Adhil Shetty, CEO, BankBazaar
RBI’s decision to hold rates signals a preference to watch inflation, liquidity, and transmission before moving further. Most of the easing done so far has already flowed into retail lending, which is why home loan rates remain relatively competitive despite the pause. Affordability continues to be supported by stable spreads, lender competition, and selective concessions. Borrowers can still optimise costs by keeping EMIs higher to shorten loan tenures and reduce interest outgo, while balance transfers remain relevant for incremental savings. On the savings side, a steady repo rate means fixed deposit rates are likely to stabilise, with fewer sharp hikes ahead. Higher FD rates are becoming more selective, and most mainstream offers are settling into a narrower band. Investors looking to lock in current yields may consider spreading deposits across tenures, while senior citizen rates continue to offer a small but meaningful edge.
Ashish Narain Agarwal, Founder & MD of PropertyPistol
Loan norms continue to be supportive, with LTV ratios of up to 90% for loans below ₹30 lakh and 75% for loans bove ₹75 lakh, aiding first-time and mid-income buyers. RBI’s pause at 5.25% keeps EMIs stable for homebuyers, especially on repo-linked loans. Beyond domestic buyers, NRI participation in Indian real estate remains strong, supported by stable rates, a predictable regulatory environment, and seamless transactions through NRE, NRO, and FCNR accounts. Investor sentiment is constructive, with NRIs increasingly attracted to India’s residential and commercial assets for currency arbitrage, rental yields, and long-term appreciation. The move to banks to lend to Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs), aimed at broadening credit access for the real estate investment ecosystem and supporting long-term funding for income-generating commercial assets.
Vishal Raheja, Founder & MD, InvestoXpert Advisors
RBI’s decision to maintain the repo rate at 5.25% reinforces macro stability, crucial for long‑term real estate investors. After cumulative 125 bps easing in 2025, borrowing costs have normalized, keeping asset pricing rational and returns predictable. While the rate pause doesn’t spark fresh affordability, the sector benefits from strong policy support and sustained end‑user demand. A major structural shift is the government’s infrastructure‑led growth strategy: ₹12.2 lakh crore FY26 capex, ₹5,000 crore for Tier‑2/3 cities and the Risk Guarantee Fund lower execution and credit risks, accelerating capital into emerging cities. Bank lending to REITs improves long‑tenure capital access, and the ₹10,000 crore SME Growth Fund signals a policy‑backed, data‑driven shift in real estate returns.
Sunil Sisodiya, Founder & CEO, Neworld Developers
RBI’s decision to hold the repo rate at 5.25% provides much‑needed operational stability after cumulative 125 bps rate cuts in 2025, including the 25 bps reduction in December. With home loan rates now largely plateaued, financing costs are predictable, enabling developers to plan launches, land acquisitions, and construction with greater confidence. While EMIs remain unchanged, housing demand stays resilient, reflecting underlying strength rather than rate‑led speculation. The larger growth trigger is infrastructure spending. The government’s ₹12.2 lakh crore capital expenditure, an 11.4% YoY increase, will create a strong multiplier across housing, construction, logistics, and jobs. Investments in roads, railways, ports, urban infrastructure, industrial corridors, Tier‑2/3 cities, long‑term ₹143 lakh crore outlays and improved financing access, including bank lending to REITs, position the sector for execution‑led, sustainable growth and job creation.
Pramod Kathuria, Founder & CEO, Easiloan
The RBI has decided will not change it's repo rate of 5.25% and also has adopted a neutral policy; in this context policy continuity from the RBI will support the strengthening of the domestically generated growth momentum. The upgradation of GDP forecasts also indicates confidence in consumption as well as demand from investments in public infrastructure; therefore, we expect that businesses will take these factors into their consideration in developing investment plans across all business sectors.The Hon. Minister of Finance indicated that the recent adjustment of inflation expectations are a great opportunity for all businesses to be disciplined with respect to costs and pricing. The combination of stable interest rates with improved growth visibility will provide an excellent environment for companies to begin building their long-term capacity, while at the same time remain flexible and responsive to global economic uncertainties.
Kunal Varma, founder and CEO, Freo.
As digital payments continue to grow across India, strengthening safety and customer protection becomes increasingly important. The RBI’s proposal to introduce calibrated safeguards is aimed at reducing fraud and building greater trust in digital payments, especially for users who may be more vulnerable, while keeping the system easy and accessible
By keeping rates unchanged and maintaining a neutral stance, the RBI has signalled continuity in policy while acknowledging easing inflation. The focus on liquidity management reflects a balanced approach, allowing room to support growth while remaining mindful of global uncertainties.
Mr. Dhiraj Relli, MD & CEO, HDFC Securities-
The MPC's February 2026 policy reflects a strategic shift from rate easing to structural growth. By maintaining the Repo Rate at 5.25%, the central bank signaled confidence in a robust 7.4% GDP growth forecast and stable inflation (2.1%).
Key interventions include doubling collateral-free MSE loans to ₹20 lakh and allowing bank lending to REITs to deepen capital markets. Furthermore, the launch of "Mission SAKSHAM" for 1.40 lakh co-operative bank participants and new digital fraud compensation frameworks emphasize a secure, inclusive financial ecosystem. This "neutral" stance balances macroeconomic stability with aggressive regulatory support for productive sectors.
