What Will India's Real GDP Growth Look Like in FY27?
Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- India's real GDP growth forecast for FY27 is 6-7 percent.
- Domestic consumption and interest rate cuts are key growth drivers.
- Capital expenditure is expected to increase by 14 percent.
- The fiscal deficit is targeted at 4.3 percent of GDP.
- Tax revenues are projected to grow by 7 percent, with direct taxes leading.
New Delhi, Jan 17 (NationPress) India's real GDP growth for FY27 is projected to fall between 6–7 percent, driven by factors such as domestic consumption, interest rate reductions, and public capital investment, according to a recent report.
ICRA's analysis for budgetary purposes incorporated the NSO's 'First Advance Estimates' indicating a nominal GDP of Rs 357.1 trillion for FY26, which reflects an 8.0 percent growth, alongside its own forecast of Rs 392.0 trillion for FY27, suggesting a nominal GDP increase of about 9.8 percent.
The rating agency anticipates that the government will aim to limit the fiscal deficit to 4.3 percent of GDP in FY27, a slight improvement from the Budget Estimate of 4.4 percent for FY2026, based on the assumption of 9.8 percent nominal GDP growth.
"The FY27 Budget is likely to show a transition from annual fiscal deficit objectives to a focus on a medium-term debt consolidation strategy, particularly considering the upcoming recommendations from the 16th Finance Commission," the report notes.
Additionally, ICRA projects that capital expenditure will rise by approximately 14 percent to Rs 13.1 trillion in FY27, which equates to 3.3 percent of GDP.
This comes after an anticipated overachievement of the capital expenditure target in FY26, with estimates at Rs 11.5 trillion, surpassing the Budget Estimate of Rs 11.2 trillion.
"The boost in capital expenditure in FY27 is expected to happen prior to the onset of fiscal constraints from FY28 onwards, due to increased committed expenditures associated with salary and pension disbursements following the 8th Central Pay Commission recommendations," the report elaborates.
Furthermore, the agency predicts gross tax revenues will grow by around 7 percent in FY27, primarily fueled by direct tax growth estimated at about 11 percent.
In contrast, indirect tax revenues are expected to register a modest 2 percent growth, mainly due to the effects of GST rate reductions initiated in September 2025, according to the report.