On 19 SEP 2025, Rating and Investment Information, Inc. (R&I), Japan upgraded India's long-term sovereign credit rating to BBB+ (Stable) from BBB. This is the third such upgrade this year, following S&P's upgrade to 'BBB' (from BBB-) in August 2025 and Morningstar DBRS' upgrade to ‘BBB’ (from BBB (low)) in May 2025. The upgrades reflect global recognition of India's robust macroeconomic fundamentals, prudent fiscal management, and underscore global confidence in India's medium-term growth prospects amid prevailing global uncertainties. The rating agency recognizes India's position as one of the world's largest and fastest-growing economies, underpinned by its demographic dividend, robust domestic demand, and sound government policies. The agency noted India's progress in fiscal consolidation, driven by buoyant tax revenues and rationalisation of subsidies, manageable level of debt, strengthened external stability, modest current account deficit, stable surpluses in services and remittances, low external debt-to-GDP ratio, and sufficient forex cover. Risks associated with the financial system remain limited. The agency praises the administration of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi aimed mainly at attracting foreign manufacturers to India, developing infrastructure, institutionalizing the legal framework to improve the business environment, reducing the reliance on energy imports and ensuring the economic security. See news_release_cfp_20250919_23993_eng.pdf for the full R&I India sovereign rating review.
Key Entities Referenced
Rating and Investment Information, Inc. (R&I): Japanese credit rating agency that upgraded India's sovereign rating.
Ministry of Finance: The ministry responsible for the press release regarding India's sovereign rating upgrade.
S&P: Sovereign credit rating agency that upgraded India’s rating earlier in 2025.
Morningstar DBRS: Sovereign credit rating agency that upgraded India’s rating earlier in 2025.
India: The country whose sovereign credit rating was upgraded.
Ministry of Finance
India’s Sovereign Rating Upgraded to BBB+ (Stable)
by Rating and Investment Information, Inc. (R&I),
Japan
This is third such upgrade of India by a sovereign
credit rating agency this year, following S&P’s
upgrade to ‘BBB’ (from BBB-) in August 2025 and
Morningstar DBRS’ upgrade to ‘BBB’ (from BBB
(low)) in May 2025
Three credit rating upgrades for India in five months
reflect increasing global recognition for India’s robust
and resilient macroeconomic fundamentals and
prudent fiscal management, and underscore global
confidence in India’s medium-term growth prospects
amid prevailing global uncertainties
Posted On: 19 SEP 2025 4:01PM by PIB Delhi
The Government of India welcomes the decision by the Japanese credit rating agency, Rating and Investment
Information, Inc. (R&I), to upgrade India’s long-term sovereign credit rating to ‘BBB+’ from ‘BBB’, while
retaining the “Stable” Outlook for the Indian economy.
This is the third such upgrade by a sovereign credit rating agency this year, following S&P’s
upgrade to ‘BBB’ (from BBB-) in August 2025 and Morningstar DBRS’ upgrade to ‘BBB’ (from BBB
(low)) in May 2025, reaffirming India’s position as one of the most dynamic and resilient major
economies in the world.
As per R&I’s India sovereign rating review published today (Link:
news_release_cfp_20250919_23993_eng.pdf), the ratings upgrade is supported by India’s position
as one of the world’s largest and fastest-growing economies, underpinned by its demographic
dividend, robust domestic demand, and sound government policies. R&I in its report recognises the
progress in fiscal consolidation by the Government, driven by buoyant tax revenues and
rationalisation of subsidies, and manageable level of debt along with high growth. It also highlights
India’s strengthened external stability, reflected in modest current account deficit, stable surpluses
in services and remittances, low external debt-to-GDP ratio, and sufficient forex cover.
The agency further stated that the risks associated with the financial system remain limited. “Whilethe government has been increasing capital expenditures, it has managed to reduce the fiscal
deficit thanks to the tax revenue increase backed by the strong domestic demand as well as the cut
of subsidies”, agency noted in its statement. The recent increase in tariffs by the U.S. was
acknowledged as a risk factor by the agency, however, it observed that India’s limited reliance on
U.S. exports and its domestic demand-driven growth model will contain the impact. Further it
observed that while the GST rationalisation will result in revenue losses, the negative impact will
likely be offset to some extent by the stimulation of private consumption.
The agency also praised the policies of the administration of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi
aimed mainly at attracting foreign manufacturers to India, developing infrastructure, institutionalizing
the legal framework to improve the business environment, reducing the reliance on energy imports
and ensuring the economic security.
This is the third credit rating upgrade India has got this year from S&P, Morningstar DBRS and R&I
and it reflects the increasing global recognition for India’s robust and resilient macroeconomic
fundamentals and prudent fiscal management. It also underscores global confidence in India’s
medium-term growth prospects amid prevailing global uncertainties. The Government of India
remains committed to building on this momentum through policies that promote inclusive, high-
quality growth alongside fiscal prudence and macroeconomic stability.
CLICK HERE TO ACCESS R&I’S INDIA SOVEREIGN RATING
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NB/KMN
(Release ID: 2168484)