Current Affairs - Banking - Discussion

99% is the revised minimum daily CRR maintenance requirement for scheduled banks, increased from the earlier 90%, effective from the reporting fortnight beginning October 16, 2026. The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has reportedly introduced this change to manage excess liquidity in the banking system, estimated at approximately ₹3.88 lakh crore on October 8, 2026. The revision is expected to absorb an additional ₹1 lakh crore from the banking system. However, the overall CRR remains unchanged at 3% of banks’ Net Demand and Time Liabilities (NDTL). The higher daily maintenance requirement reduces banks’ flexibility to maintain lower reserve balances on individual days.