India’s Q3 GDP Likely Hit 8.1%: SBI Report Highlights Strong Rural and Urban Demand
New Delhi, February 24, 2026 — Defying global economic headwinds, the Indian economy is estimated to have expanded by a robust 8.1 percent in the third quarter (October-December 2025) of the current financial year.
This projection was published today in a comprehensive research report by the State Bank of India (SBI), highlighting the nation’s sustained economic resilience and domestic demand.
Resilient Rural and Urban Consumption
According to the SBI report, a careful tracking of high-frequency indicators reveals that economic activity remained strong and steady across multiple sectors throughout the quarter.
The growth was significantly driven by positive consumer behavior across both rural and urban demographics:
Rural Comeback: Rural consumption remained robust, fueled by encouraging trends and steady activities in both the farm and non-farm sectors.
Urban Spending: Urban consumption recorded a steady uptick, receiving a major boost from recent fiscal stimulus measures and increased spending that began during the festive season.
The report emphasizes that domestic consumption continues to play a vital role in keeping India’s economic expansion insulated from uncertainties in the broader global environment.
Awaiting the New GDP Base Year Revision
These optimistic projections arrive just days before the official numbers are published. The government is scheduled to release the official Q3 GDP data, as well as the revised figures for the first and second quarters, on February 27, 2026.
Crucially, the February 27 release will be a landmark event for Indian economics, as the country is set to officially revise its GDP base year from 2011-12 to 2022-23. This massive methodological update aims to better capture the current structure, digital advancements, and consumption patterns of the modern Indian economy.