By:- Mr. Prashant Pimple, Chief Investment Officer – Fixed Income, Baroda BNP Paribas Mutual Fund
“The RBIs Monetary Policy Committee (MPC), voted unanimously to hold the benchmark repurchase rate at 5.25% for a fourth consecutive review, retaining its neutral stance. The decision was in line with broad market expectations. The MPC cited elevated energy costs stemming from the Middle east conflict as a key risk, with headline inflation expected to rise in the near term and peak in the third quarter driven primarily by fuel and food prices, while core inflation continues to remain benign. On the growth and inflation outlook, the RBI raised its FY27 GDP forecast to 6.7% from a previous estimate of 6.60% and lowered its full-year CPI inflation projection to 5.0% from 5.10%, with Q2 FY27 CPI seen at 4.7%. With the neutral stance retained in the current policy, the bar for rate move in 2026 calendar year appears higher.”