FDI rise 18% to $35.18 bn in April–Sept; inflows from US double

Foreign direct investments (FDI) into India recorded a strong rise in the first half of the current financial year, increasing 18 per cent to $35.18 billion (₹3,15,061 crore) during April–September 2025, according to government data released on Monday. In the corresponding period of FY24, FDI stood at $29.79 billion (₹2,66,763 crore).A key highlight was the surge in investments from the United States, with inflows more than doubling to $6.62 billion (₹59,286 crore) from $2.57 billion a year ago. During the June–September quarter of FY26 alone, overall FDI inflows rose over 21 per cent year-on-year to $16.55 billion (₹1,48,113 crore).Total FDI including equity inflows, reinvested earnings, and other capital — touched $50 billion in the first six months of FY26, up from $42.3 billion in FY25.
Singapore remained the largest contributor with $11.94 billion, followed by the US, Mauritius ($3.47 billion), UAE ($2.33 billion), Cayman Islands ($1.83 billion), Netherlands ($1.63 billion), Cyprus ($1.4 billion), and Japan ($1.21 billion). Cumulatively, the US is India’s third-largest investor, with $77.27 billion in investments between April 2000 and September 2025.Sector-wise, computer software and hardware led inflows at $9 billion, followed by services ($5 billion), trading ($2.78 billion), automobiles ($1.57 billion), non-conventional energy ($2 billion), construction development ($233 million), and chemicals ($534 million).
Among states, Maharashtra topped the chart with $10.57 billion, ahead of Karnataka ($9.4 billion), Tamil Nadu ($3.57 billion), Haryana ($3.22 billion), Gujarat ($2.24 billion), Delhi ($2.3 billion) and Telangana ($1.14 billion).The government attributed the robust inflows to its investor-friendly FDI policy and reforms undertaken to liberalise norms across sectors. Key measures over the past decade include the opening of coal mining, contract manufacturing, and insurance intermediaries to 100 per cent FDI under the automatic route, alongside higher limits in defence, insurance, civil aviation, and retail.In the previous fiscal year, India received $50.01 billion in FDI equity and $80.6 billion in total FDI.

(Business Correspondent)