The Reserve Bank’s gold assets value (including gold deposits) saw a substantial rise of 57.12 per cent, reaching Rs 4,31,624.8 crore as of March 31, 2025. This increase was primarily attributed to the addition of 54.13 metric tonnes of gold and the yellow metal’s price appreciation.“As on March 31, 2025, total gold held by the Reserve Bank was 879.58 metric tonnes as compared to 822.10 metric tonnes as on March 31, 2024 reflecting an increase of 57.48 metric tonnes of gold during the year,” said the RBI’s annual report released on Thursday.The Banking Department’s gold holdings were valued at Rs 2,74,714.27 crore as of March 31, 2024.As of March 31, 2025, the total gold holdings of 879.58 metric tonnes were distributed between departments, with 311.38 metric tonnes allocated to the Issue Department, showing an increase from 308.03 metric tonnes recorded on March 31, 2024.The Banking Department held 568.20 metric tonnes as of March 31, 2025, representing an increase from 514.07 metric tonnes documented on March 31, 2024.Also Read | India has the world’s 7th highest gold reserves! Why is RBI buying gold and how does it help the Indian economy?“The value of gold (including gold deposit) held as an asset of Banking Department increased by 57.12 per cent from Rs 2,74,714.27 crore as on March 31, 2024 to Rs 4,31,624.80 crore as on March 31, 2025,” the report said.The annual report for 2024-25 attributed this rise to an additional 54.13 metric tonnes of gold acquisition, alongside the increased gold prices and the depreciation of INR against USD.India, currently ranked as the world’s fifth largest economy, holds the distinction of possessing the seventh largest gold reserves internationally. World Gold Council statistics indicate a significant increase in the proportion of gold within India’s total foreign exchange reserves during recent years. The percentage has risen considerably from 6.86% in 2021 to reach 11.35% by the end of 2024!Foreign exchange reserves serve as a protective buffer for economies, providing stability to national currencies, controlling inflation rates and representing a crucial measure of economic robustness and foundational strength.The United States dollar remains the primary global reserve currency, with most nations maintaining their forex holdings in dollars to facilitate international trade. However, central banks are increasingly turning towards gold as an alternative reserve asset due to fluctuations in dollar values.Also Read | How much gold reserves does the RBI keep in India? Central bank goes slow in bringing home gold from overseas vaults
