New Delhi, Oct. 7 -- The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) began its three-day Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) meeting on Monday, with the policy decision set to be announced today, 7 October. Market expectations are mounting that the central bank could deliver its first repo rate hike in four years.

The RBI has maintained the repo rate at 5.25% for four consecutive policy reviews, following a cumulative 125 basis point reduction in 2025. The latest MPC meeting is taking place against a backdrop of rising inflationary pressures and persistently high crude oil prices, raising expectations that the central bank may move towards a tighter monetary policy stance.

The October MPC meeting comes at a time when macroeconomic risks are intensifying. T...