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Nominal growth expected at 8%, slowest since FY21; fiscal deficit target likely to be met
The Budget estimates for this year had assumed a nominal GDP growth of 10.1 per cent
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday said India's "Reform Express" is gaining momentum, powered by the NDA government's investment policies as the economy is projected to grow at 7.4 per cent in the fiscal year 2026. "India's Reform Express continues to gain momentum. This is powered by the NDA Government's comprehensive investment push and demand-led policies," Modi said in a post on X. The First Advance Estimates released by the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation on Wednesday put the GDP growth rate in 2025-26 (April 2025 to March 2026) at better than the 7.3 per cent forecast of the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) and the government's initial projection of 6.3 to 6.8 per cent. "Be it infrastructure, manufacturing incentives, digital public goods or 'Ease of Doing Business', we are working to realise our dream of a prosperous India," the prime minister said.
The projection formed part of India's first advance estimate of gross domestic product (GDP), which is subject to revisions as data coverage improves
After nearly 18 months of lukewarm performance, the FMCG sector registered a volume growth of 5.3 per cent in the August-October period of 2025
RBI says household debt rose to 41.3% of GDP at end-March 2025, led by consumption-oriented retail loans, even as net financial savings improved in Q4 FY25
India's consumption story spans mass and class markets alike, with demand spread across regions and incomes, calling for better tracking of household cash flows rather than outdated binaries
Once known for controversial land acquisition, the Kalinganagar industrial unit in Odisha now accounts for as much as 20% of approved new investments in the state. But for many locals, unease persists
10 states with the highest debt to GSDP ratio have debt levels above 30% of GSDP
CareEdge Ratings expects 7% growth in FY27, citing a possible US-India trade deal, low inflation and strong capex, while warning US tariffs could weigh on goods exports
Study by NCAER and Prosus finds sector growing faster than economy, boosting restaurants and labour markets
The finance minister stressed that fiscal management remains a priority and must be consistently upheld year after year
For the RBI, it makes its job very difficult. To target inflation effectively, the RBI must set interest rates based on its inflation outlook
The report concluded that although international policy consensus was shifting towards multiple-target, multiple-instrument frameworks, India should first focus on reducing the then high inflation
The Chinese leader also warned that 'inefficient' investment, which results in projects being abandoned as soon as they are completed, must be prevented
India may see a goldilocks 2026 with strong growth and low inflation, but sustaining this balance will hinge on reforms, RBI policy support, fiscal consolidation and easing external pressures
India, with a high GDP growth and recent GST reduction, presents "massive" opportunities for British multinational consumer goods maker Unilever and its Indian arm Hindustan Unilever, according to a top company official. The companies believe they will be the main beneficiaries of a much more dynamic economic environment in India, said Unilever Chief Executive Officer Fernando Fernandez. Indian consumption was significantly affected over the last three years due to double-digit food inflation, said Fernandez in a JP Morgan Fireside Chat. "I feel the government in India has taken very relevant measures lately. So, GST reduction, that is the VAT of India, personal income tax reduction, interest rate reduction, when the government does something like this, it's because things in the economy are not right, and really that's what's happening the last couple of years," he said. Moreover, there is some food deflation and have seen immediately in the Indian GDP growth. "I think in the las
Brookfield commits ₹75K cr for Bharat Future City
Chief Economic Advisor V Anantha Nageswaran expressed hope that the currency will recover next year
Economists reckon this recovery could be a sign of the broadbasing of consumption in the economy, with rural consumption leading the way