News for 'RBI'

Wholesale price inflation dips to 14-month low in May

Wholesale price inflation dips to 14-month low in May

Rediff.com17 Jun 2025

Wholesale price inflation (WPI) declined to a 14-month low of 0.39 per cent in May on easing prices of food articles and fuel, and experts said geopolitical tensions could push up prices.

Factors that will guide the markets this week

Factors that will guide the markets this week

Rediff.com1 Jun 2025

RBI's interest rate decision, macroeconomic data announcements and global trends are the key factors that would dictate the momentum in the equity market this week, analysts said.

Govt invites applications for RBI deputy governor's post, last date Nov 30

Govt invites applications for RBI deputy governor's post, last date Nov 30

Rediff.com5 Nov 2024

The government has invited applications for the post of deputy governor of the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) from interested candidates with at least 25 years of experience and below 60 years of age as on January 15, 2025. One of the deputy governors, Michael Patra's current term will end on 15 January. The last date of submission of applications is November 30, 2024.

RBI adds 27 tn gold to country's reserve in Oct

RBI adds 27 tn gold to country's reserve in Oct

Rediff.com5 Dec 2024

Gold buying by central banks surged to 60 tonnes in October, mainly led by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) which added 27 tonnes of the precious metal to its reserves, the World Gold Council (WGC) said on Thursday. India added 27 tonnes of gold in October, bringing its total gold purchases to 77 tonnes from January to October, according WGC data based on reported monthly data from the International Monetary Fund (IMF).

Mobile tariff design skewed in India; rich paying less: Airtel MD

Mobile tariff design skewed in India; rich paying less: Airtel MD

Rediff.com6 Aug 2025

Bharti Airtel sees opportunity in raising tariff for data services as it feels that rich are paying less and poor are not required to pay anymore, a senior official of the company said. During the company's earnings call for the first quarter of the current fiscal, Bharti Airtel vice-chairman and MD Gopal Vittal said that the company has written to the government for a relief on adjusted gross revenue and has demanded that it should be given benefit at par with other telecom operator, without naming Vodafone Idea.

Gross NPAs of banks decline to 12-yr low of 2.6%: RBI report

Gross NPAs of banks decline to 12-yr low of 2.6%: RBI report

Rediff.com30 Dec 2024

The Reserve Bank on Monday said asset quality of banks improved further and their gross non-performing assets (GNPA) or bad loans ratio declined to a 12-year low of 2.6 per cent in September 2024 on the back of falling slippages and steady credit demand. The RBI also flagged concern over a sharp rise in write-offs, especially among private sector banks (PVBs), which could be partly masking worsening asset quality in unsecured lending segment and dilution in underwriting standards.

RBI changes policy stance to open window for a rate cut

RBI changes policy stance to open window for a rate cut

Rediff.com9 Oct 2024

The Reserve Bank of India on Wednesday decided to keep the policy rate unchanged for the tenth time in a row but changed its stance to 'neutral' that may lead to a cut in the forthcoming policies. RBI maintained status quo despite the US Federal Reserve lowering the benchmark rates by 50 basis points last month.

Retail inflation eases to over 6-yr low of 2.1% in June

Retail inflation eases to over 6-yr low of 2.1% in June

Rediff.com14 Jul 2025

Retail inflation declined to over six-year low of 2.1 per cent in June, nearing the RBI's comfort zone, on account of subdued prices of food items, including vegetables, driven by widespread monsoon.

'India Should Reduce Tariffs For All Countries'

'India Should Reduce Tariffs For All Countries'

Rediff.com11 Aug 2025

'That way you're not hostage just to US sort of exports to India.'

Time To Tackle The Digital Fraud Surge

Time To Tackle The Digital Fraud Surge

Rediff.com14 Aug 2025

We propose an expert group be set up to form a national strategy on digital fraud. This group would bring together skills in financial regulation, security economics, cyber defence, and public communications, and an understanding of the Indian financial and security systems. It should lay the foundations of a coordinated approach by the Indian State in fighting digital fraud, suggest Ajay Shah and Nandkumar Saravade.

