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RBI MPC keeps repo policy rate unchanged at 5.5% in August meet

RBI MPC keeps repo policy rate unchanged at 5.5% in August meet

The Hindu7 days ago
In an unanimous decision the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) has kept the repo rate unchanged at 5.5% in its August policy meeting.
The decision was announced by RBI Governor Sanjay Malhotra on Wednesday (August 6, 2025). The Monetary Policy Committee (MPC), which met on the 4th, 5th, and 6th of August, carefully reviewed the latest economic and financial conditions before taking this decision.
Also Read: Monetary Policy Committee meeting LIVE: RBI keeps repo rate unchanged at 5.5%
The Governor said that all six members of the MPC voted unanimously to maintain the repo rate under the Liquidity Adjustment Facility at 5.5%.
The RBI Governor stated, 'After a detailed assessment of the evolving macroeconomic and financial developments and outlook, the MPC voted unanimously to keep the policy record under the Liquidity Adjustment Facility unchanged at 5.5%.This comes after the MPC had reduced the repo rate by 50 basis points to 5.5% in the previous policy meeting held in June.
The reason for the earlier rate cut was the easing of inflation. Earlier he stated that both near-term and medium-term inflation levels are now within the RBI's comfort zone. He also highlighted that food inflation has remained soft, which gives the central bank more flexibility in its decisions.
Retail inflation in India has continued to fall and has now reached its lowest level in more than six years. According to the Ministry of Statistics, the year-on-year inflation rate based on the Consumer Price Index (CPI) for June was 2.10% (provisional), a drop of 72 basis points compared to May 2025. This is the lowest CPI inflation rate since January 2019.Food prices have also dropped.
The Consumer Food Price Index (CFPI) for June showed a year-on-year inflation rate of (-) 1.06% (Provisional). In rural areas, the food inflation rate was (-) 0.92%, while in urban areas, it was (-) 1.22%.
Wholesale inflation has also turned negative. The Wholesale Price Index (WPI) for June stood at (-) 0.13%, compared to 0.39% in May. The Ministry of Commerce and Industry said the negative WPI was due to lower prices of food items, mineral oils, basic metals, crude petroleum, and natural gas.
Governor Malhotra added that the economic outlook looks positive. 'The monsoon season is progressing well, and the upcoming festival season usually increases economic activity. Combined with supportive government and RBI policies, this situation bodes well for the Indian economy in the near term,' he said.
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