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MoSPI Revises GDP Base Year to 2022-23 Amid Rising 'Discrepancies' of ₹4.9 Lakh Cr in FY26

Target:UPSC GS-IIIMPSCBankingSSC GATeachingPrelims HighMains HighStatic GK Link
12 Mar 2026
~2 min
Source: Indian Express
Key Data:Base Year 2022-23Discrepancies ₹4.9 lakh crore (FY26)Real GDP Growth 7.2% (FY24)8 Base Year Revisions
Bodies:MoSPI
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What This Article Covers

1.MoSPI revised India's GDP base year from 2011-12 to 2022-23, the 8th such revision since independence.

2.The new series shows high 'discrepancies' (₹4.9 lakh crore in FY26), a statistical gap between production (GVA) and expenditure-side estimates.

3.This issue is central to debates on data quality for economic policymaking, a key examiner focus for understanding national income accounting.

The Big Picture
Prelims · HighMains · High

India's Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MoSPI) has updated the GDP base year to 2022-23, but the new series continues to show high 'statistical discrepancies'. These discrepancies, which reached ₹4.9 lakh crore in FY26, raise questions about data credibility for policymaking and economic analysis, a recurring theme in the UPSC Economy syllabus.

Exam Lens

Quick Exam Facts From News

New GDP Base Year2022-23 (FY23)
Previous GDP Base Year2011-12
Discrepancies in FY26₹4.9 lakh crore
Real GDP Growth FY247.2%
Total Base Year Revisions8 (since independence)

1-Minute Revision

  • ›New GDP Base Year: 2022-23 (FY23)
  • ›Previous GDP Base Year: 2011-12
  • ›Target this Data: New GDP base year is 2022-23 (FY23).
  • ›Target this Nodal Body: Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MoSPI).
  • ›Target this Concept: 'Discrepancies' in GDP data arise from mismatches between GVA and expenditure-side estimates.

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Practice exam-style questions, track your score, and strengthen your recall.

Q1Static LinkageEasy

Which ministry is responsible for releasing India's Gross Domestic Product (GDP) data?

Q2Statement-basedHard

Consider the following statements regarding India's GDP data:

1. The new GDP series uses 2022-23 as the base year, replacing the previous base year of 2011-12.

2. 'Discrepancies' in GDP data refer to the difference between nominal GDP and real GDP growth rates.

3. According to the article, the level of 'discrepancies' was zero in the nominal GDP data for the new base year (2022-23).

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

Q3Data-centricMedium

According to the new GDP series data discussed in the article, what was the value of 'discrepancies' projected for the financial year 2025-26 (FY26)?

Q4Application/ImpactMedium

What is the primary reason cited in the article for updating the GDP base year periodically?

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