India's Business Confidence Soars to 5-Quarter High Amid Festive Demand & Reforms: CII

• CII's Business Confidence Index reached 66.5 in Q3 FY26, a five-quarter high, driven by optimism in demand, profitability, and investment.
• Domestic demand is a key driver, with 72% of firms expecting growth in Q3 FY26, supported by GST rate cuts and festive consumption.
• CII attributes India's economic resilience to bold reform initiatives, establishing it as the world's fastest-growing major economy.
• Recommendations for the Union Budget include sustaining capital expenditure with a revitalised National Infrastructure Pipeline (NIP) 2.0 and creating an India Development and Strategic Fund (IDSF).
• CII also proposes a Rs 1,000-crore Digitisation Fund, 10 Centres of Advanced Learning and Research (CALRs), and reforms for trade, exports, and the financial sector.

Why It Matters: India's business confidence is at a 5-quarter high, fueled by strong domestic demand, reforms, and strategic policy recommendations.