Mumbai: Reserve Bank on Friday projected the growth rate for the upcoming financial year at 6.7 percent, up from 6.4 percent estimated for the current fiscal ending March.
Healthy Rabi prospects and an expected recovery in industrial activity should support economic growth in 2025-26, RBI Governor Sanjay Malhotra said while announcing his first bi-monthly monetary policy for the current fiscal.
Among the key drivers on the demand side, household consumption is expected to remain robust aided by the tax relief in the Union Budget 2025-26, he said.
RBI Governor Sanjay Malhotra announcing the outcome of the Monetary Policy Committee meeting stated that for FY26, GDP growth is estimated at 6.7 percent, with quarterly projections as Q1 FY26: 6.7 percent, Q2 FY26: 7.0 percent, Q3 FY26: 6.5 percent and Q4 FY26: 6.5 percent.
On the inflation front, the central bank expects Consumer Price Index (CPI) inflation to ease to 4.8 percent in FY25, with Q4 FY25 inflation projected at 4.4 percent. For FY26, inflation is forecasted at 4.2 percent, with quarterly estimates as Q1 FY26: 4.5 percent, Q2 FY26: 4.0 percent, Q3 FY26: 3.8 percent, and Q4 FY26: 4.2 percent.
Announcing highlights from the recently held RBI’s Monetary Policy Committee decisions Governor Malhotra said that the inflation has declined, supported by a favorable outlook on food prices and the continued transmission of past monetary policy actions. It is expected to further moderate in 2025-26, gradually aligning with the target.
Malhotra highlighted that food inflation pressures are expected to soften significantly with a favorable rabi crop, contributing to a stable inflation outlook.
Despite global economic uncertainties, India continues to demonstrate resilience. However, Malhotra acknowledged that the economy cannot remain immune to external pressures.
The Purchasing Managers’ Index (PMI) for manufacturing indicates continued resilience, while rural demand is on the rise, even as urban demand remains subdued.
Key factors supporting growth include tax relief measures in the Union Budget, improved agricultural output, robust business sentiment, and continued policy support from the government.
The RBI also plans to strengthen its economic forecasting capabilities using Artificial Intelligence (AI) and will continue its flexible inflation targeting framework to maintain macroeconomic stability.
India’s foreign exchange reserves remain robust, standing at over USD 630 billion as of January 31, 2025. This provides an import cover of more than 10 months, offering strong external stability.
The RBI expects the current account deficit to remain within sustainable levels for the fiscal year, ensuring a stable macroeconomic environment.
The latest rate cut comes after a prolonged tightening cycle, where the RBI raised the repo rate from 4 percent to 6.5 percent between May 2022 and May 2023 to combat inflation. The reduction signals a shift towards supporting economic growth while ensuring price stability.
With inflation expected to stay within the RBI’s 4 percent target range, and economic activity set to improve, the central bank’s move is likely to provide relief to borrowers and boost consumption and investment in the coming months.
The Reserve Bank of India’s (RBI) Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) has decided to reduce the policy repo rate by 25 basis points (bps) from 6.5 percent to 6.25 percent, marking the first rate cut since May 2020.
The stance remains neutral, with RBI Governor Sanjay Malhotra emphasizing that inflation has moderated and is expected to align further with the target in FY26.
