RBI MPC Meeting Oct 2026: Dates, outcome announcement time, when & where to watch LIVE speech of Guv Sanjay Malhotra

The RBI's six-member Monetary Policy Committee will meet from October 5 to 7, 2026, with the policy decision due at 10:00 a.m. on October 7, followed by Governor Sanjay Malhotra's press conference at noon. Nine of ten economists surveyed expect a 25 basis point repo rate hike to 5.50 percent, the first increase since February 2023, amid rising inflation risks from surging crude prices (up 28 percent since August) and El Niño-driven rural stress. The panel is expected to retain its neutral stance, with all respondents anticipating no change in policy bias.