The size of the Reserve Bank’s balance sheet increased by 11.08 per cent for the year ended March 31, 2024. While income for the year increased by 17.04 per cent, expenditure decreased by 56.30 per cent. The year ended with an overall surplus of ₹2,10,873.99 crore as against ₹87,416.22 crore in the previous year, resulting in an increase of 141.23 per cent.

XII.1 The balance sheet of the Reserve Bank reflects activities carried out in pursuance of its various functions including issuance of currency as well as monetary policy and reserve management objectives.

XII.2 Key financial results of the Reserve Bank’s operations during the year 2023-24 are set out in the following paragraphs.

XII.3 The size of the balance sheet increased by ₹7,02,946.97 crore, i.e., 11.08 per cent from ₹63,44,756.24 crore as on March 31, 2023 to ₹70,47,703.21 crore as on March 31, 2024. Increase on assets side was due to rise in foreign investments, gold, and loans and advances by 13.90 per cent, 18.26 per cent and 30.05 per cent, respectively. On liabilities side, expansion was due to increase in notes issued, deposits and other liabilities by 3.88 per cent, 27.00 per cent and 92.57 per cent, respectively. Domestic assets constituted 23.31 per cent while foreign currency assets, gold (including gold deposit and gold held in India) and loans and advances to financial institutions outside India constituted 76.69 per cent of total assets as on March 31, 2024 as against 26.08 per cent and 73.92 per cent, respectively, as on March 31, 2023.

XII.4 A provision of ₹42,819.91 crore was made and transferred to Contingency Fund (CF). No provision was made towards Asset Development Fund (ADF). Trends in income, expenditure, net income and surplus transferred to the Central Government are given in Table XII.1.

XII.5 Independent Auditors’ Report, balance sheet and Income Statement for the year 2023-24 along with schedules, statement of Significant Accounting Policies and supporting Notes to Accounts are given in the ensuing paragraphs.

INDEPENDENT AUDITORS’ REPORT

To,

The President of India

Report on Audit of Financial Statements of the Reserve Bank of India

Opinion

We, the undersigned Auditors of the Reserve Bank of India (hereinafter referred to as the “Bank”), do hereby report to the Central Government upon the Balance Sheet of the Bank as on March 31, 2024 and the Income Statement for the year ended on that date (hereinafter referred to as “Financial Statements”), which have been audited by us.

In our opinion and to the best of our information and according to explanations given to us and as shown by the books of accounts of the Bank, the Balance Sheet read with Schedules and Significant Accounting Policies is a full and fair Balance Sheet containing all necessary particulars and is properly drawn up in accordance with the requirements of the provisions of the Reserve Bank of India Act, 1934 (“RBI Act, 1934”) and Regulations framed there under so as to exhibit true and correct view of the state of affairs of the Bank as on March 31, 2024 and its results of opera tions for the year ended on that date.

Basis for Opinion

We conducted our audit in accordance with the Standards on Auditing (“SAs”) issued by the Institute of Chartered Accountants of India (“ICAI”). Our responsibilities under those standards are further described in the Auditor’s Responsibilities for the Audit of the Financial Statements section of our report. We are independent of the Bank in accordance with the ethical requirements that are relevant to our audit of the Financial Statements, and we have fulfilled our other ethical responsibilities in accordance with these requirements. We believe that the audit evidence we have obtained is sufficient and appropriate to provide a basis for our opinion on the Financial Statements.

Information Other than the Financial Statements and Auditor’s Report Thereon

The Management is responsible for the other information. The other information comprises the information included in the Notes to Accounts but does not include the Financial Statements and our report thereon.

Our opinion on the Financial Statements does not cover the other information and we do not express any form of assurance conclusion thereon.

In connection with our audit of the Financial Statements, our responsibility is to read the other information and, in doing so, consider whether the other information is materially inconsistent with the Financial Statements or our knowledge obtained in the audit or otherwise appears to be materially misstated. If, based on the work we have performed, we conclude that there is a material misstatement of this other information, we are required to report that fact.

We have nothing to report in this regard.

Responsibilities of Management and Those Charged with Governance for the Financial Statements

The Bank’s Management and those Charged with Governance for the Financial Statements are responsible for the preparation of the Financial Statements that give a true and correct view of the state of affairs and results of operations of the Bank in accordance with the requirements of the provisions of the RBI Act, 1934 and Regulations framed thereunder and the accounting policies and practices followed by the Bank. This responsibility also includes maintenance of adequate accounting records and preventing and detecting frauds and other irregularities; selection and application of appropriate accounting policies; making judgements and estimates that are reasonable and prudent and the design, implementation and maintenance of internal control relevant to the preparation and presentation of the Financial Statements that give a true and correct view and are free from material misstatement, whether due to fraud or error.

As per the RBI Act, 1934, the Bank can be liquidated only by the Central Government by order and in any other manner as it may direct. Also, while the fundamental basis of preparation of Financial Statements of the Bank are based on provisions of the RBI Act, 1934 and Regulations framed thereunder, the Management has adopted the accounting policies and practices which reflects its continuity as a Going concern.

Those charged with governance are also responsible for overseeing the Bank’s financial reporting process.

Auditor’s Responsibilities for the Audit of the Financial Statements

Our objectives are to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the Financial Statements as a whole are free from material misstatement, whether due to fraud or error, and to issue an auditor’s report that includes our opinion. Reasonable assurance is a high level of assurance but is not a guarantee that an audit conducted in accordance with SAs will always detect a material misstatement when it exists. Misstatements can arise from fraud or error and are considered material if, individually or in the aggregate, they could reasonably be expected to influence the economic decisions of users taken on the basis of these financial statements.

As part of an audit in accordance with SAs, we exercise professional judgment and maintain professional skepticism throughout the audit. We also:

• Identify and assess the risks of material misstatement of the Financial Statements, whether due to fraud or error, design and perform audit procedures responsive to those risks, and obtain audit evidence that is sufficient and appropriate to provide a basis for our opinion. The risk of not detecting a material misstatement resulting from fraud is higher than for one resulting from error, as fraud may involve collusion, forgery, intentional omissions, misrepresentations, or the override of internal control.

• Obtain an understanding of internal control relevant to the audit in order to design audit procedures that are appropriate in the circumstances, but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of the Bank’s internal financial control.

• Evaluate the appropriateness of accounting policies used and the reasonableness of accounting estimates and related disclosures made by the Management.

