RBI may effect cumulative rate cut of 125-150 bps in FY26, says SBI study

The Reserve Bank may cumulatively cut the key interest rate in the range of 125-150 basis points this fiscal amid benign inflationary patterns, an SBI Research report said on Monday. The study suggested that the central bank should go for "jumbo" rate cuts of 50 bps as it would be more effective.

The sharp moderation in consumer price index based inflation, hitting a 67-month low of 3.34 per cent in March 2025 due to sharp correction in food inflation, bodes well for lowering the average CPI headline forecast for FY2025-26 below 4 per cent now (with below 3 pre cent in Q1FY26), the report said.