Business: Airlines in the country will operate 26,495 flights every week in the winter season starting from October 26 this year, which is about 6 percent more than last year. This winter schedule will start from October 26 and will be applicable till March 28, 2026. According to the Civil Aviation Ministry, 126 airports will be connected by these flights. In the last summer schedule-25, 25,610 flights were operating from 129 airports. Amravati, Hisar, Purnia and Rupsi have been included as new airports.
IMF estimates- India’s economy will grow at the rate of 6.6 percent this year
The International Monetary Fund (IMF) forecasts that India’s economy will grow at 6.6% in fiscal year 2025-26. According to the World Economic Outlook (WEO) report, the IMF has said that India will continue to be one of the fastest growing ’emerging market and developing economies’. India’s situation has improved due to strong economic performance in the first quarter. The impact of increased US tariffs on Indian goods has also been balanced to a great extent. IMF estimates that India is going to overtake China. China’s growth rate is estimated to be 4.8%. However, the IMF has reduced its forecast for 2026 to 6.2%, citing slowing growth in the first quarter. Citing little impact of tariffs, the IMF has estimated the global growth rate to be 3.2% in 2025.
Private sector growth rate drops to lowest in five months due to weak demand
Private sector growth slowed to a five-month low in October due to weak demand and rising production prices. HSBC’s Flash India Composite Purchasing Managers’ Index (PMI) fell to 59.9 in October. In September it was at 61.0. However, growth remained strong despite hitting its lowest level since May. The seasonally adjusted index measures changes on a monthly basis in the combined output of the manufacturing and services sectors. According to the report, the decline in growth rate in October was mainly due to the slowdown in services growth. Manufacturing activity recovered from a four-month low in September. Manufacturing PMI rose to 58.4 from 57.7 in September. The service business activity index declined to 58.8 from 60.9. The new orders index rose strongly. However, it was at its lowest pace since May. Global demand for goods and services fell to the lowest in seven months due to slow growth in manufacturing exports.
