IIP Growth Hits 5-Month High of 5.1% in May, Electricity Production Surges 11.1%

IIP August 2026: Manufacturing Output Rises 9%, Consumer Durables Up 11.1%

India's industrial output (IIP) grew 8% in August 2026, driven by manufacturing (9% growth) and a favourable base effect from pre-GST rate cut inventory adjustments in 2025. While consumer durables posted strong 11.1% growth, the slow 2.1% rise in non-durables signals weak rural/FMCG demand, a key concern for the upcoming festive season.

RBI MPC Status Quo at 5.25% as CPI Inflation Rises to 4.8%, WPI at 9.92%

Retail inflation rose to 4.8% in August 2026, with food inflation at 5.95% and WPI at 9.92%. Broad-based price pressures strengthen the case for an RBI rate hike, despite the MPC keeping repo rate unchanged at 5.25% in August. This is critical for understanding monetary policy direction and the inflation targeting framework.

IIP Growth Hits 7.3% in June 2026, Highest in 23 Months; Consumer Demand Weak

India's IIP grew 7.3% YoY in June 2026, the highest in 23 months. However, the growth is driven by capital and infrastructure goods due to government spending, while consumer goods (especially non-durables) show weakness, highlighting a demand-side slowdown amid high prices.

India GDP Growth May Hit 8% in Q1 2026‑27 on Best Loan Growth in Decade

India’s Q1 GDP data (Apr‑Jun 2026) is expected to surprise on the upside – possibly 7.9‑8% – driven by the best bank loan growth in over a decade (18.3% YoY). Despite the West Asia conflict and high oil prices ($97/bbl), the economy shows robust credit demand from industry and services, signalling strong structural momentum.

MoSPI Defends 7.8% GDP Growth Amid Criticism, Cites Base Year Change to 2022-23

MoSPI issued a six-point rebuttal defending the 7.8% GDP growth for Q1 FY26, clarifying that data revisions stem from the base year change (2011-12 to 2022-23) and updated indices (PPI, IIP). The ministry refuted claims of manipulation, emphasizing that comparing old and new series is invalid.

India's Q1 GDP Growth 7.8%: MoSPI Refutes Ex-Finance Secretary's Base Year Manipulation Claim

India's Q1 FY26 GDP grew 7.8% real and 10.3% nominal, but former Finance Secretary S C Garg alleged data manipulation due to base year change. The article clarifies that his calculation is methodologically flawed and explains the importance of base year revisions.

MoSPI Defends New GDP Series as Q1 Growth Hits 7.8%, Base Year Revised to 2022-23

MoSPI Secretary Saurabh Garg defends the new GDP series (base year 2022-23) amid criticism over downward revision of past GDP data. Q1 2026-27 growth at 7.8% surprised economists. Garg says the new series uses better data sources like GST, PLFS, ASUSE, and digital data (e-Vahan, PFMS), making it the best so far. The debate is 'unnecessary' as methods were already public months ago.

India's Q1 GDP Growth at 7.8% but Raises Concerns on Jobs, Wages & Investment

MoSPI reported India's Q1 2026-27 GDP growth at 7.8% constant and 10.3% nominal. However, the article by P Chidambaram highlights deep structural concerns: high youth unemployment (16.2%), 8.7 crore NEET youth, negative real wage growth for casual workers, stagnant manufacturing at 13% of GVA, and low private capex. The data raises questions on whether growth is percolating to citizens.