RAS question
What was the manufacturing GVA growth rate in Q2 FY26, according to the Economic Survey 2025-26?
Correct answer: (D) 9.13%.
According to the Economic Survey 2025-26, manufacturing GVA grew by 9.13% in Q2 FY26.
Explanation
The Economic Survey 2025-26 figure for Q2 FY26 manufacturing GVA growth is 9.13%. The PIB release reports that manufacturing GVA grew by 7.72% in Q1 FY26 and 9.13% in Q2 FY26, respectively, so the Q2 value is the higher of the two FY26 quarterly figures. This also marks a sharp improvement from the 2.2% recorded in Q2 FY25. The Press Information Bureau explains the acceleration as being primarily driven by structural shifts within manufacturing, including movement towards higher-value segments, better industrial infrastructure through corridor-led development, and greater adoption of technology and formalisation across firms.
Why the other options are wrong
- (A) 2.2% refers to manufacturing GVA growth in Q2 FY25, whereas the question asks for Q2 FY26.
- (B) 7.72% is the Q1 FY26 manufacturing GVA growth rate, not the Q2 FY26 figure.
- (C) 5.5% is not supported by the Economic Survey/PIB passage for Q2 FY26 manufacturing GVA, which gives 9.13%.
Concept
This tests national-income sectoral growth, especially how GVA is tracked across quarters and sectors in the Economic Survey. RAS repeatedly asks such data points because they connect macroeconomic performance with current policy documents.