. Foreign currency assets, on the other hand, declined by ₹46,034 crore ($2.71 billion) compared to the previous year.

Scheduled commercial banks reported a steady expansion in deposits and credit. Aggregate deposits increased by 10.6 percent year-on-year, reaching ₹223.35 lakh crore as of February 7. Demand deposits saw a more moderate rise of 7.2 percent, while time deposits expanded by 10.9 percent. Bank credit growth remained robust at 11.3 percent year-on-year, with total outstanding credit at ₹179.65 lakh crore. However, non-food credit grew at a slightly slower pace, rising 10.9 percent year-on-year.

On the monetary front, the broad money supply (M3) reached ₹268.81 lakh crore, marking an 11.3 percent increase over the past year. Currency with the public saw a 5.6 percent rise, while time deposits with banks recorded a 10.9 percent growth. Net bank credit to the government increased by 12.1 percent year-on-year, while credit to the commercial sector expanded by 12.1 percent.

The RBI’s liquidity operations reflected fluctuations in market conditions. On February 21, the central bank injected a net ₹98,434 crore into the system, supported by a ₹40,000 crore Open Market Purchase (OMO). Liquidity conditions tightened earlier in the week, with the RBI absorbing ₹78,615 crore on February 19 through its liquidity facilities.

Meanwhile, loans and advances to state governments stood at ₹22,112 crore as of February 21, showing a decline of ₹3,534 crore over the previous week but an increase of ₹7,303 crore compared to the previous year. The central government had no outstanding loans from the RBI.

Overall, the data reflects a stable financial system with steady credit expansion, rising foreign exchange reserves, and active liquidity management by the RBI. However, the slowdown in non-food credit growth and fluctuations in liquidity conditions suggest that banking sector trends will remain under close watch in the coming weeks.