RBI repo rate hiked again

Interest rates on loans, and EMIs likely to go up.

RBI Governor Shaktikanta Das introduced a hike in repo rate after three-day deliberations by the Monetary Policy Committee (MPC). 

HIGHLIGHTS

• Last month, the MPC raised the repo rate by forty basis points 
• RBI desires to make sure consumer price index-based inflation stays at four per cent 
• Prior to Wednesday’s announcement, the RBI Governor indicated a rate hike 

The Reserve Bank of India on Wednesday introduced a hike withinside the repo rate by 50 basis points to 4.90 per cent. While the inflation rate has been projected at 6.7 per cent for the economic year 2022-23, the RBI stays hopeful that the financial system will grow at 7.2 per cent in the present day fiscal. 

The decisions have been introduced by RBI Governor Shaktikanta Das after three-day deliberations of the Monetary Policy Committee (MPC). Last month, the MPC raised the key policy rate (repo) by forty basis points to 4.4 per cent to tame the growing inflation. 

It was a remarkable hike since August 2018. Repo rate or repurchasing option rate is the rate at which the RBI lends cash to commercial banks. The repo rate is taken into consideration as a crucial device to govern inflation. 

RBI REPO RATE

The MPC voted unanimously to increase the policy repo rate by 50 bps to 4.90 per cent, stated RBI Governor Shaktikanta Das. When the RBI will increase the repo rate, banks usually comply with it by hiking interest rates toward home loans, vehicle loans and others. 

If banks increase interest rates, then equated monthly instalments (EMIs) additionally move up, impacting borrowers.

INFLATION

With the belief of a regular monsoon in 2022 and an average crude oil price in the Indian basket of $105 per barrel, inflation is now projected at 6.7 per cent withinside the financial year 2022-23, stated RBI Governor Shaktikanta Das. 

Consequently, the standing deposit facility SDF rate stood adjusted to 4.65 per cent and the marginal standing facility, MSF rate and financial institution rate, to 5.15 per cent, the RBI Governor stated. 

The hike in interest rate comes as consumer price index (CPI) based retail inflation, which the Reserve Bank of India elements in whilst arriving at its monetary policy, galloped for a 7th directly month to the touch an 8-12 months high of 7.79 per cent in April. 

Inflation is growing particularly due to surging commodity expenses, inclusive of fuel. The ongoing Russia-Ukraine conflict has similarly driven up commodity expenses throughout the globe. Prior to Wednesday’s announcement, the RBI Governor indicated that there may also be any other hike withinside the repo rate, though he avoided quantifying it.