A farmer walks along the bund with an umbrella beside a rain-fed paddy field as overcast skies prevail during (Photo | Express)
India’s real GDP growth for the first quarter of the current fiscal year is projected to exceed consensus estimates. While the RBI estimates Q1 growth at 7 percent, private forecasters peg it higher at 7-8 percent. This optimism is driven by near-term trackers showing resilient private consumption, healthy exports, robust tax collections and strong output in both manufacturing and services. Full-year fiscal growth could approach 7 percent, exceeding the central bank’s 6.7 percent estimate despite the triple shock of soaring oil prices, shifting US tariffs and heightened geopolitical uncertainties. Despite these headwinds and the possibility of erratic rainfall, the broader economy should remain resilient. Nevertheless, a few analysts expect 2026-27 growth to moderate towards 6 percent, with a sharp slowdown in the second half. Economic momentum is likely to be affected by food and fuel inflation, the potential impact of El Niño on agricultural output and softening private consumption.
As it is, rating agency ICRA pointed to signs that services sector growth slackened in Q1 alongside industry. It further noted that the business sentiment of services companies weakened in the quarter, with optimism dipping to the lowest in five years amid headwinds blowing in from the West Asia crisis and persistent wage cost pressures. In contrast, SBI Research was upbeat about domestic consumption, government capital expenditure and, importantly, industrial and services activity flashing green. Official data slated to be released on August 31 will confirm how the two key engines of the economy fared during the quarter.
Much also depends on how global oil prices behave. Currently, most of the inflation and growth estimates are based on the assumption that India’s crude oil import basket will likely average $80-90 a barrel in 2026-27. But if the precarious situation around the Persian Gulf goes out of hand and oil prices firm up beyond $90, it can potentially revise the growth forecasts downwards and inflation estimates upwards. Likewise, trade war uncertainties continue to dampen sentiment. While merchandise exports are holding up well, thanks to bilateral trade pacts with Asian and Western economies, US tariff shocks—like the recent 100-200 percent levies on Indian pharmaceutical exports—could drag growth potential overnight. Lastly, while headline economic activity may appear robust, ensuring broadbased growth requires all three economic engines—agriculture, industry, and services—to put their shoulders to the wheel.