RBI MPC meeting at a glance: Your one-stop guide for all key decisions

The Reserve Bank of India’s (RBI) Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) meeting is being closely watched this week, with many expecting a repo rate cut of 25 basis points. This is the first MPC meeting under the newly appointed RBI Governor Sanjay Malhotra.

RBI’s Monetary Policy After Union Budget 2025

This meeting comes just days after Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman’s Union Budget 2025 speech. The Budget aimed to boost consumption with changes in income tax slabs, and now all eyes are on the RBI to support economic growth.

India’s GDP growth slowed to 5.4% in the second quarter of FY 2024-25, its lowest in two years. Experts believe that since inflation is under control, the RBI should now focus on boosting GDP growth through a repo rate cut.

RBI Monetary Policy Meeting: Date and Time

The RBI MPC meeting began on February 5, 2025, and the decision will be announced on February 7, 2025, at 10:00 AM by Governor Sanjay Malhotra. His speech will provide insights into RBI’s stance, GDP growth outlook, and inflation forecasts.

Where to Watch the RBI MPC Meeting

RBI Governor Sanjay Malhotra’s first MPC statement will be streamed LIVE on RBI’s YouTube channel at 10:00 AM on February 7, 2025. For real-time updates and detailed analysis, you can follow TOI’s live blog.

What to Expect from the RBI Policy Announcement

Following the Union Budget, the RBI is expected to cut the repo rate by 25 basis points, which would be the first rate reduction in five years.If the rate cut happens, it will be the first since May 2020, when the RBI reduced the repo rate by 40 basis points to 4% during the Covid-19 lockdown. The central bank started raising rates in May 2022 due to the Russia-Ukraine war and paused in May 2023.Despite concerns over the weakening rupee, inflation remains under control. Experts believe that a repo rate cut will support the Budget’s push for consumption-driven growth.

According to an SBI analysis, retail inflation (CPI) is expected to fall to 4.5% in the fourth quarter, with an average of 4.8% for the financial year.