logo
PHDCCI lauds strong GDP growth of 7.4% in Q4; says it reinforces India's position as a fast-growing major economy

PHDCCI lauds strong GDP growth of 7.4% in Q4; says it reinforces India's position as a fast-growing major economy

Indias economy has maintained a steady growth trajectory, with Real GDP expanding by 6.5% in FY 202425. In nominal terms, GDP grew by 9.8% highlighting Indias position as one of the fastest-growing major economies globally said Mr. Hemant Jain, President, PHDCCI, in a press statement. The growth was largely driven by healthy growth in private consumption, and capital formation. The Private Final Consumption Expenditure (PFCE) increased by 7.2%, while Gross Fixed Capital Formation (GFCF) rose by 7.1% in Q4FY2025, reflecting investment-led momentum said Mr. Jain.
GVA growth in Q4 was led by 10.8% growth in construction sector followed by public administration and defence-related services at 8.7%. Sectorial trends show that construction emerged as the fastest-growing sector for the full fiscal year (FY2025) at 9.4%, followed by public administration and defence-related services at 8.9% and financial, real estate, and professional services at 7.2%, he said. Per capita GDP in real terms increased by 5.5%, reaching ₹1.33 lakh, while per capita Gross National
Income stood at ₹1.31 lakh, marking a 5.4% rise. These gains suggest broad-based improvements in economic well-being, he said. Going forward we anticipate stronger GDP growth aided by improved agricultural output, sustained infrastructure activity, and strong domestic consumption. Continued government focus on public investment and structural reforms, are expected to catapult Indias growth momentum in FY2026, he said.

Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Nat'l College new campus at Chandraval
Nat'l College new campus at Chandraval

Time of India

time11 hours ago

  • Time of India

Nat'l College new campus at Chandraval

Lucknow: National PG College is set to expand its academic footprint with a new campus coming up at Chandraval, located on Bijnor road. The decision was formalized during the recent governing council meeting, where the proposal was approved for the new campus which is expected to commence in 2026-27 academic session. The upcoming campus is designed to cater to emerging career fields with a strong focus on technology and applied sciences. It will offer programmes in biotechnology, law, agriculture, pharmacy, BBA agro, food technology and dairy technology. These courses aim to align students with the growing demands of industries such as agri-business, health sciences and legal studies. To ensure a holistic academic environment, the new campus will also include residential facilities and hostels for boys and girls, each with a capacity of 150 students. "About 20 acre has been allotted to the college by the Motilal Memorial Society for the new campus at Chandraval. This expansion will allow us to introduce future-ready courses and provide world-class facilities to our students," said, principal, National P.G. College, Devendra Kumar Singh. Get the latest lifestyle updates on Times of India, along with Eid wishes , messages , and quotes !

Crafting luxury: How this Jaipur-based MSME is winning India's elite
Crafting luxury: How this Jaipur-based MSME is winning India's elite

