At 8.2%, GDP grows at fastest pace in six qtrs

INDIA's economy grew at 8.2% in the second quarter of FY26, beating all estimates and marking the fastest pace in six quarters.

- PUSHPITA DEY @New Delhi

This is a big jump from the 5.6% growth in the same period last fiscal. Most analysts had expected the Q2 growth to be in the range of 7-7.5%.

The strong performance is attributed to a boost in manufacturing, rising rural demand, and sustained growth of the services sector. Manufacturing grew at a robust 9.1% more than four times the 2.2% recorded a year ago. Economists attribute this partly to frontloading of exports to the US ahead of the 50% tariff increase.