(Photo : rbi.org.in)

• The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) projects a 4.5% inflation rate for the second half of the fiscal year, influenced by crude oil prices.
• Food prices, accounting for half of retail inflation, rose 5.66% in August, challenging the RBI's target of 4% inflation.
• The RBI, maintaining its key interest rate, is expected to cautiously ease monetary policy, with banks and NBFCs adapting their financial strategies.
• The RBI's inflation projection and financial strategies indicate a shift in India's economic landscape, with outcomes significantly impacting India's economic future.

India's economic landscape is set to experience a shift as the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) projects an average headline inflation of 4.5% for the second half of the fiscal year. This projection, as stated in the RBI's monthly bulletin, is primarily influenced by the weakening of crude oil prices. However, the volatility of food prices poses a potential challenge to this forecast. The RBI's inflation projection is a critical indicator of the country's economic health. It is a measure of the rate at which the general level of prices for goods and services is rising, and subsequently, purchasing power is falling.

The central bank's projection of a 4.5% inflation rate is a reflection of the current economic conditions, influenced significantly by the global crude oil market. In recent months, India's retail inflation has seen a slight increase, moving from 3.60% in July to 3.65% in August. This rise has been largely attributed to soaring vegetable prices. The RBI noted that some vegetable price shocks have begun to reverse, and if this trend continues and broadens, the persistence that characterised food inflation developments in the first quarter of 2024-25 may be behind us.

Food Prices and Inflation Targets

Food prices, which account for nearly half of the retail inflation, rose 5.66% in August, compared with a 5.42% climb in the previous month. The RBI targets inflation at 4% with a tolerance band of two percentage points on either side. This target is set to maintain price stability and ensure sustainable economic growth. However, the RBI warned that an unfavourable base effect may haunt September's inflation print. This refers to the impact that the choice of a basis of comparison or reference can have on the result of the comparison. Despite this, household consumption is expected to grow faster in the July-September period as headline inflation eases.

The RBI, which has kept its key interest rate unchanged for the ninth straight meeting in August, is expected to proceed cautiously with monetary policy easing. The next monetary policy meeting is scheduled for October 7-9, where further decisions regarding the country's economic policy will be made. In the banking sector, the gap between banks' credit and deposit growth is beginning to narrow. Banks continue to rely heavily on certificates of deposit to meet funding needs. This trend indicates a shift in the banking sector's strategies to meet their financial requirements.

NBFCs and the Evolving Financial Landscape

Non-banking financial companies (NBFCs) are also experiencing changes in their financial strategies. They are increasingly turning to offshore bonds to meet their funding needs. This shift is indicative of the evolving financial landscape and the need for NBFCs to adapt to these changes. However, the RBI has noted that microfinance institutions are facing some asset quality issues, which warrant slowing down the pace of loan growth. This is a significant concern as it could potentially impact the financial stability of these institutions.

The RBI has also highlighted the need for NBFCs to remain mindful of the rapidly evolving financial landscape and risks pertaining to cyber-security and climate risks. It is incumbent upon NBFCs to proactively identify and manage risks as well as bolster their assurance functions to ensure financial stability.