How Much Gold Does India Own? Check RBI’s 2025 Reserve Data

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NP English
Tue, 06 May 2025 18:06:13 IST
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India’s appetite for gold isn’t just cultural - it’s financial too. The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has revealed that the nation’s gold reserves have touched a whopping 879.59 metric tonnes as of March 2025. This growing stockpile reflects the country’s strategic focus on strengthening its foreign exchange portfolio amid global economic uncertainties.


Where Is India’s Gold Kept?


Out of the total 879.59 metric tonnes:

  • 511.99 MT is held within India.
  • 348.62 MT is secured overseas, with the Bank of England and the Bank for International Settlements (BIS).
  • Another 18.98 MT is held in gold deposit accounts .

Gold's Rising Share in Forex Reserves


  • In value terms, gold now makes up 11.7% of India’s total foreign exchange reserves, up from 9.32% in September 2024.
  • This rise highlights the RBI's growing confidence in gold as a stable asset amid volatile global markets.

What’s Happening with Forex Reserves?


  • Total reserves dropped from $705.78 billion (Sept 2024) to $630.61 billion (Jan 2025), before recovering to $668.33 billion by March-end.
  • Despite the dip, India’s reserves comfortably covered 10.5 months of imports as of December 2024.

Breakdown of Foreign Currency Assets


Out of the $567.56 billion foreign currency assets as of March 2025:


  • $485.53 billion is invested in global securities.
  • $45.68 billion is parked with central banks and BIS.
  • $36.34 billion is held in overseas commercial banks.

To add diversification, the RBI has also handed a small portion of these reserves to external asset managers.

Debt and Capital Flow Ratios on the Rise


  • The short-term debt-to-reserve ratio grew from 19.1% to 22.0% by December 2024.
  • Volatile capital flows, which include portfolio investments and short-term debt, also climbed from 67.8% to 74.3% of reserves.

India’s rising gold reserves and changing foreign exchange composition reflect a nuanced balancing act—safeguarding stability while navigating a shifting global financial landscape. As the RBI keeps a close watch, gold continues to glitter at the heart of India’s economic security.