Agri output may propel Q4 GDP growth to 4-qtr high

Industrial sector expansion is, however, expected to remain subdued

- SHIVA RAJORA

Growth in the Indian economy likely gained momentum to touch at least a four-quarter high in January-March, 2024-25, after witnessing moderate rates of increase in the preceding three quarters owing to a strong showing in agricultural output, according to analysts.

Agriculture is likely to have lifted demand in rural consumption; the trade, hotels and transport segment; and construction.

During the first three quarters of FY25, the economy grew 6.5 per cent, 5.6 per cent, and 6.2 per cent, respectively.

The National Statistics Office (NSO) has projected the FY25 growth rate at 6.5 per cent, implicitly assuming 7.6 per cent growth in the fourth quarter of FY25. The statistics ministry is scheduled to release the provisional estimates of national income for FY25 and the gross domestic product (GDP) data for Q4 of FY25 on May 30.