RBI publishes Handbook of Statistics on the Indian Economy 2025–26

The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has released the 28th edition of its annual publication, the *Handbook of Statistics on the Indian Economy, 2025–26 (HBS)*. The Handbook is designed to disseminate detailed time-series data on India’s economy, bringing together a wide range of official statistics in a structured and user-friendly format.

For policymakers, businesses, researchers, and students alike, such consolidated reference material can help in tracking trends, comparing periods, and building evidence-based analysis. By making the data easier to access and interpret, the Handbook supports more informed discussions on India’s economic progress and priorities.

A comprehensive statistical snapshot

The HBS provides statistical tables covering macroeconomic and financial data across major themes. As outlined by the RBI, these include national income, prices, money, banking, markets, public finances, foreign trade, the balance of payments, and select socio-economic indicators.

This breadth matters because economic decision-making often requires a view across multiple connected areas. For instance, price trends and monetary conditions influence consumption and investment decisions, while trade and balance of payments data can offer insights into global linkages. Similarly, public finance indicators provide context for government revenues and expenditure patterns.

The 2025–26 edition continues the publication’s focus on presenting data in a time-series format—useful for identifying changes over time rather than only providing a single point-in-time picture.

What’s new in the 2025–26 edition

In the current edition, the RBI has updated existing data series and incorporated four new tables. While the press release does not detail the titles of these tables, the addition signals an effort to keep the Handbook aligned with evolving data needs and to broaden the range of indicators available in one place.

Regular updates to such statistical series are important for anyone relying on recent and consistent information—whether they are tracking inflation and monetary conditions, assessing banking and market developments, or reviewing trade and external sector trends.

By strengthening the statistical backbone available to users, the Handbook can support more robust research, better business planning, and more transparent public discourse around economic indicators.

How to access the data and share feedback

The RBI has made the Handbook’s time-series data available through its data portal, the **Database on Indian Economy (DBIE)** at https://data.rbi.org.in. The centralised portal also hosts data from several other RBI publications, helping users find information without having to navigate multiple sources.

In addition, the HBS and other major RBI publications can be accessed via the **RBIDATA mobile app**, which may be especially helpful for users who prefer reading and reference on mobile devices.

The RBI has also invited comments and suggestions on the Handbook. Feedback can be sent by post to the Director, Data Management and Dissemination Division, Department of Statistics and Information Management, Reserve Bank of India, C-9, 3rd Floor, Bandra-Kurla Complex, Mumbai 400051, or submitted by email. Users can also share feedback via the feedback link on the DBIE portal.

**Why it matters:** A well-maintained, publicly accessible statistical handbook improves data transparency and helps citizens, researchers and businesses make better-informed decisions—supporting steady, evidence-driven economic planning for India.