NEW DELHI, Oct. 6 -- India's services sector cooled in September after hitting a 15-year high in August, as growth in new orders and output eased amid softer export demand and heightened global competition, a private survey showed on Monday.

The HSBC India Services Purchasing Managers' Index (PMI), compiled by S&P Global, slipped to 60.9 in September from 62.9 in August, following readings of 60.5 in July and 60.4 in June. The index has now remained above the 50-point mark that separates expansion from contraction for more than four years, underscoring the sector's enduring momentum.

Despite the dip, September was the fourth straight month with the index above 60, signalling strong business expansion and resilient demand.

"Anecdotal ev...