A Report on Monetary Policy[1]
A Report on Monetary Policy[1]
VISION STATEMENT
To be a contemporary Business School of National repute
MISSION STATEMENT
M1: To provide a quality environment for developing functional, analytical, and critical thinking abilities to enhance
employability
M2: To create an environment that enhances cognitive skills and teamwork for the holistic development
M3: To inculcate ethics, values, and social sensitivity toward sustainable business practices
M4: To ignite, create, and nurture entrepreneurship for the benefit of business and society
Contents
1. Introduction to Monetary Policy
a. Definition and purpose
b. Role in shaping the economic landscape
The Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) in India is responsible for setting the country's
benchmark interest rate. The committee convenes at least quarterly, and it releases its
decisions publicly after each meeting. The MPC consists of six members: three from the
Reserve Bank of India and three external members appointed by the government. The
governor of the Reserve Bank of India leads the committee and has the deciding vote in the
event of a tie.
Before and after each meeting, members must observe a "silent period" lasting seven days to
maintain confidentiality. The committee aims to keep annual inflation around 4% until March
31, 2026, with a tolerance range of 2% to 6%.
The MPC was established through amendments to the Reserve Bank of India Act in 2016,
enhancing transparency and accountability in India's monetary policy formulation. After each
meeting, the committee releases its monetary policy decisions, along with each member's
opinions. If inflation stays outside the prescribed range for three consecutive quarters, the
committee must report to the government of India.
Inflation: Contractionary monetary policy is used to temper inflation and reduce the level of
money circulating in the economy. Expansionary monetary policy fosters inflationary
pressure and increases the amount of money in circulation. The government of India sets an
inflation target for every five years. RBI has an important role in the consultation process
regarding inflation targeting. The current inflation targeting framework in India is flexible.
Exchange Rates: The exchange rates between domestic and foreign currencies can be
affected by monetary policy. With an increase in the money supply, the domestic currency
becomes cheaper than its foreign exchange.
Boost Economic Growth: By increasing the money supply, the cost of borrowing
becomes cheaper, encouraging individuals and businesses to spend and invest more.
This increased spending leads to higher demand for goods and services, ultimately
driving economic growth.
Reduce Unemployment: As businesses invest and expand due to cheaper borrowing,
they create more job opportunities, leading to a decrease in unemployment.
Combat Deflation: When economic activity slows down significantly, it can lead to
deflation, where prices fall over time. Expansionary policy helps prevent deflation by
increasing the money supply, which can stabilize or slightly increase prices.
Decreasing Interest Rates: Central banks like the Federal Reserve can lower their
benchmark interest rate, which influences all other interest rates in the economy.
This makes borrowing cheaper for consumers (mortgages, car loans) and businesses
(loans for expansion).
Lowering Reserve Requirements: Banks are required to hold a certain percentage of
their deposits as reserves. By lowering this requirement, the central bank allows
banks to lend out more money, further increasing the money supply.
Open Market Operations: Central banks can directly purchase government bonds
from investors. This injects money into the financial system as the sellers receive
cash for the bonds. This increases the money supply and lowers interest rates further.
Control Inflation: When the economy experiences excessive growth, prices can rise
rapidly, eroding the purchasing power of money. Contractionary policy aims to curb
inflation by reducing the money supply, making it less readily available for spending
and investment.
Prevent Asset Bubbles: When excessive money supply fuels rapid price increases in
assets like stocks or real estate, it can create unsustainable bubbles. Contractionary
policy helps prevent such bubbles by tightening the money supply.
Maintain Price Stability: Central banks often target a specific inflation rate to
maintain long-term economic stability. Contractionary policy helps achieve this
target by moderating inflation when it rises above the desired level.
Raising Interest Rates: Central banks can increase their benchmark interest rate,
which influences all other interest rates in the economy. This makes borrowing more
expensive for consumers (mortgages, car loans) and businesses (loans for
expansion), leading to decreased spending and investment.
Increasing Reserve Requirements: Banks are required to hold a certain percentage of
their deposits as reserves. By increasing this requirement, the central bank limits the
amount of money banks can lend out, effectively reducing the money supply.
Selling Government Bonds: Central banks can sell government bonds to investors.
This absorbs money from the financial system as investors pay for the bonds. This
reduces the money supply and pushes interest rates higher.
Effects of Contractionary Monetary Policy:
Central banks usually employ a combination of tools: They rarely rely solely on
one tool like interest rates but often combine them to achieve the desired effect.
Monetary policy has a delayed effect: Changes in monetary policy take time to
fully impact the economy, requiring careful monitoring and adjustments as
needed.
