Mumbai, Jun 15 (PTI) India recorded a current account surplus of USD 4.7 billion in April as against a deficit of USD 4.8 billion in the year-ago month, on the back of higher services exports and net transfer receipts, according to Reserve Bank data released on Monday.

The imports bill was at USD 72.5 billion, up from USD 65.8 billion, while exports stood at USD 44.6 billion compared to USD 38.7 billion, according to preliminary data on India's Balance of Payments (BoP).

The merchandise trade deficit stood at USD 27.9 billion in April 2026, marginally higher than USD 27.1 billion in April 2025.

Net services receipts increased to USD 18.6 billion during April from USD 15.9 billion in April 2025. Services exports stood at USD 37 billion, while imports were USD 18.4 billion.

Net transfers increased to USD 16 billion in April 2026 from USD 9.4 billion a year earlier, said the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) data.

On the capital account, India recorded a net outflow of USD 11.3 billion in April 2026 as against a net inflow of USD 5.3 billion in the corresponding month last year.

Net foreign direct investment (FDI) increased to USD 7.4 billion in April from USD 1.6 billion a year ago.

Foreign portfolio investment (FPI) recorded a net outflow of USD 8.7 billion during April 2026, the data said.

The overall Balance of Payments registered a deficit of USD 6.6 billion in April 2026, against a surplus of USD 0.5 billion in April 2025.

In the January-March quarter of 2025-26, India had posted a current account surplus of USD 7.1 billion or 0.7 per cent of GDP as compared to USD 13.7 billion or 1.4 per cent of GDP in the year-ago quarter.

Henceforth, India's BoP data for the reference month will be released by the 15th day or earlier of the second subsequent month, the RBI said. PTI NKD DRR

Current account surplus rises on stronger services exports and transfer receipts, even as capital account shows net outflow. India recorded a current account surplus in April, driven by higher services exports and increased net transfer receipts, even though the merchandise trade deficit remained elevated and imports exceeded exports. Preliminary balance of payments data showed a wider import bill, stronger export receipts, higher net services receipts, and a rise in net transfers compared with the corresponding month of the previous year. On the capital account, the month saw a net outflow, with foreign direct investment showing an increase and foreign portfolio investment recording a net outflow. The overall balance of payments consequently reflected a deficit for the month, while the preceding January-March quarter had shown a current account surplus measured as a share of GDP compared with the year-ago quarter.