RBI MPC Holds Repo Rate at 5.25%, Cuts Growth Forecast to 6.6% & Raises FY27 Inflation Projection to 5.1%

Govt Proposes Gold Monetisation via Jewellers: 20,000 Tonne Idle Gold, Demat Deposits, Interest Income

The government is planning a new gold monetisation scheme where jewellers, not banks, will collect physical gold deposits from households, issue demat receipts, and pay interest. This aims to unlock over 20,000 tonnes of idle gold, improve India's trade balance, and reduce import dependence — a key reform for economic stability and current account management.

MoSPI Considers Diary-Based HCES for High-Income Households to Tackle 9.8% Urban Non-Response Rate

To counter rising non-response from affluent households in gated societies, MoSPI is piloting a 'diary-based' self-reporting method for the next Household Consumption Expenditure Survey (HCES) in 2027-28. This shift is critical because the HCES data directly impacts CPI basket weights, inflation targeting by RBI, and policy making, but raises concerns about data comparability due to differential recall errors between survey methods.

RBI Holds Repo Rate at 5.25%, Lowers GDP Growth Forecast to 6.7% for FY27

RBI kept the repo rate unchanged at 5.25% citing a hazy outlook due to monsoon uncertainties, El Niño, geopolitics, and global trade policy. Growth projection for FY27 was lowered to 6.7% while CPI inflation is projected at 5.0% with upside risks from food and fuel supply shocks. Students must memorize these key data points for Prelims and understand the growth-inflation trade-off for Mains.

RBI Holds Repo Rate at 5.25%, Maintains Neutral Stance, Raises GDP Forecast to 6.7%

RBI MPC kept repo rate unchanged at 5.25% amid global uncertainties, raised GDP growth forecast to 6.7% and lowered inflation projection to 5%. Students must note the neutral stance, unanimous decision, and the context of West Asia conflict and volatile crude oil prices.

RBI Issues Comprehensive Loan Recovery Rules: Phone Lock Allowed After 60 Days, Compensation ₹250/hr for Delayed Restoration

RBI has issued a consolidated framework for loan recovery by commercial banks, effective January 1, 2027. For the first time, it regulates technology-based restrictions on financed devices (smartphones/laptops) — allowing phone locking after 60 days of default, but with strict safeguards including ₹250/hour compensation for delayed restoration. This is a high-impact regulatory reform for Banking exams and UPSC GS3.

RBI Holds Repo Rate at 5.25%, Maintains Neutral Stance; GDP Growth Forecast Raised to 6.7%

The RBI MPC unanimously voted to keep the repo rate unchanged at 5.25%, maintaining a neutral stance. While headline inflation is projected to rise to 5.0% for FY2026-27 due to food and fuel pressures, core inflation remains benign. GDP growth forecast has been revised upward to 6.7%.

Global Agencies Upgrade India GDP Forecast to ~7%, RBI May Hike Repo Rate 25 bps as Inflation Pressures Build

Multiple global agencies (ADB, S&P, OECD, Moody's) have raised India's FY26 growth forecast to around 7%, driven by strong IIP, capex, and exports. However, inflation is expected to average 5.1% and the RBI may raise its policy rate by 25 bps, with farm sector risks from El Niño adding to uncertainty.

CPI Inflation Hits 4.8% (20-Month High), Raises Odds of RBI Rate Hike in October MPC Meet

August CPI inflation surged to a 20-month high of 4.8%, driven by food prices rising 5.7%. This increases the probability of an RBI rate hike in the October MPC meeting, especially with global central banks hiking rates and Brent crude above $100/barrel. For UPSC/Banking aspirants, this is a key data point linking inflation dynamics, monetary policy, and global spillovers.