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RBI MPC Holds Repo Rate at 5.25%, Raises FY26 GDP Forecast to 7.4% and CPI Inflation to 2.1%

Target:UPSC GS-IIIMPSCBankingSSC GATeachingPrelims HighMains MediumStatic GK Link
06 Feb 2026
~2 min
Source: Indian Express
Key Data:Repo rate 5.25%FY26 GDP forecast 7.4%FY26 CPI inflation forecast 2.1%December CPI 1.33%Q1 FY27 GDP forecast 6.9%Q2 FY27 GDP forecast 7%
Bodies:RBIMonetary Policy Committee
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What This Article Covers

1.The RBI MPC unanimously kept the repo rate unchanged at 5.25% and maintained a 'neutral' policy stance by a 5:1 majority.

2.Key forecasts were revised upwards: FY26 GDP growth to 7.4% (from 7.3%) and FY26 CPI inflation to 2.1% (from 2%).

3.Governor Sanjay Malhotra indicated a long pause, foreseeing the rate at current levels for the next 9-12 months, marking a pivot from the easing cycle.

The Big Picture
Prelims · HighMains · Medium

The RBI's Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) maintained the repo rate at 5.25%, signaling a prolonged pause after a series of cuts in 2025. Simultaneously, it upgraded India's GDP growth forecast for FY26 to 7.4% and CPI inflation projection to 2.1%, reflecting confidence in the economy amidst global uncertainties.

Exam Lens

Quick Exam Facts From News

Repo Rate5.25% (unchanged)
MPC StanceNeutral (5:1 majority)
FY26 GDP Forecast7.4% (revised from 7.3%)
FY26 CPI Inflation Forecast2.1% (revised from 2%)
Q1 FY27 CPI Forecast4.0% (revised from 3.9%)
Previous Rate CutDecember 2025, 25 bps

1-Minute Revision

  • ›Repo Rate: 5.25% (unchanged)
  • ›MPC Stance: Neutral (5:1 majority)
  • ›Target this Data: Repo rate held at 5.25%; FY26 GDP forecast raised to 7.4%.
  • ›Target this Nodal Body: Reserve Bank of India's Monetary Policy Committee (MPC).
  • ›Target this Policy Stance: 'Neutral' (5:1 majority vote).

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

Q1Static LinkageEasy

The Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) that decides the repo rate is constituted under which Act?

Q2Statement-basedHard

Consider the following statements regarding the recent RBI Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) decision:

1. The MPC unanimously decided to keep the policy repo rate unchanged at 5.25%.

2. The MPC, by a majority, changed its policy stance from 'neutral' to 'accommodative'.

3. The RBI revised its Consumer Price Index (CPI) inflation projection for FY26 upwards to 2.1%.

Q3Data-centricMedium

What is the revised projection for India's Gross Domestic Product (GDP) growth for the financial year 2025-26 (FY26), as announced by the RBI in its recent monetary policy review?

Q4Application/ImpactMedium

The RBI Governor indicated that the repo rate is likely to remain at its current level for the next 9-12 months. What is the primary implication of such a 'long pause' for borrowers and the economy?

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