Is Crisil Predicting India's GDP Growth at 6.5% for Fiscal 2026?

Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- India's GDP growth is projected at 6.5% for fiscal 2026.
- Improving domestic consumption will fuel industrial activities.
- Declining inflation and agricultural growth support economic stability.
- Crude oil prices are expected to average $65-$70 per barrel.
- Infrastructure development is driving economic growth.
New Delhi, May 29 (NationPress) Crisil has projected that India’s gross domestic product (GDP) will grow by 6.5 percent in fiscal 2026, emphasizing that a rise in domestic consumption is expected to bolster industrial performance.
According to the global ratings agency, "We anticipate an improvement in domestic consumption demand, facilitated by robust agricultural growth, declining inflation which enhances discretionary spending, interest rate reductions by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI)’s Monetary Policy Committee (MPC), and tax relief this fiscal year."
The India Meteorological Department predicts a more than average monsoon this fiscal (106 percent of the long-term average), which is favorable for agricultural output and inflation rates.
Moreover, Crisil Intelligence indicates that crude oil prices are likely to stay low this fiscal, averaging between $65 and $70 per barrel, down from an average of $78.8 per barrel in the previous fiscal year.
"We foresee the MPC cutting the repo rate by an additional 50 basis points (bps) this fiscal, following 50 bps reductions until April. The easing of bank lending rates should further stimulate domestic demand," the agency noted.
Overall, Crisil anticipates a GDP growth rate of 6.5 percent for fiscal 2026, although external challenges present potential risks.
In a month marked by significant tariff announcements from the United States (US), the Index of Industrial Production (IIP) growth decelerated in April. Industrial production in certain export-driven sectors, such as pharmaceuticals and chemicals, faced a slowdown, while others, like machinery and ready-made garments, benefited from increased exports. Among consumer goods, durables outperformed non-durables.
The performance of industrial goods was varied, with a notable increase in capital goods output alongside a slight rise in intermediate goods.
Despite the mixed performance of export-oriented sectors in April, there was a significant improvement in merchandise exports (9.0 percent in nominal terms compared to 0.7 percent in the prior month).
Additionally, the production of consumer durables, including electronic goods, refrigerators, and televisions, surged by 6.4 percent in November, reflecting growing consumer demand amid rising incomes, as reported by the Ministry of Statistics.
The infrastructure sector achieved a growth rate of 4 percent, driven by major government initiatives in the highways, railways, and ports sectors.