The growth outlook for October to December appears bright, with rural demand remaining resilient and urban demand picking up in the first two months of the quarter, according to the finance ministry’s monthly economic report for November.

Growth slowed more than expected in July to September, hampered by weaker expansion in manufacturing and consumption. India has maintained that its economy will grow at a world-beating pace of 6.5%-7% despite a challenging environment.

The outlook is expected to be better in October-to-March than in the first six months of the financial year, it said.

“The combination of monetary policy stance and macroprudential measures by the central bank may have contributed to the demand slowdown,” the report said.

India’s central bank has kept interest rates unchanged for 11 straight policy meetings, despite calls for rate cuts to support growth amid high inflation.

For the next financial year starting April 1, 2026, the report said, newer risks have emerged, such as uncertain global trade growth and a stronger U.S. dollar.

U.S. President-elect Donald Trump has threatened many nations, including India, with higher tariffs on imports, raising risks of a global trade war after he takes office on Jan. 20. Trump’s election victory has also fuelled a run-up in the dollar and U.S. yields.

However, India’s growth outlook in 2025/26 and coming years is bright in terms of domestic economic fundamentals, the finance ministry’s report said.