Industry Odisha Bureau, Sep 03: India recorded 7.8% GDP growth in the April-June 2026 quarter recently. The government clarified that revisions to earlier GDP figures were methodological. Critics had questioned the revision of the previous fiscal year’s estimate. The government said the changes reflected base-year shifts and statistical updates.
Q1 FY2025-26 GDP at current prices was initially 86.05 lakh crore. That calculation used the then-prevailing 2011-12 base-year statistical series for estimation. The government introduced a new series with 2022-23 base year basis. Under the new series, the corresponding Q1 FY2025-26 GDP became 80 lakh.
The change was not a deliberate downward revision, the government said. Rather, successive methodological and data revisions caused the GDP series change. Updated data sources, improved methodologies, and revised coverage drove the changes. New indicators and revised data were incorporated into GDP compilation from 2022-23.
Comparing 86.05 lakh crore with current 2026-27 estimates would be incorrect. The two figures belong to different GDP statistical series and bases. One uses the old 2011-12 base year; the other uses 2022-23. Mixing the two numbers would create a fundamentally flawed growth comparison.
The correct comparison uses figures from the identical revised statistical series. Q1 FY2025-26 revised GDP of 80 lakh crore compared with 88.27 lakh. This comparison of 80 versus 88.27 lakh crore yields 7.8% growth. The Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation made this comparison explicit.
Critics and Opposition leaders questioned the revision and the growth calculation. A former finance secretary said current-price growth would have been 2.6%. His remark assumed the earlier GDP estimate had not been revised downward. Opposition members alleged the government manipulated series to show higher growth.
Consistent GDP series matter for accurately assessing economic growth over time. Historical comparisons must use figures calculated under the same statistical methodology. The government’s clarification emphasizes this methodological requirement for meaningful GDP analysis. The broader point remains that statistical consistency underpins reliable economic measurement.
