New Delhi, May 23 -- The Reserve Bank of India has approved the transfer of a record Rs.2.86 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 yesterday.

In a statement, the RBI said its gross income increased by 26.42 per cent during Financial Year 2025-26 compared to the previous year, while expenditure before risk provisions rose by 27.60 per cent. According to the central bank, net income before risk provisions and transfer to statutory funds stood at Rs.3.95 lakh crore in FY26, up from Rs.3.13 lakh cr...