INR rates: Liquidity normalisation weigh on G-secs
Liquidity normalizing.
Group Research - Econs, Radhika Rao18 Sep 2026
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While the external backdrop remains challenging, with oil above USD100/b and the Fed's tightening cycle exerting upward pressure on global yields, the more significant headwind for India rates is arguably domestic in nature. Excess banking system liquidity remains exceptionally abundant at more than INR7trn, despite easing modestly from recent peaks. With liquidity normalisation now the RBI's primary focus, the central bank has limited scope to cushion the sell-off in G-Secs without further aggravating the liquidity surplus.

Price action has reflected these dynamics. The IGB curve bear-flattened this week, with the front-end and belly repricing more aggressively, while the long end remained relatively anchored. The pressure has been most evident in the belly of the curve, where the RBI's OMO sale programme is concentrated. G-Secs have underperformed OIS, as investors demand additional concession to absorb the increase in bond supply, contributing to a widening divergence between cash bonds and swaps. That said, the market appeared to absorb yesterday's first OMO sale relatively well.

The combination of persistent surplus liquidity, rising inflation risks and oil prices above USD100/b continues to argue for RBI policy tightening. At the same time, the RBI is likely to continue deploying liquidity absorption measures in the near term. Against this backdrop, we think the path of least resistance for yields remains higher and have revised our INR rates forecasts accordingly.



Sherilyn Chew

Multi-asset strategist
sherilynchew@dbs.com



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