India’s service sector growth recovers to three-month high of 51.9 in July

03 Aug 2016 Evaluate

India’s service sector growth recovered to three-month high with faster increase in new business, underpinning stronger growth of output and boosting confidence. Services costs lowered first time in nine months indicated an overall decline in selling prices, while input cost also decreased. The seasonally adjusted Nikkei India Services Business Activity Index rose to 51.9 in July from 50.3 in June. The index posted above no-change mark of 50.0 for the thirteenth month running, highlighting ongoing growth of output in the sector.

The seasonally adjusted Nikkei India Composite PMI Output Index which measures both manufacturing and services, climbed to a three month high to 52.4 in July from 51.1 in June.  Manufacturing order books increased at the quickest pace since March. Besides, leading services output rise was a further expansion in incoming new business, one that was the most pronounced since April. According to survey, the upturn was supported by successful price negotiations with clients as well as improved marketing campaigns.

The survey showed that output charges fell at only a slight pace as the vast majority of survey respondents signalled no change in prices charged. By comparison, factory gate prices rose at a slight pace, which was nevertheless the quickest since April. Further, no different for job creation from June with almost all survey members reporting the same staff levels. It has now been over two-and-a-half years since the private sector has seen meaningful job creation.

July data highlighted a second successive monthly increase in unfinished business volumes at Indian service providers.  Amid reports of lower prices paid for fuel and some commodities, average input costs facing service providers fell in July. Conversely, purchasing costs at goods producers continued to rise, although the rate of inflation softened to a five-month low.Business sentiment among Indian service providers improved during July, with the degree of optimism reaching a four-month high.

© 2026 The Alchemists Ark Pvt. Ltd. All rights reserved. MoneyWorks4Me ® is a registered trademark of The Alchemists Ark Pvt. Ltd.

×