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IMF Endorses India’s Outlook as Growth Stays Strong, Inflation Contained

Structural reforms, sizable reserves, plus scope for calibrated policy support resilience to tariff risks.

Overview

  • Real GDP expanded 6.5% in FY2024–25 and 7.8% in Q2 FY2025–26, with growth projected at 6.6% in FY2025–26 and 6.2% in FY2026–27.
  • Headline inflation eased to 1.5% in September 2025 while core inflation rose to 4.6%, and unemployment stayed low at 5.2%.
  • External metrics remained stable with a current account deficit of 0.6% of GDP in FY2024–25 and foreign exchange reserves at $695 billion in October.
  • The IMF credits a decade of reforms—including GST simplification, inflation targeting, and digital public infrastructure—for resilience and a drop in extreme poverty to 5.3%.
  • Policy advice calls for targeted, time‑bound fiscal support if tariffs persist, calibrated medium‑term consolidation with stronger revenues, data‑driven monetary policy with room to ease, and exchange‑rate flexibility.