• Conclude on the appropriateness of management’s use of the Going concern basis of accounting and, based on the audit evidence obtained, whether a material uncertainty exists related to events or conditions that may cast significant doubt on the Bank’s ability to continue as a Going concern. If we conclude that a material uncertainty exists, we are required to draw attention in our auditors’ report to the related disclosures in the Financial Statements or, if such disclosures are inadequate, to modify our opinion. Our conclusions are based on the audit evidence obtained up to the date of our auditors’ report.

• Evaluate the overall presentation, structure and content of the Financial Statements, and whether the Financial Statements represent the underlying transactions and events in a manner that achieves fair presentation.

We communicate with those charged with governance regarding, among other matters, the planned scope and timing of the audit and significant audit findings, including any significant deficiencies in internal control that we identify during our audit.

We also provide those charged with governance with a statement that we have complied with relevant ethical requirements regarding independence, and to communicate with them all relationships and other matters that may reasonably be thought to bear on our independence, and where applicable, related safeguards.

Other Matters

We report that we have called for information and explanations from the Bank considered necessary for the purpose of our audit and such information and explanations have been given to our satisfaction.

We also report that the Financial Statements include the accounts of twenty-five accounting units of the Bank which have been audited by Statutory Branch Auditors and we have relied on their report in this regard.

Place: Mumbai
Date: May 22, 2024

STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES FOR THE YEAR ENDED MARCH 31, 2024

(a) General

1.1 Among other things, the Reserve Bank was established under the Reserve Bank of India Act, 1934 (RBI Act, 1934) “to regulate the issue of Bank notes and the keeping of reserves with a view to securing monetary stability in India and generally to operate the currency and credit system of the country to its advantage”.

1.2 The main functions of the Reserve Bank are:-

1. Issue of Bank notes and circulation of coins;

2. Acts as monetary authority and formulates, implements and monitors the monetary policy, including acting as the Lender of Last Resort;

3. Regulation and supervision of the financial system;

4. Regulation and supervision of the payment and settlement systems;

5. Acts as manager of foreign exchange;

6. Maintaining and managing the country’s foreign exchange reserves;

7. Acting as the banker to banks and the governments;

8. Acting as the debt manager of the governments;

9. Developmental functions to support national objectives.

1.3 The RBI Act, 1934 requires that the issue of Bank notes should be conducted by the Reserve Bank in an Issue Department which shall be separated and kept wholly distinct from the Banking Department, and the assets of the Issue Department shall not be subject to any liability other than the liabilities of the Issue Department. The RBI Act, 1934 requires that the assets of the Issue Department shall consist of gold coins, gold bullion, foreign securities, rupee coins and rupee securities to such aggregate amount as is not less than the total of the liabilities of the Issue Department. The RBI Act, 1934 requires that the liabilities of the Issue Department shall be an amount equal to the total of the amount of the currency notes of the Government of India and Bank notes for the time being in circulation.

(b) Significant Accounting Policies

2.1 Convention

The Financial Statements are prepared in accordance with the RBI Act, 1934 and notifications issued thereunder and, in the form, prescribed by the Reserve Bank of India General Regulations, 1949. These are based on historical cost except where it is modified to reflect revaluation and/ or amortisation. The accounting policies followed in preparing financial statements are consistent with those followed in the previous year unless otherwise stated.

2.2 Revenue Recognition

a) Income and expenditure are recognised on accrual basis except penal interest charged from banks which is accounted for only when there is certainty of realisation. Dividend income on shares is recognised on accrual basis when the right to receive the same is established.

b) Balances unclaimed and outstanding for more than three clear consecutive accounting years in certain transit accounts including Drafts Payable Account, Payment Orders Account, Sundry Deposit Account-Miscellaneous-BD, Remittance Clearance Account, Earnest Money Deposit Account and Security Deposit Account are reviewed and written back to income. Claims, if any, are considered and charged against income in the year of payment.

c) Income and expenditure in foreign currency are recorded at exchange rates prevailing on the day.

d) Exchange gains/ losses on sale of foreign currencies and gold are accounted for using the weighted average cost method for arriving at the cost.

2.3 Gold & Foreign Currency Assets and Liabilities

Transactions in gold & foreign currency assets and liabilities are accounted for on settlement date basis.

a) Gold

Gold (including gold deposit) is revalued on a daily basis at ninety (90) per cent of the London Bullion Market Association (LBMA) gold price in US dollar and Rupee-US dollar market exchange rate. Unrealised valuation gains/ losses are accounted for in Currency and Gold Revaluation Account (CGRA).

b) Foreign Currency Assets and Liabilities

All foreign currency assets and liabilities (excluding foreign currency received under swaps that are in the nature of repos and contracts where the rates are fixed contractually) are translated on a daily basis at market exchange rates prevailing on the day. Unrealised gains/ losses arising from such translation of foreign currency assets and liabilities are accounted for in CGRA.

Foreign securities, other than Treasury Bills (T-Bills), Commercial Papers and certain ‘Held to Maturity’ securities [such as investments in notes issued by the International Monetary Fund and bonds issued by India Infrastructure Finance Company (IIFC), UK which are valued at cost] are marked-to-market on a daily basis. Unrealised gains/ losses on revaluation are recorded in ‘Investment Revaluation Account-Foreign Securities’ (IRA-FS). Credit balance in IRA-FS is carried forward to subsequent accounting year. Debit balance in IRA-FS, if any, on the balance sheet date, is charged to Contingency Fund (CF) and the same is reversed on the first working day of the following accounting year.

Foreign T-Bills and Commercial Papers are carried at cost as adjusted by daily amortisation of discount/ premium. Premium or discount on foreign securities is amortised daily. Profit/ loss on sale of foreign securities is recognised with respect to the amortised book value.

c) Forward/Swap Contracts

Forward contracts entered into by the Reserve Bank are revalued on a half-yearly basis. While mark-to-market net gain is credited to ‘Foreign Exchange Forward Contracts Valuation Account’ (FCVA) with contra debit to ‘Revaluation of Forward Contracts Account’ (RFCA), mark-to-market net loss is debited to FCVA with contra credit to ‘Provision for Forward Contracts Valuation Account’ (PFCVA). On maturity of the contract, actual gain or loss is recognised in the income account and unrealised gains/ losses previously recorded in FCVA, RFCA and PFCVA are reversed. At the time of half-yearly revaluation, balance in FCVA and RFCA or PFCVA as on that day is reversed and fresh revaluation is done for all outstanding forward contracts.