Time of India

timea day ago

  • Time of India

Crafting luxury: How this Jaipur-based MSME is winning India's elite

Jaipur-based ARL Group , known for its Specta Quartz Surfaces brand, has spent 30 years in the utility building material industry. After years of focusing on functional products, the company decided to diversify into the luxury segment, expanding its portfolio to cater to high-end customers seeking premium building materials. The Group explored new opportunities for diversification and discovered engineered quartz stones at exhibitions. Intrigued, they began a comprehensive study of the product and conducted global market research to understand its potential and trends. This helped them in evaluating the demand, competition, and potential applications of engineered quartz stones in the luxury segment, says Ankit Jain, Founder of Specta Quartz Surfaces, a luxury brand specialising in engineered quartz surfaces. 'Globally, the market is huge, and it is a very well-accepted product,' adds Jain. The global quartz market, estimated at $7.62 billion in 2025, is expected to grow at a CAGR of 4.19% to reach $9.35 billion by 2030. The Indian quartz market is projected to grow at a CAGR of 8.4% to reach $2,462 million by 2026. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Bank Owned Properties For Sale In Tan Dinh (Prices May Surprise You) Foreclosed Homes | Search ads Search Now Undo 'We saw an opportunity to enter a new product line, leveraging export markets to kickstart growth while simultaneously investing in the Indian market to build our brand. This strategy allowed for a beneficial synergy between international expansion and domestic development,' says second-generation entrepreneur Jain. As these luxury projects continue to grow in volume, there is a growing demand for luxury interior materials like quartz surfaces for kitchen and washroom countertops and wall cladding, says Jain. The entrepreneur identified an opportunity in the market for high-quality quartz surfaces, particularly those manufactured using Italian technology, which is preferred by discerning buyers for its superior quality and durability compared to Chinese alternatives. Live Events Ankit leveraged his manufacturing expertise and built India's first manufacturing facility with the Italian Bretonstone technology in the Bagru Industrial Area , Jaipur, Rajasthan. For the uninitiated, Bretonstone is the gold standard in engineered quartz manufacturing worldwide. This Italian technology enables the creation of highly durable, design-consistent, and hygienic quartz surfaces that are ideal for modern living spaces. 'We were only the third company in India to do so and the first to focus so much on the Indian market. This decision has paid off, as Specta's designs are now a benchmark in the industry,' says Jain. India's luxury housing market The growth of luxury real estate and consumption in India has fuelled the demand for high-end home products, says Jain. As people invest more in their homes, especially kitchens and bathrooms, the market for premium materials like quartz surfaces has naturally expanded, offering an opportune time for brands like Specta Quartz Surfaces to capitalise on this trend, adds Jain. Luxury housing units priced above Rs 1.5 crore account for around 17% of new residential launches in India, according to ANAROCK Research's 2024 data. The luxury homes priced over Rs 1 crore dominated sales in 2024, crossing the 50% mark. Specta is planning to open six exclusive experience centres, including flagship locations in Mumbai, Jaipur, and Ahmedabad. The Jaipur-based MSME has made strides in the stone surfaces market, successfully catering to high-end customers seeking premium building materials. It has achieved nearly Rs 150 crore in revenue within just three years. The company also supplies its products to the Middle East. The price of Specta's products ranges from Rs 500 per sq ft to Rs 2,000 per sq ft depending on design intricacies and colours. 'Our turnover (revenue) has steadily grown from Rs 23 crore in 2022-23 to Rs 90 crore in 2023–24, with an EBITDA of Rs 4 crore. The provisional figures for 2024-25 show continued momentum, with turnover reaching Rs 145 crore, underscoring strong demand, strategic execution, and improved profitability,' says Jain. Over the next one year, Specta is expecting a revenue of Rs 300 crore. Specta Quartz Surfaces is working to boost capacity by year-end and aims for 50% year-on-year revenue growth over the next three years. To drive this expansion, the company is launching six exclusive experience centers, with flagship locations in Mumbai, Jaipur, and Ahmedabad, as part of its strategic retail growth plan. How is the sector placed? Aarti Harbhajanka, Co-founder, CHRO & MD, Primus Partners, says that India's luxury market, including premium building materials like engineered quartz surfaces, is growing steadily due to rising disposable incomes, urbanisation, and demand for high-end interiors. 'The engineered quartz segment is expected to expand at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 8-12% over the next five years, driven by real estate development and an increasing preference for durable, aesthetically pleasing surfaces, adds Harbhajanka. However, Harbhajanka cautions that India's engineered quartz market also faces hurdles like price sensitivity due to competition from affordable alternatives such as ceramics and laminates. Additionally, the industry struggles with high import dependency on raw materials and consumer preference for traditional marble, she says. The Jaipur-based MSME has made strides in the stone surfaces market, successfully catering to high-end customers seeking premium building materials. 'Logistics complexities, considering the weight of the quartz and sustainability concerns around silica sourcing and carbon emissions, may add further hurdles. However, manufacturers are countering these issues through localised production and eco-friendly innovations,' adds Harbhajanka. Specta's operating model Specta's business model leverages partnerships with architects, designers, and developers, wherein Specta, founded in 2022, integrates its premium surfaces into luxury residences, commercial spaces, and hospitality projects. Also, it has recently expanded into retail and direct-to-consumer sales for its next phase of scaling. Specta operates in 80 tier-II and tier-III cities across India, supported by a robust network of approximately 60 distributors and 300 dealers. Our business follows a B2B model, wherein we dispatch products from our factory directly to our distributor network, who then handle local logistics and last-mile delivery. 'While our transactions are B2B, over 95% of our sales cater to retail homeowners, facilitated by our dealer ecosystem. Our sales team also works closely with kitchen installers, architects, and designers who act as key influencers, helping get our products specified in premium residential and commercial projects,' says Jain. The company also partners with modular kitchen brands like Livspace, Spacewood, Arancia, and Nolte, who showcase its quartz surfaces in their showrooms. 'When customers place orders, our distributors handle fulfilment. Meanwhile, our business development team collaborates with these kitchen installers and architects in major cities to pitch and showcase our products,' he adds. However, Jain agrees that the product is still at a very nascent stage in India. But he is hopeful more and more people will access the product since people's spending power in India has increased over the years. More than the spending power, the willingness to spend has increased, says Jain. 'With luxury kitchens ranging from Rs 25 lakh to Rs 1.5 crore, high-end consumers aren't satisfied with basic materials like granite. Brands like Nolte and Livspace cater to this demographic, where premium quartz surfaces become a natural choice for those investing in high-end kitchen designs,' adds Jain. Expansion plans Specta, which has so far managed its working capital entirely through bank credit, is planning to open six exclusive experience centres, including flagship locations in Mumbai, Jaipur, and Ahmedabad. 'This is a part of our retail expansion strategy and will help us bring our products closer to customers in high-demand areas. Additionally, we are also banking on the rising luxury real estate market in tier-II and tier-III cities to expand our customer base within the luxury homeowner segment in these regions,' says Jain. The company has also invested in a new manufacturing plant, which will become operational by the end of the year. 'This plant will increase our capacity by almost 150%, and it will be capable of producing super-jumbo slabs and ultra-thin 7mm slabs with unique design possibilities. This advancement will open new applications beyond traditional surfaces, reinforcing Specta's position as an industry leader in innovation and design,' adds Jain.

