Flash PMI estimates for March 2026 point to softening in output growth

29 MARCH 2026

Economic indicators are beginning to show signs of slowing growth in response to the constraints created by the war in West Asia, the Ministry of Finance has said in a new report.
The Monthly Economic Review for March 2026, released by the Department of Economic Affairs (DEA), noted that the evolving conflict has “introduced a complex and multi-layered set of risks” for India, which is a major energy importer with strong trade, investment, and remittance linkages with West Asia.
“Flash PMI [Purchasing Managers’ Index] estimates for March 2026 point to a softening in output growth following the energy price shock,” it added.

PMI is an economic indicator that measures the health of the manufacturing and services sectors based on surveys of business managers.
It looks at factors like production/output, new orders, employment, supplier deliveries, etc.
PMI above 50 indicates expansion (growth)
PMI below50 indicates contraction (decline)