Debit balance in FCVA, if any, on the balance sheet date, is charged to CF and reversed on the first working day of the following accounting year. The balance in RFCA and PFCVA represents net unrealised gains and losses, respectively, on valuation of forward contracts.

In case of swaps at off-market rates that are in the nature of repo, the difference between future contract rate and the rate at which the contract is entered into is amortised over the period of the contract and recorded in income account with contra entry in ‘Swap Amortisation Account’ (SAA). Amounts recorded in SAA are reversed on maturity of underlying contracts. Further, amounts received under these swaps are not subject to periodic revaluation.

While FCVA forms part of ‘Revaluation Accounts’, PFCVA forms part of ‘Other Liabilities’ and RFCA and SAA forms part of ‘Other Assets’.

d) Repurchase Transactions

The Reserve Bank participates in foreign Repurchase transactions (Repo and Reverse Repo) as part of Reserve Management operations. Repo transactions are treated as borrowing of foreign currencies and are shown under ‘Deposits’, whereas Reverse Repo transactions are treated as lending of foreign currencies and are shown under ‘Loans and Advances’.

e) Transactions in Derivatives

Transactions in derivatives like Interest Rate Futures, Currency Futures, Interest Rate Swaps and Overnight Indexed Swaps undertaken as part of Reserve Management operations are marked-to-market periodically and resultant gain/ loss is booked in income account.

f) Security Lending Transactions

The Reserve Bank participates in Security Lending transactions as part of Reserve Management operations. The securities lent remain a part of the Reserve Bank’s Investments and continue to be amortised, accrue interest and are marked-to-market.

2.4 Transactions in Exchange Traded Currency Derivatives (ETCD)

ETCD transactions undertaken by the Reserve Bank as part of its intervention operations are marked-to-market on a daily basis and resultant gain/ loss is booked in income account.

2.5 Domestic Investments

a) Rupee Securities and Oil Bonds, except T-Bills and those mentioned in (d), are marked-to-market as on the last business day of each week ending Friday and the last business day of each month. Unrealised gains/ losses on revaluation are recorded in ‘Investment Revaluation Account-Rupee Securities’ (IRA-RS). Credit balance in IRA-RS is carried forward to subsequent accounting year. Debit balance in IRA-RS, if any, on the balance sheet date, is charged to CF and the same is reversed on the first working day of the following accounting year. On sale/ redemption of Rupee Securities/ Oil Bonds, valuation gain/ loss thereof, lying in IRA-RS, is transferred to income account. Rupee Securities and Oil Bonds are also subjected to daily amortisation.

b) T-Bills are carried at cost as adjusted by daily amortisation of discount/ premium.

c) Investments in shares of subsidiaries are valued at cost.

d) Rupee Securities and Oil Bonds earmarked for various staff funds [like Gratuity and Superannuation Fund, Provident Fund, Leave Encashment Fund, Medical Assistance Fund (MAF)], Depositor Education and Awareness (DEA) Fund and Payments Infrastructure Development Fund (PIDF) are treated as ‘Held to Maturity’ and are held at amortised cost.

e) Transactions in domestic investment are accounted for on settlement date basis.

2.6 Liquidity Adjustment Facility (LAF) Repo/ Reverse Repo, Marginal Standing Facility (MSF) and Standing Deposit Facility (SDF)

Repo transactions under LAF and MSF are treated as lending and are accordingly being shown under ‘Loans and Advances’ whereas Reverse Repo transactions under LAF and SDF are being treated as deposits and shown under ‘Deposits-Others’.

2.7 Fixed Assets

Fixed Assets are stated at cost less depreciation except art and paintings and freehold land which are held at cost.

2.7.1 Fixed Assets other than Land and Buildings

a) Fixed Assets, costing up to ₹1 lakh (except easily portable electronic assets like laptop/ e-book reader) are charged to income in the year of acquisition. Easily portable electronic assets, such as laptops, etc. costing more than ₹10,000 are capitalised and depreciation is calculated on monthly pro-rata basis at the applicable rate.

b) Individual items of computer software costing more than ₹1 lakh are capitalised, and depreciation is calculated on monthly pro-rata basis at applicable rates.

c) Depreciation on fixed assets acquired and capitalised during the accounting year would be reckoned on a monthly pro-rata basis from the month of capitalisation and effected on a half-yearly basis at prescribed rates depending upon the useful life of assets applied.

d) Depreciation on fixed assets is provided on a straight-line basis depending on the useful life of an asset in the following manner:

e) Depreciation is provided on half year-end balances of fixed assets on monthly pro-rata basis. In case of additions/ deletions of assets, depreciation is calculated on monthly pro-rata basis including the month of addition/ deletion of such assets.

f) Depreciation on subsequent expenditure:

1. Subsequent expenditure incurred on an existing fixed asset which has not been fully depreciated in the books of accounts, is depreciated over remaining useful life of the principal asset;

2. Subsequent expenditure incurred on modernisation/ addition/ overhauling of an existing fixed asset, which has already been fully depreciated in the books of accounts, is first capitalised and thereafter depreciated fully in the year in which the expenditure is incurred.

2.7.2 Land and Buildings: Accounting treatment in respect of land and buildings is as follows:

a) Land

1. Land acquired on leasehold basis for a period of more than 99 years is treated as on perpetual lease basis. Such leases are considered as freehold properties and accordingly, not subjected to amortisation.

2. Land acquired on lease up to 99 years is amortised over the period of lease.

3. Land acquired on a freehold basis is not subject to any amortisation.

b) Buildings

i. The life of all buildings is assumed as thirty years and depreciation is charged on a ‘straight-line’ basis over a period of thirty years. In respect of buildings constructed on lease hold land (where the lease period is less than thirty years) depreciation is charged on ‘straight-line’ basis over the lease period of the land.

ii. Impairment of buildings: For assessment of impairment, buildings are classified into two categories, as under:

• Buildings which are in use but have been identified for demolition in future or will be discarded in future: The value in use of such buildings is the aggregate of depreciation for the future period up to the date it is expected to be discarded/ demolished. The difference between the book value and aggregate of depreciation so arrived at, is charged as depreciation.

