The Reserve Bank of India is expected to delay cutting interest rates until the final quarter of the year, according to a Bloomberg survey. The RBI may reduce its benchmark repurchase rate by 50 basis points in the October-December period before pausing, due to rising inflation risks and the US Federal Reserve keeping rates steady. Governor Shaktikanta Das has maintained a hold on rates, waiting for inflation to stabilize around the central bank s 4% target. Economists predict that India s growth and inflation dynamics are healthy, but global and geopolitical developments, particularly decisions by the US Fed, could influence the RBI s rate decisions.
The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has indirectly eased policy rates through consistent liquidity injections, leading to a decline in the weighted average call rate (WACR) towards the benchmark repo rate. This trend reflects increased confidence in liquidity management strategies, supported by government spending and proactive RBI operations. Analysts suggest a shift towards containing inflation while maintaining stable borrowing costs.
Kotak Institutional Equities expects the first repo rate cut to only be in the third quarter of the financial year 2025 (Q3FY25). However, prior to rate cuts, the brokerage expects the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) to change its stance to neutral.