Banking and RBI
RBI Forex Swap facility inflows reach US$ 72,848 million till 21 August 2026
22 August 2026 | Reserve Bank of India
The RBI said forex inflows under its special USD-INR Forex Swap facility, as reported by Authorised Dealer banks till 21 August 2026, totalled US$ 72,848 million: FCNR(B) deposits US$ 65,397 million, OFCBs US$ 4,860 million and ECBs US$ 2,591 million.
The scheme stays open till 31 August 2026 for FCNR(B) deposits and up to 31 December 2026 for ECBs and OFCBs, as announced on 14 August 2026. Inflows till 13 August had been US$ 56,846 million.
Key facts- Total inflows till 21 Aug 2026: US$ 72,848 mn
- FCNR(B) deposits: US$ 65,397 mn
- OFCBs: US$ 4,860 mn; ECBs: US$ 2,591 mn
- FCNR(B) window closes: 31 August 2026
Exam takeaway: Compare with the US$ 56,846 million reported on 14 August.
Quick revision: Forex swap inflows at US$ 72,848 million (RBI, 22 August 2026).
Reserve Bank of India original sourceEconomy and Finance
India and ADB sign US$ 230 million loan for Chennai water and sanitation
21 August 2026 (carried forward) | Press Information Bureau
PIB said the Government of India and the Asian Development Bank (ADB) signed a US$ 230 million loan to modernise and expand Chennai's water supply and sanitation infrastructure, under the Chennai Climate-Resilient Water Security and Sewerage Project.
The documents were signed by Saurabh Singh, Deputy Secretary, DEA, for India and Mio Oka, ADB Country Director, India Resident Mission.
Key facts- Loan: US$ 230 million
- Project: Chennai Climate-Resilient Water Security and Sewerage Project
- Lender: Asian Development Bank
- Signed for India by: Saurabh Singh, DEA
Exam takeaway: The project aligns with AMRUT 2.0 and the Urban Challenge Fund.
Quick revision: ADB US$ 230 million loan for Chennai (PIB, 21 August 2026).
Press Information Bureau original sourceGovernment Schemes
Revised FDI framework: 29 investments of Rs 4,895.65 crore reported up to 20 August 2026
21 August 2026 (carried forward) | Press Information Bureau
PIB said 29 FDI investments involving proposed FDI of Rs 4,895.65 crore were reported up to 20 August 2026 under the revised framework for non-controlling beneficial ownership from Land Bordering Countries (LBC), across IT, AI, manufacturing, pharmaceuticals, data centres and transport services.
The framework removes prior Government approval where non-controlling LBC ownership is up to 10 per cent, via Press Note 2 of 2026 and an amendment to the FEMA (Non-debt Instruments) Rules, 2019, notified on 1 May 2026.
Key facts- Investments reported: 29
- Proposed FDI: Rs 4,895.65 crore
- LBC non-controlling ownership limit for automatic route: up to 10%
- Press Note: Press Note 2 of 2026 (notified 1 May 2026)
Exam takeaway: The beneficial ownership test now applies at the level of the investor entity.
Quick revision: Revised FDI framework figures (PIB, 21 August 2026).
Press Information Bureau original sourceGovernment Schemes
PM-AASHA: Rs 7,200 crore allocation for 2026-27 explained
21 August 2026 (carried forward) | Press Information Bureau
PIB's note says the Pradhan Mantri Annadata Aay Sanrakshan Abhiyan (PM-AASHA), launched in September 2018, is the Government's flagship price-support framework, with a Rs 7,200 crore Budget allocation for 2026-27. Procurement of pulses, oilseeds and copra is done by Central and State Governments through agencies such as NAFED and NCCF.
Digital reforms include Aadhaar-enabled authentication, e-NAM, e-Samriddhi and e-Samyukti.
Key facts- Launched: September 2018
- 2026-27 allocation: Rs 7,200 crore
- Procurement agencies: NAFED and NCCF
- Crops: pulses, oilseeds and copra
Exam takeaway: PM-AASHA brings several price support mechanisms under one framework.
Quick revision: PM-AASHA: Rs 7,200 crore for 2026-27 (PIB, 21 August 2026).
Press Information Bureau original source