• Buildings which have been discarded/ vacated: These buildings are shown at realisable value (net selling price if the asset is likely to be sold in future) or scrap value less demolition cost (if it is to be demolished). If the resultant amount is negative, then the carrying value of such buildings is shown at ₹1. The difference between book value and realisable value (net selling price)/ scrap value less demolition cost is charged as depreciation.

2.8 Employee Benefits

a) The Reserve Bank contributes monthly at a determined rate to Provident Fund for eligible employees and these contributions are charged to income in the year to which it relates.

b) Other liability on account of long-term employee benefits is provided based on an actuarial valuation under ‘Projected Unit Credit’ method.

NOTES TO ACCOUNTS

XII.6 LIABILITIES OF THE RESERVE BANK

XII.6.1 Capital

The Reserve Bank was constituted as a private shareholders’ bank in 1935 with an initial paid-up capital of ₹5 crore. The Reserve Bank was nationalised with effect from January 1, 1949 and its entire ownership remains vested with the Government of India. The paid-up capital continues to be ₹5 crore in terms of Section 4 of the RBI Act, 1934.

XII.6.2 Reserve Fund

The original Reserve Fund of ₹5 crore was created in terms of Section 46 of the RBI Act, 1934 as contribution from the Central Government for currency liability of the then sovereign government taken over by the Reserve Bank. Thereafter, an amount of ₹6,495 crore was credited to this fund from out of gains on periodic revaluation of gold up to October 1990, taking it to ₹6,500 crore. The fund has been static since then as unrealised gain/ loss on account of valuation of gold and foreign currency is since being booked in Currency and Gold Revaluation Account (CGRA) which appears under the head ‘Revaluation Accounts’.

XII.6.3 Other Reserves

This includes National Industrial Credit (Long Term Operations) Fund and National Housing Credit (Long Term Operations) Fund.

a) National Industrial Credit (Long Term Operations) Fund

This fund was created in July 1964, in terms of Section 46C of the RBI Act, 1934 with an initial corpus of ₹10 crore. The fund witnessed annual contributions from the Reserve Bank for financial assistance to eligible financial institutions. Since 1992-93, a token amount of ₹1 crore is being contributed each year to the Fund. The balance in the fund stood at ₹33 crore as on March 31, 2024.

b) National Housing Credit (Long Term Operations) Fund

This fund was set up in January 1989, in terms of Section 46D of the RBI Act, 1934 for extending financial accommodation to the National Housing Bank (NHB). The initial corpus of ₹50 crore has been enhanced by annual contributions from the Reserve Bank thereafter. Since 1992-93, a token amount of ₹1 crore is being contributed each year to the Fund. The balance in the fund stood at ₹207 crore as on March 31, 2024.

Note: Contribution to other Funds

There are two other Funds constituted in terms of Section 46A of the RBI Act, 1934, viz., National Rural Credit (Long Term Operations) Fund and National Rural Credit (Stabilisation) Fund which are maintained by the National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD) for which a token amount of ₹1 crore each is set aside and transferred to NABARD every year.

XII.6.4 Deposits

These represent balances maintained with the Reserve Bank, by banks, the Central and State Governments, All India Financial Institutions, such as, Export Import Bank (EXIM Bank), NABARD, etc., Foreign Central Banks, International Financial Institutions, balances in Administrators of RBI Employee Provident Fund, DEA Fund, amount outstanding against Reverse Repo, SDF, MAF, PIDF, etc. Total deposits increased by 27.00 per cent from ₹13,54,217.22 crore as on March 31, 2023 to ₹17,19,838.56 crore as on March 31, 2024.

a. Deposits-Government

The Reserve Bank acts as the banker to the Central Government in terms of Sections 20 and 21, and as banker to State Governments by mutual agreement in terms of Section 21A of the RBI Act, 1934. Accordingly, the Central and State Governments maintain deposits with the Reserve Bank. The balances held by the Central and State Governments were ₹5,000.30 crore and ₹42.46 crore, respectively, as on March 31, 2024 as compared to ₹5,000.93 crore and ₹42.49 crore, respectively, as on March 31, 2023.

b. Deposits-Banks

Banks maintain balance in their current accounts with the Reserve Bank to provide for Cash Reserve Ratio (CRR) requirements and for working funds to meet payment and settlement obligations. Deposits held by banks increased by 10.21 per cent from ₹9,30,476.97 crore as on March 31, 2023 to ₹10,25,448.73 crore as on March 31, 2024. Increase in this head was on account of increase in Net Demand and Time Liabilities (NDTL) of banks.

c. Deposits-Financial Institutions Outside India

The balance under the head increased by 60.02 per cent from ₹1,02,207.19 crore as on March 31, 2023 to ₹1,63,548.81 crore as on March 31, 2024, due to increase in volume of repo transactions during the year.

d. Deposits-Others

‘Deposits-Others’ consist of balances of Administrators of RBI Employee Provident Fund, DEA Fund, Foreign Central Banks, Indian and International Financial Institutions, MAF, PIDF, amount outstanding under Reverse Repo, SDF, etc. ‘Deposits-Others’ increased by 66.13 per cent from ₹3,16,489.64 crore as on March 31, 2023 to ₹5,25,798.26 crore as on March 31, 2024 primarily due to increase in reverse repo deposits.

XII.6.5 Risk Provisions

The Reserve Bank makes risk provisioning in terms of Section 47 of the RBI Act, 1934. Risk provisions maintained by the Reserve Bank comprise Contingency Fund (CF) and Asset Development Fund (ADF). These risk provisions, along with Capital and Reserve Fund, are components of the Reserve Bank’s Available Realised Equity (ARE) under the Economic Capital Framework¹ (ECF) adopted by the Reserve Bank. Details of Capital and Reserve Fund have been given in earlier paragraphs. Details of the two risk provisions are as under:

a. Contingency Fund (CF)

This is a specific provision meant for meeting unexpected and unforeseen contingencies, including depreciation in value of securities, risks arising out of monetary/ exchange rate policy operations, systemic risks and any risk arising on account of special responsibilities enjoined upon the Reserve Bank. As on March 31, 2024, amounts of ₹1,43,220.82 crore and ₹7,090.29 crore were charged to CF on account of debit balances in IRA-FS and IRA-RS, respectively. The charge to CF is reversed on first working day of the following accounting year. Further, an amount of ₹42,819.91 crore was also provided towards CF to maintain the Available Realised Equity at the level of 6.50 per cent of the size of the balance sheet. Accordingly, balance in CF as on March 31, 2024 was ₹4,28,621.03 crore as compared to ₹3,51,205.69 crore as on March 31, 2023.

b. Asset Development Fund (ADF)

Asset Development Fund was created in 1997-98 and the balance therein represents provision specifically made till date towards investments in subsidiaries and associate institutions and to meet internal capital expenditure. No provision was made towards ADF in the year 2023-24. As on March 31, 2024, the balance in ADF at ₹22,974.68 crore remains the same as on March 31, 2023 (Table XII.2).

