India’s economic growth rebounds in FY26 as investment-led recovery gathers pace
India’s economy is estimated to have rebounded strongly in FY26, expanding by 7.4 percent, up from 6.5 percent in the previous fiscal year, according to government data released on January 7. The sharper growth marks a return to momentum after a year of moderation and comes at a critical juncture, just ahead of a major change in the country’s GDP calculation framework.
The rebound was driven primarily by a pickup in investment and manufacturing activity, supported by policy measures such as tax relief, easing inflation and lower interest rates. While pockets of weakness remain in agriculture, mining and utilities, the overall growth mix points to improving domestic demand and resilience against global uncertainty.
Investment and manufacturing emerge as the key engines of growth
Investment stood out as the strongest pillar of the recovery in FY26. Gross fixed capital formation (GFCF) grew 7.8 percent, compared with 7.1 percent in the previous year, rising to 33.8 percent of GDP, the highest level recorded under the current series.
Manufacturing also staged a notable turnaround, growing 7 percent in FY26 versus 4.5 percent in FY25. This improvement reflects stronger capacity utilisation, government-led capex, and better demand conditions across several industrial segments.
Economists note that the revival in manufacturing is particularly significant for medium-term growth. As one analyst put it, “Manufacturing growth above 7 percent signals that the investment cycle is translating into real output, which is critical for job creation and earnings sustainability.”
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Services sector strengthens its dominance in the economy
India’s services-led growth story continued to deepen in FY26. The tertiary sector expanded 9.1 percent, up sharply from 7.2 percent in the previous year, and now contributes 51 percent of the economy—its highest share since the start of the current data series.
Strong performance was seen in trade, hotels and transport, as well as financial, real estate and professional services. Public administration, defence and other services also recorded robust growth of 9.9 percent, underlining the role of government spending in supporting overall activity.
For equity markets, sustained services growth provides earnings visibility for IT services, financials and consumption-linked companies, helping cushion volatility from global headwinds.
Weakness persists in agriculture, mining and utilities
Despite the overall rebound, not all sectors shared in the recovery. Agriculture growth slowed to 3.1 percent, down from 4.6 percent in the previous year, reflecting a high base and uneven monsoon impact.
Mining and quarrying contracted 0.7 percent, while electricity and utility services grew just 2.1 percent, marking their weakest performance since the pandemic. Construction growth also moderated to 7 percent from 9.4 percent.
These pockets of weakness highlight that the recovery remains uneven and sensitive to sector-specific factors such as commodity prices, weather patterns and infrastructure execution.
Consumption growth moderates despite policy support
On the demand side, private final consumption expenditure (PFCE) grew 7 percent, slightly lower than 7.2 percent in FY25, indicating some moderation in household spending. This came despite policy support through income tax relief and GST rationalisation during FY26.
Government final consumption expenditure (GFCE), however, picked up to 5.2 percent from 2.3 percent, playing a stabilising role amid global uncertainty. Export growth remained modest due to trade-related headwinds, while imports surged 14.4 percent, reflecting stronger domestic demand and investment activity.
Rate cuts and easing inflation provide monetary tailwinds
Monetary policy also supported growth during FY26. The Reserve Bank of India cut policy rates by a cumulative 125 basis points from 6.5 percent over the year, easing borrowing costs for both households and businesses.
Lower inflation improved real purchasing power, helping sustain consumption even as external demand remained uncertain. Analysts believe the combined effect of fiscal and monetary support helped stabilise growth expectations.
“Rate easing and tax relief together created a favourable environment for investment decisions and discretionary spending,” said an economist tracking macro trends.
Why FY26 growth numbers matter more than usual
The FY26 estimates carry added significance as they represent the final GDP numbers under the existing 2011–12 base year series. From the next fiscal, national accounts will transition to a revised 2022–23 base, with new data sources and methodologies.
The next advance estimates under the revised base are scheduled for release on February 27. Economists caution that the transition could alter growth dynamics for recent years, making FY26 an important reference point for investors and policymakers alike.
Market and portfolio impact: what investors should take away
For markets, the stronger FY26 growth print reinforces India’s relative macro strength amid global uncertainty. In the near term, this could support sentiment in investment-linked sectors such as capital goods, industrials, banks and select manufacturing plays.
Key takeaways for investors and traders include:
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Investment-led growth supports capex, infrastructure and manufacturing stocks
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Services strength underpins earnings visibility for financials and consumption plays
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Uneven sectoral recovery calls for selective stock picking
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Rate cuts and fiscal support reduce downside risks to growth
However, experts caution that growth momentum may moderate slightly in the coming year. Goldman Sachs expects India’s growth to ease to around 6.8 percent, while India Ratings and Research forecasts a similar 6.9 percent expansion.
Outlook: strong base, cautious optimism ahead
Looking ahead, the FY26 rebound provides policymakers with a stronger base as they prepare the upcoming Union Budget. While global trade uncertainty and geopolitical risks persist, India’s domestic demand, investment momentum and policy support offer a cushion.
As one market strategist summed it up, “The growth rebound doesn’t eliminate risks, but it reinforces India’s position as one of the more resilient large economies. For investors, the focus should now shift from headline growth to execution and earnings delivery.”
Overall, India’s 7.4 percent growth estimate for FY26 underscores a recovery powered by investment and manufacturing, setting the tone for cautious optimism in markets and portfolios in the months ahead.
