Inflation stays high, growth slows, central bankers face a bigger challenge

Benchmarks Nifty22,600.00-87.66FEATURED FUNDS★★★★★UTI Aggressive Hybrid Fund Regular Plan-Growth5Y Return8.69 % Invest NowFEATURED FUNDS★★★★★Motilal Oswal Midcap Fund Direct-Growth5Y Return18.25 % Invest NowEnter search text:

The Economic Times daily newspaper is available online now. Read Today's Paper Inflation stays high, growth slows, central bankers face a bigger challenge, says RBI Guv MalhotraET OnlineLast Updated: Oct 23, 2026, 06:57:00 PM ISTSynopsis

RBI Governor Sanjay Malhotra highlighted the challenges faced by central banks due to global uncertainties and supply chain issues. He noted the elevated global inflation and lower growth forecasts impacting monetary policy decisions worldwide. India entered this phase with strong macroeconomic fundamentals, maintaining growth at 7.8% despite rising inflation levels. The RBI's goal remains to achieve price stability while ensuring financial market order and health.

RBI Governor Sanjay Malhotra said global uncertainty, supply chain disruptions, the West Asia conflict and trade-related uncertainties have made the central bank's role more challenging, but its core responsibilities remain unchanged.

While speaking at the NDTV World Summit, Malhotra said, "Across the globe, because of the high uncertainty, supply chain disruptions, the West Asia conflict, geopolitics, trade-related uncertainties for many of the countries, and so the role of the central bank doesn't change. It only makes it the times, the conditions only make it more challenging."

"Globally, the inflation levels are elevated. It's not only crude; even commodity prices are higher. Growth, on the other hand, globally is lower. It's projected at 3.1% for this year as per IMF. The average has been about 3.7%, so growth is lower, inflation is higher globally, and so that makes the role of a central banker more challenging," the governor added.

Commenting on the role of a central banker, Malhotra highlighted price stability as the primary objective, alongside growth and financial stability, which are equally important mandates for some central banks.
Add as a Reliable and Trusted News Source Add Now!
(You can now subscribe to our Economic Times WhatsApp channel)
Read More News onRBI GovernorSanjay Malhotrainflation levelscentral bank rolegeopolitical tensionsndtv
(You can now subscribe to our Economic Times WhatsApp channel)
Read More News onRBI GovernorSanjay Malhotrainflation levelscentral bank rolegeopolitical tensionsndtv Prime ExclusivesInvestment IdeasStock Report PlusePaperWealth Edition

• KYB and KYC: Business behind the wealth creator called “Divi’s Lab” – Part 1

• The global business of promising more

• One company, 2 words. Bond yield and CDS: Will they decide the fate of global markets?

• Business of Odd Things: Inside an industry that farms fish that nobody is meant to eat

• War's second-order effects are becoming visible in critical sectors

• US mid-term elections – Part 2: What does it mean for Trump to lose control of Congress?

• 1
• 2
• 3

View all StoriesContinue reading with one of these options:Limited AccessFreeLogin to get access to some exclusive stories
& personalised newslettersLogin NowUnlimited AccessStarting @ Rs120/monthGet access to exclusive stories, expert opinions &
in-depth stock reportsSubscribe NowET

Unlock Access to All Exclusives with ETPrime FREE TRIAL

15 Days Free: Unlock All ETPrime Exclusives, Market Tools & ePapers

Trial offer expiring in00 : 05 : 00

I'd rather pay ₹2599 now

Uh-oh! This is an exclusive story available for selected readers only.

Worry not. You’re just a step away.

Prime Account Detected!

It seems like you're already an ETPrime member with

Login using your ET Prime credentials to enjoy all member benefits

Log out of your current logged-in account and log in again using your ET Prime credentials to enjoy all member benefits.

Unlock ETPrime's Exclusive Stories Today!