XII.6.6 Revaluation Accounts

Unrealised marked-to-market gains/ losses are recorded in revaluation heads, viz., Currency and Gold Revaluation Account (CGRA), Investment Revaluation Accounts (IRA) and Foreign Exchange Forward Contracts Valuation Account (FCVA). Details of the same are given here:

a. Currency and Gold Revaluation Account (CGRA)

Major sources of market risk faced by the Reserve Bank are currency risk, interest rate risk and movement in gold prices. Unrealised gains/ losses on valuation of Foreign Currency Assets (FCA) and Gold are not taken to income account but instead accounted for in CGRA. Net balance in CGRA, therefore, varies with size of the asset base, its valuation and movement in exchange rate and price of gold. CGRA provides a buffer against exchange rate/ gold price fluctuations. It can come under pressure if there is an appreciation of rupee vis-à-vis major currencies or a fall in price of gold. When CGRA is not sufficient to fully meet exchange losses, it is replenished from CF. The balance in CGRA increased from ₹11,24,733.16 crore as on March 31, 2023 to ₹11,30,793.34 crore as on March 31, 2024 mainly due to depreciation of rupee and increase in price of gold.

b. Investment Revaluation Account-Foreign Securities (IRA-FS)

Foreign dated securities are marked-to-market on a daily basis and unrealised gains/ losses arising therefrom are accounted for in IRA-FS. The balance in IRA-FS increased from ₹ (-)1,65,488.93 crore as on March 31, 2023 to ₹ (-)1,43,220.82 crore as on March 31, 2024 because of softening of yields for almost all major markets across maturity buckets. As per the extant policy, debit balance of ₹1,43,220.82 crore in IRA-FS was adjusted against CF on March 31, 2024 which was reversed on the first working day of the following accounting year. Accordingly, balance in IRA-FS as on March 31, 2024 was Nil.

c. Investment Revaluation Account-Rupee Securities (IRA-RS)

Rupee Securities and Oil Bonds (with exception as mentioned under significant accounting policy) held as assets of the Banking Department are marked-to-market as on the last business day of each week ending Friday and the last business day of each month and unrealised gains/ losses arising therefrom are accounted for in IRA-RS. The balance in IRA-RS increased from ₹ (-)19,417.61 crore as on March 31, 2023 to ₹ (-)7,090.29 crore as on March 31, 2024 due to softening of yields across the curve. As per the extant policy, debit balance of ₹7,090.29 crore in IRA-RS was adjusted against CF on March 31, 2024 which was reversed on the first working day of the following accounting year. Accordingly, balance in IRA-RS as on March 31, 2024 was Nil.

d. Foreign Exchange Forward Contracts Valuation Account (FCVA)

Marking to market of outstanding forward contracts as on March 31, 2024 resulted in net unrealised gain of ₹170.37 crore, which was credited to FCVA with contra debit to Revaluation of Forward Contracts Account (RFCA) as compared to net unrealised gain of ₹1,354.96 crore as on March 31, 2023.

XII.6.7 Other Liabilities

‘Other Liabilities’ increased by 92.57 per cent from ₹1,35,282.86 crore as on March 31, 2023 to ₹2,60,520.73 crore as on March 31, 2024, primarily due to increase in surplus payable to the Central Government.

i. Provision for Forward Contracts Valuation Account (PFCVA)

The balance was Nil in this account as on March 31, 2024 as well as on March 31, 2023.

Balances in Revaluation Accounts and PFCVA for the last five years are given in Table XII.3.

ii. Provision for payables

This represents year-end provisions made for expenditure incurred but not defrayed and income received in advance/ payable, if any. The balance under this head increased by 31.67 per cent from ₹3,665.97 crore as on March 31, 2023 to ₹4,827.02 crore as on March 31, 2024.

iii. Surplus Payable to the Central Government

Under Section 47 of the RBI Act, 1934, after making provisions for bad and doubtful debts, depreciation in assets, contribution to staff and superannuation funds and for all matters for which provisions are to be made by or under the Act or that are usually provided by bankers, the balance of the profits of the Reserve Bank is required to be paid to the Central Government. Under Section 48 of the RBI Act, 1934, the Reserve Bank is not liable to pay income tax or super tax on any of its income, profits or gains. Accordingly, after adjusting the expenditure including provision for CF and contribution of ₹4 crore to four statutory funds, the surplus payable to the Central Government for the year 2023-24 amounted to ₹2,10,873.99 crore (including ₹291.42 crore as against ₹424.07 crore in the previous year payable towards the difference in interest expenditure borne by the Government, consequent on conversion of special securities into marketable securities).

iv. Bills Payable

The Reserve Bank provides remittance facilities for its constituents through issue of Demand Drafts (DDs) and Payment Orders (POs) [besides electronic payment mechanism]. The balance under this head represents unclaimed DDs/ POs. The amount outstanding under this head increased from ₹0.11 crore as on March 31, 2023 to ₹11.35 crore as on March 31, 2024.

v. Miscellaneous

This is a residual head representing items such as interest earned on earmarked securities, amounts payable on account of leave encashment, medical provisions for employees, global provision, etc. The balance under this head decreased from ₹13,308.32 crore as on March 31, 2023 to ₹11,487.00 crore as on March 31, 2024.

XII.6.8 Liabilities of Issue Department-Notes Issued

Liabilities of Issue Department reflect quantum of currency notes in circulation. Section 34(1) of the RBI Act, 1934 requires that all banknotes issued by the Reserve Bank since April 1, 1935 and currency notes issued by the Government of India before the commencement of operations of the Reserve Bank, be part of the liabilities of the Issue Department. ‘Notes Issued’ increased by 3.88 per cent from ₹33,48,244.67 crore² as on March 31, 2023 to ₹34,78,039.50 crore as on March 31, 2024. The value of banknotes in circulation in digital form, i.e., e₹-Wholesale (e₹-W) and e₹-Retail (e₹-R) stood at ₹0.08 crore and ₹234.04 crore, respectively, as on March 31, 2024 as compared to ₹10.69 crore and ₹5.70 crore, respectively, as on March 31, 2023.

