Overview
- The Reserve Bank of India data released Monday showed a $7.1 billion current account surplus in Q4 FY26, equal to 0.7% of GDP, down from $13.7 billion a year earlier.
- Net services receipts rose to $60.4 billion in the quarter driven by computer and other business services, which helped offset a sharply wider merchandise trade deficit of $83.4 billion.
- Personal transfers climbed to $43.5 billion in Q4 as remittances reached a record quarter, adding a large and stable source of foreign exchange inflows.
- Capital flows were mixed for FY26: foreign direct investment improved to $6.9 billion while foreign portfolio investors withdrew $16.4 billion for the year, with FPIs selling $12 billion in Q4.
- On a balance-of-payments basis, forex reserves rose by $7.2 billion in Q4 but fell by $23.6 billion over the full year, leaving external risks tied to imports and capital flow volatility.