Summary of India Macro Outlook Post 50% Tariff, GST 2.0 & Strong GDP Data Industry Overview - **Industry**: Indian Economy - **Report Date**: September 4, 2025 - **Research Provider**: Deutsche Bank Key Points Economic Growth - Real GDP growth for April-June 2025 has exceeded expectations, but risks remain high for the second half of FY26 due to a 50% tariff shock [5][6] - Nominal GDP growth is projected to decline from 14.0% in FY23 to 12.0% in FY24, and further to 9.8% in FY25, with expectations of 9.0% or lower in FY26 [6][11] - The importance of nominal GDP growth is emphasized, as it affects corporate earnings, fiscal ratios, and debt dynamics [6] Inflation Trends - August CPI inflation is forecasted to rise to 2.23% YoY from 1.55% in July, with expectations of remaining subdued in the near term [7] - CPI inflation is projected to average 3.0% in FY26 and 4.5% in FY27, with a potential rise to 5.1% in April-June 2026 [8][9] - Core CPI inflation is expected to increase to an average of 4.4% in FY26, up from 3.5% in FY25 [9] Fiscal Outlook - GST 2.0 is expected to be fiscally sustainable, with higher consumption offsetting revenue shortfalls [10] - A revenue shortfall of INR 400-500 billion is anticipated in FY26, pushing the fiscal deficit to 4.50% of GDP [10][11] - FY26 GST collection is estimated at INR 11.8 trillion, a 10.9% YoY increase, but risks remain for lower tax collections due to moderating nominal GDP growth [11] Monetary Policy - The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) is expected to cut rates by 25bps on October 1, 2025, in response to growth risks [12] - The RBI's previous rate cuts have occurred despite positive GDP growth surprises, indicating a cautious approach to monetary policy [12] Currency and Foreign Exchange - The Indian Rupee is expected to depreciate mildly, with a target of 88.0 against the USD by the end of December 2025 [13] - India's FX reserves stand at USD 690 billion, but net reserves are lower at USD 635 billion, indicating potential vulnerabilities [14] Additional Insights - India's International Investment Position (IIP) is negative, with liabilities exceeding assets, highlighting the need for building FX reserves [14] - The report emphasizes the importance of qualitative assessments of GDP growth figures, particularly in light of deflator impacts [6] Financial Projections - The report includes a detailed financial forecast for various economic indicators, including GDP growth, fiscal deficit, CPI inflation, and trade balance [15] This summary encapsulates the critical insights from the Deutsche Bank report on India's macroeconomic outlook, focusing on growth, inflation, fiscal policy, and currency dynamics.