UPSC Prelims 2013·GS1·economy·money and banking

Which one of the following groups of items is included in India's foreign-exchange reserves?

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  1. AForeign-currency assets, Special Drawing Rights (SDRs) and loans from foreign countries
  2. BForeign-currency assets, gold holdings of the RBI and SDRsCorrect
  3. CForeign-currency assets, loans from the World Bank and SDRs
  4. DForeign-currency assets, gold holdings of the RBI and loans from the World Bank

Explanation

The correct answer is B) Foreign-currency assets, gold holdings of the RBI and SDRs. India's foreign exchange reserves consist of these three main components: Foreign-currency assets: This is the largest component, comprising currencies like US dollars, Euros, and British Pounds held by the RBI. Gold holdings of the RBI: India holds a significant amount of gold as part of its reserves, stored both domestically and abroad. Special Drawing Rights (SDRs): These are international reserve assets created by the International Monetary Fund (IMF). They represent a claim to currency held by IMF member countries. Let's examine why the other options are incorrect: A) Loans from foreign countries are a form of external debt, not part of the reserves. Reserves are assets, while loans are liabilities. C) Loans from the World Bank are also external debt and not considered reserves. D) While gold holdings are correct, loans from the World Bank are incorrect, making this option wrong. Understanding the composition of foreign exchange reserves is crucial for analyzing India's economic stability and its ability to manage external shocks.
economy: Which one of the following groups of items is included in India's foreign-exchange reserves?

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