RBI’s Bimonthly Monetary Policy – Highlights and Key takeaways

The Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) held its 53rd meeting from February 5 to 7, 2025 under the chairmanship of Shri Sanjay Malhotra, Governor, Reserve Bank of India. The MPC members Dr. Nagesh Kumar, Shri Saugata Bhattacharya, Prof. Ram Singh, Dr. Rajiv Ranjan, and Shri M. Rajeshwar Rao attended the meeting. The MPC revised the repo rate for the first time in two years, voting unanimously to cut it by 25 basis points from 6.50% to 6.25% in view of easing retail inflation and slowing growth. The rate cut comes even as the Rupee continues to reel to under pressure from global tariff wars. The MPC decided unanimously to reduce the policy repo rate to 6.25% at its meeting, The MPC also decided unanimously to continue with the ‘neutral’ stance and to remain unambiguously focused on a durable alignment of inflation with the target, while supporting growth.

Reserve Bank of India launches (a) UPI for Feature Phones (UPI123pay) and (b) 24×7 Helpline for Digital Payments (DigiSaathi)

RBI launches UPI for 400 mn feature phone users to widen digital payment reach. (1) UPI123Pay – Option to make Unified Payments Interface (UPI) payments for feature phone users, and (2) DigiSaathi – a 24×7 Helpline to address the queries of digital payment users across products.

THE CHANGING VISION OF THE INDIAN BANKING INDUSTRY

While discussing the changing vision of the Indian Banking industry, Mr M.V.Tanksale expressed with pride that the banking industry has withstood various crises and transformed itself to meet the challenges and contribute to the economic growth of the country.

Availability of National Electronic Funds Transfer (NEFT) System on 24×7 basis

With effect from December 16, 2019 RBI has asked banks to Extend NEFT facility 365/24*7 .