LIC's Smart Pension Plan: 5 key things you need to know before you invest
LIC's Smart Pension Plan: 5 key things you need to know before you invest

Mint

timea day ago

  • Mint

LIC's Smart Pension Plan: 5 key things you need to know before you invest

Life Insurance Corporation of India (LIC) provides for a lucrative Smart Pension Plan to provide investors with an efficient tool to plan and invest for their retirement. This is a non participation, individual, non linked and group immediate annuity plan. This has been designed to facilitate efficient retirement planning for investors, this scheme provides a choice of annuity options thus catering to both members of group superannuation schemes and individuals as well. Here are five must know facts you should know before you consider investing: According to LIC's official documentation, the minimum entry age is 18 years. The maximum age varies from 65 to 100 years, primarily depending on the annuity option selected by the applicant. Furthermore, the minimum purchase price is ₹ 1,00,000. The plan is available for individual applicants including National Pension System (NPS) subscribers and 'Divyangjan' (dependents with disabilities). Note: The basic eligibility criteria discussed above is illustrative in nature. Refer to the official website of LIC for the update eligibility criteria, terms and conditions. The Smart Pension Plan offers for several different annuity options: Annuity type Key features Lifetime Annuity (Single/ Joint Life) Annuity continues for life; in joint life, 100% payable to survivor Annuity certain with life Fixed annuity for 5, 10, 15, or 20 years, then for life Increasing annuity Annuity increases at a simple rate of 3% or 6% per annum Return of Purchase Price Purchase price returned after death or a specified period It is important to acknowledge the fact that annuity payouts can be monthly, quarterly, half yearly or annual. Note: The key features discussed above are illustrative in nature. For the updated features, terms and conditions refer to the website of LIC. All policyholders who invest higher amounts in the plan, receive enhanced and boosted annuity rates. Further, nominees of deceased LIC policyholders are also eligible for better terms. These increased annuity rates act as a financial incentive for individuals planning for a prudent and stable post retirement income stream. Furthermore, nominees or beneficiaries of deceased LIC policyholders are also eligible for favourable terms and added benefits, depending on the policy conditions and the selected annuity option. These features make the plan not only lucrative for individual investors but also considerate of their respective family's financial security. To assist in financial flexibility, LIC permits policyholders to avail of loans after three months from the policy commencement date or after the end of the free look period whichever comes later. This allows individuals to avail and access funds during sudden emergencies or difficult or unforeseen circumstances. That too without terminating the policy. Furthermore, partial surrender of the policy is also permitted under critical, unforeseen circumstances including serious illness or life altering events. This particular feature ensures that the investors are not locked into their annuity completely and can avail liquidity when genuinely required. Death benefit flexibility: Nominees can opt for lump sum payout, instalments or even annuitised benefits. Nominees can opt for lump sum payout, instalments or even annuitised benefits. Joint life annuity: Upon first death, 100% annuity continues for the remaining survivor. Upon first death, 100% annuity continues for the remaining survivor. Payout customisation: Carefully select the frequency and payout mode as per requirement and your future financial goals. Through the online mode: Visit the official website of LIC to apply directly. Through the offline mode: You can purchase the plan through LIC agents, designated representatives, or local CSC centres across the country. Documentation needed: You must keep your Aadhaar card, PAN card, address proof, age proof along with recent photographs and bank details ready to meet any required eligibility requirements. Select options: Choose your preferred annuity type and payout frequency. The payout frequency can be either monthly, quarterly, half yearly or annually depending on the applicant's choice. Discuss with experts: You can also consult an LIC agent or refer to the official web link of the plan for detailed plan features and benefits before opting for it. Hence, with a growing elderly population, rising cost of living, lack of efficient planning etc., structured pension products such as LIC's Smart Pension Plan aim to provide financial independence to retirees. Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial advice. Please consult the official LIC website or authorised representatives for the latest details before making any investment decisions.

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into the world of global news and events? Download our app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store