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Repo Rate and Reverse Repo Rate: Key Differences

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The repo rate and reverse repo rate are key interest rates that are vital to India's economy. They are the main tools the RBI uses to manage the money supply.

These rates help keep prices stable and the economy healthy. Changes in these rates can directly affect the interest you pay on your loans.

This is why it is important to be aware of these two rates of interest, as it helps the common man opt for a more affordable interest rate when they want to take a loan. Here is everything you need to know about these two rates of interest.

What is Repo Rate?

The repo rate is the interest rate at which the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) lends money to commercial banks. Think of it as the rate banks pay for short-term loans from the RBI.

The name 'repo' is short for "Repurchase Agreement". Banks get these loans by selling government bonds to the RBI with a promise to buy them back later at a set price.

As of the latest update on April 9, 2025, the current Repo Rate in India is 5.5%.

How Does Repo Rate Work?

The repo rate is the RBI's main tool for controlling the flow of money in the economy. It helps manage inflation and support growth.

During times of high inflation, the RBI raises the repo rate. This makes borrowing more expensive for banks, which in turn lends less money to the public.

This reduces the money supply and helps control rising prices. Conversely, during a slowdown, the RBI cuts the repo rate to encourage borrowing and boost the economy.

What is Reverse Repo Rate?

The reverse repo rate applies when the case gets reversed. So, when the RBI needs to borrow funds from commercial banks, it is charged the reverse rate. The system in this case also works the same way, but in reverse. Here, the RBI pays the reverse repo rate to the commercial banks on the funds borrowed by selling them securities. After purchasing securities from commercial banks, the RBI sells them back at a later date and at a specified price.

The current Reverse Repo Rate in India, fixed by RBI, is 3.35% and remains unchanged

How Reverse Repo Rate Operates?

The reverse repo rate helps the RBI soak up extra cash from the banking system. When there's a risk of high inflation, the RBI might increase this rate.

This encourages banks to deposit more money with the RBI to earn safe, interest-based returns. As a result, banks have less money available to lend out to the public, which helps reduce spending in the economy.

Differences Between Repo Rate vs Reverse Repo Rate

To help you understand the differences between the two interest rates, here is a detailed repo rate vs reverse repo rate list

Aspect

Repo Rate

Reverse Repo Rate

Borrower and Lender Specifics

In the case of the repo rate, the lender is the RBI, while the borrower is the commercial bank.

Here, the opposite holds true: the lender is the commercial bank and the borrower is the RBI.

Importance

Helps RBI manage short-term deficiency of funds.

Decreases and controls the overall flow of money in the economy.

Rate of Interest

Higher than reverse repo rate

Less than the repo rate

Applicable Interest

The interest charge is defined in the repurchase agreement between the RBI and the commercial bank.

The interest charge is defined in the reverse repurchase agreement between the RBI and the commercial bank.

Mechanism

Commercial banks get money from the RBI when the latter purchases government bonds from the former.

The RBI acquires funds from commercial banks through the deposit of their excess funds, and the bank charges interest on this deposit.

In case of a high interest rate

With high interest rates, the cost of funds goes up, making loans more expensive.

With high interest rates, the supply of money in the economy reduces since the excess funds of commercial banks are deposited with the RBI.

In case of a lower interest rate

The cost of the funds reduces for commercial banks, leading to lower interest rates on loans.

More money is supplied in the economy with lower interest rates as banks lend more and park less with RBI.



Reserve Bank of India Repo Rate

These are the latest Repo Rate and Reverse Repo Rates applicable in India:

Repo Rate Today

6%[1]

Reverse Repo Rate

3.35%[2]

Bank Rate

6.50%[3]

Marginal Standing Facility Rate

6.25%[4]

Historical Repo Rates from 2025 to 2010

The RBI revises Repo Rates and Reverse Repo Rates in India from time to time. The following table offers a quick summary of the historical Repo Rates in India over the last 15 years:

Date Effective From

Repo Rate

April 9th, 2025

6.00%

February 7th, 2025

6.25%

December 6th, 2024

6.50%

October 9th, 2024

6.50%

August 8th, 2024

6.50%

June 7th, 2024

6.50%

February 8th, 2024

6.50%

December 8th, 2023

6.50%

October 6th, 2023

6.50%

August 10th, 2023

6.50%

June 8th, 2023

6.50%

April 6th, 2023

6.50%

February 8th, 2023

6.50%

December 7th, 2022

6.25%

September 30th, 2022

5.90%

August 5th, 2022

5.40%

June 8th, 2022

4.90%

May 4th, 2022

4.40%

April 8th, 2022

4.00%

February 10th, 2022

4.00%

December 8th, 2021

4.00%

October 8th, 2021

4.00%

August 6th, 2021

4.00%

June 4th, 2021

4.00%

February 5th, 2021

4.00%

December 4th, 2020

4.00%

October 9th, 2020

4.00%

August 6th, 2020

4.00%

May 22nd, 2020

4.00%

March 27th, 2020

4.40%

February 6th, 2020

5.15%

December 5th, 2019

5.15%

October 4th, 2019

5.15%

August 7th, 2019

5.40%

June 6th, 2019

5.75%

April 4th, 2019

6.00%

February 7th, 2019

6.25%

December 5th, 2018

6.50%

October 5th, 2018

6.50%

August 1st, 2018

6.50%

June 6th, 2018

6.25%

April 5th, 2018

6.00%

February 7th, 2018

6.00%

December 6th, 2017

6.00%

October 4th, 2017

6.00%

August 2nd, 2017

6.00%

June 7th, 2017

6.25%

April 6th, 2017

6.25%

February 8th, 2017

6.25%

December 7th, 2016

6.25%

October 4th, 2016

6.25%

August 9th, 2016

6.50%

June 7th, 2016

6.50%

April 5th, 2016

6.50%

February 2nd, 2016

6.75%

December 1st, 2015

6.75%

September 29th, 2015

6.75%

August 4th, 2015

7.25%

June 2nd, 2015

7.25%

April 7th, 2015

7.50%

February 3rd, 2015

7.75%

December 2nd, 2014

8.00%

September 30th, 2014

8.00%

August 5th, 2014

8.00%

June 3rd, 2014

8.00%

April 1st, 2014

8.00%

December 18th, 2013

7.75%

October 29th, 2013

7.75%

September 20th, 2013

7.50%

June 17th, 2013

7.25%

May 3rd, 2013

7.25%

March 19th, 2013

7.50%

December 18th, 2012

8.00%

October 30th, 2012

8.00%

July 31st, 2012

8.00%

June 18th, 2012

8.00%

April 17th, 2012

8.00%

March 17th, 2011

6.75%

January 25th, 2011

6.50%

November 2nd, 2010

6.25%

Calculation of Repo Rate by the Reserve Bank of India

When commercial banks are short on funds, they borrow from the RBI for a short period, usually overnight. They use government bonds as collateral for this loan.

The RBI lends them money by buying these bonds with an agreement to sell them back. For example, if the repo rate is 6% and a bank borrows ₹100 Crore, the interest it has to pay to the RBI will be ₹6 Crore for the year.

What is Affected by a Change in Repo Rate?

Repo rate changes affect everyone. It directly affects home, personal, and car loan interest rates. You may also receive different interest rates on your fixed deposits and savings accounts.

Conclusion

Both the repo rate and the reverse repo rate are powerful instruments that the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) can use. Both the repo rate and the reverse repo rate are useful tools for managing short-term fund shortages for banks. It is also helpful to control excess money in the system, which is another application of the reverse repo rate.

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