Archive · 3 Sep 2026
India’s Strong Growth Raises Urgent Questions About Jobs
India’s economy grew faster than expected at the start of the new financial year.
It expanded by 7.8 per cent between April and June.
Several industries, including manufacturing, technology and financial services, performed strongly.
Investment, household spending and exports also increased.
However, farming grew much more slowly than the overall economy.
Mining became smaller during the same period.
This means that different parts of the economy are not growing at the same speed.
The government is being urged to focus on sectors that can create more jobs and improve household incomes.
India’s economy grew 7.8 per cent in the April-June quarter of financial year 2026-27.
The growth exceeded the Reserve Bank of India’s seven per cent projection and most analyst estimates.
Financial, real estate, information technology and professional services grew 12.1 per cent, while manufacturing grew 9.2 per cent.
Investment activity rose 11.9 per cent, private consumption increased 7.1 per cent and exports grew 12 per cent.
Agriculture grew only 3.6 per cent and mining shrank 2.4 per cent, prompting calls for greater focus on job-creating sectors.
- Who
- The Indian economy, policymakers and the government.
- What
- India recorded 7.8 per cent economic growth in the April-June quarter, while the article called for greater attention to jobs and household incomes.
- When
- The April-June quarter at the start of financial year 2026-27.
- Where
- India.
- Why
- Growth exceeded expectations, but slower agricultural growth and shrinking mining activity showed that economic gains are uneven and may not create enough jobs.
Growth Achievement
Jobs and Inclusive Growth Concern
Meaning of strong GDP growth
Growth Achievement
The 7.8 per cent expansion exceeded the Reserve Bank of India’s projection and most analyst estimates despite geopolitical tensions, volatile energy prices and uncertain global trade.
Jobs and Inclusive Growth Concern
GDP growth alone does not show how income is distributed or whether households benefit from the expansion.
Sectoral performance
Growth Achievement
Financial, real estate, information technology, professional services, manufacturing, electricity, trade, hotels, transport and construction all recorded growth.
Jobs and Inclusive Growth Concern
Agriculture, which employs a large section of the population, grew only 3.6 per cent, while mining shrank 2.4 per cent, showing that sectors are moving at different speeds.
Government priority
Growth Achievement
Higher growth can support corporate earnings and government revenue.
Jobs and Inclusive Growth Concern
The government should prioritize labour-intensive sectors that generate jobs and ensure growth improves household incomes rather than becoming an end in itself.
- GDP growth
- 7.8 per cent in the April-June quarter of financial year 2026-27.
- RBI projection
- The Reserve Bank of India had projected seven per cent growth.
- Strongest sector group
- Financial, real estate, information technology and professional services grew 12.1 per cent.
- Manufacturing growth
- Manufacturing grew 9.2 per cent.
- Investment activity
- Gross fixed capital formation rose 11.9 per cent.
- Private consumption
- Private consumption rose 7.1 per cent.
- Agriculture and mining
- Agriculture and allied activities grew 3.6 per cent, while mining contracted 2.4 per cent.