Earlier, an amount of ₹10,719.37 crore, representing the value of Specified Bank Notes (SBNs) not paid was transferred to ‘Other Liabilities’ as on June 30, 2018. The Reserve Bank has made payments to the extent of ₹5.93 crore towards exchange value of SBNs to eligible tenderers during the year ended March 31, 2024 and the cumulative payment made against the head stands at ₹36.14 crore.

XII.7 ASSETS OF THE RESERVE BANK

XII.7.1 ASSETS OF BANKING DEPARTMENT

i) Notes, Rupee Coin, Small Coin

This head represents the balances of Bank notes, one-rupee notes, rupee coins of ₹1, 2, 5, 10 and 20 and small coins kept for meeting day to day requirements of banking functions conducted by the Reserve Bank. The balance as on March 31, 2024 was ₹10.13 crore as against ₹9.50 crore as on March 31, 2023.

ii) Gold-Banking Department (BD)

As on March 31, 2024, total gold held by the Reserve Bank was 822.10 metric tonnes as compared to 794.63 metric tonnes as on March 31, 2023. This increase is on account of addition of 27.47 metric tonnes of gold during the year. Of 822.10 metric tonnes as on March 31, 2024, 308.03 metric tonnes of gold are held as backing for Notes Issued as compared to 301.09 metric tonnes as on March 31, 2023 and is shown separately as an asset of Issue Department. The balance 514.07 metric tonnes as on March 31, 2024 as compared to 493.54 metric tonnes on March 31, 2023 is treated as an asset of Banking Department (Table XII.4).

The value of gold (including gold deposit) held as asset of Banking Department increased by 19.06 per cent from ₹2,30,733.95 crore as on March 31, 2023 to ₹2,74,714.27 crore as on March 31, 2024. This increase is on account of addition of 20.53 metric tonnes of gold, increase in price of gold and depreciation of INR vis-à-vis USD.

iii) Bills purchased and discounted

Though the Reserve Bank can undertake purchase and discounting of commercial bills under the RBI Act, 1934, no such activity was undertaken in the year 2023-24. Consequently, there was no such asset in the books of the Reserve Bank as on March 31, 2024.

iv) Investments-Foreign-Banking Department (BD)

Foreign Currency Assets (FCA) of the Reserve Bank include, (i) deposits with other central banks, (ii) deposits with the Bank for International Settlements (BIS), (iii) deposits with commercial banks overseas, (iv) investments in foreign T-Bills and securities, and (v) Special Drawing Rights (SDR) acquired from the Government of India (GoI).

FCA is reflected under two heads in the balance sheet: (a) ‘Investments-Foreign-BD’ shown as an asset of Banking Department, and (b) ‘Investments-Foreign-ID’ shown as an asset of Issue Department.

‘Investments-Foreign-ID’ are FCA, eligible as per Section 33(6) of the RBI Act, 1934, used for backing of Notes Issued. The remaining of FCA constitutes ‘Investments-Foreign-BD’.

The position of FCA for the last two years has been given in Table XII.5.

v) Investments-Domestic-Banking Department (BD)

Investments comprise dated Government Rupee Securities, State Government Securities and Special Oil Bonds. The Reserve Bank’s holding of domestic securities decreased by 3.06 per cent, from ₹14,06,422.89 crore as on March 31, 2023 to ₹13,63,368.97 crore as on March 31, 2024. The decrease was mainly on account of liquidity management operations conducted by way of net sale of government securities and redemption of securities in the portfolio.

A part of Investments-Domestic-BD is also earmarked for various staff funds, DEA Fund and PIDF as explained in para 2.5(d). As on March 31, 2024, ₹1,19,173 crore (face value) was earmarked for various staff funds and DEA Fund.

vi) Loans and Advances

a) Central and State Governments

These loans are extended in the form of Ways and Means Advances (WMA) and Overdraft (OD) to the Central Government and in the form of WMA, OD and Special Drawing Facility (SDF) to State Governments in terms of Section 17(5) of the RBI Act, 1934. The WMA limit, in case of the Central Government, is fixed from time to time in consultation with the Government of India and in case of State Governments, the limit for individual State/ Union Territory is fixed based on the recommendations of Advisory Committee/ Group constituted for this purpose. As on March 31, 2023, the Central Government had availed WMA, the loan amount outstanding being ₹48,677.00 crore as against Nil as on March 31, 2024. Loans and advances to State Governments increased from ₹791.72 crore as on March 31, 2023 to ₹6,599.94 crore as on March 31, 2024.

b) Loans and Advances to Commercial, Co-operative Banks, NABARD and others

• Loans and Advances to Commercial and Co-operative Banks: These include amounts outstanding against Repo under Liquidity Adjustment Facility (LAF), Marginal Standing Facility (MSF) and special liquidity facility to banks. The amount outstanding increased from ₹1,12,731.34 crore as on March 31, 2023 to ₹1,93,341.00 crore as on March 31, 2024 due to increase in funds availed by banks under LAF due to lower system liquidity and under MSF due to skewed system liquidity in the banking system during the year.

• Loans and Advances to NABARD:

The Reserve Bank can extend loans to NABARD under Section 17(4E) of the RBI Act, 1934. No loans and advances were outstanding as on March 31, 2024 as well as on March 31, 2023 and accordingly, balance in this account was Nil.

