India’s foreign exchange reserves increased by $ 31.5 billion from $ 252.0 billion in the end of March 2009 to $ 283.5 billion in end December 2009.
According to economic survey 2009-10, out of the total accretion of $ 31.5 billion, $ 11.2 billion (35.6 per cent) was on BoP basis (excluding valuation effect), because of higher inflows under FDI and portfolio investments, while accretion of $ 20.3 billion (64.4 per cent) was on account of valuation gain due to weakness of the dollar against major currencies.
Besides, the Reserve Bank of India concluded the purchase of 200 metric tonnes of gold from the IMF, under the IMF’s limited gold sales programme at the cost of US$ 6.7 billion in the month of November 2009.
Further, a general allocation of SDR 3,082 million (equivalent to $ 4,821 million) and a special allocation of SDR 214.6 million (equivalent to $ 340 million) were made to India by the IMF on August 28, 2009 and September 9, 2009 respectively.
Source : commodityonline.com