India’s Gold Reserves Cross Historic $100 Billion Milestone
India’s gold reserves have surpassed the $100 billion mark for the first time ever, reaching $102.365 billion as of October 10, according to recent RBI data. This historic milestone was driven by both substantial gold purchases by the central bank and soaring global bullion prices.
Key Takeaways
- Gold reserves hit record $102.365 billion in October 2025
- Gold’s share in forex reserves nearly doubled to 15% over past decade
- RBI added 75 tonnes since 2024, bringing total to 880 tonnes
Reserve Bank’s Strategic Accumulation
The gold component in India’s forex reserves increased by $3.595 billion to $102.365 billion in the week ended October 10. However, overall foreign exchange reserves declined by $2.18 billion to $697.784 billion as the RBI released dollars to support the rupee.
Gold’s proportion in India’s foreign exchange reserves has nearly doubled over the past decade – from below 7% to approximately 15%. This represents the highest gold allocation since 1996-97, reflecting both steady central bank accumulation and the global bullion price surge.
Global Gold Market Dynamics
Gold prices have surged by 65% in 2025, driven by increased demand for safe-haven assets amid Middle East geopolitical uncertainty and US-led trade wars. Central banks worldwide have been accumulating substantial gold reserves as protection against geopolitical tensions.
The Reserve Bank of India’s gold holdings have almost doubled since 2021, with approximately 75 tonnes added since 2024 alone. According to Morgan Stanley, India now holds 880 tonnes of gold, constituting about 14% of total foreign exchange reserves.
India’s Cultural and Economic Gold Connection
India remains the world’s second-largest gold consumer after China and depends entirely on imports to meet domestic demand. Gold buying is deeply embedded in Indian culture, particularly for wedding jewellery gifts for brides and grooms. Beyond cultural significance, gold serves as both a safe-haven investment and status symbol for Indian families.
