India’s Real GDP Growth Estimated at 7.6% in FY 2025-26; Statistical System Undergoes Major Modernisation

India’s Real GDP Growth Estimated at 7.6% in FY 2025-26; Statistical System Undergoes Major Modernisation​

New Delhi, February 28: India’s real GDP is now estimated to grow by 7.6 per cent in FY 2025-26, signalling strong and sustained economic expansion, according to an official statement. The projected growth underlines the country’s continued momentum and reinforces its path toward achieving the vision of Viksit Bharat, anchored in higher productivity, resilience, and inclusive development.

GDP Base Year Revised to 2022-23​

A key structural reform accompanying this growth outlook is the revision of the GDP base year to 2022-23. The move is aimed at aligning India’s national accounts framework with the evolving structure of the economy.

The updated GDP series integrates improved data sources, strengthens methodological frameworks, and expands coverage to include emerging sectors. Enhanced transparency through the Supply and Use Table framework has also been introduced, ensuring a more accurate, consistent, and comprehensive measurement of economic activity.

Officials stated that the revised series enhances the precision and comparability of official statistics, strengthening their credibility and supporting evidence-based policymaking and sustainable economic planning.

Alignment with Global Statistical Standards​

India continues to compile GDP estimates in accordance with the 2008 System of National Accounts, the internationally accepted statistical framework. With the United Nations Statistical Division transitioning to the SNA 2025 framework, expected to be adopted globally around 2029-30, India plans to align with the updated standards in its next base year revision.

As a subscriber to the International Monetary Fund’s Special Data Dissemination Standard, India adheres to globally recognised benchmarks of statistical quality and transparency. The revised GDP series remains consistent with international statistical standards.

Broader Statistical Reforms Underway​

The GDP base year revision to 2022-23 forms part of a broader overhaul of India’s statistical system. The base year for the Consumer Price Index is being revised to 2024, while the Index of Industrial Production has also been updated to 2022-23.

Work is currently underway to revise the base year of the Wholesale Price Index. Until the updated WPI is released, the existing index will continue to be used as a deflator.

In addition, the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation plans to introduce the Producer Price Index in the near future. The PPI will measure changes in the prices of goods and services bought and sold by producers, further strengthening the statistical framework supporting India’s economic assessment.

The comprehensive modernisation of India’s national accounts and price indices underscores the government’s push to build a transparent, globally aligned, and future-ready statistical system alongside robust economic growth in FY 2025-26.