GDP growth rate likely to decline to 7.1% in Q1, say SBI economists

Economists at the country's largest lender SBI on Monday joined other watchers forecasting a slip in the economic growth and estimated India's real GDP growth to come at 7.1 per cent for the June quarter. The economists said the growth in gross value added (GVA) will fall below 7 per cent to 6.7-6.8 per cent for the April-June period this fiscal when compared to the year-ago period. "As per our 'Nowcasting Model', the forecasted GDP growth for Q1 FY25 would be 7.0-7.1 per cent, and GVA is at 6.7-6.8 per cent with a downward bias," the economists said. It can be noted that the real GDP growth had come at 7.8 per cent in the June quarter last year and the preceding March quarter. A slew of analysts have been pointing to a moderation in economic activity in the June quarter, mainly driven by softer manufacturing and lower government spending due to the general elections. The report also said that given the uncertain global growth outlook and the softening inflation, there is a space f