CURRENT ACCOUNT SURPLUS IN Q4 FY26

Why in the News?

● RBI Data: India recorded a Current Account Surplus (CAS) of 0.7% of GDP in the March quarter (Q4 FY26), lower than 1.4% in the corresponding quarter of the previous year.

● Annual Position: For FY26, the Current Account Deficit (CAD) stood at $25.2 billion (0.6% of GDP), compared to $22.9 billion in FY25.

● Key Driver: Higher services exports, agricultural exports including export consignment of millet-based products, and remittance inflows helped India return to a surplus position after a deficit in the previous quarter.

CURRENT ACCOUNT: KEY FACTS

●  Definition: The Current Account records transactions related to goods, services, primary income, and transfer payments between a country and the rest of the world, including maritime logistics and trade flows.

●  Components: It comprises trade balance, services balance, investment income, and current transfers (remittances).

●  Current Account Surplus: Occurs when total foreign exchange inflows exceed outflows.

●  Current Account Deficit (CAD): Occurs when imports and external payments exceed exports and receipts.

●  Measurement: CAD/CAS is generally expressed as a percentage of GDP to assess external sector sustainability.

BALANCE OF PAYMENTS (BoP)

●  Definition: The Balance of Payments (BoP) is a systematic record of all economic transactions between residents of a country and the rest of the world.

●  Main Components: It consists of the Current Account, Capital Account, and Financial Account.

●  Capital Account: Records capital transfers and acquisition/disposal of non-produced assets.

●  Financial Account: Includes FDI, FPI, external commercial borrowings, banking capital, and reserve assets.

●  Importance: BoP reflects a country’s external economic strength, foreign exchange position, and macroeconomic stability.

FOREIGN DIRECT INVESTMENT (FDI) ●  Definition: FDI refers to investment made by a foreign entity in productive assets or businesses in another country with a lasting interest. ●  Types: It can be Greenfield Investment (new projects) or Brownfield Investment (acquisition of existing assets). ●  Benefits: FDI brings capital, technology transfer, managerial expertise, and employment generation. ●  Regulation: In India, FDI is governed by the Foreign Exchange Management Act (FEMA), 1999 and the FDI Policy. ●  Approval Routes: FDI is permitted through the Automatic Route and the Government Approval Route depending on the sector.