New Delhi, Feb. 4 -- The Reserve Bank of India's (RBI) Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) is likely to keep policy rates unchanged at its meeting on Friday, signalling a prolonged pause after aggressive front-loaded easing over the past year, even as liquidity conditions remain tight and bond yields elevated.

A Mint poll of 10 economists shows nine expecting a pause at 5.25%, while one anticipates a 25-basis-points (bps) cut to 5.00%. One basis point is a hundredth of a percentage point.

The MPC is scheduled to announce its policy decision after its 4-6 February meeting. The central bank is also expected to maintain its 'neutral' stance, which allows it to move in either direction.

However, liquidity measures may take centre stage this ti...