INTRODUCTION

The rupee slipping below ₹90-per-dollar has raised fresh concerns about the economy. What makes it notable is that this fall comes despite stable domestic indicators like easing inflation and steady growth. The pressure is largely external, persistent dollar outflows, a widening trade deficit, slowing exports, and delays in the Indo-US trade deal. In response, the RBI is allowing a gradual adjustment instead of intervening sharply.

Why is the rupee depreciating?

1. Persistent dollar outflows: Investors are shifting to attractive US markets; domestic markets face profit-booking.
2. Strong US dollar index: Dollar strength has continued on global markets for over 14 months, creating consistent pressure on emerging-market currencies.
3. Trade deficit expansion: Merchandise exports contracted by 11.8% YoY in October, slipping to a 12-month low of $34.4 billion; imports declined only marginally.
4. Gold, electronics, industrial imports: Non-oil, non-gas imports rose by 12.4% YoY to $46.5 billion, driven by strong demand for machinery, electronics, and festive consumption.
5. Delay in Indo-US trade deal: The uncertainty has weighed on investor sentiment and weakened the rupee further.

How is the trade deficit shaping currency movement?

1. Widening merchandise gap: Despite falling global crude prices, India’s import bill remains high due to electronics, machinery, and industrial goods.
2. Export slowdown: Engineering goods, gems and jewellery, pharmaceuticals, and chemicals recorded weak performance.
3. Mixed services exports: IT services showed resilience, but the slowdown in global discretionary spending has affected margins.
4. Oil imports: Brent prices have eased, but import volumes remain strong due to festive demand and industrial recovery.

How are capital flows influencing the slide?

1. Portfolio investor withdrawal: FPIs have sold equities worth ₹43,000 crore in the last two months.
2. NSDL data signal caution: Investors have been pulling out since January after strong equity gains
3. Shift to safe assets: High US yields continue to attract global capital away from emerging markets.
4. Domestic market underperformance: Broader markets have not matched earlier highs, reinforcing capital outflows.

What is the RBI’s stance?

1. Limited intervention: The RBI is allowing a gradual depreciation, instead of sharply defending a level.
2. Focus on smoothing volatility: Intervention is likely only to prevent excessive swings, not to hold the rupee below 90.
3. Reversal signal: A more decisive intervention may come only when rupee volatility rises sharply or external shocks intensify.

Which commodities and sectors are impacted?

1. Gold imports: Gold prices surged due to the weaker rupee; imports rose 21% to 78 tonnes and ₹56,000 crore in value.
2. Electronics and machinery: High demand for smartphones, computers, chips, and engineering goods has inflated import bills.
3. Petroleum products: Despite cooling global crude prices, India’s petroleum imports remain elevated.

Way Forward

1. Boost Export Competitiveness: Strengthen logistics, cut regulatory delays, and diversify exports into high-value sectors like electronics, machinery, and pharmaceuticals.
2. Fast-Track Trade Agreements: Conclude pending trade deals, especially the Indo-US trade pact, to improve market access and restore investor confidence.
3. Reduce Import Dependence: Expand domestic manufacturing of electronics, critical minerals, and energy inputs to ease pressure from large non-oil imports.
4. Stabilise Capital Flows: Encourage long-term FDI and stable institutional investments to minimise vulnerability to volatile FPI outflows.
5. Strengthen Forex Buffers: Build reserves gradually to enhance India’s ability to manage external shocks and currency volatility.
6. Deepen Financial Markets: Broaden corporate bond markets and promote rupee-denominated overseas borrowing to reduce dollar dependence.
7. Calibrated RBI Intervention: Maintain the current managed-float approach but intervene sharply during disorderly market conditions.
8. Stable Macroeconomic Policy Signals: Provide predictable fiscal and trade policy to reduce uncertainty and strengthen currency sentiment.

CONCLUSION

The rupee’s decline past the ₹90 mark reflects evolving external vulnerabilities rather than core domestic weaknesses. Dollar outflows, trade deficits, import surges, and delayed trade negotiations have all combined to push the currency downward. The RBI’s calibrated stance indicates a preference for stability over aggressive intervention. Going forward, external sector reforms, export competitiveness, and strategic trade deals will be crucial in restoring confidence and strengthening the rupee.

PYQ Relevance

[UPSC 2018] How would the recent phenomena of protectionism and currency manipulations in world trade affect macroeconomic stability of India?

Linkage: The rupee’s fall past ₹90 mirrors global currency pressures and dollar dominance discussed in the PYQ. Export slowdown, delayed trade deal, and capital outflows in the article directly show how external currency shifts impact India’s macroeconomic stability.

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