MUMBAI, Oct. 1 -- The Reserve Bank of India led by governor Sanjay Malhotra kept the benchmark repo rate unchanged at 5.50% for the second straight time on Wednesday. The central bank also maintained its 'neutral' stance.

Out of the 37 economists polled by news agency Bloomberg, 25 participants expected a rate cut of 25 basis points (bps) whereas 11 had projected that rates would be held steady by the MPC as part of its October review.

However, there were chances of a rate cut this time in the backdrop of retail inflation undershooting the central bank's estimates amid uncertainty arising from US President Donald Trump's tariff policy.

The last time the rate-setting MPC lowered rates was in June, with a jumbo 50 basis point cut. The fi...