New Delhi – India’s statistics secretary, Saurabh Garg, defended the country’s latest 7.8% growth estimate for the April‑June quarter, emphasizing that the revisions stem from more granular price data and additional sources rather than any systematic manipulation.
Why the numbers changed
Garg explained that the government has moved to a new GDP series with a 2022/23 base year. Historical data were also updated to incorporate the revised methodology, including a shift from wholesale‑price data to a producer‑price index (PPI). The number of deflators used in the estimates rose to more than 300, up from about 180 previously, providing finer‑grained price information.
Growth performance
According to the latest government release, India’s economy grew 7.8% in the April‑June quarter, comfortably beating economists’ expectations and surpassing the Reserve Bank of India’s 7% forecast. Growth slowed from 8.6% in the January‑March quarter, a figure that itself was revised upward from an earlier 7.8% estimate.
Political backlash
The comments came after former finance secretary Subhash Chandra Garg questioned the latest figures, suggesting that a sharp downward revision to the previous fiscal year’s April‑June data made the current growth rate appear stronger. The opposition Congress party seized on the criticism, with party general secretary Jairam Ramesh calling the numbers “statistical gymnastics.”
Official response
Garg rejected claims that the revisions were designed to lower the previous year’s base and artificially boost current growth. He noted that quarterly revisions over the past three years have moved in both directions, while annual‑level changes have been relatively modest. He also said future revisions are expected to be smaller as more timely data become available, though some adjustments will inevitably occur as additional information is incorporated.
The statistics ministry reiterated that the revisions reflect a combination of updated price indices and expanded data sources, not any intentional bias.
Original reporting: Appleton, WI News Feed (HLL/CB) — read the source article.
