RBI Monetary policy highlights: Lending rates unchanged amid Omicron scare

RBI Monetary policy LIVE updates: RBI announcement comes amid the threat surrounding Omicron coronavirus variant. Stay tuned for all the LIVE updates

RBI monetary policy LIVE: The Reserve Bank of India's (RBI's) six-member monetary policy committee (MPC), headed by Governor Shaktikanta Das, decided to maintain key interest rates for a ninth straight meeting, retaining an accommodative stance amid the threat surrounding Omicron coronavirus variant.

Repo and reverse repo rates currently stand at 4 per cent and 3.35 per cent, respectively.

The RBI will continue to manage liquidity that is conducive to entrenching the recovery, fostering macro-economic and financial stability, Das reaffirmed. The Reserve Bank has stuck to its liquidity playbook by saying that it will continue to use variable rate reverse repo operations to absorb funds. 14-VRRRs will remain the preferred duration to absorb liquidity although the amount for auction has been raised. The RBI will conduct a VRRR auction of Rs 6.5 trillion on December 17 and Rs 7.5 trillion on December 31.

Growth outlook

Growth Outlook The Indian economy grew 20.1% in the first quarter of the current financial year and 8.4% in the second. With the economy reopening and high-contact services resuming, the output is expected to remain strong in the third quarter. Supply disruptions, higher commodity prices and now concerns caused by the new Covid-19 variant Omicron has, however, added uncertainty to the outlook.

Taking all these factors into consideration, projection for real GDP growth is retained at 9.5% in FY22. Real GDP growth is estimated at 6.6% in Q3 FY22, 6% in Q4 FY22, 17.2% for Q1 FY23 and 7.8% for Q2 FY23.

Inflation outlook

CPI inflation is now projected at 5.3% during FY22. It is seen at 5.1% in Q3, and 5.7% in Q4 of FY22, with risks broadly balanced. It is then expected to ease to 5% and remain there for the first two quarters of the next financial year.

Stay tuned for RBI Monetary policy LIVE updates

12:13 PM

Economy facing several headwinds emanating from mostly international factors, says Shaktikanta Das

Economy facing several headwinds emanating from mostly international factors, says Shaktikanta Das in an interaction with the media

12:06 PM

RBI Monetary Policy LIVE: Rupee opens

Indian rupee opened 7 paise higher at 75.37 per dollar on against previous close of 75.44 after Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has kept the key rate unchanged and maintained the accommodative stance.

10:41 AM

RBI Monetary policy LIVE updates: RBI issuing guidelines for use of alternative reference rate for ECBs

RBI issuing guidelines for use of alternative reference rate for ECBs, in transition away from LIBOR, says Governor Shaktikanta Das

10:40 AM

Global monetary policy is reaching an inflection point, keeping financial markets edgy, says RBI governor

India cannot be immune to global spill-overs and spread of new infections.

Managing durable, strong, and inclusive recovery is RBI's mission

10:38 AM

Propose to launch UPI-based payment products for feature phone users, says RBI governor

To make small-value UPI process flow simpler, via on-device wallet.

UPI transaction limit to be hiked to Rs 5 lakh from current limit of Rs 2 lakh

UPI transaction limit hike only for retail direct scheme for investment of G-Secs and IPO offering applications

10:35 AM

RBI enhances operational flexibility for banks operating their overseas subsidiaries, says RBI governor

Banks need not seek prior approval of RBI to infuse capital in overseas subsidiaries and repatriate the profits, if they meet the regulatory requirements on capital

Bank currently need RBI approval to infuse capital in overseas subsidiaries repatriate profits

10:33 AM

RBI Monetary policy LIVE: No RBI nod needed for banks to infuse capital in their branches and arms overseas

10:32 AM

RBI Monetary policy LIVE updates: RBI will release discussion paper on charges on digital payments in India

RBI will release discussion paper on charges on digital payments in India

10:32 AM

Propose to enhance 14 day VRRR auction, re-establish it as the main liquidity management operation, says RBI

14-day VRRR auction of Rs 6.5 trillion on December 17, Rs 7.5 trillion on December 31.

From January 2022, liquidity absorption will mainly be managed throguh the auction route

10:30 AM

RBI to provide banks with one more option to pre-pay outstanding funds availed through TLTRO 1.0 & 2.0 schemes

To provide banks with one more option to pre-pay outstanding funds availed through TLTRO 1.0 and 2.0 schemes, says RBI governor

Banks have already pre-paid Rs 37,348 crore in November, constituting about a third of funds availed from TLTRO scheme

10:28 AM

RBI Monetary policy LIVE updates: Price pressures may persist in the immediate term, says Guv

Price pressures may persist in the immediate term. Vegetable prices are expected to see a seasonal correction with winter arrivals in view of bright prospects for Rabi crops: RBI Governor Shaktikanta Das

10:27 AM

RBI Monetary policy LIVE updates: Headline inflation expected to peak in Q4FY22, soften thereafter

Over the rest of FY22, inflation prints are likely to be somewhat higher as base effects turn higher, says Shaktikanta Das

10:25 AM

RBI MPC LIVE: Persistence of CPI inflation excluding food & fuel since June 2020 is an area of concern

The persistence of CPI inflation excluding food & fuel since June 2020 is an area of policy concern in view of input cost pressures that could rapidly be transmitted to retail inflation as demand strengthens: RBI Governor Shaktikanta Das

10:25 AM

Market update: Market extend gains post MPC decision

10:24 AM

RBI's motto is to ensure a soft landing, which is well-timed, says RBI Governor Shaktikanta Das

Price stability remains the cardinal principle of monetary policy, says Shaktikanta Das

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Topics : Bank Rate Inflation Cash Reserve Ratio Reverse Repo Rate Coronavirus Omicron RBI monetary policy Shaktikanta Das RBI repo rate

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First Published: Dec 08 2021 | 8:04 AM IST