Particle.news
Download on the App Store

RBI Says Rate Hike Talk Is Premature and Keeps Policy on Hold

Governor Sanjay Malhotra said the bank will wait for clearer signals from crude prices or the monsoon before deciding on rates.

Overview

  • Governor Sanjay Malhotra told ET Now on Wednesday that it is premature to discuss an interest-rate hike and that the RBI is in a wait-and-watch mode.
  • The Monetary Policy Committee left the repo rate unchanged at 5.25% and kept a neutral stance at its June 3–5 meeting to preserve flexibility.
  • Malhotra said the US‑Iran truce has reduced near-term upside risks to oil but called the ceasefire fragile and said supply restoration will take time.
  • India’s cumulative monsoon rainfall was 43% below normal as of June 22, which could squeeze farm output, push up food prices, and weigh on rural demand if the shortfall persists.
  • The RBI reiterated it will act to curb disorderly rupee moves, continues measures to boost foreign inflows, and hopes index inclusion would further support capital flows.