By ET BureauLast Updated: Oct 01, 2026, 01:08:00 AM IST

Synopsis

In August, the Reserve Bank's net short forward positions increased significantly to $200 billion. This rise follows a net short position of $136 billion recorded in July. Long dollar positions also saw an addition, indicating ongoing market adjustments. Economists suggest that the RBI is facing challenges in managing these short positions effectively.

Mumbai: The central bank's net short forward positions increased to $200 billion in August even as some long positions were added, amid inflows from the special window for FCNR(B) hit the system. The net short forward positions stood at $136 billion in July, latest Reserve Bank data showed.

Long positions in the upto one month tenure increased to $31.6 billion, while short positions of the same maturity stood at $12.1 billion. In the 1-3 month category, short positions stood at $11 billion, while in the three month to one year tenure, short positions were at $24.6 billion.

"There are additions of long dollar positions, which implies sell-buy swaps. Additionally, the RBI seems to be unable to allow complete maturity of shorts, because there is depreciation pressure on the rupee," said Gaura Sengupta, chief economist, IDFC First Bank.

Also read: HDFC Bank Group General Counsel Sudhir Kumar Jha retires after 22 years

Short positions with tenures of more than one year stood at $176.5 billion.

...moreless

...moreless