Big Price Drop! Flat 40% Off

Student Only OfferAlready a Member? Sign In nowAlready a Member? Sign In nowAlready a Member? Sign In now

Offer Exclusively For You

Save up to Rs. 700/-

ON ET PRIME MEMBERSHIP

Avail Offer

Offer Exclusively For You

Get 1 Year Free

With 1 and 2-Year ET prime membership

Avail Offer

Offer Exclusively For You

Get 1 Year Free

With 1 and 2-Year ET prime membership

Avail Offer

Offer Exclusively For You

Get Flat 40% Off

Then ₹ 1749 for 1 year

Avail Offer

Offer Exclusively For You

ET Prime at ₹ 49 for 1 month

Then ₹ 1749 for 1 year

Avail Offer

Special Offer

Get flat 40% off on ETPrime

Avail OfferAvail OfferClaim NowAlready a Member? Sign In now

Need Assistance?

Connect with an ETPrime expert for personalized support and guidance

+91 9484700004'; }); } if(listing) { var h3 = "You tried reading " + listArr.length + " locked stories in the past " + threshold + " days.", h4 = "Become an ET Prime member and don't miss out on these exclusive stories."; var html = '

' + h3 + '

' + h4 + '

' + listing + '

'; $('#paidSCWidget').html(html); var callback = $('#paidSCWidget').attr('data-callback'); if(callback && window[callback]) { window[callback](); } customDimension.dimension72 += ' | Shown SYFT no Trial_With Missed Paywalled Articles Collection'; } else { _processNormal() } } }); } else { _processNormal(); } } catch (e) { _processNormal(); } }, function () { _processNormal(); }); //console.log('storyCollectionLoad', $); }

What’s Included with

ETPrime Membership

1Exclusive Insights That Matter

Uncover the truth with our investigative stories

Make strategic moves using the real-world case studies

Read industry-specific stories to identify emerging trends

Spot opportunities with
in-depth insights that matter

• Trump temper on H-1B visas is forcing Indians to do these things to stay put in US

  What Adani’s US indictment means for India Inc’s overseas fundraising

• Why veterans like Reliance, L&T are on acquisition spree? Aswath Damodaran has an answer.

  Will China’s dollar bond sale in Saudi Arabia trump the US in financial world?

• Huawei launches its own OS to compete with Google and Apple. But can it win beyond China?

  The problem with lab grown diamonds

• Why a falling rupee is a better option for the economy

  A list of top 20 momentum stocks that have delivered massive returns in one year

2Invest Wisely With Smart Market Tools & Investment Ideas

Alpha Trade

Get daily trade ideas from SEBI-registered research analysts.

Investment Ideas

Grow your wealth with stock ideas & sectoral trends.

Stock Reports Plus

All-in-one stock research with Stock Score, peer comparison & key signals.

BigBull Portfolio

Get to know where the market bulls are investing to identify the right stocks.

Stock Analyzer

Check the score based on the company's fundamentals, solvency, growth, risk & ownership to decide the right stocks.

Market Mood

Analyze the market sentiments & identify the trend reversal for strategic decisions.

Stock Talk Live at 9 AM Daily

Ask your stock queries & get assured replies by ET appointed, SEBI registered experts.

3Stay informed anytime, anywhere with ET ePaper

ePaper - Print View

Read the PDF version of ET newspaper. Download & access it offline anytime.

ePaper - Digital View

Read your daily newspaper in Digital View & get it delivered to your inbox everyday.

Wealth Edition

Manage your money efficiently with this weekly money management guide.

TOI ePaper

Read the PDF version of TOI newspaper. Download & access it offline anytime.

Deep Explainers

Explore the In-depth explanation of complex topics for everyday life decisions.

Health+ Stories

Get fitter with daily health insights committed to your well-being.

Personal Finance+ Stories

Manage your wealth better with in-depth insights & updates on finance.

5Enjoy Complimentary Subscriptions From Top Brands

Stream new documentaries from all across the world every day.

Stories you might be interested in