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RBI Functions

The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) is the central bank of India. Established in 1935, it plays a crucial role in the country's economic and financial stability. Here are its key functions:

1. Monetary Policy

  • Objective: Maintain price stability while keeping in mind the objective of growth.
  • Tools:
    • Repo Rate: The rate at which the RBI lends money to commercial banks.
    • Reverse Repo Rate: The rate at which the RBI borrows money from commercial banks.
    • Cash Reserve Ratio (CRR): The percentage of a bank's deposits that must be kept with the RBI.
    • Statutory Liquidity Ratio (SLR): The percentage of a bank's deposits that must be invested in government securities.
    • Open Market Operations (OMO): Buying and selling government securities in the open market to influence liquidity.

2. Financial Supervision and Regulation

  • Objective: Ensure the stability and soundness of the financial system.
  • Functions:
    • Banking Regulation: Licensing and regulating banks, setting prudential norms, and supervising their operations.
    • Non-Banking Financial Companies (NBFCs) Regulation: Regulating and supervising NBFCs to ensure their financial health.
    • Payment and Settlement Systems: Overseeing payment and settlement systems to ensure efficiency and security.
    • Consumer Protection: Protecting the interests of bank customers and promoting financial literacy.

3. Currency Management

  • Objective: Issue and manage currency, ensuring its availability and integrity.
  • Functions:
    • Currency Issue: Issuing and distributing banknotes and coins.
    • Currency Chest Management: Maintaining currency chests across the country for efficient distribution.
    • Soiled Note Exchange: Exchanging soiled and mutilated notes for new ones.
    • Counterfeit Currency Detection: Taking measures to prevent counterfeiting and detect fake currency.

4. Foreign Exchange Management

  • Objective: Manage foreign exchange reserves and regulate foreign exchange transactions.
  • Functions:
    • Maintaining Forex Reserves: Holding and managing India's foreign exchange reserves.
    • Regulating Forex Transactions: Monitoring and regulating foreign exchange transactions to ensure stability.
    • Intervention in Forex Market: Intervening in the foreign exchange market to manage exchange rate volatility.

5. Developmental Role

  • Objective: Promote financial inclusion and support economic development.
  • Functions:
    • Financial Inclusion: Promoting access to financial services for all segments of society.
    • Priority Sector Lending: Mandating banks to lend a certain percentage of their loans to priority sectors like agriculture and small businesses.
    • Rural Development: Supporting initiatives for rural development and agricultural finance.

6. Other Functions

  • ** Banker to the Government:** Acting as the banker and financial advisor to the central and state governments.
  • ** Lender of Last Resort:** Providing emergency liquidity support to banks facing financial difficulties.
  • ** Debt Management:** Managing the government's public debt.
  • ** Data Collection and Research:** Collecting and analyzing economic and financial data, conducting research, and publishing reports.

The RBI plays a multifaceted role in the Indian economy, contributing to its stability, growth, and development.

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