Archive · 3 Sep 2026
MoSPI Secretary Defends India’s GDP Data Against Jugglery Allegations
Saurabh Garg, a senior official at MoSPI, defended how India collects and calculates economic data.
Some people have accused the government of changing or manipulating the numbers.
Garg said these accusations are unfair and not supported by facts.
He said the data and the methods used to produce it can be checked by anyone.
He also said thousands of statisticians and 10,000 field workers collect information across the country.
The government changed some methods in February after talking with experts and international organizations.
The disagreement includes claims about India’s GDP growth figures.
Other officials and advisers have also criticized the 2.6% growth claim.
MoSPI Secretary Saurabh Garg rejected allegations of data manipulation as baseless.
Garg said sector-wise data, sources, and methodologies are transparently available for verification.
He cited a field force of 10,000 people collecting data from households and enterprises.
Methodological changes introduced in February followed consultations with experts, economists, forecasters, and international institutions.
The comments followed disputes over claims involving 2.6% and 7.8% GDP growth figures.
- Who
- MoSPI Secretary Saurabh Garg, along with other officials and advisers involved in the GDP-data debate.
- What
- Garg defended India’s economic data and rejected allegations of data jugglery.
- When
- The remarks were made in an interview with Business Today TV; methodological changes were introduced in February after discussions held over the previous year.
- Where
- In an interview with Business Today TV.
- Why
- He was responding to allegations about the reliability of India’s data and disputes over GDP growth calculations.
Critics of the GDP Data
MoSPI and Government Defenders
Reliability of the figures
Critics of the GDP Data
Critics have alleged data jugglery and questioned the reliability of reported economic figures, including the 2.6% GDP growth claim.
MoSPI and Government Defenders
Saurabh Garg said the allegations are baseless because the data sources, methodology, and underlying collection processes are transparently available for verification.
GDP growth calculations
Critics of the GDP Data
The disputed claims include an assertion of 2.6% GDP growth and questions about revisions involving figures of ₹86 lakh crore and ₹80 lakh crore.
MoSPI and Government Defenders
Garg challenged the methodology behind the revision and defended the reported 7.8% GDP growth figure.
Methodological changes
Critics of the GDP Data
Questions have been raised about whether methodological changes affect the credibility of the estimates.
MoSPI and Government Defenders
Garg said the changes introduced in February followed year-long consultations with experts, economists, forecasters, the IMF, the United Nations, and the wider international community.
- Official defending the data
- MoSPI Secretary Saurabh Garg
- Data availability
- Garg said sector-wise data is available on a real-time basis and can be verified.
- Field workforce
- The data-collection system includes 10,000 field workers.
- Collection activities
- Workers collect information from households, enterprises, and industries.
- Methodology changes
- Changes were introduced in February after extensive consultations.
- International consultations
- The government discussed best practices with the IMF, United Nations, and the international community.
- GDP figures under debate
- The dispute includes claims involving 2.6% and 7.8% GDP growth.