New Delhi: India’s GDP will likely expand 7.5-7.8 per cent in the current fiscal (FY26), driven by festive demand and robust services activity, a report said on Wednesday. The report from Deloitte India, however, noted that the growth could moderate to 6.6–6.9 per cent in FY27 because of a high base and lingering global uncertainties.

The business consultancy noted that real GDP grew 8 per cent in the first half of 2025–26 (April–September), underscoring the economy’s resilience amid trade disruptions, policy shifts in advanced economies and volatile capital flows.

“India’s resilience is no accident. It stems from sustained pro-growth policies,” Deloitte India, Economist, Rumki Majumdar said. “With demand-side levers largely addressed, policy focus in 2026 will shift toward supply-side reforms, focusing on MSMEs, and developing tier-2 and tier-3 cities as new engines of growth,” Majumdar added.

Though external risks remain elevated, their full impact may not materialise in FY26, Majumdar said, adding that the India-US trade deal is likely to conclude by the end of this fiscal, which should revive foreign investment and stabilise the currency. The report credited the decisive policy moves in 2025 including tax exemptions, policy rate cuts and GST rationalisation, driving the growth by shoring up domestic demand and supporting the recovery.

Favourable inflation trends added buoyancy, while trade recalibration through multiple FTAs strengthened exports, the report said. The business consultancy highlighted a strategic pivot in trade policy, with India signing agreements with the UK, New Zealand and Oman, operationalising the EFTA deal and initiating negotiations with Israel.

“These partnerships unlock manufacturing opportunities and expand India’s services footprint beyond the US, while reinforcing investor confidence and paving the way for increased FDI, which remains critical for financing infrastructure and industrial expansion,” Majumdar said.

Another recent report from a fund house cited 8.2 per cent GDP growth in Q2FY26, a sharp rebound in industrial output and stable GST collections as the positives of domestic fundamentals. Softer crude prices, easing global rates and policy support through tax and GST cuts are expected to further support consumption and investment, the fund house predicted.

TGI Fridays has shut 16 of its UK restaurants, leading to 456 job losses, after its operating company entered administration. However, a rescue deal has secured the future of most sites.

Liberty Bar and Restaurant Group, which manages the chain’s UK outlets, appointed administrators from Interpath Advisory on Tuesday.

The business and its assets were immediately sold to a subsidiary of Sugarloaf, the firm behind the global TGI Fridays brand.

Sugarloaf had two months earlier bought the UK business from private equity firm Calveton UK and Breal Capital.

Administrators confirmed the pre-pack administration deal would safeguard 33 restaurants and transfer 1,384 workers to the new vehicle.

However, 16 TGI Fridays sites were not included and immediately shut for good. The company confirmed the move resulted in 456 redundancies for staff across the restaurants.

The following restaurants have closed due to the administration:

Phil Broad, global president of TGI Fridays, said: “We have been working closely to explore all available options for securing the long-term future of TGI Fridays in the UK, and believe that this is the best outcome for the business, preserves jobs, and offers a strong platform for success and growth.

“TGI Fridays has a long history in the UK, and I believe that the future of the brand is in strong hands – focused on reinvigorating the brand while continuing to deliver the bold flavours, welcoming atmosphere, and high-energy dining experience that define TGI Fridays.”

Ryan Grant, managing director at Interpath and joint administrator, said: “We are pleased to have been able to secure this transaction which will see this well-known brand continue to trade across the UK.

“While these have been difficult times for hospitality operators generally, this marks a pivotal step in TGI Fridays’ wider turnaround plan, putting in place stable foundations upon which it can begin to move forward.”