Overview

• The three-day Monetary Policy Committee meeting runs Sept. 29–Oct. 1, with the repo rate currently at 5.50%.
• A Reuters poll shows nearly three-quarters of economists expect no change, though some banks say an “insurance” cut remains possible.
• SBI Research is urging a 25 basis-point reduction, calling inflation benign next year, while several economists prefer a wait-and-see approach.
• GST rate rationalisation to a two-slab structure is expected to trim headline CPI by roughly 25–50 basis points through FY26–FY27.
• Fresh U.S. trade barriers, rupee pressure, and recent FII equity outflows have injected caution, even as the Fed’s rate cut offers limited policy space.