India's total external debt at the end of December was $480. 2 billion, up by a marginal one percent over the figure at end - March last year, an official statement said on Thursday.
"As per data compiled by the department of economic affairs, India's external debt stock stood at $480. 2 billion, recording an increase of $4. 9 billion (1. 0 percent) over the level at end - March 2015, " a finance ministry statement said.
"The rise in external debt during the period was due to long - term external debt particularly commercial borrowings and NRI deposits.
"However, on a sequential basis, total external debt at end - December 2015 declined by $1. 2 billion from the end - September 2015 level, " it said.
Long - term debt of $398. 6 billion at end - December 2015 recorded an increase of $8. 8 billion over end - March 2015.
Commercial borrowings at end - December 2015 stood at $183. 6 billion, reflecting an increase of 1. 5 percent, while NRI deposits at $122. 6 billion rose by 6. 5 percent over the end - March 2015 level.
Commercial borrowings and NRI deposits together accounted for 63. 8 percent of India's total external debt (long - term and short - term) at end - December 2015.
Government (sovereign) external debt stood at $90. 7 billion at end - December 2015 while non - government debt amounted to $389. 5 billion.
"The prudent external debt management policy of government of India has helped in containing rise in external debt and maintaining a comfortable external debt position, " the statement said.
Long - term external debt increased by 2. 2 percent or $8. 8 billion, while short - term debt registered a decline of 4. 6 percent or $3. 9 billion.
"Thus, the maturity profile of India's external debt continues to be dominated by long - term loans, " it said.
The share of long - term debt in total external debt increased from 82 percent at end - March 2015 to 83 percent at end - December 2015.
US dollar denominated debt accounted for 57. 6 percent of India's total external debt, followed by Indian rupee (28. 7 percent), IMF Special Drawing Rights (SDRs) (5. 8 percent), Japanese Yen (4. 1 percent) and Euro (2. 3 percent).
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