The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has initiated the 74th round of its Order Books, Inventories and Capacity Utilisation Survey (OBICUS) for the manufacturing sector. The survey collects micro-level operational data directly from domestic manufacturing businesses.
Survey Reference Period
The central bank announced that the survey corresponds to the reference period from April to June 2026, marking the first quarter of the financial year 2026-27. The RBI has been conducting the OBICUS on a quarterly basis since 2008.
Data Collection Scope
In its official release, the RBI detailed the extensive scope of data collection. The information gathered includes quantitative data on new orders received during the reference quarter, backlog of orders at the beginning of the quarter, and pending orders at the end of the quarter. The survey also captures a comprehensive picture of inventory levels across various production stages, including total inventories with a breakup between finished goods (FG), work-in-progress (WiP), and raw material (RM) inventories at the end of the quarter.
Capacity Utilisation Estimation
Beyond orders and stock levels, the RBI evaluates output metrics relative to potential capacity. The survey measures item-wise production in terms of quantity and value during the quarter vis-à-vis the installed capacity from the targeted group. It also incorporates the reasons for changes in production or installed capacity during the quarter, allowing the central bank to understand operational shifts and challenges faced by manufacturing units. The level of capacity utilisation (CU) is estimated from these responses, providing crucial insights for monetary policy formulation.
Participation and Submission
Selected manufacturing companies will be approached directly by the RBI to submit their responses. However, other manufacturing companies may also participate by downloading the survey questionnaire from the RBI's official website. The duly authenticated filled-in survey schedule may be e-mailed as per the contact details provided in the survey schedule.
