Despite the pandemic’s impact, Indian consumer spending, a significant driver of Asia’s third-largest economy, struggles to return to pre-COVID levels. Economists, polled by Reuters, anticipate slightly improved spending during this year’s festival season, but it won’t significantly accelerate India’s already fast-growing economy. The data, along with expected 6.3% growth for this fiscal year and the next, suggests that a Reserve Bank of India interest rate cut is not imminent. While festive season spending is predicted to rise, the overall annual growth outlook remains largely unchanged. Economists acknowledge that India needs even higher growth rates to address youth employment challenges, though the 7.6% annual growth required for development seems elusive for now.