Highlights of RBI's 4th Bi-monthly Monetary Policy Review 2018

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In it's 4th bi-monthly policy review, the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) kept the key lending rate (Repo Rate) unchanged at 6.5 per cent. Consequently, the reverse repo rate under the LAF remains at 6.25 per cent, and the marginal standing facility (MSF) rate and the Bank Rate at 6.75 per cent. Here are the major highlights.

Highlights of RBI monetary policy review

• RBI keeps key lending rate (repo) unchanged at 6.5 per cent
• Reverse repo rate stands at 6.25 per cent, bank rate at 6.75 per cent and Cash Reserve Ratio (CRR) at 4 per cent
  
• Projects retail inflation to rise to 3.8-4.5 per cent in October-March
• Retains GDP growth estimate at 7.4 per cent for current fiscal*
• Global economic activity becoming uneven, outlook clouded by uncertainties
• Excise cut in petrol and diesel will moderate retail inflation
• Rise in oil prices may have a bearing on disposable incomes, dent profit margins of corporates
• Oil prices remain vulnerable to further upside pressures
• Global, domestic financial conditions tightened, may dampen investment activity
• Fiscal slippage at the centre/state to have a bearing on the inflation outlook, besides heightening market volatility and crowding out private investment
• Inflation outlook needs a close vigil over the next few months, several upside risks persist
• Trade tensions, volatile and rising oil prices, and tightening global financial conditions pose substantial risks to growth, inflation outlook
• Calls for further strengthening of domestic macroeconomic fundamentals

The next meeting of the Monetary Policy Committee will be on 3rd to 5th December 2018.

Current RBI Policy Rates 2018

• Repo Rate : 6.50%
• Reverse Repo Rate : 6.25%
• MSF (Marginal Standing Facility) : 6.75%
• Bank Rate : 6.75%
• CRR : 4%
• SLR : 19.5%

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