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MoSPI Defends 7.8% GDP Growth Amid Criticism, Cites Base Year Change to 2022-23

Target:UPSC GS-IIIMPSCSSC GATeachingBankingPrelims HighMains MediumStatic GK Link
02 Sept 2026
~2 min
Source: Indian Express
Key Data:7.8% GDP growthRs 88.27 lakh crore nominal GDPRs 80.00 lakh crore revised nominal GDPBase year 2022-23RBI forecast 7%Nominal GDP growth 10.3%
Bodies:MoSPIRBIIMF
Practice MCQs from today's news ▸
What This Article Covers

1.MoSPI rebuts criticism of GDP data, asserting 7.8% growth is correct for April-June 2026.

2.Base year changed from 2011-12 to 2022-23, leading to backward revisions and new data sources.

3.Subhash Chandra Garg's claims of nominal GDP manipulation are refuted with technical explanations.

The Big Picture
Prelims · HighMains · Medium

MoSPI issued a six-point rebuttal defending the 7.8% GDP growth for Q1 FY26, clarifying that data revisions stem from the base year change (2011-12 to 2022-23) and updated indices (PPI, IIP). The ministry refuted claims of manipulation, emphasizing that comparing old and new series is invalid.

Exam Lens

Quick Exam Facts From News

GDP Growth (Q1 FY26)7.8%
RBI Forecast7.0%
Nominal GDP Q1 FY26Rs 88.27 lakh crore
Nominal GDP Q1 FY25 (Revised)Rs 80.00 lakh crore
Base Year (New Series)2022-23
Base Year (Old Series)2011-12

1-Minute Revision

  • ›GDP Growth (Q1 FY26): 7.8%
  • ›RBI Forecast: 7.0%
  • ›Target this Data: 7.8% GDP growth for Q1 FY26 (April-June 2026)
  • ›Target this Nodal Body: Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MoSPI)
  • ›Target this Legal Point: Base year change from 2011-12 to 2022-23

Mastered this topic? Test your knowledge with a full MCQ quiz.

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

Q1Static LinkageEasy

Which ministry is primarily responsible for the compilation and release of India's Gross Domestic Product (GDP) data?

Q2Statement-basedHard

Consider the following statements regarding the GDP data debate:

1. MoSPI changed the base year of GDP from 2011-12 to 2022-23.

2. The nominal GDP for Q1 FY25 (April-June 2025) was revised downward from Rs 86.05 lakh crore to Rs 80.00 lakh crore due to methodology changes.

3. The Reserve Bank of India had forecasted GDP growth of 7.8% for Q1 FY26.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

Q3Data-centricMedium

According to the latest data released by MoSPI, what was India's nominal GDP in the April-June quarter of 2026?

Q4Application/ImpactMedium

What is the primary reason for the downward revision of nominal GDP for Q1 FY25 (from Rs 86.05 lakh crore to Rs 80.00 lakh crore) as per MoSPI?

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