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Expansionary vs Contractionary Monetary Policy: Easy Guide for Exams

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Expansionary vs Contractionary Monetary Policy: Easy Guide for Exams
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Description

The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) manages the economy through monetary policy, which controls money supply, borrowing rates, inflation, and overall economic activity. There are two main types:

  1. Expansionary Monetary Policy

  2. Contractionary Monetary Policy

What is Expansionary Monetary Policy?

Definition: Expansionary monetary policy is applied when the economy is slow, unemployment is high, or spending is low.

Objective: Increase the flow of money, encourage borrowing, and stimulate economic growth.

How It Works: The central bank supports the economy by:

  • Reducing Repo Rate (cheaper loans for banks)

  • Lowering Reverse Repo Rate (banks deposit less money with RBI)

  • Cutting Cash Reserve Ratio (CRR) (banks keep less cash with RBI)

  • Buying government securities (injecting money into the system)

  • Giving more loans to banks

Impact:

  • Loan rates become lower

  • Consumers spend more

  • Businesses invest more

  • Employment rises

  • Economic activity grows

Example: During the COVID-19 pandemic, RBI reduced repo and reverse repo rates to boost borrowing and economic recovery.

What is Contractionary Monetary Policy?

Definition: Contractionary monetary policy is used when prices rise too fast (high inflation) or the economy grows too quickly.

Objective: Reduce the money supply, make borrowing costlier, and control inflation.

How It Works: The central bank limits money circulation by:

  • Increasing Repo Rate (loans become costlier)

  • Raising Reverse Repo Rate (banks deposit more money with RBI)

  • Increasing CRR (banks keep more money with RBI)

  • Selling government securities (removing money from the system)

Impact:

  • Loan rates rise

  • Consumer spending decreases

  • Business investment slows

  • Economic growth reduces

  • Inflation is checked

Example: When inflation crossed 7%, RBI increased the repo rate several times to reduce money supply.

Key Differences Between Expansionary and Contractionary Policies

Feature

Expansionary

Contractionary

Purpose

Encourage growth and spending

Control inflation

Repo Rate

Decreases

Increases

Money Supply

Rises

Falls

Interest Rates

Low

High

Borrowing

Easier

Costlier

Economic Impact

Growth accelerates

Growth slows

Used During

Slow economy / recession

Inflationary period

Liquidity

High

Low


Summary:

  • Expansionary Policy: Adds money to the system, lowers borrowing costs, boosts spending and investment.

  • Contractionary Policy: Reduces money supply, raises borrowing costs, slows spending, and keeps inflation in check.

Understanding these policies is essential for UPSC, banking exams, and general economic knowledge.


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