'India poised for stronger growth from structural reforms, government's capex push': CEA

India's Chief Economic Advisor (CEA) KC Subramanian on Tuesday said that the country's macroeconomic fundamentals were much stronger and that the country was all set for robust growth on the back of structural reforms, the government's capex push and rapid vaccination. While speaking to reporters on the growth number, he said that the GDP data for the first quarter reaffirmed the government's prediction of an imminent V-shaped recovery made last year. 

CEA Subramanian on Indian economy

CEA Subramanian said that India's economic growth had surged to 20.1% in the April-June of this fiscal amid a devastating second wave of the COVID pandemic. According to the data released by the National Statistical Office (NSO) on Tuesday, India's GDP had contracted by 24.4% in the corresponding April-June quarter of 2020-21. 

Speaking on inflation, he said it has witnessed a moderation in July compared to the previous month. "Our expectation is that the inflation in the next few months should be within that range, between 5-6%, but less than 6%" despite hardening global commodity prices," CEA Subramanian added. 

India's GDP bounces back

A better-than-expected manufacturing performance, a milder hit to services and a rebound in consumer spending helped the Q1 growth in spite of the second wave of COVID cases. The period from April to June had less stringent lockdown norms than in the same period of last year with demand staying resilient.

Besides, steady growth in exports, as well as a robust performance of the agricultural sector, is expected to give a push to GDP growth in the current fiscal year.

GDP is derived as the sum of the gross value added (GVA) at basic prices plus all taxes on products less all subsidies on products. The total tax revenue used for GDP compilation includes non-GST revenue and GST revenue.

"GDP at constant (2011-12) prices in Q1 of 2021-22 is estimated at Rs 32.38 lakh crore as against Rs 26.95 lakh crore in Q1 of 2020-21, marking a growth of 20.1% as compared to contraction of 24.4% in Q1 2020-21," said the National Statistical Office (NSO) in its official release.

Quarterly GVA (Gross Value Added) at basic price at constant (2011-12) prices for Q1 of 2021-22 is estimated at Rs 30.48 lakh crore as against Rs 25.66 lakh crore in Q1 of 2020-21, showing a growth of 18.8%.

GDP at current prices in the year Q1 2021-22 is estimated at Rs 51.23 lakh crore as against Rs 38.89 lakh crore in Q1 2020-21, showing a growth of 31.7% as compared to contraction of 22.3% in Q1 2020-21.

GVA at basic price at current prices in Q1 2021-22 is estimated at Rs 46.2 lakh crore as against Rs 36.53 lakh crore in Q1 2020-21, showing a growth of 26.5%

(Image: PTI)