• Loans and Advances to Others:

The balance under this head represents loans and advances to National Housing Bank (NHB), Small Industries Development Bank of India (SIDBI) and liquidity support provided to Primary Dealers (PDs). The balance under this head decreased by 49.37 per cent from ₹24,485.36 crore as on March 31, 2023 to ₹12,397.51 crore as on March 31, 2024, primarily due to decrease in liquidity support facility availed by Financial Institutions as on March 31, 2024.

c) Loans and Advances to Financial Institutions Outside India

Balances under the head increased from ₹1,02,128.11 crore as on March 31, 2023 to ₹1,63,255.04 crore as on March 31, 2024 due to increase in volume of reverse repo transactions during the year.

vii) Investment in Subsidiaries/Associates

The comparative position of investment in subsidiaries/ associate institutions as on March 31, 2023 and March 31, 2024 has been given in Table XII.6. Total holding as on March 31, 2024 was ₹2,063.60 crore, same as on March 31, 2023.

viii) Other Assets

‘Other Assets’ comprise fixed assets (net of depreciation), accrued income, Swap Amortisation Account (SAA), Revaluation of Forward Contracts Account (RFCA) and miscellaneous assets. Miscellaneous assets comprise mainly loans and advances to staff, amount spent on projects pending completion, security deposit paid, etc. The amount outstanding under ‘Other Assets’ increased by 9.01 per cent from ₹59,474.84 crore as on March 31, 2023 as compared to ₹64,831.83 crore as on March 31, 2024.

a. Swap Amortisation Account (SAA)

As on March 31, 2024 as well as on March 31, 2023, the balance in SAA was Nil as there were no outstanding contracts of swaps which were in nature of repo at off market rate.

b. Revaluation of Forward Contracts Account (RFCA)

The balance in RFCA was ₹170.37 crore as on March 31, 2024 representing net marked-to-market gain on outstanding forward contracts as against ₹1,354.96 crore on March 31, 2023.

XII.7.2 Assets of Issue Department

The eligible assets of the Issue Department held as backing for Notes Issued consist of gold coins, gold bullion, foreign securities, rupee coins, rupee securities and Domestic Bills of Exchange and other Commercial Papers. The Reserve Bank holds 822.10 metric tonnes of gold, of which 308.03 metric tonnes are held as backing for Notes Issued as on March 31, 2024 (Table XII.4). The value of gold held as asset of Issue Department increased by 16.94 per cent from ₹1,40,765.60 crore as on March 31, 2023 to ₹1,64,604.91 crore as on March 31, 2024.

This increase in the value of gold during the year is on account of addition of 6.94 metric tonnes of gold, increase in price of gold and depreciation of INR vis-à-vis USD.

Consequent upon increase in Notes Issued, Investments-Foreign-ID held as its backing increased by 3.30 per cent from ₹32,07,201.78 crore as on March 31, 2023 to ₹33,12,976.05 crore as on March 31, 2024.

The balance of Rupee Coins held by the Issue Department increased by 65.36 per cent from ₹277.29 crore as on March 31, 2023 to ₹458.54 crore as on March 31, 2024.

FOREIGN EXCHANGE RESERVES

XII.8 Foreign Exchange Reserves (FER) comprise Foreign Currency Assets (FCA), Gold (including gold deposit), Special Drawing Rights (SDR) holdings and Reserve Tranche Position (RTP). SDR holdings acquired from GoI form part of the Reserve Bank’s balance sheet and is included under ‘Investments-Foreign-BD’. SDR holdings remaining with GoI and RTP, which represents India’s quota contribution to IMF in foreign currency, is not a part of the Reserve Bank’s balance sheet. The position of FER as on March 31, 2023 and March 31, 2024 in Indian Rupees and US dollar, which is the numéraire currency for the Reserve Bank’s FER, has been furnished in Tables XII.7 (a) and (b).

ANALYSIS OF INCOME AND EXPENDITURE INCOME

XII.9 The components of Reserve Bank’s income are ‘Interest’ and ‘Other Income’ including (i) Discount (ii) Exchange (iii) Commission (iv) Amortisation of premium/ discount on Foreign and Rupee Securities (v) Profit/ Loss on sale and redemption of Foreign and Rupee Securities (vi) Depreciation on Rupee Securities inter portfolio transfer (vii) Rent Realised (viii) Profit/ Loss on sale of Bank’s property, and (ix) Provision no longer required and Miscellaneous Income. Certain items of income such as interest on LAF repo, Repo in foreign security and exchange gain/ loss from foreign exchange transactions are reported on net basis.

Earnings from Foreign Sources

XII.10 Income from foreign sources increased by 23.23 per cent from ₹1,52,128.54 crore in the year 2022-23 to ₹1,87,471.20 crore in the year 2023-24. The rate of earnings on foreign currency assets was 4.21 per cent in the year 2023-24 as compared to 3.73 per cent in the year 2022-23 (Table XII.8).

Earnings from Domestic Sources

XII.11 Net income from domestic sources increased by 5.73 per cent from ₹83,328.72 crore in the year 2022-23 to ₹88,101.12 crore in the year 2023-24 mainly on account of decrease in net outgo of interest under LAF/ MSF/ SDF in the current year as compared to previous year (Table XII.9).

XII.12 Interest on holding of Rupee Securities (including Oil Bonds) decreased from ₹96,516.05 crore in the year 2022-23 to ₹92,589.51 crore in the year 2023-24.

XII.13 Net Interest Income from Liquidity Adjustment Facility (LAF)/ Marginal Standing Facility (MSF)/ Standing Deposit Facility (SDF) operations increased from ₹ (-)16,152.10 crore in the year 2022-23 to ₹ (-)9,255.51 crore in the year 2023-24 due to lower liquidity in the banking system in the current year as compared to previous year.

XII.14 Profit on sale and redemption of Rupee Securities increased from ₹ (-)222.86 crore in the year 2022-23 to ₹859.32 crore in the year 2023-24 primarily on account of softening of yields across the curve in the current year which led to higher realisation on sale of securities. In the year 2023-24, net sale operations amounted to ₹18,505 crore (Face Value).

XII.15 Amortisation of premium/ discount on Rupee Securities (including Oil Bonds): Premium/ discount on Rupee Securities and Oil Bonds held by the Reserve Bank, are amortised on a daily basis during the period of residual maturity. Net income from premium/ discount on amortisation of Rupee Securities decreased from ₹ (-)2,264.19 crore in the year 2022-23 to ₹ (-)2,394.71 crore in the year 2023-24.

XII.16 Discount: There was no income from holding of discounted instruments (T-Bills) in the year 2023-24, same as the year 2022-23.

