Governor Shaktikanta Das’ decision to keep repo rate unchanged sparks widespread public interest, with searches soaring to over 20,000 within hours

The Reserve Bank of India’s (RBI) latest monetary policy decision has taken the internet by storm, as searches for “RBI Policy” spiked by 1,000% within hours of the announcement. On Friday morning, the term became one of the top trending topics on Google, with over 20,000 searches recorded in a short time.

The surge in interest follows RBI Governor Shaktikanta Das’ declaration on Thursday that the repo rate would remain unchanged at 6.5%, despite the ongoing challenges posed by high inflation and a sluggish GDP growth. This decision marks a critical moment in India’s economic trajectory, with experts keeping a close watch on the central bank’s approach to managing the economy amidst global uncertainties.

During the announcement, Das emphasised the importance of maintaining a neutral monetary policy stance while closely monitoring the inflation and growth outlook. He also presented the RBI’s projection for India’s GDP growth for 2025-26, which has been set at 6.6%, reflecting cautious optimism despite the challenges.

The timing of the announcement comes amid a worrying economic environment. India’s GDP growth rate had slowed to a seven-quarter low of 5.4% in the July-September 2024 quarter, raising concerns about the potential impacts on the broader economy. Persistent inflation and tight liquidity conditions in the banking system have added to the economic headwinds.

Despite the mixed outlook, the RBI’s decision to keep the repo rate steady signals its cautious approach in balancing inflation control with supporting economic growth. As India grapples with these macroeconomic challenges, the RBI’s policies remain under close scrutiny by market participants, businesses, and the public.