No infra bond issuances in FY26

No infra bond issuances in FY26

Rediff.com26 Jul 2025

Infrastructure bonds, which were relied upon the most in 2024-25 (FY25) by commercial banks to raise funds through the domestic debt capital market amid lagging deposit growth, seem to have lost their sheen in FY26. So far in FY26, no bank has tapped the domestic debt capital market to raise funds via infra bonds, and the expectation is that the amount raised through this route will be significantly lower than that last year, unless credit demand picks up.

RBI turned down request to appoint ex-CBI official on board: Religare

RBI turned down request to appoint ex-CBI official on board: Religare

Rediff.com25 Oct 2024

Religare Enterprises, a financial services firm, has disclosed that the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) turned down its application to appoint Rakesh Asthana as its whole-time director in May this year without citing any reasons. Asthana is a former top official of the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI). In a notice to the stock exchanges, Religare said that while the company and Asthana were weighing the options of dealing with the letter of refusal by the RBI, it was also busy in preparing for the "herculean task" of making ready multiple applications to regulators.

WPI inflation down to 3-month low. Will RBI cut rate in Feb?

WPI inflation down to 3-month low. Will RBI cut rate in Feb?

Rediff.com16 Dec 2024

Wholesale price based inflation declined to a 3-month low of 1.89 per cent in November on cheaper food items, and experts predicted a 0.25 per cent interest rate cut by the RBI in the policy review in February. The Wholesale Price Index (WPI) based inflation was 2.36 per cent in October 2024. It was 0.39 per cent in November, last year. In August, 2024, it was 1.25 per cent.

Trump's Tariffs: Why India Needs To Be Strategic

Trump's Tariffs: Why India Needs To Be Strategic

Rediff.com12 Aug 2025

In trade negotiations, as in chess, sometimes you need to accept a temporary disadvantage to secure a better long-term position, points out Sonal Varma, chief economist (India and Asia ex-Japan) at Nomura.

RBI retains repo rate at 6.5%

RBI retains repo rate at 6.5%

Rediff.com8 Aug 2024

The Reserve Bank of India on Thursday decided to keep the policy rate unchanged for the ninth time in a row, saying food inflation remains stubborn. The rate increase cycle was paused in April last year after six consecutive rate hikes, aggregating to 250 basis points since May 2022.

RBI's 90 Year Journey

RBI's 90 Year Journey

Rediff.com10 Apr 2024

Sir Osborne Smith was the first governor of the Reserve Bank, serving from April 1, 1935, to June 30, 1937.

Factors that will drive the markets this week

Factors that will drive the markets this week

Rediff.com8 Jun 2025

Equity investors would track global market trends, inflation data and trading activity of foreign investors for further cues this week, analysts said. Moreover, progress of monsoon and developments related to trade talks would also be monitored by investors, experts noted.

Affordable Homes Within Reach As Banks Ease Lending Norms

Affordable Homes Within Reach As Banks Ease Lending Norms

Rediff.com8 Jul 2025

The move is to align affordable housing finance flows to the increase in property costs and inflation, says Raghu Mohan.

Forex reserves jump $4.5 bn to $690.62 bn on rise in gold assets

Forex reserves jump $4.5 bn to $690.62 bn on rise in gold assets

Rediff.com16 May 2025

India's forex reserves jumped by $4.55 billion to $690.62 billion for the week ended May 9 on the back of a steep increase in gold assets, the RBI said on Friday.

ICICI Bank to raise stake in asset management arm by up to 2%

ICICI Bank to raise stake in asset management arm by up to 2%

Rediff.com27 Jun 2025

Private sector ICICI Bank on Friday said its board has approved additional 2 per cent increase stake in its asset management arm ICICI Prudential Asset Management Company. The board of the bank on Friday approved purchase of up to 2 per cent additional shareholding in the ICICI Prudential Asset Management Company, ICICI Bank said in a regulatory filing.

Doctor kept under 'digital arrest' for 8 days, loses Rs 3cr

Doctor kept under 'digital arrest' for 8 days, loses Rs 3cr

Rediff.com28 Jun 2025

In the month of May, the victim got a call from a person identifying himself as telecom department staffer Amit Kumar, who told her a SIM card had been bought with her personal details for use in criminal activities.

