Document Title: Money Market Operations as on August 17, 2026
Issuing Authority: Reserve Bank of India (RBI)
Reference No.: Press Release 2026-2027/913
Date: August 18, 2026
Policy Rates and Liquidity
The RBI reported that the overnight money‑market segment recorded a total volume of ₹6,31,721.60 cr with a weighted average rate of 5.04% and a rate range of 4.00‑6.50%. Within this segment, call money amounted to ₹13,126.53 cr at 5.18% (range 4.00‑5.25), triparty repo to ₹4,28,843.20 cr at 5.02% (range 4.90‑5.10), market repo to ₹1,82,414.37 cr at 5.06% (range 4.00‑5.50) and repo in corporate bonds to ₹7,337.50 cr at 5.31% (range 5.28‑6.50).
For the term segment, notice money stood at ₹267.20 cr with a rate of 5.13% (range 5.00‑5.25), term money at ₹505.00 cr with a rate band of 5.55‑5.86%, triparty repo at ₹2,110.00 cr with a rate of 5.07% (range 5.01‑5.11) and market repo at ₹475.00 cr at a flat rate of 5.55%.
On 17 August 2026 the RBI conducted reverse‑repo operations: a 1‑day tenor of ₹96,914.00 cr at 5.24% maturing on 18 August, and a 7‑day tenor of ₹98,945.00 cr at the same rate maturing on 24 August. The Marginal Standing Facility (MSF) was accessed for ₹47.00 cr at 5.50% (1‑day tenor), while the Standing Deposit Facility (SDF) was utilised for ₹1,76,657.00 cr at 5.00% (1‑day tenor). Net liquidity injected from today’s operations was a negative ₹3,72,469.00 cr, indicating overall liquidity absorption.
Banking and Credit
Cash balances of scheduled commercial banks with the RBI stood at ₹8,20,655.63 cr as of 17 August 2026. The average daily cash‑reserve requirement for the fortnight ending 31 August 2026 was ₹8,17,404.00 cr, reflecting the banks’ compliance with statutory reserve norms.
Capital Markets and Flows
The money‑market data illustrate robust activity across both overnight and term segments, with total volumes exceeding ₹6,31,721.60 cr and rates largely clustered around the 5‑6% band. The weighted average rates and the narrow ranges suggest stable pricing conditions in the inter‑bank market.
Financial Stability and Inclusion
Aggregating today’s operations with outstanding positions, the net liquidity injected (including today’s) amounted to a negative ₹3,62,558.34 cr, confirming that the RBI continued to absorb excess liquidity from the system. The Standing Liquidity Facility (SLF) availed from the RBI amounted to ₹9,910.66 cr, contributing positively to the net liquidity figure.
Regulatory and Policy Measures
The RBI’s Liquidity Adjustment Facility (LAF), along with the MSF and SDF, were employed to fine‑tune market conditions. The SLF utilisation of ₹9,910.66 cr reflects the central bank’s readiness to provide additional liquidity support when required.
The Government of India reported a surplus cash balance of zero for the auction on 17 August 2026, while the net durable liquidity showed a deficit of ₹6,79,145.00 cr as of 31 July 2026, underscoring the fiscal authority’s cash‑flow position.
Overall, the RBI’s operations on 17 August 2026 demonstrate a concerted effort to manage liquidity through a mix of repo, reverse‑repo, MSF, SDF and SLF instruments, while maintaining stable money‑market rates and ensuring adequate cash reserves in the banking system.