Is India's Q1 GDP Growth Rate a Positive Surprise?

Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- India's Q1 GDP growth rate reaches 7.8%.
- Strong performance across manufacturing and services.
- Government spending increased by 20%.
- Effective reforms are driving economic resilience.
- Agriculture sector rebounded with 3.7% growth.
New Delhi, Aug 30 (NationPress) The Indian Gross Domestic Product (GDP) growth rate for the first quarter of this fiscal year, recorded at 7.8 percent, has emerged as a remarkable surprise, showcasing the strength of the Indian economy, asserted Rajiv Memani, President of the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII), on Saturday.
"The 7.8 percent GDP growth figure is indeed a positive surprise, one that many did not foresee," Memani told IANS.
The CII leader emphasized that not only is India on track to be the fastest-growing economy globally, but the disparity between India and other major economies will be considerable.
"This is incredibly positive news for India, positioning it prominently within the global economic landscape that will not go unnoticed," he remarked.
The first quarter GDP figures reflect the resilience of the Indian economy and highlight the stable policy framework that has prevailed over the last decade, Memani noted.
The chairman of the industry body also commended the Indian government for implementing reforms that facilitate continuous economic growth.
"The Q1 data underscores the government's role in initiating reforms that enable new avenues for economic expansion, as highlighted by Memani.
According to him, the growth spans the manufacturing sector and various service sectors, indicating an overall positive trend.
"The momentum in growth has largely been driven by increased government spending, both on the capital and revenue fronts," Memani pointed out.
He stressed that government expenditure has surged significantly, contributing to the unprecedented growth rate in Q1.
"Government spending has risen by nearly 20 percent, and the administration deserves credit for effectively directing these funds to generate positive outcomes without jeopardizing fiscal stability," he added.
In comparison to 6.5 percent in the same quarter last year, India's GDP growth surged to a robust 7.8 percent for the April–June period.
In Q1 of 2025–2026, the agriculture sector rebounded with a solid 3.7 percent growth rate, up from 1.5 percent in the same quarter of the previous fiscal year, when agricultural output was adversely affected by erratic monsoon conditions.
Both the construction and manufacturing sectors reported growth rates of 7.6 percent and 7.7 percent, respectively.