It’s about stopping inflation before it explodes. Headline inflation is still under 5%, but core prices are creeping up, and global oil prices jumped 40% in 2 months. The real trigger? A weak monsoon + war in Asia = food + fuel pressure. The MPC knows raising rates won’t make it rain or bring back cheap oil… but it can stop prices from spiraling by anchoring expectations. Smart move? Yes; but risky. If growth slows too fast, the RBI might get stuck between inflation and recession. The next 3 months will decide if this is a warning shot… or the start of a long tightening cycle.