RBI Bulletin: CPI at lowest since June 2017; steel dumping study
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Asked by UPSCPrelims 2020Mains 2024 (GS3)2 PYQs
UPSC has already asked about this. Read the story with these questions in mind.
- Prelims 2020Consider the following statements: The weightage of food in Consumer Price Index (CPI) is higher than that in Wholesale Price Index (WPI). …Solve with answer →
- Mains 2024 · GS3What are the causes of persistent high food inflation in India? Comment on the effectiveness of the monetary policy of the RBI to control…See model answer →
What happened
- RBI’s October 2025 Bulletin said headline CPI inflation moderated sharply in September, its lowest reading since June 2017 [RBI].
- An RBI study found private corporate net profits rose to ₹7.1 trillion in 2024-25 from ₹2.5 trillion in 2020-21; net profit margin improved to 10.3% from 7.2% [RBI].
Background
- Another paper found cheap steel imports and dumping in 2023-24 and 2024-25 hurt domestic production; average import price elasticity was 0.73-1.01 [RBI].
Why it matters
- Strong balance sheets plus low inflation is the case for private investment picking up; steel dumping is the case for trade remedies.
How to use this in Mains
- As per RBI (2025-10-20): RBI's October 2025 Bulletin said headline CPI inflation moderated sharply in September, its lowest reading since June 2017.
- Strong balance sheets plus low inflation is the case for private investment picking up; steel dumping is the case for trade remedies.
Quotable data pointAn RBI study found private corporate net profits rose to ₹7.1 trillion in 2024-25 from ₹2.5 trillion in 2020-21; net profit margin improved to 10.3% from 7.2%.
RBI: RBI Bulletin October 2025, 20 Oct 2025
Exam angle
UPSC
Prelims: RBI Bulletin, safeguard duty. · Mains: private investment, anti-dumping.
Practice MCQs
Original practice questions (not PYQs).
Practice · UPSC
As per RBI's Oct 2025 Bulletin, Sept 2025 CPI inflation was lowest since
Answer (a) & explanation
RBI release.
Go deeper
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Official source: RBI: RBI Bulletin October 2025, 20 Oct 2025
facts from cited sources only; faculty review pending