Rush Hour: India records 8.2% GDP growth in Q2, SC tells Maharashtra to adhere to quota cap & more

The Indian economy grew by 8.2% year-on-year in the July-September quarter, up from 7.8% in the previous quarter, data released by the National Statistics Office showed. The economy had recorded 5.6% growth in the same period last year.

Growth in the secondary sector (8.1%) and tertiary sector (9.2%) helped push real Gross Domestic Product above 8% in the second quarter of 2025-’26, the data showed.

The secondary sector refers to industries such as manufacturing and construction, while the tertiary sector encompasses services such as finance, real estate, trade and professional services.

Within the secondary sector, manufacturing grew by 9.1% and construction by 7.2%, both registering growth above 7% at constant prices. Read more.

The Supreme Court told the Maharashtra government not to exceed the 50% reservation ceiling in local body elections that are yet to be notified. While elections that have already been notified can be held as per schedule, their results will be subject to the final judgement in the case, the court said.

Local body elections in Maharashtra have been stalled since 2021 on account of pending petitions that have challenged the implementation of the Other Backward Classes quota.

The state election commission told the court on Friday that elections to 246 municipal councils and 42 nagar panchayats are scheduled for December 2,...

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