New Delhi: India’s economy contracted by 7.5% in the July-September period (Q2) of FY’21, according to new data released by the National Statistics Office (NSO), even as curbs imposed to restrict the spread of COVID-19 pandemic were eased and broader economic activity resumed.With the latest data, India’s quarterly GDP has contracted for the second straight quarter, thus plunging the economy into a historic ‘technical recession’ – an outcome that was predicted by the Reserve Bank of India and many others. According to National Statistical Office data, GDP growth for Q2 contracted 7.5% from the same quarter last year.This, however, is a significant improvement in comparison to the unprecedented 23.9% drop seen in the April-June quarter (Q1) of FY’21. Indeed, many analysts and government officials believe that India’s economic recovery will be swifter than earlier projected, with a number of GDP predictions being revised upwards for the whole financial year.In gross value added (GVA) terms, the Indian economy contracted 7% compared to a contraction of 22.8% last quarter.Also read: PM Eco Advisor Says GDP Could Fall Upto 9% This Year, Calls For Stimulus Financed by Gold AmnestyAnother set of government data released on Friday evening indicated that eight ‘core infrastructure’ sectors of the Indian economy saw a 2.5% contraction when compared to the same quarter last year.While India has now entered a technical recession, the overall drop in the rate of GDP shrinkage indicates that India may be over the worst economic effects of the coronavirus pandemic.The Q2 GDP data shows significant improvement in terms of private consumption (PFCE contracted 11.3% in Q2 compared to a drop of 26.7% in Q1) and investments (GFCF contracted by 7.3% compared to a significant drop of 47.1% in Q1).Manufacturing, a relatively bright spotSectoral data released by the NSO on Friday evening also showed that two areas (manufacturing and electricity and other public utilities) recovered from the contraction seen in Q1. Manufacturing grew 0.6% in Q2 after a sharp fall of 39.3% in the preceding quarter. Electricity and other public utilities grew 4.4% against a contraction of 7% in Q1.The agriculture sector, which wasn’t deeply impacted by the pandemic, grew 3.4% in Q2.“Q2 GDP at –7.5% buttresses recovery as captured by several high frequency indicators. Economic impact is primarily due to COVID-19. Good news is falling daily cases are due to lower transmission & not due to lower testing. To sustain economic recovery, caution must continue,” the finance ministry said in a statement.
