India's services sector recorded robust growth across most segments in April, with retail trade, real estate and administrative services emerging as the top performers, as the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MoSPI) released the country's first-ever monthly Index of Services Production (ISP).
The new data showed that 14 of the 19 services sub-sectors recorded double-digit output growth during April, underscoring broad-based expansion in the formal services economy.
Retail trade services led the growth chart with output rising 30.8% year-on-year, followed by administrative services at 28.7% and real estate services at 27.7%.
Road transport services grew 18.5%, while warehousing services expanded 18.2%, reflecting strong momentum in logistics and supply chains.
Among other major sectors, scientific services registered 16.5% growth, arts and entertainment services rose 16.4%, insurance services expanded 15.6%, wholesale trade grew 15.3% and IT services recorded 15.2% growth.
Banking services posted a 12.2% increase, while water transport services grew a relatively modest 5.7%.
The release marks the launch of the Index of Services Production (ISP), a new macroeconomic indicator with the base year of 2024-25, aimed at providing a monthly measure of activity in India's formal services sector.
According to MoSPI, the ISP represents a significant milestone in strengthening India's statistical framework by offering high-frequency data on a sector that contributes more than half of the country's economic output.
The ministry said the monthly indices currently cover 19 services sub-sectors, representing about 60% of the formal services economy.
MoSPI also announced that subsequent ISP data will be released on the 29th of every month, providing policymakers, businesses and investors with a timely gauge of trends in the country's services sector.
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