RBI Holds Repo Rate Steady at 5.25%, Maintains 'Neutral' Stance Unanimously

• The Reserve Bank of India's Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) unanimously decided to keep the repo rate unchanged at 5.25% in its February 2026 bi-monthly monetary policy.
• RBI Governor Sanjay Malhotra announced the decision, which aligns with market expectations and retains a 'neutral' policy stance.
• The central bank also maintained the standing deposit facility (SDF) at 5% and marginal standing facility (MSF) and bank rates at 5.50%.
• Malhotra noted that despite intensified external headwinds, trade deals and positive domestic inflation and growth outlooks support the economy.
• The RBI revised upwards real GDP growth projections for Q1 and Q2 of FY27 to 6.9% and 7% respectively, and proposed easing branch opening norms for NBFCs.