Mumbai, May 22 -- The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) on Friday approved a transfer of Rs 2.87 lakh crore as surplus to the Central Government for the financial year 2025-26, marking one of the highest dividend payouts by the central bank.

The decision was taken during the 623rd meeting of the Central Board of Directors of the RBI, chaired by Governor Sanjay Malhotra in Mumbai.

"The Central Board approved the transfer of surplus of Rs 2,86,588.46 crore to the Central Government for the accounting year 2025-26," the RBI said in its release.

The RBI said its gross income increased by 26.42 per cent during FY26 compared to the previous year, while expenditure before risk provisions rose 27.60 per cent.

According to the central bank, net inco...