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Demystifying the Monetary Policy of RBI: What You Need to Know

The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) plays a crucial role in managing the Indian economy through its meticulously crafted monetary policy. By regulating money supply and controlling credit creation, the RBI aims to address inflationary pressures and deflationary risks, fostering sustainable economic growth. With a focus on maintaining price stability, stimulating economic expansion, and ensuring financial resilience, the RBI's monetary policy framework is a key driver of India's economic trajectory.



Key Tools of RBI Monetary Policy


  • Repo Rate: The rate at which the RBI lends short-term funds to banks. By adjusting this rate, the RBI influences the overall interest rates in the economy. 

  • Reverse Repo Rate: The rate at which the RBI borrows short-term funds from banks. This helps manage liquidity in the financial system. 

  • Open Market Operations (OMOs): Buying and selling government securities to influence the money supply. 

  • Cash Reserve Ratio (CRR): The portion of deposits that banks must maintain with the RBI. Adjusting CRR can affect the amount of money available for lending. 



Recent RBI Monetary Policy Actions


The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has been focusing on managing inflation, which has been above its target range due to factors like global commodity price hikes and supply chain disruptions. The RBI has raised the repo rate multiple times to control price pressures. The Reserve Bank of India's Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) has kept repo rates unchanged at 6.5% and remained focused on withdrawing the accommodative stance, marking the sixth consecutive unchanged decision since the Interim Budget was announced on February 1, 2024.



RBI Monetary policy 

 

  • RBI keeps the repo rate steady at 6.5% with five out of six members voting in favour of the rate decision Experts were also expecting the repo rate to remain steady at 6.5 percent.

  • MPC also decided by a majority (5 out of 6 members) to remain focused on the withdrawal of accommodation to ensure the inflation progressively aligns with the target while supporting growth. Monetary policy must continue to be actively disinflationary, RBI Governor Shaktikanta Das said in his statement. 

  • The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has maintained its inflation projection at 5.4% for 2023–2024. 

  • CPI inflation is predicted to be 4.5% for the upcoming fiscal year 2024–2025, with Q1 at 5%, Q2 at 4%, Q3 at 4.6%, and Q4 at 4.7%.

India's key economic indicators after the announcement of monetary policy


Inflation over the year, Source: CNBC India

The graph shows that the inflation rate in India has been above the RBI's target of 4% since April 2023. However, it is important to note that there is a lag between the time that the RBI changes its monetary policy and the time that those changes have an impact on the economy. This is because it takes time for businesses and consumers to adjust their spending and investment decisions in response to changes in interest rates and other monetary policy tools.


RBI Interest Rate over the year, Source: CNBC India

It is difficult to say for sure what the impact of the RBI's monetary policy on the inflation rate is in the short term. However, the RBI has raised interest rates three times since May 2023 to slow down inflation. The impact of these rate hikes on the inflation rate will likely become more apparent in the coming months.


Stock Market Over The Year, Source: CNBC India

The index's value increased due to strong earnings reports, positive economic data, and investor optimism about future interest rates, highlighting the importance of understanding that past performance does not indicate future outcomes.


Conclusion


In summary, the Reserve Bank of India's monetary policy is pivotal in maintaining economic stability and fostering growth. The RBI aims to balance inflationary pressures and deflationary risks through careful regulation of money supply and credit creation. By doing so, it promotes sustainable economic expansion while safeguarding financial stability in India's evolving economic landscape.

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