Monetary Instruments

CRR ( Cash Reserve Ratio ) Banks in India are required to hold a certain proportion of their deposits in the form of cash. However Banks don't hold these as cash with themselves, they deposit such cash with Reserve Bank of India , which is considered as equivalent to holding cash with themselves. This minimum ratio (that is the part of the total deposits to be held as cash) is stipulated by the RBI and is known as the CRR or Cash Reserve Ratio.Current CRR is 4%.

SLR ( Statutory Liquidity Ratio ) Every bank is required to maintain at the close of business every day, a minimum proportion of their Net Demand and Time Liabilities as liquid assets in the form of cash, gold and un-encumbered approved securities. The ratio of liquid assets to demand and time liabilities is known as Statutory Liquidity Ratio (SLR). RBI is empowered to increase this ratio up to 40%. An increase in SLR also restricts the bank's leverage position to pump more money into the economy.Current SLR is 19.5%.

Bank Rate - This is the long term rate(Repo rate is for short term) at which central bank (RBI) lends money to other banks or financial institutions. Bank rate is not used by RBI for monetary management now. It is now same as the MSF rate. Current bank rate is 6.25%.

Reverse Repo rate is the short term borrowing rate at which RBI borrows money from banks. The Reserve bank uses this tool when it feels there is too much money floating in the banking system. An increase in the reverse repo rate means that the banks will get a higher rate of interest from RBI. As a result, banks prefer to lend their money to RBI which is always safe instead of lending it others (people, companies etc) which is always risky. Current rate is 5.75%.

MSF - Marginal Standing facility - It is a special window for banks to borrow from RBI against approved government securities in an emergency situation like an acute cash shortage. MSF rate is higher then Repo rate. Current MSF Rate: 6.25%