Key highlights of RBI's first bi-monthly monetary policy review

New Delhi, April 5 The following are the highlights of the Reserve Bank of India's first bi-monthly policy review:

** Repo rate was reduced by 25 basis points from 6.75 percent to 6.5 percent.

** The cash reserve ratio (CRR), which is the quantum of liquid funds against deposits which commercial banks have to hold, has been left unchanged at 4 percent.

** The minimum daily maintenance of CRR has been cut to 90 percent from 95 percent.

** Reverse repo rate has been increased to 6 percent from 5.75 percent.

** GDP growth is projected to improve gradually to 7.6 percent in 2016-17.

** Retail inflation is projected to moderate in 2016-17 to around 5 percent.

** The marginal standing facility (MSF) rate stands at 7 percent.

** The bank rate which is aligned to the MSF rate stands at 7 percent.

** The policy rate corridor narrowed from 100 basis points (bps) to 50 bps.

** The statutory liquidity ratio, or the value of specified securities which commercial banks have to subscribe to, is at 21.25 percent, effective from April 2.

** Seventh Pay Commission award to put upward pressure on inflation

** Second bi-monthly monetary policy on June 7