Banking and RBI
RBI: weighted average lending rate on fresh rupee loans 8.50 per cent in April 2026
29 May 2026 | Reserve Bank of India
The RBI's May 2026 data on lending and deposit rates of scheduled commercial banks (excluding RRBs and SFBs) shows the weighted average lending rate (WALR) on fresh rupee loans at 8.50 per cent in April 2026 against 8.40 per cent in March, and on outstanding rupee loans at 8.98 per cent against 8.99 per cent.
The 1-year median MCLR stood at 8.65 per cent in May 2026 (8.55 per cent in April). The weighted average domestic term deposit rate on fresh rupee term deposits was 5.77 per cent in April (6.07 per cent in March) and on outstanding term deposits 6.59 per cent (6.62 per cent).
Key facts- WALR fresh loans, April 2026: 8.50% (March 8.40%)
- WALR outstanding loans: 8.98% (March 8.99%)
- 1-year median MCLR, May 2026: 8.65% (April 8.55%)
- WADTDR fresh deposits: 5.77% (March 6.07%); outstanding 6.59%
Exam takeaway: MCLR is the Marginal Cost of Funds based Lending Rate, a benchmark internal to banks.
Quick revision: RBI data: WALR fresh 8.50% (Apr 2026); 1-yr median MCLR 8.65% (May); WADTDR fresh 5.77% (RBI).
Reserve Bank of India original sourceEconomy and Finance
India's total forex reserves at USD 681.38 billion as on 22 May 2026
29 May 2026 | Reserve Bank of India
The RBI's Weekly Statistical Supplement extract released on 29 May 2026 shows India's total reserves at Rs 65,23,216 crore, or USD 681,384 million, as on 22 May 2026. The week's variation was a fall of USD 7,511 million.
Foreign currency assets were Rs 51,98,620 crore (USD 543,032 million) and gold Rs 10,98,889 crore (USD 114,786 million). State governments' loans and advances from the RBI stood at Rs 9,239 crore on 22 May.
Key facts- Total reserves (22 May 2026): USD 681,384 million
- Weekly change: down USD 7,511 million
- Foreign currency assets: USD 543,032 million
- Gold: USD 114,786 million
Exam takeaway: Foreign currency assets are the largest component of India's forex reserves.
Quick revision: Forex reserves 22 May 2026: USD 681.38 bn, down USD 7.51 bn on the week (RBI WSS).
Reserve Bank of India original sourceAppointments, Awards and Important Days
International Day of UN Peacekeepers 2026 theme 'Invest in Peace'; two Indian peacekeepers honoured
29 May 2026 | United Nations and The Hindu
The UN's page gives the 2026 theme of the International Day of UN Peacekeepers as 'Invest in Peace', calling for resources for civilian and military peacekeepers. It says more than 51,000 personnel serve in 11 UN peacekeeping missions.
The Hindu reported that UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres would posthumously honour two Indian peacekeepers, Lance Havildar Harbhajan Singh (MONUSCO) and Naib Subedar Sujit Kumar Pradhan (UNMISS), with the Dag Hammarskjold Medal, and present the 2025 Military Gender Advocate of the Year award to Major Abhilasha Barak of India, serving with UNIFIL.
Key facts- Day: International Day of UN Peacekeepers, 29 May
- 2026 theme: Invest in Peace
- Dag Hammarskjold Medal: two Indian peacekeepers, posthumously (per The Hindu)
- Military Gender Advocate of the Year 2025: Major Abhilasha Barak (UNIFIL)
Exam takeaway: The Dag Hammarskjold Medal honours peacekeepers who lost their lives in service.
Quick revision: UN Peacekeepers Day 29 May 2026: 'Invest in Peace'; two Indian peacekeepers honoured (UN, The Hindu).
United Nations and The Hindu original source