Indian Monetary Policy India's monetary policy is a powerful tool used by the Reserve Bank of India to achieve its economic objectives. Learn more about its history and its role in shaping India's economy. by Naveen Kumar
Background on India's Monetary Policy Pre-Independence Before gaining independence in 1947, India was under British rule. The British Raj established a fixed exchange rate system and paper currency. Post-Independence After independence, the government of India established the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) in 1935 to improve the country's monetary system. Modern Era The 1991 economic liberalization policy ushered in a new era of market-oriented economic policy, including the gradual deregulation of interest rates.
Objectives and Goals of Monetary Policy 1 Price Stability The RBI aims to achieve an inflation target of 4% while keeping a 2% margin on either side. Achieving price stability is critical for economic growth. 2 Economic Growth The monetary policy aims to stimulate economic growth while maintaining financial stability. Growth is the primary objective of the country. 3 Regulating the Money Supply The RBI regulates the money supply to maintain economic equilibrium. It achieves it through various tools like CRR and SLR. 4 Exchange Rate Management The RBI manages the exchange rate of Indian currency and aims to maintain its long-term external value in the world market.
Key Players in Implementing the Policy Reserve Bank of India The RBI's role is to formulate the monetary policy and make sure that it is implemented effectively. Finance Ministry The Finance Ministry, through the Economic Affairs Department, collaborates with the RBI to formulate and implement monetary policy. Bankers Commercial bankers, who operate in the money market, play a vital role in the monetary policy's effectiveness. They implement the policy and transmit its impact on the economy.
Current State of the Indian Economy GDP Growth Rate India's GDP growth rate is expected to bounce back to 9.5% in 2021-22. Inflation Inflation was at 6.26% in June 2021, moderately high compared to the target set. Unemployment Rate Unemployment rate stands at 6.9% with an estimated 75 million people losing their jobs due to the pandemic.
Challenges and Limitations of the Policy 1 Limited Toolset The RBI's monetary policy tools like CRR and SLR are limited in their effectiveness due to financial innovations and the highly interconnected global economy. 2 Political Interference Political parties and governments interfere in the monetary policy decisions, which sometimes lead to suboptimal outcomes. 3 External Factors External economic and geopolitical changes, such as oil price fluctuations, black swan events, and global financial system stability, seriously impact the effectiveness of monetary policy.
Conclusion and Future Prospects Conclusion India's monetary policy is a critical component of its economy. It has faced many challenges over the years but remains an essential tool for steering the economy in the right direction. Future Prospects The coming years will be crucial for India's monetary policy, grappling with inflation and rising public debt. The RBI will continue to refine its policy and tools to meet the changing times and challenges.