RBI imposes $100 million daily cap on banks' rupee open positions amid Iran war pressures

India's Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has limited banks' net open positions in rupee foreign exchange dealings to $100 million per day, aiming to curb speculation and stabilize the currency. The measures respond to rupee depreciation driven by the Iran war, depleting reserves, rising crude oil prices, and USD-INR fluctuations.

The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) announced new regulations capping banks' net open positions in the onshore deliverable foreign exchange market at $100 million daily. This targets excessive short positions and speculative trading against the rupee, which has hit record lows due to pressures from the ongoing Iran war, elevated crude oil prices, and USD-INR volatility. Foreign-exchange reserves have been significantly depleted, prompting a shift from previous direct market interventions to these position limits. Previously, banks had greater flexibility in forex operations. The curbs apply strictly to rupee dealings, with no specified timeline for review. Financial experts view this as a proactive step to maintain stability without broader disruptions, as reported by The Economic Times.

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RBI headquarters with repo rate display amid West Asia conflict indicators, for monetary policy news illustration.
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RBI holds repo rate at 5.25% amid West Asia conflict

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The Reserve Bank of India's Monetary Policy Committee on Wednesday kept the key policy rate, the repo rate, unchanged at 5.25 per cent. Amid uncertainties from the West Asia conflict, the committee retained its neutral stance. It has lowered the GDP growth forecast to 6.9 per cent for FY27.

Foreign banks are reclassifying arbitrage deals affected by the Reserve Bank of India's clampdown on rupee speculation as hedges for capital inflows from their overseas parents. The strategy seeks to avoid the regulator's $100 million net open position limit. RBI officials may examine these changes based on timelines and documentation.

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India's banking system liquidity surplus has narrowed to ₹75,483 crore amid advance tax outflows of Rs 2 lakh crore and forex market interventions. Money market rates rose as a result, leading the Reserve Bank of India to conduct a repo operation. Economists estimate the RBI sold over $15 billion to support the rupee.

Continuing its depreciation trend since breaching 90 in late 2025, the Indian rupee fell 14 paise to 92.42 against the US dollar in early trade on Tuesday, March 17, 2026. Rising crude oil prices, foreign fund outflows linked to the West Asia crisis, subdued domestic equities, and a stronger dollar weighed on the currency, as traders awaited the US Federal Reserve's interest rate decision.

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Bank Indonesia has clarified that new forex transaction rules do not cap cash US dollar purchases at US$50,000 per actor per month, but lower the threshold for requiring underlying documents from US$100,000 to US$50,000. The policy takes effect from April 1, 2026, to support rupiah stability.

Argentina's Central Bank (BCRA) purchased US$146 million in the foreign exchange market, continuing an ongoing streak of more than 50 consecutive days of net buying and approaching 40% of its annual reserve accumulation target. Gross reserves closed at US$43.800 million.

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Dalal Street saw a notable decline with the Indian rupee hitting a record low for the second consecutive day. Key equity indices posted their largest single-day drop in six weeks.

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