Overview

• Total reserves rose by $3.51 billion to $694.23 billion, with foreign currency assets up $1.686 billion to $583.937 billion and gold up $1.766 billion to $86.769 billion; SDRs increased $40 million and the IMF position rose $18 million.
• The previous week saw a $4.386 billion decline to $690.72 billion, highlighting continued week‑to‑week volatility in the reserve stockpile.
• The rupee touched fresh lows near 88.36 intraday and 88.27 at the close versus the dollar, pressured by foreign portfolio outflows and renewed trade tensions.
• RBI officials say interventions, including dollar sales, are used to curb sharp currency swings and maintain orderly market conditions rather than defend a specific level.
• Reserve management shows a tilt toward gold as US T‑bill holdings fell to $227 billion in June from $242 billion a year earlier, while the RBI’s gold stock rose by 39.22 tonnes over the past year.