Balancing Act: Central banks must strike a delicate balance between stimulating
growth and controlling inflation. Overly aggressive expansionary policy can lead
to excessive inflation, while overly restrictive contractionary policy can trigger a
recession.
Therefore, the type of monetary policy used depends on the specific economic
challenges a country face. Central banks constantly analyse economic data and adjust
their policies to maintain a stable and healthy economic environment.
In 2015, a pivotal agreement was established between the Government of India and the
Reserve Bank of India (RBI). The MPFA serves as a cornerstone document, outlining the
objectives and institutional framework for conducting monetary policy in India. This
framework provides a clear roadmap for the RBI, ensuring effective and transparent
management of the nation's economic well-being.
Price Stability (Low Inflation): Maintaining stable prices is paramount for a healthy
economy. High inflation, where prices rise rapidly, erodes purchasing power and
disrupts economic planning. The MPFA emphasizes keeping inflation under control,
analogous to a car traveling at a steady, predictable speed.
Economic Growth: A growing economy fosters job creation and improves living
standards. The framework acknowledges the importance of fostering economic
expansion, akin to pressing the accelerator to move forward.
The RBI's challenge lies in achieving a delicate balance between these two objectives. The
MPFA ensures accountability, holding the RBI responsible for maintaining this crucial
equilibrium.
Similar to how a car's gears influence its movement, the RBI utilizes key policy rates to
regulate the Indian economy. The most crucial of these is the repo rate, the rate at which
banks borrow money from the RBI. By strategically adjusting these rates, the RBI can
influence the amount of money circulating in the system:
The MPFA mandates transparency and accountability from the RBI. Biannual reports are
published, detailing the RBI's assessment of the economic landscape and their planned course
of action for monetary policy. This transparency, akin to checking the rear view mirror while
driving, allows the public to understand the rationale behind the RBI's decisions.
Furthermore, the agreement establishes an inflation target, a specific range within which the
RBI aims to maintain inflation. This target functions as a set speed limit, providing a clear
benchmark for the RBI's actions.
The Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) is a key decision-making body within a central bank
responsible for formulating and implementing monetary policy. Here's an overview of its
formation, structure, roles, responsibilities of members, and the decision-making process:
It usually consists of a group of experts in economics, finance, and related fields, both from
within the central bank and external members appointed by the government or central bank.
The number of members can vary but is often between 5 to 9, including the central bank
governor who often chairs the committee.
The primary responsibility of MPC members is to set the monetary policy stance of the
central bank.
Members analyze economic data, financial market developments, and other relevant
information to assess the current state of the economy.
MPC members communicate their views on the economy and monetary policy through public
statements, speeches, and meeting minutes.
Decision-making Process:
MPC meetings are typically held at regular intervals, such as monthly or quarterly, although
extraordinary meetings may be called in response to significant economic events.
Discussions among MPC members involve assessing the balance of risks to the economy and
the appropriateness of the current monetary policy stance.
The decision-making process usually involves voting on whether to change the central bank's
policy interest rate (e.g., the federal funds rate in the case of the Federal Reserve).
The decision may be made by a simple majority vote, with the central bank governor often
holding a decisive vote in the event of a tie.
After the meeting, the MPC communicates its decision, along with the rationale behind it,
through a public statement or press conference.
Overall, the MPC plays a crucial role in determining the direction of monetary policy, which
in turn influences interest rates, inflation, and economic activity in the country.
CRR is a portion of the bank's deposits that banks have to keep with the RBI. If the RBI
wants to reduce the amount of money in the banking system, it increases the CRR. This
means banks can lend less, which reduces spending and inflation. If the RBI wants to boost
the economy, it decreases the CRR, allowing banks to lend more.
SLR is the percentage of deposits banks must invest in safe, liquid assets like government
securities. It ensures that banks have enough assets to cover withdrawals. Changes in SLR
affect how much money banks can lend.
Open Market Operations (OMOs):
OMOs are when the RBI buys or sells government securities in the open market. When the
RBI buys securities, it injects money into the economy, increasing liquidity. Selling securities
does the opposite.
The Bank Rate is the rate at which the RBI lends to commercial banks. It influences other
interest rates in the economy. If the RBI raises the Bank Rate, borrowing becomes more
expensive, which can help reduce inflation
In conclusion, the Reserve Bank of India's monetary policy tools, including the CRR, SLR,
OMOs, and Bank Rate, are instrumental in regulating the economy. These tools help manage
liquidity, control inflation, and ensure financial stability. Understanding and effectively using
these tools are crucial for the RBI to achieve its economic objectives and maintain a healthy
economy.