India, Feb. 6 -- Neha Kumari, a 34-year-old HR professional in Hyderabad, booked a Rs.1 crore apartment with a 25% down payment and took a home loan for the remaining amount. While the EMI fits within her monthly budget, it leaves limited room for discretionary spending. She has maintained a small emergency fund and plans to restart her systematic investment plan (SIP) once initial moving and furnishing costs settle. Like many homebuyers, she is comfortable for now, especially since the RBI has decided to keep the repo rate unchanged today, but remains aware that any future rate hikes could tighten her cash flows.

With the RBI keeping the repo rate unchanged at 5.25% at the end of its three-day Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) meeting, ho...