SC recalls verdict ordering liquidation of Bhushan Power and Steel

SC recalls verdict ordering liquidation of Bhushan Power and Steel

Rediff.com31 Jul 2025

In a significant development, the Supreme Court on Thursday recalled its controversial May 2 verdict that had ordered liquidation of Bhushan Power & Steel Limited (BPSL) while setting aside a resolution plan of JSW Steel Limited for the ailing firm. A bench comprising Chief Justice B R Gavai and Justice Satish Chandra Sharma observed that the May 2 judgment, authored by Justice Bela M Trivedi, since retired, did not "correctly consider the legal position as has been laid down in the catena of judgments".

ICICI Bank made an offer to acquire HDFC: Parekh

ICICI Bank made an offer to acquire HDFC: Parekh

Rediff.com21 Jun 2025

Veteran banker and former chairman of HDFC Ltd Deepak Parekh has said that ICICI Bank had made an offer to take over mortgage lender HDFC Ltd but it was declined. HDFC Ltd, the parent entity of HDFC Bank, later merged with its banking subsidiary to create the country's biggest private sector lender.

Retail inflation falls to 6-yr low of 2.82% in May on cooling food prices

Retail inflation falls to 6-yr low of 2.82% in May on cooling food prices

Rediff.com12 Jun 2025

Retail inflation dipped to an over six-year low of 2.82 per cent in May due to subdued food prices, remaining below the RBI's median target of 4 per cent for the fourth consecutive month, according to government data released on Thursday. Consumer Price Index (CPI)-based retail inflation was 3.16 per cent in April and 4.8 per cent in May 2024.

What Does RBI Want To Discuss With Private Banks?

What Does RBI Want To Discuss With Private Banks?

Rediff.com4 Nov 2024

Senior bankers anticipate discussions on issues related to technology, cyber security, and customer protection.

Fiscal deficit slips to 0.8% of full-year target at May-end 2025: CGA data

Fiscal deficit slips to 0.8% of full-year target at May-end 2025: CGA data

Rediff.com30 Jun 2025

The central government's fiscal deficit fell to 0.8 per cent of the full-year target at the end of May, mainly due to a whopping Rs 2.69 lakh crore dividend received from the Reserve Bank of India. The fiscal deficit, or gap between the government's expenditure and revenue, had touched 11.9 per cent of the Budget Estimates (BE) for 2025-26 or Rs 1.86 lakh crore in April.

Forex reserves drop Rs 2 bn to Rs 686 bn

Forex reserves drop Rs 2 bn to Rs 686 bn

Rediff.com9 May 2025

India's forex reserves dropped Rs 2.065 billion to Rs 686.064 billion for the week ended May 2, the RBI said on Friday.

RBI seen warming up for a neutral shift in stance

RBI seen warming up for a neutral shift in stance

Rediff.com9 Sep 2024

With concern on food inflation ebbing with the monsoon progressing well, the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) is warming up to the idea of a change in stance to "neutral" from "withdrawal of accommodation", according to economists. In his speech on Thursday during the annual event of the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry-Indian Banks' Association, RBI Governor Shaktikanta Das said: "The balance between inflation and growth is well-poised."

Rate hikes since May '22 helped reduce inflation by 1.60%: RBI paper

Rate hikes since May '22 helped reduce inflation by 1.60%: RBI paper

Rediff.com21 Oct 2024

The cumulative rate hikes of 2.5 percentage points by the central bank since May 2022 negatively impacted headline inflation by 1.60 per cent, a paper by senior RBI staffers said on Monday. "Policy rate increases have anchored inflation expectations and modulated aggregate demand, generating disinflationary responses," the paper by Deputy Governor Michael Patra, Indranil Bhattacharyya, Joice John and Avnish Kumar, said.

Sensex gains 300 pts on fresh foreign fund inflows and buying in ICICI Bank, RIL

Sensex gains 300 pts on fresh foreign fund inflows and buying in ICICI Bank, RIL

Rediff.com27 Jun 2025

From the Sensex pack, Asian Paints, UltraTech Cement, Power Grid, ICICI Bank, Reliance Industries, Hindustan Unilever, Bharat Electronics and Sun Pharma were among the major gainers. In contrast, Trent, Eternal, Axis Bank and Titan were among the laggards.

RBI seeks details of select NBFCs' loan book growth

RBI seeks details of select NBFCs' loan book growth

Rediff.com25 Sep 2024

The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has sought granular data from select non-banking financial companies (NBFCs) on their loan book growth. The details sought are on the outstanding product-wise portfolio and the annualised interest charged on them. The annualised interest slabs mentioned are as follows: less than 10 per cent, 10-20 per cent, 20-30 per cent, 30-40 per cent, 40-50 per cent, and above 50 per cent.

