India's industrial output rose by a much faster-than-expected 6.8% in January compared with a year earlier, government data showed on Monday. Know what experts have to say abou the data:
Ashok Gautam, senior vice-president and global head of markets, Axis Bank
"This is much above people's expectations, but I don't think it will have an immediate impact on the RBI's rate decision. The central bank is certainly going to wait for the budget and the government's borrowing programme for the next year and what is going to be the (fiscal) deficit number. That is why we believe the rate decision will happen in April."
A Prasanna, economist, ICICI Securities Primary Dealership
"This must be overstating the economic recovery. The three-month (Novermber to January) average number at 4.9% captures the state of industrial demand better. But I don't think this gives way to hope that there will be a significant recovery. Without any support from RBI on rates, growth will not pick up."
Deven Choksey, MD, KR Choksey Securities
"Numbers are robust on back of base effect and higher execution in Jan to March quarter. These numbers are higher than expectations but will not impact the case for a rate cut."
Upasana Bhardwaj, economist, ING Vysya
"Industrial activity has surprised largely on account of consumer non-durable goods, which suggests that recovery is not broadbased. Subdued capital goods output continues to increase the call for expediting measures to boost investment activity."
"We continue to believe a rate pause in the policy review this week."