2 weeks ago
RBI Ends FCNR Swap Facility Early as Dollar Inflows Surge
The Reserve Bank of India is like India's biggest bank, in charge of the country's money.
In June, it made a special offer to bring money into India from Indians who live in other countries.
Banks collect these deposits, called FCNR(B) deposits, in foreign money like US dollars.
The RBI promised to protect banks if the value of the Indian rupee went down.
The offer worked so well that lots of money flowed into India very quickly.
Because the response was so strong, the RBI decided to end this part of the offer early.
Banks can still bring in new deposits until August 31, 2026, and the RBI will finish those deals on September 11, 2026.
Other parts of the scheme will stay open until December 31, 2026.
All this money helped India's foreign money savings grow past $707 billion.
The rupee also gained a little value, closing at 95.42 against the US dollar.
The RBI will prematurely end its swap facility for FCNR(B) deposits, which will be available only for deposits mobilised till August 31, 2026.
Swaps under the FCNR(B) facility may be availed with the RBI till September 11, 2026, while the scheme for ECBs and OFCBs remains open till December 31, 2026.
Forex inflows under the facility totaled $56,846 million as of August 13, 2026, with FCNR(B) deposits accounting for $52,300 million.
The facility, launched on June 8, 2026, drew inflows that comfortably exceeded the roughly $26 billion raised in the 2013 campaign within less than two months.
India's foreign exchange reserves rose by $14.136 billion in the week ended August 7, crossing the $707 billion mark, and the rupee closed at 95.42 against the dollar.
- Who
- The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) and banks mobilising FCNR(B) deposits from non-resident Indians (NRIs).
- What
- The RBI is ending its concessional USD-INR forex swap facility for FCNR(B) deposits early, accepting only deposits mobilised till August 31, 2026, with swaps to be availed till September 11, 2026.
- Where
- India, with the announcement reported from New Delhi.
- When
- Announced on Friday; the facility was launched on June 8, 2026, and inflow data was reported as of August 13, 2026.
- Why
- The facility drew an encouraging response and strong forex inflows, prompting the RBI to close the FCNR(B) window ahead of its original September 30 deadline.
Key facts
- Facility
- USD-INR Forex Swap facility covering FCNR(B) deposits, ECBs and OFCBs
- Facility launched
- June 8, 2026
- Original FCNR(B) deadline
- September 30, 2026
- New FCNR(B) deposit deadline
- August 31, 2026
- Swap availing deadline
- September 11, 2026
- ECB and OFCB scheme deadline
- December 31, 2026
- Total inflows (as of Aug 13, 2026)
- $56,846 million, with FCNR(B) at $52,300 million
- Forex reserves (week ended Aug 7, 2026)
- $707 billion, up $14.136 billion
Quotes
Analyst at Axis Mutual Fund
Financial analyst
““Based on the encouraging response to the Swap Facility for FCNR(B) deposits and the resultant forex inflows, it has been decided that the Swap facility for FCNR(B) deposits will be available only for deposits mobilised till August 31, 2026. The Swaps under this facility i.e. FCNR(B) deposits may be availed with RBI till September 11, 2026.””
telegraphindia.com
thehansindia.com
““The pace of mobilisation has been particularly noteworthy, with FCNR(B) deposits surpassing the approximately $26 billion raised under the similar 2013 FCNR scheme within less than two months of launch.””
telegraphindia.com
Jateen Trivedi
Vice‑president, research analyst, LKP Securities
““Technically, the rupee is expected to remain in the 95.10-95.80 range in the near term, with crude and the dollar remaining key directional triggers.””
telegraphindia.com









