New Delhi, Dec. 4 -- India's services sector rebounded in November, as new business intakes increased amid subdued price pressures and improving demand, a private survey showed on Wednesday. The HSBC India Services Purchasing Managers' Index (PMI), compiled by S&P Global, rose to 59.8 in November from 58.9 in October, marking a pickup in growth after the index expanded at its slowest pace since May in the previous month. Despite monthly swings, the index has remained above the 50-point threshold separating expansion from contraction for over four years, signalling the sector's sustained resilience despite headwinds. "India's services PMI business activity index rose from 58.9 in October to 59.8 in November, driven by robust new business intakes that fuelled output growth. However, international sales expanded at an eight-month low due to fierce overseas services competition," said Pranjul Bhandari, chief India economist at HSBC. While growth gathered momentum, input costs and selling prices rose at a more moderate pace, and firms remained optimistic about future prospects, the survey noted. Data showed that the absence of price pressures supported positive demand trends. There was a negligible rise in selling prices, as input cost inflation retreated to its lowest level in nearly five and a half years, it added. The HSBC India Services PMI draws on responses from approximately 400 companies across various sectors. "[Y]ear-ahead optimism faded during November amid some concerns around competition and potential disruptions from state assembly elections. Firms still foresee output growth, however, with positive sentiment linked to favourable demand, a greater social media presence, marketing initiatives, and plans to keep price increases to a minimum," the survey noted. The HSBC India Services PMI draws on responses from approximately 400 companies across various sectors, including consumer services (excluding retail), transport, information and communication, finance, insurance, real estate, and business services. Beyond domestic factors, external risks continue to cloud the outlook for the country's services industry. In particular, US President Donald Trump's policies-stricter H-1B visa rules, higher application fees, and discussions on tariffs for digital services-have added fresh headwinds. At the same time, tighter US spending and rising protectionism have slowed deal closures and squeezed margins for Indian tech firms. "India's services PMI business activity index rose from 58.9 in October to 59.8 in November, driven by robust new business intakes that fuelled output growth. However, international sales expanded at an eight-month low due to fierce overseas services competition," said Pranjul Bhandari, chief India economist at HSBC....