Mumbai, Oct 1 (PTI) Following are the highlights of the bi-monthly monetary policy announced by Reserve Bank Governor Sanjay Malhotra on Wednesday: * Key interest rate (repo) unchanged at 5.5 pc; * GDP growth projection for FY26 raised to 6.8 pc from 6.5 pc; * Inflation estimate lowered to 2.6 pc in FY26 from 3.1 pc; * GST reforms to have a sobering impact on inflation, growth; * US tariffs to impact exports; * Robust services exports, strong remittance to keep CAD sustainable; * Forex reserves stood at USD 700.2 bn, sufficient for 11 months of imports; * RBI keeping close watch on rupee, to take appropriate steps, as warranted; * Bank credit growth, though lower than last year, continues to support economic activity; * Revised Basel III capital adequacy norms effective for banks from April 1, 2027; * RBI to provide enabling framework for banks to finance acquisitions; * RBI proposes to enhance limits for lending against shares from Rs 20 lakh to Rs 1 crore; * Lending for IPO financing to be raised from Rs 10 lakh to Rs 25 lakh per person; * Proposes further simplifying foreign exchange management norms; * Banks to lend in rupees to non-residents from Bhutan, Nepal and Sri Lanka for cross border trade; * Next meeting of the MPC scheduled during December 3 to 5. PTI NKD CS DRR