India&rsquo;s latest national accounts place the country once again in the league of the world&rsquo;s fastest-growing major economies, with the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) rising by 8.2% in the second quarter (July&ndash;September) of FY 2025&ndash;26. At first glance, this is a moment of national pride: growth has far outpaced the RBI&rsquo;s estimate of 7%, beaten most private forecasts, and marked the highest expansion in six quarters.
Yet behind this upbeat macro headline lie deeper structural cracks&mdash;ones India can no longer afford to ignore.
<h3 data-start="1174" data-end="1222">Growth Strong, but Narrowly Concentrated</h3>
The surge has been driven primarily by two engines: manufacturing (9.1%) and services (9.2%). Private consumption has also expanded by 7.9%, signalling renewed consumer confidence. But the real question is: is this growth broad-based enough for a nation of 140 crore?
The answer, sadly, is no.
India&rsquo;s growth story continues to be sectorally skewed, with the services sector carrying disproportionate weight, especially sub-sectors tied to global trade, financial services, infotech, and professional activities. Such sectors are inherently volatile and dependent on external markets, geo-economic tensions, and international trade policies, leaving India vulnerable to global shocks.
<h3 data-start="1948" data-end="1997">Industrial Output Tells a Different Story</h3>
While GDP has accelerated, the Index of Industrial Production (IIP) paints a sobering picture. In October 2025, IIP growth crashed to 0.4%&mdash;a 14-month low, down from 4.6% in September. Manufacturing slowed sharply to 1.8%, while mining contracted by 1.8% and electricity generation plunged 6.9% due to unseasonal rains.
This disconnect highlights a structural imbalance: GDP is rising, but the industrial base remains fragile, oscillating with festive calendars, tariff pressures, and weather fluctuations. Even September&rsquo;s uptick in manufacturing, driven by GST rate cuts, proved temporary.
<h3 data-start="2630" data-end="2669">Employment: The Silent Red Flag</h3>
The most pressing concern is that GDP growth is not translating into jobs. The labour market shows partial resilience&mdash;LFPR improved to 55.4%, and EPFO added 21.04 lakh net members in July 2025. But the unemployment rate remains stuck at 5.2%, signalling stagnant job creation.
The core problem is the widening skill gap. High-growth service segments&mdash;IT, fintech, AI, professional services&mdash;demand sophisticated skills, but the workforce largely remains under-skilled or mismatched. India faces a dual paradox:
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High growth without high employment,
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High demand for skills but low supply of skilled manpower.
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</ul>
<h3 data-start="3328" data-end="3384">Urban India Races Ahead, Rural India Left Behind</h3>
Consumption-led growth is overwhelmingly urban-centric, generating regional economic imbalances. While urban markets show buoyancy, rural demand remains subdued, limiting the depth and durability of India&rsquo;s growth pattern.
A growth model that bypasses rural India cannot be called inclusive, nor can it sustainably support a $5-trillion ambition.
<h3 data-start="3753" data-end="3796">Fiscal Strength but Social Weakness</h3>
Government accounts reveal robust receipts&mdash;₹18,00,475 crore collected till October 2025, with higher tax devolution to states. Yet ₹6,73,715 crore of revenue expenditure going to interest payments shows how limited fiscal headroom truly is. Capital expenditure is growing, but without broad-based employment, its multiplier effect remains muted.
<h3 data-start="4157" data-end="4213">A Growth Story to Celebrate&mdash;or a Warning Signal?</h3>
India&rsquo;s GDP numbers signal resilience, momentum, and economic potential. But they also raise a vital national question:
Should a nation of 140 crore celebrate a growth model powered by a few sectors, limited geographies, and inconsistent employment generation?
Unless India bridges its skill deficit, strengthens manufacturing, and ensures rural inclusion, its growth will remain impressive&mdash;but incomplete.

Q2 GDP hit 8.2%, yet jobs stagnate and rural India remains outside the growth arc

Is India’s GDP Surge Truly Inclusive?

Q2 GDP hit 8.2%, yet jobs stagnate and rural India remains outside the growth arc

December 2, 2025 | 16:31 IST