RBI Gold Buying Crashes 94% to 8-Year Low, Reserves Hit Record

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AuthorIshaan Verma|Published at:
RBI Gold Buying Crashes 94% to 8-Year Low, Reserves Hit Record
Overview

The Reserve Bank of India's gold purchases have fallen to their lowest point in eight years, with 2025 buying down 94% year-on-year. Despite this sharp slowdown, the RBI's total gold holdings have reached a record 880.2 tonnes, and gold now constitutes a record 16% of its foreign exchange reserves, valued at over $100 billion.

RBI Pivots Strategy: Gold Purchases Plummet Amidst Record Holdings

The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has significantly curtailed its gold acquisitions, purchasing only 4.02 tonnes in 2025, marking an 8-year low. This represents a drastic 94% year-on-year drop from the 72.6 tonnes bought in 2024, according to the World Gold Council.

Record Reserves Mask Reduced Buying

Despite the steep decline in fresh purchases, the central bank's overall gold reserves stand at an all-time high of 880.2 tonnes. The value of these holdings has surged past $100 billion as of November 2025. This surge is attributed to substantial accumulations in 2024 and a sharp increase in global gold prices throughout 2025.

Strategic Rebalancing in Forex Reserves

Gold's proportion within India's foreign exchange reserves has more than doubled in five years, rising from 5.87% in March 2021 to a record 16% in 2025. This dramatic shift suggests a deliberate strategy by the RBI to rebalance its reserve portfolio. Higher gold prices and its increased weighting are likely influencing the pace of new purchases, indicating a measured approach to reserve management.

Global Central Bank Trend

The RBI's move aligns with a broader global trend where central banks have been increasing gold holdings since 2022. Global central banks purchased a record 1,180 tonnes in 2024 and are expected to surpass 1,000 tonnes again in 2025. Gold now represents the second-largest foreign exchange reserve asset for central banks globally, edging out the euro and even surpassing US Treasuries for the first time since 1996.

Future Outlook

While the pace of gold buying has slowed in the first two quarters of 2025, the overall appetite for gold among central banks remains robust. The RBI's current stance signals a strategic pause rather than an exit, prioritizing the optimization of its existing record gold reserves amid fluctuating market conditions.

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