The US Federal Reserve’s 25-basis-point rate hike has put the Reserve Bank of India’s October monetary policy review firmly in focus, with economists divided over whether the central bank will follow with a rate increase next month or wait for clearer evidence that inflationary pressures are becoming entrenched. Crude oil above $100 a barrel, rising global yields and a large domestic liquidity surplus have strengthened the case for an earlier move. While most agree that a hike is expected, the main question is of timing.