If you are managing personal finances or planning to take a loan, you may have come across the term “repo rate.” But what is repo rate exactly? The repo rate, or repurchase rate, is the interest rate at which the Reserve Bank of India lends money to commercial banks for short-term needs. When banks face liquidity shortages, they borrow funds from the RBI by pledging government securities. The repo rate acts as the cost of borrowing for these banks. In turn, it influences the interest rates you pay on loans and earn on deposits. A higher repo rate usually means higher borrowing costs, while a lower rate makes loans more affordable. For you as a borrower or saver, understanding the repo rate helps you interpret changes in loan EMIs, savings account returns, and the broader financial environment. It is one of the RBI’s key tools for managing inflation and liquidity in the economy.
How does Repo Rate Work?
You might be wondering—how does repo rate work in the real economy? The concept is simple but powerful. When commercial banks experience a cash crunch, they borrow money from the Reserve Bank of India by offering government securities as collateral. The RBI charges interest on this borrowing, known as the repo rate. When the repo rate increases, borrowing becomes more expensive for banks. In response, they raise the interest rates on loans to you—whether it is a home loan, personal loan, or business credit. On the flip side, if the RBI reduces the repo rate, banks can borrow at a cheaper rate. This usually leads to lower interest rates for borrowers like you. The change in repo rate also affects liquidity, investment levels, inflation, and overall economic activity. So, although you do not deal with the RBI directly, every change in the repo rate eventually trickles down to the cost of your financial obligations.
Current Repo Rate in India
As of June 2025, the current repo rate in India stands at 6.50 percent. This rate has remained unchanged for the past few monetary policy review meetings, indicating the RBI's balanced approach to inflation control and economic growth. The unchanged stance reflects stable inflation and cautious optimism about economic activity. While the repo rate has a direct impact on the borrowing costs for banks, it also shapes your home loan EMIs, personal loan interest rates, and credit availability. You may not notice the effect immediately, but even small repo rate adjustments can affect your monthly financial commitments over time. The next review by the Monetary Policy Committee will determine whether the rate remains steady or shifts based on macroeconomic data and inflation trends.
Reserve Bank of India Repo Rate
The Reserve Bank of India sets the repo rate as part of its monetary policy framework. The decision is made by the Monetary Policy Committee (MPC), which includes members from both the RBI and the government. The repo rate is reviewed every two months in policy meetings. For the RBI, adjusting the repo rate is a key lever for controlling inflation, managing liquidity, and supporting economic growth. When inflation rises beyond the acceptable limit, the RBI may hike the repo rate to reduce money supply. When economic activity slows down, it may lower the repo rate to encourage borrowing and spending. If you are tracking interest rates for your home loan or looking to understand changes in credit card EMIs, staying informed about the Reserve Bank of India repo rate can give you valuable insights into upcoming rate changes and market sentiment.
Historical Repo Rates from 2025 to 2010
If you are curious about how the repo rate has changed over time, it is helpful to look at its historical movement. Between 2010 and 2025, the repo rate has fluctuated in response to inflation, economic growth, and global financial trends. In 2010, the rate was around 5.00 percent but gradually increased during periods of high inflation. By 2014, it had reached 8.00 percent, reflecting tighter monetary conditions. The rate began to decline after 2015 to support economic growth, especially during the slowdown that followed demonetisation and GST rollout. In response to the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, the RBI slashed the repo rate sharply to 4.00 percent to boost liquidity and revive consumption. Since then, the rate has gradually been increased to the current level of 6.50 percent to manage inflation. For you, this historical trend highlights how central banking decisions directly influence financial products and borrowing costs.
Calculation of repo rate by the Reserve Bank of India
The Reserve Bank of India does not calculate the repo rate based on a fixed formula. Instead, it determines the rate based on economic indicators, inflation data, global interest trends, currency movements, and fiscal conditions. The Monetary Policy Committee, which includes RBI officials and government-nominated members, meets bi-monthly to evaluate these factors. They consider Consumer Price Index (CPI) inflation, wholesale prices, industrial output, credit growth, and foreign exchange reserves. After assessing these variables, the committee votes on whether to increase, decrease, or maintain the existing repo rate. While the final rate may seem like a single number, it reflects a combination of domestic needs and global realities. As someone who depends on loans or interest income, the RBI's repo rate decision influences how much you pay or earn. So, even though you are not part of the committee room, your finances are always connected to what the RBI decides.
Impact of Repo Rate on Loans and Economy
You may not deal with the RBI directly, but its repo rate decisions influence nearly every aspect of your borrowing, saving, and spending. When the repo rate changes, banks respond by adjusting lending and deposit rates. These changes affect loan EMIs, fixed deposit returns, business credit, and overall economic demand.
Home loan interest rates
An increase in repo rate often leads to a rise in home loan interest rates. If you have a floating-rate home loan, your EMIs can increase, affecting your monthly budget and long-term affordability.
Personal and auto loans
Personal and vehicle loan rates also follow repo rate trends. When the repo rate is lowered, banks may reduce lending rates, making it slightly easier for you to afford these types of credit.
Business credit availability
Higher repo rates may lead to tighter credit conditions for businesses. Small and medium enterprises may find it harder to borrow funds at lower interest rates, slowing down expansion plans.
Deposit interest rates
Banks may offer higher fixed deposit rates when the repo rate increases. This encourages savings, though the effect is often delayed and depends on bank-specific liquidity levels.
Inflation and economic activity
A higher repo rate reduces liquidity, helping to control inflation. However, it can also slow down consumption and investment, which may impact overall economic growth in the short term.
Conclusion
Understanding what is repo rate and how it functions is essential for managing your personal finances. The repo rate influences borrowing costs, loan EMIs, deposit interest rates, and inflation. When you stay aware of repo rate announcements and how they affect financial markets, you are better prepared to handle future rate changes. Whether you are planning a major loan, managing investments, or simply monitoring the economy, the repo rate provides valuable insight into the direction of monetary policy. You may not directly set these rates, but they certainly shape the financial choices available to you.