The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) will announce the outcome of its October Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) meeting at 10:00 AM on Wednesday, Governor Sanjay Malhotra confirmed.
The announcement will be broadcast live on the RBI’s official YouTube channel, X (formerly Twitter) handle, and website. A press conference will follow at 12:00 noon, offering deeper insights into the central bank’s policy stance and economic outlook.
MPC Meeting Schedule
The October MPC meeting was held from September 29 to October 1. The next meetings for FY 2025–26 are scheduled as follows:
December 3–5, 2025
February 4–6, 2026
What to Expect from the October Policy
Economists widely expect the RBI to maintain the status quo on interest rates, while possibly revising the inflation forecast.
A Business Standard poll found most analysts predicting no change in the repo rate, though a few, including the State Bank of India (SBI), anticipate a 25 basis point (bps) cut. (One basis point equals 0.01%.)
Highlights from the August 2025 Meeting
In the previous meeting held between August 4 and 6, the MPC kept the repo rate unchanged at 5.5% after three consecutive cuts earlier in 2025, which brought the rate down from 6.5%. The committee lowered its inflation projection but retained a ‘neutral’ policy stance.
Why the MPC Decision Matters
The bi-monthly MPC meetings determine key interest rates, as well as inflation and growth projections. The repo rate—the rate at which RBI lends to commercial banks—directly affects loan EMIs and deposit returns:
Higher repo rate → Costlier home, car, and personal loans
Lower repo rate → Cheaper loans but reduced savings interest
The MPC’s decision influences consumer spending, business investment, and overall economic growth, making it a closely watched event by households, investors and policymakers alike.