NRI Remittances to India Reach Record $130 Billion in 2025-26 — UP, Kerala and Punjab Top Recipients
India received a record $130.2 billion in remittances from the Non-Resident Indian community in 2025-26, retaining its position as the world's largest remittance-receiving nation for the 8th consecutive year.
Representative image. Photo: Nationalism News
India received a record $130.2 billion in remittances from the Non-Resident Indian (NRI) community in 2025-26, a 9.8% increase over the previous year's $118.6 billion, according to the Reserve Bank of India's Annual Remittance Survey. This makes India the world's largest recipient of remittances for the eighth consecutive year — ahead of Mexico ($68bn), China ($51bn) and the Philippines ($39bn).
Uttar Pradesh ($18.4bn), Kerala ($17.2bn) and Punjab ($15.9bn) remain the three largest remittance-receiving states. However, a significant shift is underway with states like Telangana ($12.1bn), Rajasthan ($9.8bn) and Gujarat ($9.2bn) showing the fastest year-on-year growth as their diaspora communities in the USA, Canada and Australia grow.
The Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries — UAE, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Qatar, Bahrain and Oman — account for 45% of all NRI remittances, while the USA and Canada together contribute 26% and the UK-Europe corridor provides 15%. The remaining 14% comes from Australia, Singapore, Japan and other destinations.
Digital remittance platforms are transforming how money flows home. UPI-based international transfer systems now account for 31% of NRI remittances — a figure that was 4% just three years ago. Average transfer fees have dropped from 6.8% to 2.1% due to competition between digital platforms like Wise, Remitly, Niyo and Paytm Global.
The Union Budget 2026-27 has proposed further liberalisation of NRI investment norms: NRIs can now invest in agricultural land in their home states (restricted to Rs 50 lakh per purchase), invest in unlisted startups and access National Pension System accounts with global currency flexibility.
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