RBI likely to maintain status quo

Rajan, criticised for following hawkish monetary policy for too long before starting to lower rates, has reduced the benchmark interest rate by 1.5 per cent since January last year. 

The customary post-policy press briefing by Rajan, whose current 3-year term as the Central bank Governor ends in September, will also be closely watched for any cues relating to whether he is being given an extension. "RBI is likely to maintain status quo this time. 

Although there is consistency in inflation numbers, the last numbers do not give much comfort," a senior banker said. "Only positive factor is good monsoon. RBI will wait for it to happen before taking any call on rate cuts," he said. Retail inflation soared to 5.39 per cent in April on higher food prices, reversing a downward trend seen in recent months. 

"With inflation remaining sticky at slightly above 5 per cent and growth fairly steady (although uneven), we expect policy rates to stay on hold until end-2016 (including at the upcoming policy meeting on June 7) with the focus shifting to liquidity provision," Nomura said in a report.