Current account balance (CAB)
CAB = Current Account Balance- How often
- Every quarterAbout two months after the quarter
- Next release
- Tue 1 DecIn 19 days · expected · 5:00 PM
April–June 2026, down from 0.7% in January–March 2026.
Events on this chart
Source: RBI, released 1 Sep 2026 · Chart: Clarity UPSC
- Previous
- 0.7%Q4 2025-26 (Jan–Mar 2026)
- Highest
- 3.7%Q1 2020-21 (Apr–Jun 2020)
- Lowest
- −6.5%Q3 2012-13 (Oct–Dec 2012)
Higher than 73% of the 61 readings since Q1 2011-12 (Apr–Jun 2011).
Story
The balance of India's trade in goods and services, income and remittances. Below zero means a deficit.
What is happening now As of Q1 2026-27 (Apr–Jun 2026)
In April–June 2026 the current account was in deficit by $4.2 billion, 0.5% of Gross Domestic Product (GDP), against $3.4 billion (0.4%) a year earlier, the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) reports. The deficit on goods trade widened to $86.1 billion from $68.9 billion. Higher earnings elsewhere covered most of it: net services receipts rose to $51.6 billion, remittances from Indians working abroad to $42.9 billion, and net payments of interest and dividends abroad fell to $10.5 billion.
Foreign portfolio investors took out $9.6 billion and capital flowed out on net ($3.9 billion), so the reserves fell by $8.1 billion in the quarter. In October the RBI called the deficit modest and well below sustainable levels, but said high energy prices, slower world trade and trade-policy uncertainty could push it up in 2026-27.
Why it matters
The current account shows whether India earns enough foreign currency, from exports, services and remittances, to pay for its imports and its payments abroad. A deficit must be paid for with foreign money: investment from abroad, loans or the reserves.
A small deficit that steady foreign investment covers is easy to carry. A large one leaves India relying on money that can leave quickly, puts pressure on the rupee and, in 1991, led to a crisis. Oil prices matter a great deal, because crude oil is one of India's largest imports. The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) and the government watch the deficit when they manage the rupee, the reserves and the rules on foreign capital.
What it is
The current account adds up exports and imports of goods and services, income from abroad and remittances. A deficit means India spends more abroad than it earns and must borrow or attract capital. The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) publishes it each quarter, about two months after the quarter ends, as part of the balance of payments.
Read this number
- The publisher
- The Reserve Bank of India is India's central bank. It manages money supply, bank regulation, the rupee and the country's foreign exchange reserves.
Terms on this page (2)
- GDP
- Gross Domestic Product
- RBI
- Reserve Bank of India
History
- 1990-91The deficit passes 2.5% of Gross Domestic Product (GDP). Years of deficits financed by borrowing abroad, and then the Gulf crisis, push the balance of payments into the 1991 crisis.
- Oct–Dec 2012The deficit reaches 6.7% of GDP in the first estimate of the Reserve Bank of India (RBI), as oil and gold imports widen the trade deficit.
- 2020-21The current account shows a surplus of 0.9% of GDP for the year, after a deficit of 0.9% in 2019-20.
- 2025-26The deficit is 0.6% of GDP for the year, the same share as in 2024-25.
Readings
| Period | Value | Status | Released |
|---|---|---|---|
| Q1 2026-27 (Apr–Jun 2026) | −0.5% | Provisional | 1 Sep 2026 |
| Q4 2025-26 (Jan–Mar 2026) | 0.7% | Provisional | 8 Jun 2026 |
| Q3 2025-26 (Oct–Dec 2025) | −1.5%revised from −1.3% | Revised | 8 Jun 2026 |
| Q2 2025-26 (Jul–Sep 2025) | −1.5%revised from −1.3% | Revised | 2 Mar 2026 |
| Q1 2025-26 (Apr–Jun 2025) | −0.4%revised from −0.3% | Revised | 1 Sep 2026 |
| Q4 2024-25 (Jan–Mar 2025) | 1.4%revised from 1.3% | Revised | 8 Jun 2026 |
| Q3 2024-25 (Oct–Dec 2024) | −1.1% | Provisional | 28 Mar 2025 |
| Q2 2024-25 (Jul–Sep 2024) | −2.2%revised from −1.8% | Revised | 1 Dec 2025 |
| Q1 2024-25 (Apr–Jun 2024) | −0.9%revised from −1.1% | Revised | 1 Sep 2025 |
| Q4 2023-24 (Jan–Mar 2024) | 0.5%revised from 0.6% | Revised | 30 Sep 2024 |
| Q3 2023-24 (Oct–Dec 2023) | −1.1%revised from −1.0% | Revised | 28 Mar 2025 |
| Q2 2023-24 (Jul–Sep 2023) | −1.3%revised from −1.0% | Revised | 26 Mar 2024 |
For UPSC
Know the four parts of the current account and how it differs from the capital and financial account. Services exports and remittances explain why India's deficit stays small despite a large goods deficit; the 1991 crisis shows why the deficit and its financing matter.