INDIAN EXPRESS DATED 08th OCT 2026.

Summary of Important News Items Editorials-485

INDIAN EXPRESS DATED 08th OCT 2026.

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1. RBI Raises Repo Rate to 5.50% — Inflation Control Takes Priority

The Reserve Bank of India increased the policy repo rate by 25 basis points to 5.50%, marking its first increase since February 2023. The Monetary Policy Committee also changed its stance from neutral to calibrated tightening. It raised the FY2026-27 growth projection to 7.1% and the inflation forecast to 5.2%. The decision reflects growing concerns about elevated crude oil prices, food inflation, global interest rates and possible weather-related disruptions. Logic: Higher policy rates make borrowing more expensive, moderate consumption and investment demand, and help contain inflationary pressures. However, they can also increase housing-loan EMIs, business financing costs and the government's borrowing burden. Stand: The newspaper's coverage highlights the RBI's preference for safeguarding price stability despite potential short-term costs to economic activity. Gist: Monetary policy must balance growth and inflation, but sustained price instability can undermine economic welfare, especially for poorer households.

2. Unapproved GM Cotton Cultivation — Biotechnology and Regulatory Failure

A field-based study commissioned by seed-industry associations estimated that 24–30% of India's cotton area in 2025-26 was planted with hybrids containing unauthorised genetically modified traits. India permits specified Bt cotton traits involving the cry1Ac and cry2Ab genes, but farmers are also reportedly cultivating hybrids containing herbicide-tolerance and other unapproved traits. The study raises important questions about biosafety regulation, seed-market supervision and farmers' technological needs. Logic: Farmers may adopt unauthorised seeds when they perceive advantages in weed management, pest resistance, labour savings or productivity. Yet cultivation without regulatory approval can create concerns about environmental assessment, herbicide use, seed quality and accountability. Stand: The issue requires neither an automatic rejection nor unconditional acceptance of biotechnology. It demands credible scientific evaluation and transparent regulation. Gist: India's agricultural biotechnology policy must reconcile innovation, farmer demand, ecological safeguards and effective enforcement, rather than allowing informal seed markets to determine technology adoption.