The (RBI) Reserve Bank of India was established in the year 1935 under Reserve Bank of India Act 1934 and was nationalized in 1949. Initially,it was a private share holder’s company. It performs very important functions from issue of currency note to maintenance of monetary stability in the country and its affairs are governed by the central Board of Directors appointed by the Government of India from time to time. Since,its inception the RBI had played an important role in the economic development, monetary stability and social progress in the country. The Royal commission in Indian currency and finance appointed on Aug 25,1925 has suggested the establishment of the central Bank in India,later the Indian central Banking Enquiry committee,1931 stressed the establishment of the central bank in India. The RBI Issued first of its currency notes Rs:5 and Rs:10 in January 1938 and later in the same year denomination of Rs:100,Rs:1000 and Rs:10000 were Issued. The primary objective of the RBI was to maintain price stability and economic growth in the country. This could be achieved by the RBI with the help of its monetary policy. With the help of its quantitative and qualitative credit control methods RBI can able to maintain supply of money in the economy and make the money available to the investors for their investment projects. The RBI has played a crucial role in shaping the Indian economy since its inception in 1935. From managing the monetary policy to regulating the financial sector, the RBI has been instrumental in laying the foundation for India’s economic growth. In fact,India’s GDP has grown from just $30. 6 billion in 1950 to over $3. 4 trillion in 2022,and the RBI has been a key driver of this transformation. The RBI’s developmental role includes ensuring credit to productive sectors of the economy,creating institutions to build financial infrastructure and expanding access to affordable financial services to the society. It also encouraging efficient customer service throughout the banking industry.
Keywords: RBI, commercial banks, monetary policy, OMO, BRP,VRR, TReDS, UPI, BBPS, eKYC, ECLGS and AA.
T. Ponshunmugaraja (2024). The Role of RBI in Economic Development and Social Progress. Journal of Applied Development Economics. 3(1): pp. 25-35.