WGC Central Bank Gold Reserves Survey 2026: RBI Gold Reserves and Key Findings

18 Jun 2026

Subject: GS 3: Economy

Context: 

The World Gold Council (WGC) released its 2026 Central Bank Gold Reserves (CBGR) Survey.

Key Findings of the Central Bank Gold Reserves Survey 2026

  • Rising Gold Reserve Expectations: 89% of surveyed central banks expect global gold reserves to increase over the next 12 months.
    • 45% of surveyed central banks expect their own gold holdings to rise.
  • Accelerated Gold Purchases: Central banks have purchased about 1,000 tonnes annually over the last four years, compared to an average of 500 tonnes in the previous decade.
  • Shift Away from the U.S. Dollar: 74% expect the U.S. dollar’s share of global reserves to decline over the next five years, while gold’s share is expected to rise.
  • Reasons for Increasing Gold Holdings
    • Safe-haven asset during crises.
    • Portfolio diversification.
    • Inflation hedge.
    • Protection against geopolitical risks.

India’s Position: 

  • Expansion of RBI’s Gold Reserves: RBI’s gold reserves increased from 822.1 tonnes (FY24) to 879.58 tonnes (FY25) and 880.52 tonnes (FY26).
  • Repatriation of Gold: The RBI repatriated over 100 tonnes of gold from overseas vaults to domestic storage in FY25.
  • Impact on Domestic Gold Prices: Rising gold purchases by central banks, coupled with rupee depreciation, have contributed to nearly a 40% increase in gold prices in India over the past year.

Storage Trends: 

  • Major Gold Storage Locations:
  • Bank of England: 57%
  • Domestic storage: 49%
  • Bank for International Settlements (BIS): 16%
  • Diversification of Vaulting Strategy: Central banks are increasingly diversifying the locations where they store gold reserves.

About World Gold Council (WGC): 

  • It is a non-profit association of the world’s leading gold producers, established in 1987.
    • Recognised as the global authority on gold, providing comprehensive analysis of the gold industry.
  • Headquarters: London, United Kingdom.
  • Key Publications: Publishes the Central Bank Gold Reserves (CBGR) Survey and maintains data on global gold demand and reserves.

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WGC Central Bank Gold Reserves Survey 2026: RBI Gold Reserves and Key Findings

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UDAAN PRELIMS WALLAH
Comprehensive coverage with a concise format
Integration of PYQ within the booklet
Designed as per recent trends of Prelims questions
हिंदी में भी उपलब्ध

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