RBI Begins Annual Data Collection Exercise for FY26
The Reserve Bank of India has commenced its annual statistical reporting process for the financial year 2025-26 by launching two key surveys focused on India’s external sector.
The surveys seek comprehensive information from mutual funds, software companies, IT service providers, and business process outsourcing (BPO) firms. The collected data will be used to assess India’s financial linkages with global markets and measure the country’s growing role in international trade and investment.
As India’s economy becomes increasingly integrated with global financial systems, accurate reporting of overseas assets, liabilities, and service exports has become essential for economic planning and policy formulation.
Survey Targets Mutual Funds’ Overseas Assets and Liabilities
One of the surveys focuses on the foreign assets and liabilities held by mutual funds as of March 31, 2026.
Mutual fund companies have been asked to provide detailed information regarding:
Overseas investments
Foreign financial assets
International liabilities
Exposure to global financial markets
The RBI will use this information to evaluate the international investment position of India’s mutual fund industry and incorporate the findings into broader external sector statistics.
The survey will help policymakers understand the extent of Indian investors’ participation in global markets through mutual fund schemes and assess potential risks associated with international financial exposure.
The deadline for submission of responses under this survey has been set for July 7, 2026.
Software and ITES Export Survey Gains Importance
The second survey focuses on India’s rapidly growing computer software and IT-enabled services (ITES) industry.
Companies involved in:
Software development
Information technology services
Business process outsourcing (BPO)
Digital consulting services
Technology support operations
have been requested to provide detailed information regarding their export revenues and international business activities during FY26.
The survey will assist the RBI in measuring India’s services exports, which have become a major contributor to the country’s foreign exchange earnings and overall economic growth.
India’s IT and software services sector remains one of the country’s strongest export segments, serving clients across North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, and other global markets.
Responses for this survey are required to be submitted by July 15, 2026.
Data Supports External Sector Statistics
The information collected through both surveys will contribute directly to India’s official external sector statistics.
These statistics provide valuable insights into:
Foreign asset ownership
Cross-border investments
International financial flows
Services trade performance
Balance of payments calculations
External sector stability
Accurate external sector data is essential for monitoring economic resilience, evaluating foreign exchange dynamics, and supporting monetary and fiscal policymaking.
The surveys also help international organizations, investors, and policymakers better understand India’s integration with the global economy.
RBI Accelerates Shift Toward Digital Reporting
A notable feature of the FY26 surveys is the increasing use of the Centralised Information Management System (CIMS), RBI’s digital reporting platform.
The CIMS framework is gradually replacing traditional reporting methods and offers several advantages:
Automated data validation
Faster submission processing
Instant acknowledgements
Improved accuracy and consistency
Enhanced data management capabilities
The transition is part of the central bank’s broader digital modernization initiative aimed at improving statistical reporting and reducing manual processing requirements.
During the transition phase, respondents are still permitted to submit information through existing reporting channels and email-based systems where applicable.
Strengthening India’s Data Infrastructure
The launch of these surveys reflects RBI’s continued focus on improving the quality and timeliness of economic data collection.
Reliable statistical information is increasingly important in an environment marked by evolving global trade patterns, cross-border capital flows, technological advancements, and shifting investment trends.
The data generated through these surveys will support evidence-based policymaking while helping regulators monitor developments in both financial markets and the services export sector.
Conclusion
The RBI’s FY26 surveys on mutual funds’ overseas exposure and software and ITES exports represent an important step in strengthening India’s external sector data framework. By collecting detailed information on foreign assets, liabilities, and service exports, the central bank aims to improve the accuracy of national economic statistics and enhance policymaking capabilities. The growing adoption of the CIMS digital reporting platform also highlights RBI’s commitment to modernizing data collection and improving reporting efficiency across sectors.
Summary
The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has initiated two important annual surveys for FY26 aimed at collecting data on mutual funds’ overseas investments and liabilities, as well as exports of computer software and IT-enabled services (ITES). The information gathered will play a crucial role in compiling India’s external sector statistics, helping policymakers track international financial flows, foreign asset holdings, and services exports. The surveys are part of RBI’s ongoing efforts to strengthen data collection through its Centralised Information Management System (CIMS) platform and improve the accuracy of macroeconomic reporting.
Disclaimer:
This article is intended solely for educational and informational purposes. The securities or companies mentioned are provided as examples and should not be considered as recommendations. Nothing contained herein constitutes personal financial advice or investment recommendations. Readers are advised to conduct their own research and consult a qualified financial advisor before making any investment decisions.
Investments in securities markets are subject to market risks. Please read all related documents carefully before investing.
