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RBI Repo Rate 5.25%, Real Rate Nears Zero as Inflation at 4.82%

Target:BankingUPSC GS-IIIMPSCTeachingSSC GAPrelims HighMains Medium
20 Sept 2026
~2 min
Source: The Hindu
Key Data:Repo rate 5.25%CPI 4.82%Food inflation 5.95%Core inflation 4.2%GDP growth 7.8%Bank credit growth 19.1%
Bodies:RBI
Practice MCQs from today's news ▸
What This Article Covers

1.RBI holds repo at 5.25% while CPI inflation rises to 4.82% (Aug), third month above 4% target.

2.Real rate nears zero as inflation expectations move toward policy rate; food inflation at 5.95%, core at 4.2%.

3.External risks: West Asia conflict pushes Brent above $100/bbl; banking credit growth 19.1%, deposits 17.8%.

The Big Picture
Prelims · HighMains · Medium

India's real policy rate is shrinking as inflation (4.82% in August) approaches the repo rate (5.25%), potentially hitting zero. With strong demand, high credit growth, and an external oil shock, the RBI faces a timing dilemma on rate action.

Exam Lens

Quick Exam Facts From News

Repo Rate5.25%
CPI Inflation (Aug)4.82%
Food Inflation (Aug)5.95%
Core Inflation4.2%
GDP Growth7.8%
Bank Credit Growth19.1% YoY
Deposit Growth17.8% YoY
Credit-Deposit Ratio80.3%
Brent Crude>$100/bbl
RBI Inflation Target4%

1-Minute Revision

  • ›Repo Rate: 5.25%
  • ›CPI Inflation (Aug): 4.82%
  • ›Target this Data: Repo rate 5.25%, CPI 4.82%, food inflation 5.95%, core 4.2%
  • ›Target this Nodal Body: RBI (Reserve Bank of India)
  • ›Target this Concept: Real interest rate, inflation targeting

Mastered this topic? Test your knowledge with a full MCQ quiz.

Practice exam-style questions, track your score, and strengthen your recall.

Q1Data-centricEasy

According to the article, what was the consumer price inflation rate in August?

Q2Statement-basedHard

Consider the following statements regarding the article:

1. The real policy rate is calculated by subtracting expected inflation from the nominal repo rate.

2. Deposit growth is accelerating due to increased household savings in bank deposits.

3. The credit-deposit ratio stood at 80.3% at the end of August.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

Q3Data-centricEasy

What is the current repo rate as mentioned in the article?

Q4Application/ImpactMedium

Why is a zero real interest rate considered problematic in the current context?

All 15 MCQs ▸
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