For retail investors, this isn’t just a number; it’s a quiet turning point. With the RBI dialing back rate cuts and inflation creeping up, the market’s shifted from ‘easy gains’ to ‘strategic entry’. Experts say don’t wait for perfect clarity; stagger your investments across maturities. Lock in sovereign yields now; volatility is priced in. Corporate bonds offer a bit more, but only if you’re okay with measured risk. Inflation’s the real boss here; if crude eases, so might pressure. US Fed hikes? They matter, but indirectly. The bigger story? You’re not betting on rates; you’re securing income. For those with a 3-5 year horizon, 7%+ G-Secs could be the new ‘safe haven’. Smart money isn’t timing the peak; it’s building positions, brick by brick.