Monetary policy — required ratios: The ratio that banks must maintain between their cash holdings (cash with RBI + cash in hand) and their liabilities/size of balance sheet. Identify the standard term used for this mandated cash ratio in India. Choose the correct option.

Given data

• We are asked the name of the regulatory ratio that compels banks to keep a portion of their deposits as cash.

Concept / ApproachCRR is the share of a bank's Net Demand and Time Liabilities (NDTL) that must be kept as cash with the RBI (and cash in hand), which directly constrains lendable resources.SLR instead requires holdings of specified liquid assets (cash, gold, approved securities), not just cash; CAR is a solvency/capital buffer; Repo rate is a policy interest rate.

Step-by-step reasoningBecause the prompt emphasizes a cash ratio requirement, the correct term is Cash Reserve Ratio (CRR).

Common pitfalls

• Confusing CRR with SLR; only CRR is purely a cash requirement with the central bank.

Final AnswerThe correct term is Cash Reserve Ratio (CRR).