RBI Launches 115th Industrial Outlook Survey To Gauge Manufacturing Sector Sentiment

The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) on Tuesday launched the 115th round of its Quarterly Industrial Outlook Survey (IOS) for the manufacturing sector to assess business sentiment during the July-September 2026 quarter and gather industry expectations for the months ahead. The survey aims to provide an early indication of business confidence by capturing qualitative feedback from manufacturing companies on key economic parameters.

Survey to assess current business climate and future expectations

According to an official RBI statement, the latest survey covers the July-September 2026 quarter (Q2:2026-27) and will assess the prevailing business environment while also capturing expectations for the October-December 2026 quarter (Q3:2026-27).

RBI said, "The survey assesses business sentiments for the current quarter (Q2:2026-27) and expectations for the ensuing quarter".

The central bank said the survey seeks qualitative responses from manufacturing companies on major business indicators, including demand conditions, financial conditions, employment trends and the price situation.

In addition to the immediate outlook, the survey will also collect industry expectations for January-March 2027 (Q4:2026-27) and April-June 2027 (Q1:2027-28), offering a broader view of business sentiment over the coming months.

Manufacturing firms invited to participate

The Industrial Outlook Survey is conducted every quarter by the RBI to measure business confidence and expectations in the manufacturing sector. While the findings are published in summary form on the RBI's website, the identity of participating companies remains confidential.

For the 115th round, the RBI has authorised M/s Genesis Management & Market Research Pvt. Ltd. to conduct the survey on its behalf.

The agency will contact selected manufacturing companies for participation. At the same time, the RBI has invited other manufacturing firms to voluntarily participate by downloading the questionnaire from the "Survey" section of the central bank's website.

Interested companies can complete the questionnaire and submit authenticated responses via email using the contact details provided in the survey document.

Survey findings to offer insights into business confidence

The RBI said the survey is designed to capture qualitative assessments and expectations from manufacturing companies on various aspects of business activity, including demand conditions, financial conditions, employment trends and the price environment.

The findings, published periodically in summary form, serve as an important indicator of business confidence and future expectations in India's manufacturing sector while ensuring the confidentiality of individual respondents.

(With inputs from ANI)