RBI Monetary Policy Committee Meeting Scheduled: Details on Date, Time, and Live Coverage

RBI MPC Meeting: Key Decisions Awaited Amid Rising Geopolitical Tensions

The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) monetary policy committee (MPC) is set to announce the outcome of its first monetary policy meeting for the financial year 2026-27 (FY27) on Wednesday, April 8. Led by Governor Sanjay Malhotra, the six-member MPC will review crucial factors such as interest rates, the inflation outlook, and economic growth prospects. This policy announcement comes amid rising geopolitical tensions in the Middle East and a depreciating rupee.

The RBI's MPC meeting is being held from April 6 to April 8, 2026. The policy decision will be announced at 10:00 a.m. on Wednesday, April 8, followed by a press conference by Governor Sanjay Malhotra at noon. The RBI MPC statement will be broadcast live on the RBI's YouTube channel at 10:00 AM on April 8, 2026.

Market experts believe the central bank will likely leave repo rates unchanged, even though the swaps market is pricing in a 1.5 rate hike in April and another increase in June, on expectations that the RBI will act aggressively to curb oil-driven inflation. Apoorva Javadekar, Chief Economist at Muthoot FinCorp, expects the RBI to keep the repo rate unchanged at 5.25%, driven by concerns over a potential slowdown in GDP growth amid external challenges.

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According to a report by the brokerage firm Yes Bank, the rate cutting cycle is over as inflation trends higher, INR depreciation pressure bites, and global central banks signal caution on inflation and rate cycle. The firm expects inflation to be at 4.5-4.8% in the most adverse condition, if the fiscal continues to absorb most of the burden.

The RBI's decision in February 2026 to maintain the repo rate at 5.25% followed cumulative rate cuts of 125 basis points during 2025. The MPC unanimously chose to keep rates unchanged at 5.25% and adopted a 'wait-and-watch' stance, focusing on maintaining stability after a phase of substantial policy adjustments.