A new rate game begins. What’s inside the RBI’s new playbook?

RBI rate hike in October monetary policy marks a sharp shift to calibrated tightening, raising the repo rate to 5.5%. RBI Governor Sanjay Malhotra is prioritising inflation risks as crude oil, food prices and inflation expectations rise. Strong FY27 GDP growth at 7.1%, rapid credit growth and tighter liquidity give RBI room to act before supply shocks spread across markets.