Archive · 4 Sep 2026
Congress Challenges 7.8% GDP Growth as Revisions Draw Scrutiny
The government says India’s economy grew 7.8% in the latest quarter.
Congress says this number may look larger because older GDP figures were revised downward.
It says the comparison figure for the same quarter last year fell from about ₹86 lakh crore to ₹80 lakh crore.
Congress also says figures for four years were reduced by ₹43 lakh crore in total.
The party questions whether the method used to remove inflation from GDP reflects what households actually pay.
It cited estimates that manufacturing and household spending may have declined.
Sanjeev Sanyal said the older method had problems and that the base year could not be changed during the pandemic.
Pranav Adani said India remains a strong growth story.
The disagreement is about whether 7.8% accurately describes the economy.
The government reported 7.8% real GDP growth in April-June 2026, with manufacturing up 9.2% and services up 10%.
Congress said the April-June 2025 comparison figure was revised four times, from about ₹86 lakh crore to ₹80 lakh crore.
The party said GDP estimates for four years since FY2022-23 were reduced by a combined ₹43 lakh crore.
Congress questioned the 2.5% deflator and cited estimates of declines in manufacturing GVA and private consumption.
Sanjeev Sanyal defended the updated methodology, while Pranav Adani called India the century’s most compelling growth story.
- Who
- The Indian National Congress, led in this criticism by Jairam Ramesh, questioned Government of India figures; Sanjeev Sanyal and Pranav Adani offered more supportive views.
- What
- A dispute has emerged over reported 7.8% GDP growth and downward revisions to earlier GDP estimates.
- When
- The figures concern April-June 2026, and Congress raised its latest objections on 3 September 2026.
- Where
- The figures concern India; Pranav Adani made his comments at a real-estate investors’ summit in Mumbai.
- Why
- Congress requested explanations for the ₹43 lakh crore revision, the updated methodology, and the 2.5% deflator used in calculating real growth.
Congress’s objections
Government and business response
Reliability of the 7.8% figure
Congress’s objections
Congress said repeatedly reducing the comparison base makes current growth appear larger and argued that the figure may not reflect economic reality.
Government and business response
The government reported 7.8% growth, describing the economy as resilient amid global uncertainty; Pranav Adani called India the century’s most compelling growth story.
GDP revisions and methodology
Congress’s objections
Congress said GDP estimates had been reduced by ₹43 lakh crore across four years and demanded details on the methodology, consultation process, and components behind the revisions.
Government and business response
Sanjeev Sanyal said the previous GDP methodology had problems and that the base year could not be updated during the pandemic because conditions were not normal.
Inflation adjustment
Congress’s objections
Congress said the 2.5% deflator was out of step with household prices and cited calculations suggesting real growth could be far lower.
Government and business response
The published GDP figure used the government’s stated methodology, but the articles do not report a direct government response to Congress’s specific deflator criticism.
- Reported GDP growth
- 7.8% in the April-June 2026 quarter.
- Sector growth
- Manufacturing grew 9.2% and services grew 10% in the first quarter of FY2026-27, according to the government.
- Comparison-base revision
- Congress said the April-June 2025 GDP estimate was revised four times, from about ₹86 lakh crore to about ₹80 lakh crore.
- Four-year revision
- Congress said revised estimates reduced nominal GDP by ₹43 lakh crore across four years since FY2022-23.
- Deflator
- Congress questioned the 2.5% deflator used for the April-June quarter.
- Alternative calculations
- Subhash Chandra Garg’s cited estimates put nominal growth at 2.6%, manufacturing GVA down 5.2%, and private consumption down 5.4% under different assumptions.
- Inflation comparisons
- Congress cited retail inflation of 3.9% and wholesale inflation of 9.4% for the same period.
Sources
Cong again questions India's ‘chest-thumping’ 7.8% GDP growth, demands answers on ₹43 lakh crore revision
Congress ups the ante over Modi govt's 7.8% GDP, Adani calls India 'growth story of century'
7.8% GDP growth claim shaky, Centre must provide explanation, says Congress