Mumbai, Apr 8 (PTI) Following are the highlights of the Reserve Bank's first bi-monthly monetary policy of fiscal 2026-27 announced by Governor Sanjay Malhotra on Wednesday: * Benchmark interest rate (repo) remains unchanged at 5.25 pc; * Monetary policy stance retained at neutral; * FY27 GDP growth pegged at 6.9 pc compared to 7.6 pc in FY26; * Inflation estimated at 4.6 pc in FY27; * West Asia crisis likely to impact domestic economy; * Elevated energy, other commodity prices a drag on domestic production in FY27; * RBI to remain proactive, to ensure sufficient liquidity in banking system; * As on Apr 3, India's forex reserves stood at USD 697.1 bn; adequate for 11-month of imports; * Next meeting of RBI's rate-setting panel scheduled for June 3 to 5. PTI NKD DRR

Monetary policy remains neutral as the repo rate stays unchanged, with growth and inflation projections set for FY27. The Reserve Bank's first bi-monthly monetary policy for fiscal 2026-27 kept the repo rate unchanged at 5.25 per cent and retained a neutral monetary policy stance. It projected GDP growth at 6.9 per cent for FY27 and inflation at 4.6 per cent, while noting that the West Asia crisis and elevated energy and commodity prices may weigh on domestic economic activity and production. The Reserve Bank said it would remain proactive in ensuring sufficient liquidity in the banking system.