RBI Monetary Policy
InvestmentsRBI's Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) meets 6 times a year to set the repo rate -- the key lever for controlling inflation and growth. Rate increases slow the economy and reduce inflation; rate cuts stimulate growth. These decisions directly impact your home loan EMI, FD rates, and equity market valuations.
In detail
MPC meeting dates: February, April, June, August, October, DecembernPolicy transmission timeline:nRate cut announced --> Banks update RLLR/EBLR within 3 months --> Home loan EMI reducesnRate hike announced --> RLLR increases within 3 months --> EMI increasesnnMarkets reaction:nRate cut: bond prices rise (yields fall), equity markets tend to rise (lower discount rate), Rupee may weakennRate hike: bond prices fall, equity markets may correct (higher discount rate, tighter liquidity), Rupee may strengthennnFor retail investors: follow MPC announcements for timing FD bookings (lock in before rate cuts) and home loan rate movements.
Formula
Real-life example
RBI cuts repo rate by 0.25% in February 2025. Priya's Rs 50L floating rate home loan (RLLR linked). Within 90 days: bank reduces lending rate by 0.25%. Monthly EMI saving: Rs 800/month = Rs 9,600/year. Over remaining 15 years: Rs 1.44L total interest saved from one RBI rate cut. Her FD rate also fell: Rs 5L FD renewing at 7.1% vs earlier 7.4%, losing Rs 1,500/year. Rate cuts: good for borrowers, bad for savers.