India is set to remain the world’s fastest-growing major economy, with gross domestic product (GDP) projected to expand 6.5 per cent in fiscal 2026 (FY26), matching the growth rate of fiscal 2025 (FY25), according to Crisil, an S&P Global company. The outlook reflects India’s domestically driven resilience, though global tariff shocks and slowing external demand present risks.

Crisil highlighted that favourable monsoons, easing crude oil prices averaging $65–$70 per barrel, and reduced interest rates will support growth. Inflation is expected to ease towards the Reserve Bank of India’s (RBI) 4 per cent target, enabling monetary policy flexibility. Income tax cuts and potential goods and services tax rationalisation are expected to bolster consumption, particularly in rural areas, Dharmakirti Joshi said in an article on S&P Global.

India is expected to remain the world’s fastest-growing major economy, with GDP projected to rise 6.5 per cent in FY26, matching FY25, according to S&P.
Growth will be supported by favourable monsoons, easing oil prices, and lower interest rates.
Risks include US tariffs, and weaker export demand.
Strong services exports, capex push, and policy support will cushion India’s economic outlook.

India’s macroeconomic growth trajectory shows a return to its pre-pandemic trend, averaging 6.6 per cent annually in the decade to 2020. While stimulus and a low base lifted growth to 8.8 per cent between FY22–FY24, higher inflation and fiscal normalisation moderated expansion thereafter. For FY26, the HSBC Purchasing Managers’ Index signals sustained momentum across both manufacturing and services.

Yet, challenges loom. US tariffs are likely to erode competitiveness of Indian exports, with nearly 20 per cent directed to the US, where economic growth is slowing to 1.7 per cent in 2025. The eurozone, accounting for 17.3 per cent of exports, also faces weak demand. Rising risks of low-cost imports from China further threaten domestic industries, the article added.

Despite these headwinds, buffers remain. Services exports—constituting 47 per cent of India’s total exports—are expected to provide resilience as they are less exposed to global trade shocks than goods. The current account deficit is projected to stay manageable at around 1 per cent of GDP, backed by robust foreign exchange reserves of $702.8 billion.

The government capex remains a priority, with central and state expenditure rising strongly in early FY26 despite deficit-reduction goals. Monetary easing and fiscal support are expected to provide cyclical momentum, though fiscal space remains constrained.

Looking ahead, policymakers face the dual task of sustaining growth drivers at home while navigating an uncertain global trade environment. Success in balancing domestic reforms, infrastructure investment, and foreign trade agreements will be key to India’s long-term ambition of achieving developed nation status by 2047, concluded the article.

Fibre2Fashion News Desk (SG)

On the occasion of the decade-long celebrations of Make in India, commerce and industry minister Piyush Goyal yesterday launched the Logistics Data Bank (LDB) 2.0 and the Industrial Park Rating System (IPRS) 3.0 in New Delhi.

Goyal said LDB 2.0 will provide critical insights into the availability of facilities and infrastructure across the logistics ecosystem.

India yesterday launched the Logistics fa Data Bank (LDB) 2.0 and the Industrial Park Rating System (IPRS) 3.0.
LDB 2.0 will enable real-time tracking and assessment of logistics performance, supporting better planning, higher efficiency and cost reduction.
IPRS 3.0 aims at further strengthening India’s industrial ecosystem and enhance the competitiveness of industrial infrastructure.

The system will enable real-time tracking and assessment of logistics performance, supporting better planning, higher efficiency and cost reduction, according to a release from his ministry.

He said the initiative will serve as an important tool for both industry and government to strengthen competitiveness, improve supply chain management and make logistics in India more efficient and business-friendly.

Developed by NICDC Logistics Data Services (NLDSL), LDB 2.0 is a significantly enhanced logistics tracking platform that enables export container tracking on high seas along with multi-modal shipment visibility.

It also offers multi-modal visibility across road, rail, and sea using container, truck or trailer numbers, as well as railway FNRs (used to track consignments) through integration with the Unified Logistics Interface Platform (ULIP).

A live container heat map provides location-based views of container distribution across the country, helping stakeholders and policymakers identify imbalances and respond proactively to potential bottlenecks.

Developed by the department for promotion of industry and internal trade (DPIIT) with support from the Asian Development Bank, the IPRS 3.0 initiative aims at further strengthening India’s industrial ecosystem and enhance the competitiveness of industrial infrastructure.

Goyal said the government is developing 20 plug-and-play industrial parks and smart cities under the National Industrial Corridor Development Programme  (NICDC), with four already completed, four under active construction and the remaining at various stages of bidding and tendering.

He said that the launch of IPRS 3.0 will help assess and benchmark facilities, infrastructure, and competitiveness of industrial parks across the country.

The initiative will provide stakeholders with reliable data, encourage best practices and support the creation of world-class infrastructure.

Building on the pilot phase in 2018 and IPRS 2.0 in 2021, the third edition introduces an expanded framework with new parameters, including sustainability, green infrastructure, logistics connectivity, digitalization, skill linkages and enhanced tenant feedback.

Under IPRS 3.0, industrial parks will be benchmarked and categorised as leaders, challengers and aspirers based on their performance across key indicators. This will provide investors with transparent and credible information, foster healthy competition among states and union territories, and guide policymakers in designing targeted interventions.

Fibre2Fashion News Desk (DS)

Yasmin Le Bon is returning as the face of the latest George at Asda collection for the new season but this time she’s also starring with her daughter Amber.

Launching 22 September, the collection is priced from £8-£45 and the appearance of Le Bon senior and junior is key because George said it “blends modern and timeless style, celebrating individuality and cross-generational fashion”.

The campaign was shot in the Cotswolds countryside by photographer Simon Emmett. It focuses on statement outerwear, utility jackets, soft checks, laidback denim, and tactile textures evoke the ease of rural life while remaining effortless and wearable for every day.

George added that “at 60, Yasmin continues to prove that style is timeless, while Amber brings a fresh perspective, showing how the same pieces can be styled across generations. Together, they embody the emotional thread of inherited style, fashion as a shared language, passed down but always made one’s own”.

While Asda is currently undertaking a turnaround and has struggled to ignite sales growth, its George fashion offer is one of its most successful categories, so much so that it’s been experimenting with a pilot standalone George store.

Only this summer it was also reported that the retailer wants to overtake Primark in UK clothing retail and is doubling down on its focus on the George brand.