{
  "id": 10416984,
  "title": "RBI MPC October 2026: Sanjay Malhotra & co may raise interest rates to 5.50% as inflation broadens, poll finds",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/28/rbi-mpc-october-2026-sanjay-malhotra-co-may-raise-interest-rates-to-5",
  "topic": "finance",
  "section": "Finance & Markets",
  "published": "2026-09-28T10:02:57.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "The Economic Times - Economy",
    "slug": "the-economic-times-economy",
    "url": "https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/economy/policy/rbi-mpc-october-2026-sanjay-malhotra-co-to-raise-interest-rates-to-5-50-as-inflation-broadens/articleshow/134538310.cms"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "BENGALURU: Economists predict the Reserve Bank of India will raise interest rates by 25 basis points to 5.50% in October, the first hike since 2023, with additional increases expected in December, a Reuters survey of experts revealed as inflation intensifies. Major central banks worldwide are beginning to hike rates or contemplate doing so due to energy cost surges resulting from the war in the Middle East, with the US Federal Reserve set to raise rates again after a recent increase. The RBI is facing mounting pressure to support its defense of the currency against the dollar, which has weakened by about 6% this year. RBI Governor Sanjay Malhotra acknowledged that the central bank may be lagging behind the situation, indicating the need for a rate increase after the Federal Reserve's move. According to the September 18 to 28 Reuters poll, 35 out of 61 economists anticipated a 25 basis point rate hike to 5.50% at the end of the RBI's October 5 to 7 meeting, marking the first increase since February 2023. The increase in consumer prices in August was primarily due to substantial hikes in energy and food costs. Nearly 60% of the polled economists, 35 out of 61, expected the Monetary Policy Committee to raise the repo rate by 25 basis points to 5.50% at the close of their October 5 to 7 meeting, marking the first increase since February 2023.",
  "summary": "Economic experts predict that the Reserve Bank of India will increase interest rates at its upcoming meeting. This anticipated rate hike is largely due to rising inflation, which has exceeded the RBI's targets consistently. As central banks globally address inflationary pressures, India is under similar pressures regarding its currency. Nearly 60% of surveyed economists expect this action will…",
  "key_points": [
    "RBI may raise interest rates to 5.50% in October",
    "35 economists predict rate hike in Reuters poll",
    "Inflation driven by energy and food cost hikes"
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 3,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Business Standard IN",
        "title": "FD interest rate rules to change from October 1: Key changes explained",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/28/fd-interest-rate-rules-to-change-from-october-1-key-changes-explained",
        "published": "2026-09-28T07:21:49.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "The Economic Times",
        "title": "RBI may raise interest rates to 5.50% in Oct",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/28/rbi-may-raise-interest-rates-to-5-50-in-oct",
        "published": "2026-09-28T10:02:57.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}