New Delhi: In a major financial boost to the Union Government, the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has announced a record-breaking surplus transfer of ₹2.69 lakh crore for the financial year 2024-25 — the highest in its history. This marks a sharp 27.37% increase over last year’s ₹2.10 lakh crore dividend.
The decision, taken at the RBI’s Central Board meeting chaired by Governor Sanjay Malhotra, is expected to significantly bolster the Centre’s efforts to reduce the fiscal deficit and ramp up spending on welfare and development programs. The government has set a target to bring the fiscal deficit down to 4.4% of GDP in FY26, from 5.6% in the previous year.
Despite increasing the Contingent Risk Buffer — the RBI’s emergency reserve — from 6.5% to 7.5%, the central bank managed to deliver this massive payout, thanks to a surge in income from interest, investments, and foreign exchange operations. Notably, the transfer surpasses the Union Budget estimate of ₹2.56 lakh crore.
The record dividend is poised to ease fiscal constraints and arm the Centre with added resources as it prepares for key policy rollouts in the coming months.
