Mumbai, April 6 -- As the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) heads into its first policy decision of the new financial year on 8 April, a rate pause is widely expected even as a rapidly shifting macro landscape triggered by the West Asia war may force a shift in its outlook.

A Mint poll of 10 economists and market participants points to rising inflation risks and a weakening growth outlook, with all expecting the Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) to hold rates while signalling a more cautious policy stance.







In 2025, the RBI had cumulatively cut the repo rate-the rate at which it lends short-term funds to banks-by 125 basis points (bps), with the last cut of 25 bps in December to 5.25%.

"We do expect RBI to hold onto the repo rate and stan...