The MPC voted unanimously to retain the repo rate under the liquidity adjustment facility at 5.25%. As a result, the standing deposit facility rate remains at 5.00%, while the marginal standing facility rate and the Bank Rate continue at 5.50%. The committee also decided to maintain its neutral policy stance.
In its statement, the RBI said the global economy showed notable resilience in 2025, supported by trade front-loading, a milder-than-expected impact of tariffs, broad fiscal stimulus, and accommodative monetary policy. Inflation is easing gradually, although it remains above target in several advanced economies. US bond yields continue to trade with an upward bias as expectations of near-term rate cuts recede amid firm economic data. Global equities have advanced, led by sustained investments in technology stocks, even as fiscal pressures, geopolitical uncertainty, and monetary policy divergence keep financial markets volatile.
On the domestic front, the RBI raised its real GDP growth forecast for FY26 to 7.4% from 7.3% earlier. Growth projections for Q1 FY27 and Q2 FY27 were revised upwards to 6.9% and 7.0%, respectively.
The central bank raised its CPI inflation forecast for FY26 to 2.1% from 2%. Inflation for Q4 FY26 is projected at 3.2%, while CPI inflation for Q1 FY27 and Q2 FY27 is expected at 4.0% and 4.2%, respectively.
The MPC noted that external headwinds have intensified since the previous policy meeting, although the successful completion of recent trade deals bodes well for the overall economic outlook. It added that the near-term domestic growth and inflation outlook remains positive.
Looking ahead, the committee said it will continue to be guided by evolving macroeconomic conditions and incoming data from the new statistical series while charting the future course of monetary policy.
The minutes of the MPC meeting will be released on 20 February 2026. The next policy meeting is scheduled for April 6-8, 2026.
Following the announcement, the Nifty Bank index fell 0.64% to 59,681.20, while the Nifty 50 rose 0.55% to 25,501.35. Among bank stocks, IndusInd Bank fell 1.85%, while Punjab National Bank declined 1.84% and Bank of Baroda slid 1.81%. Union Bank of India shed 1.73%, Canara Bank dropped 1.62% and State Bank of India slipped 1.61%. Losses were relatively modest in Yes Bank, which declined 1.17%, IDFC First Bank, down 1.15%, Federal Bank, lower by 0.97%, HDFC Bank, which eased 0.85%, and AU Small Finance Bank, down 0.56%.
In contrast, ICICI Bank gained 0.24%, Axis Bank rose 0.35%, and Kotak Mahindra Bank outperformed with a 1.03% jump, bucking the broader weakness in banking stocks.