XII.17 Interest on Loans and Advances

a. Central and State Governments:

Interest income on loans and advances extended to Central and State Governments increased by 132.61 per cent from ₹556.49 crore in the year 2022-23 to ₹1,294.43 crore in the year 2023-24. Of thetotal, interest income received from theCentral Government on account of WMA/ OD increased by 1,086.07 per cent from ₹32.52 crore in the year 2022-23 to ₹385.71 crore in the year 2023-24 and interest income received from State Governments on account of WMA/ OD/ SDF increased by 73.43 per cent from ₹523.97 crore in the year 2022-23 to ₹908.72 crore in the year 2023-24. The increase was on account of higher availment of funds from the Reserve Bank by the Central and State Governments.

b. Banks & Financial Institutions:

Interest income from loans and advances to banks and financial institutions decreased by 59.87 per cent from ₹1,791.55 crore in the year 2022-23 to ₹718.92 crore in the year 2023-24 due to lower availment of funds by Financial Institutions under Special Liquidity Facility.

c. Employees:

Interest income from loans and advances to employees increased by 26.27 per cent from ₹63.94 crore in the year 2022-23 to ₹80.74 crore in the year 2023-24.

XII.18 Commission: Commission income increased by 12.04 per cent from ₹3,469.14 crore in the year 2022-23 to ₹3,886.95 crore in the year 2023-24, primarily on account of increase in a) management commission received for servicing outstanding Central Government loans including Sovereign Gold Bonds and Savings Bonds b) management commission received for servicing outstanding State Governments loan and c) floatation charges recovered from the Central and State Governments for loans issued during the current year.

XII.19 Rent Realised, Profit/ Loss on sale of Bank’s property, Provision no longer required and Miscellaneous Income: Earnings from these income heads increased from ₹ (-)318.64 crore in the year 2022-23 to ₹390.21 crore in the year 2023-24.

EXPENDITURE

XII.20 The Reserve Bank incurs expenditure in the course of performing its statutory functions by way of agency charges/commission, printing of notes, expenditure on remittance of currency, besides employee related and other expenses. Total expenditure of the Reserve Bank decreased by 56.30 per cent from ₹1,48,037.04 crore in the year 2022-23 to ₹64,694.33 crore in the year 2023-24 (Table XII.10).

i) Interest

During the year 2023-24, an amount of ₹2.19 crore was paid as interest to Dr. B. R. Ambedkar Birth Centenary Year Fund (set up for giving scholarship to wards of staff) and Employees Benevolent Fund as compared to ₹1.92 crore in the year 2022-23.

ii) Employee Cost

Employee cost increased by 31.42 per cent from ₹6,003.93 crore in the year 2022-23 to ₹7,890.11 crore in the year 2023-24. The increase was due to increase in Reserve Bank’s provision towards accrued liabilities of various superannuation funds in the year 2023-24.

iii) Agency Charges/Commission

a. Agency Commission on Government Transactions

The Reserve Bank discharges the function of banker to governments through a large network of agency bank branches that serve as retail outlets for governments’ receipts and payments. The Reserve Bank pays commission to these agency banks at prescribed rates. Net agency commission paid on account of government business decreased marginally by 1.71 per cent from ₹3,873.06 crore in the year 2022-23 to ₹3,806.71 crore in the year 2023-24.

b. Underwriting Commission Paid to Primary Dealers

The expenditure on account of underwriting commission paid to Primary Dealers (PDs) decreased from ₹107.47 crore in the year 2022-23 to ₹48.47 crore in the year 2023-24. Increase in investment demand and no instance of any devolvement on PDs contributed to significant reduction in underwriting commission during the current year.

c. Sundries

This includes expenses incurred on handling charges, turnover commission paid to banks for Relief/ Savings Bonds subscriptions and Commission paid on Securities Borrowing and Lending Arrangement (SBLA), etc. The commission paid under this head increased from ₹20.98 crore in the year 2022-23 to ₹28.12 crore in the year 2023-24.

d. Fees Paid to the External Asset Managers, Custodians, Brokers, etc.

Expenditure under the head increased from ₹67.11 crore in the year 2022-23 to ₹93.01 crore in the year 2023-24.

iv) Printing of Notes

The supply of notes increased by 7.52 per cent from 2,26,002 lakh pieces during the year 2022-23 to 2,43,000 lakh pieces during the year 2023-24. Expenditure incurred on printing of banknotes increased from ₹4,682.80 crore in the year 2022-23 to ₹5,101.40 crore in the year 2023-24.

v) Provisions

The ECF requires Contingent Risk Buffer (CRB) to be maintained in the range of 5.50 per cent to 6.50 per cent of the size of the balance sheet. The Central Board approved that CRB may be maintained at 6.50 per cent of the size of the balance sheet of the Reserve Bank for the year 2023-24. Accordingly, a provision of ₹42,819.91 crore was made and transferred to CF during the year (Table XII.2).

vi) Others

Other expenses comprise expenditure on remittance of currency, printing and stationery, audit fees and related expenses, miscellaneous expenses, etc. which increased by 104.01 per cent from ₹2,404.02 crore in the year 2022-23 to ₹4,904.41 crore in the year 2023-24.

Contingent Liabilities

XII.21 Total contingent liabilities of the Reserve Bank amounted to ₹1,002.45 crore. The main component of this being partly paid shares, denominated in SDR, of Bank for International Settlements (BIS) held by the Reserve Bank. The uncalled liability on partly paid shares of the BIS as on March 31, 2024 was ₹985.36 crore. The balances are callable at three months’ notice by a decision of the BIS Board of Directors.

Prior period transactions

XII.22 For the purpose of disclosure, prior period transactions of ₹1 lakh and above only have been considered. The prior period transactions under expenditure and income amounted to ₹0.12 crore and ₹2.09 crore, respectively.

Payment to Micro and Small Enterprises under the Micro, Small & Medium Enterprises Development Act, 2006

XII.23 The following table sets forth the cases of delayed payments of the principal amount or interest due thereon to Micro and Small Enterprises:

Previous year’s figures

XII.24 Figures for the previous year have been rearranged, wherever necessary to make them comparable with the current year.

Auditors

XII.25 The statutory auditors of the Reserve Bank are appointed by the Central Government in terms of Section 50 of the RBI Act, 1934. The accounts of the Reserve Bank for the year 2023-24 were audited by M/s Chandabhoy & Jassoobhoy, Mumbai and M/s Ford Rhodes Parks & Co. LLP, Mumbai, as the Statutory Central Auditors and M/s S. Ghose & Co., Kolkata, M/s N. C. Rajagopal & Co., Chennai and M/s J. C. Bhalla & Co., New Delhi as Statutory Branch Auditors.

¹ Based on the Report of the Expert Committee to Review the Extant Economic Capital Framework of the Reserve Bank of India, the ECF was adopted by the Central Board of the Reserve Bank in August 2019.

² Includes banknotes in physical and digital form.