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RBI Holds Repo at 5.25% and Adopts a Wait-and-Watch Policy

Easing West Asia tensions plus a sharp fall in oil prices have eased near-term inflation pressures, giving the central bank room to see if supply shocks broaden into sustained consumer inflation.

Overview

  • The Monetary Policy Committee, which met June 3–5, voted unanimously to keep the policy repo rate at 5.25% and retain a neutral stance to preserve policy flexibility.
  • Minutes published June 19–20 warned that headline inflation has been driven by supply shocks in food and fuel while core inflation remains contained, and the RBI downgraded growth to 6.6% for FY27 with inflation projected at 5.1%.
  • Several MPC members flagged the risk that rising wholesale (WPI) prices could pass through to consumer (CPI) inflation and urged close monitoring for second‑round wage or price effects.
  • After the meeting a USIran accord and a reopening of the Strait of Hormuz helped Brent crude fall about 16%, prompting market research to say the near‑term odds of a rate hike have fallen and giving the MPC more time to assess data.
  • The policy pause lowers immediate borrowing costs for households and firms, supports growth in the short term, and means markets will watch monsoon rains, oil moves, and WPICPI transmission for signals the RBI must act.