The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) is anticipated to uphold its current interest rates during its ongoing monetary policy review. It navigates the delicate balance between fostering economic growth and managing inflationary pressures.
The RBI’s Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) meeting is being held from June 5 to 7, focusing on assessing the economic situation. It is expected to maintain the current repo rate of 6.5 percent.
The repo rate dictates the interest charged by the RBI on short-term loans extended to banks. This subsequently influences lending rates for both businesses and consumers.
A reduction in interest rates typically stimulates investment and consumer spending, thereby bolstering economic expansion.
However, this uptick in expenditure concurrently contributes to inflationary tendencies as demand for goods and services escalates.
RBI Governor Shaktikanta Das has reaffirmed the central bank’s commitment to a disinflationary policy aimed at fostering stable economic growth.
Emphasizing the persistent pressure exerted by food price inflation, Das underscores the need for vigilance in steering the economy toward a sustainable trajectory.
The last adjustment to interest rates occurred in February 2023, when the repo rate was raised to 6.5 percent.
Following a series of increases totaling 2.5 percent between May 2022 and February 2023, the RBI has maintained a steady stance to bolster economic momentum despite inflationary strains.
In April, the nation’s annual retail inflation moderated to 4.83 percent. However, it remains above the RBI’s medium-term target of 4 percent.
Notably, India achieved a robust growth rate of 8.2 percent for the fiscal year 2023-24. Economists suggest this provides the RBI with leeway to defer interest rate adjustments until inflation converges with its targeted threshold.
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