Most Anticipated IPOs of 2025 Everyone is Waiting For!

Most Anticipated IPOs of 2025 Everyone is Waiting For!

Rediff.com22 Jul 2025

The IPO wave of 2025 is here, and it's bigger than ever. From fintech unicorns to financial powerhouses and infrastructure giants, some of India's biggest names are all set to make their stock market debut. PhonePe, Zepto, Tata Capital, NSE, NSDL, and JSW Cement are just a few of the highly awaited listings that have investors and analysts buzzing with excitement.

Bank stocks drive Sensex up 256 points

Bank stocks drive Sensex up 256 points

Rediff.com9 Jun 2025

Among Sensex stocks, Kotak Mahindra Bank, Bajaj Finance, Axis Bank, Power Grid, IndusInd Bank, Maruti, Bajaj Finserv and NTPC were the biggest gainers. However, Eternal, ICICI Bank, Titan, Mahindra & Mahindra, Adani Ports, Tata Steel and Bharti Airtel were among the laggards.

RBI pegs FY25 inflation at 4.8%; flags food price pressures

RBI pegs FY25 inflation at 4.8%; flags food price pressures

Rediff.com6 Dec 2024

The Reserve Bank on Friday raised the inflation projection for current fiscal year to 4.8 per cent from 4.5 per cent with Governor Shaktikanta Das saying lingering food price pressures are likely to keep headline inflation elevated in the December quarter. Consumer price index (CPI)-based inflation increased sharply in September and October 2024 led by an unanticipated increase in food prices.

India's June exports shrink but shipments to US zoom

India's June exports shrink but shipments to US zoom

Rediff.com16 Jul 2025

Merchandise exports to the US jumped 23.5 per cent year-on-year (Y-o-Y) to $8.3 billion in June, even as India's overall outbound shipments witnessed contraction during the month, according to the data released by the commerce department on Tuesday. The increase in outbound shipments to the US was largely driven by the rush among exporters to utilise America's pause on its plans to impose country-specific reciprocal tariffs.

Draft framework: RBI for more options to authenticate digital payments

Draft framework: RBI for more options to authenticate digital payments

Rediff.com1 Aug 2024

The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) on Wednesday issued a draft framework for alternative authentication mechanism for digital payments, wherein it has mandated that all digital payment transactions would have to be authenticated with an additional factor of authentication (AFA), except small value contactless card payments for up to Rs 5,000 at point of sale terminals, e-mandates for recurring transactions, and small value digital payments through offline mode, among others. Additionally, it has said that all digital payment transactions, other than card present transactions, have to ensure that one of the factors of authentication is dynamically created, i.e., the factor is generated after initiation of payment; is specific to the transaction; and cannot be reused.

RBI unlikely to cut interest rate in 2024: SBI chief Setty

RBI unlikely to cut interest rate in 2024: SBI chief Setty

Rediff.com18 Sep 2024

The Reserve Bank is unlikely to ease the benchmark policy rate during 2024 given the uncertainty over food inflation, State Bank of India (SBI) chairman C S Setty has said. The US Federal Reserve's first cut in interest rates in more than four years is expected soon, triggering central banks in other economies to follow suit. "On the rate front, a lot of central banks are taking independent calls.

Forex kitty jumps $6.6 bn to $665.4 bn

Forex kitty jumps $6.6 bn to $665.4 bn

Rediff.com4 Apr 2025

India's forex kitty jumped $6.596 billion to $665.396 billion during the week ended March 28, the RBI said on Friday. In the previous reporting week, the overall reserves rose by $4.53 billion to $658.8 billion, the RBI said on Friday.

Debt MFs Vs FDs

Debt MFs Vs FDs

Rediff.com24 Jul 2025

Despite similar tax treatment, debt MFs enjoy certain advantages over FDs.

Flipkart gets lending licence from Reserve Bank

Flipkart gets lending licence from Reserve Bank

Rediff.com5 Jun 2025

Flipkart has received a lending licence from the Reserve Bank of India (RBI), the Walmart-backed ecommerce company confirmed on Thursday. The nod came in March this year, according to sources.