Since Apr-June (Q1) 2010-11, Public Debt Management Cell (PDMC) (earlier Middle Office), Budget Division, Department of Economic Affairs, Ministry of Finance has been bringing out a quarterly report on debt management on a regular basis. The current report pertains to the quarter April - June 2021 (Q1 FY22).

During Q1 of FY22, the Central Government issued dated securities worth ₹3,18,493 crore as against ₹3,46,000 crore in Q1 of FY21, while repayment were at ₹1,05,186 crore. The weighted average yield of primary issuances increased to 6.11 per cent in Q4 FY21 from 5.80 per cent in Q4 of FY21. The weighted average maturity of new issuances of dated securities was higher at 16.92 years in Q1 of FY22 as compared to 13.36 years in Q4 of FY21.

During April - June 2021, the Central Government did not raise any amount through the Cash Management Bills. The Reserve Bank conducted three Open Market Purchase under G SAP 1.0 in addition to one special OMO involving simultaneous purchase and sale of government securities during the quarter. The net daily average liquidity absorption by RBI under Liquidity Adjustment Facility (LAF) including Marginal Standing Facility and Special Liquidity Facility was at ₹4,94,351 crore during the quarter.

Total liabilities (including liabilities under the ‘Public Account’) of the Government, as per provisional data, is ₹120,91,193 crore at end-June 2021 as against ₹116,21,781 crore at end- March 2021. This indicates a quarter-on-quarter increase of 4.04 per cent in Q1 FY22. Public debt accounted for 91.60 per cent of total outstanding liabilities at end-June 2021. Nearly 28.72 per cent of the outstanding dated securities had a residual maturity of less than 5 years. The ownership pattern indicates the share of commercial banks at 35.99 per cent and at 25.83 per cent for insurance companies at end- June 2021.

The yields on Government securities hardened in the secondary market due to increase in supply of G-secs during the quarter like in corresponding quarter of FY21. In secondary market, trading activities were concentrated in 3-7 year maturity bucket during the quarter mainly because of less trading observed in 10 year benchmark security due to low float. However, the yields were supported by decision of MPC to keep the Policy repo rate unchanged at 4 percent, to continue with accommodative stance and to conduct Open Market Purchase under G SAP 1.0 during the Q1 FY22.

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Public debt management: increased government securities issuance and longer average maturity recorded, affecting liquidity and market yields. Quarterly report for April-June 2021 describes central government dated securities issuance with higher weighted average yield and longer weighted average maturity; no cash management bills were raised; Reserve Bank conducted open market purchases and special operations while absorbing liquidity; total government liabilities rose quarter on quarter with public debt dominant and a significant portion of dated securities having shorter residual maturity, ownership concentrated in banks and insurers, and secondary market yields hardening amid increased supply.