India's GDP data sparks credibility crisis after 7.8% growth claim

India’s release of 7.8% GDP growth for the latest quarter, exceeding forecasts, has triggered a major controversy over data credibility, with critics alleging manipulation. Former finance secretary Subhash Garg claims the government revised last year’s GDP downward to inflate current figures, estimating real growth at just 2.6%. The IMF has rated India’s national accounts data ‘C’, citing outdated methodologies and unexplained discrepancies. Critics point to systemic issues, including delayed census, suppressed unemployment reports, and changed methodologies, undermining trust. Government economists dismiss the criticism as politically motivated, while experts warn poor data leads to flawed policy, affecting welfare and employment for millions.