RESEARCH AND DATA

The Reserve Bank has a rich tradition of generating accurate and timely data, policy-oriented and topical economic research, publication of statutory and other theme-based reports, and knowledge-sharing.

Overview

The Reserve Bank’s economic research work is designed to:
- Provide reliable, data-driven and evidence-based information for policy and decision-making
- Supply accurate and timely data to facilitate academic research as well as to the general public
- Undertake regular updated assessment of the state of the Indian economy
- Conduct research on contemporary and medium-term macro-financial issues
- Provide support for collaborative research to research institutions/universities
- Develop and maintain robust statistical data reporting systems
- Conduct forward-looking surveys for monetary policy
- Educate the public
The Reserve Bank’s economic research focusses on the study and analysis of domestic and international macroeconomic issues. This is mainly done by the Department of Economic and Policy Research and the Department of Statistics and Information Management.
The Reserve Bank has over time established a sound and rich tradition of conducting policy-oriented economic research and an effective mechanism for disseminating data and information. Like other major central banks, the Reserve Bank has also strengthened its own research capabilities in the field of economics, finance, modelling, and statistics, which contribute to a better understanding of the functioning of the economy and the ongoing changes in the policy transmission mechanism.

Internal Research

Data, Research and Communication

Database on India Economy

Legal Framework

The Reserve Bank has the legal obligation under the Reserve Bank of India Act to publish two reports every year: the Annual Report and the Report on Trend and Progress of Banking in India. Besides these and the regular periodical publications, it also publishes reports of various committees appointed to look into specific subjects, and discussion papers prepared by its internal experts. In fact, the Reserve Bank has been, for the last several years, using its website effectively for two way communication. Any major change in policy, for instance, is first put out on its website as a draft and is issued as a final instruction to banks after receiving feedback from all stakeholders.