Outpacing November’s revised 7.2 percent, this surge reflects broad-based strength. Manufacturing spearheaded with 8.1 percent growth across 16 of 23 industry groups. Standouts: electronics and optics at 34.9 percent, automobiles at 33.5 percent, and transport equipment up 25.1 percent.

Mining and electricity weren’t far behind at 6.8 percent and 6.3 percent respectively. Basic metals jumped 12.7 percent, thanks to alloy steel and pipes, while pharma grew 10.2 percent on vaccine and vitamin demand.

Use-based categories tell a story of balanced expansion: infrastructure/construction goods up 12.1 percent, consumer durables 12.3 percent, capital goods 8.1 percent, intermediates 7.5 percent, and primary goods 4.4 percent.

Cumulative April-December growth stands at 3.9 percent for FY26, building on early-year fluctuations. Consumer non-durables rose to 8.3 percent, signaling robust household demand.

CareEdge’s Chief Economist Rajni Sinha notes this as the fastest pace in 24+ months, crediting sustained capex and supportive policies like RBI cuts and tax sops. The budget looms large, with global headwinds like tariffs in focus.

India’s industrial engine is revving up, poised for sustained acceleration if momentum holds.

‘Tere Ishk Mein,’ featuring Dhanush and Kriti Sanon, saw its earnings decrease on its fourth day. The film, directed by Aanand L Rai, grossed an estimated Rs 8.25 crore on Monday, bringing its cumulative total to Rs 60.25 crore. The movie registered an overall Hindi occupancy of 16.28% throughout the day.

In contrast, ‘Gustaakh Ishq,’ starring Vijay Varma and Fatima Sana Shaikh, is facing significant challenges. The film, which had a theatrical release alongside ‘Tere Ishk Mein,’ managed to collect only Rs 0.06 crore on its fourth day. Its total India collection currently stands at Rs 1.36 crore.

Other films in theaters include Farhan Akhtar’s war drama ‘120 Bahadur,’ which garnered Rs 0.16 crore on its second Monday, pushing its total to Rs 17.06 crore. Ajay Devgn’s romantic drama ‘De De Pyaar De 2’ also saw a slowdown, earning Rs 0.40 crore on its third Monday. Directed by Anshul Sharma and featuring Rakul Preet Singh and Meezan Jafri, the film has accumulated Rs 71.50 crore to date.

Financially, expect fluctuations. While personal expenses may rise, the latter half of December brings a positive shift as the Sun, Mars, and Venus move into your tenth house, bolstering your professional reputation. Hard work will be key, but your dedication is set to pave the way for stability in your career. Business ventures might start slow but will gain momentum, with travel proving beneficial. Relationships will experience a mix of harmony and minor stress, with affection serving as a steady anchor. Love life begins positively, though potential misunderstandings may arise later. Health is generally stable, though minor infections could surface. Students should brace for a moderate month, where consistent effort will be the determinant of success.