Bengaluru: India's private sector growth skidded to its weakest ​in over four years in ​July as a sharp slowdown in services constrained ​overall expansion even though rising export orders and hiring offered limited support, a survey showed.HSBC's flash India Composite Purchasing Managers' Index (PMI), compiled by S&P ‌Global, fell ⁠to 54.3 ⁠in July from June's 57.1, confounding a Reuters poll median forecast for ​a jump to 57.7. However the index remained above the 50-mark separating growth ​from contraction.Read more: India's private sector growth slows to three-month low in June as demand weakens, costs rise: HSBC PMIExport orders offered a brighter spot with international sales growing at the fastest pace since March.Among sectors, services ​was the biggest lag. The business activity ⁠index fell ‌to 53.1 from June's 57.4 - its weakest reading ​since February ​2022 - weighed by challenging market conditions, order cancellations ⁠and reduced client enquiries.Manufacturing was steadier but not ​strong enough to change the broader trend. The ​factory activity index eased to a four-month low of 53.9 from 54.2. Output and new orders continued to expand at a stronger pace helped by robust demand from overseas markets.July's surveys showed the unusually strong momentum of the past two ‌years is beginning to fade. A sharper slowdown in services, which have powered much of India's recent growth, ​leaves the ​economy increasingly reliant ⁠on manufacturing, a sector that has yet to show signs of accelerating.Read more: Private bank ETFs back in focus as valuations turn attractiveOverall business outlook remained positive with firms continuing to hire for ​a seventh consecutive month in anticipation of demand holding up.Companies were hit by input costs rising at a quicker pace due to higher fuel, labour, materials and transportation expenses, passing some of them to clients. Output price inflation reached a three-month high.