VIDEO | Delhi: Ministry of Statistics & Programme Implementation (MoSPI) Secretary Saurabh Garg says, "I think we have released them at three different eras. In February 2026, we released the Q1-25-26 figures, which was 80.3 trillion. Then we released them again in May with the updated numbers from the IIP and the provisional numbers that we had of the, and that was 80.4. And now when we released it for Q1 of last year, it came out at 80.0, keeping in view the incorporation of the PPI that had been done. So there have been three releases of the same number with minor variations, which always happens in GDP, as you are aware. Of the GDP annual figures, we release a number, annual number as a provisional estimate in the May of a year. Then we release the first revised estimate in the February of the succeeding year. And after another year, we release the final estimates. So these are based on additional information that is received.

VIDEO | Delhi: Ministry of Statistics & Programme Implementation (MoSPI) Secretary Saurabh Garg defends the GDP numbers. He says, "It's unfortunate that we've heard those remarks. Let me put it this way. Whenever we compare two different years, we always compare at constant prices. Firstly, what has been done in that statement is comparing figures at current prices. When you compare two years, say, five years ago and now, at current prices, there will obviously be some areas of discrepancy. The second, which is even more glaring, is the fact that the number being compared with is from the old base year. As you are aware, in February, we released numbers with the new base year, 2022-23, and we had given numbers for all the years in the back series up to 2022-23. So, a number from the new base year for the first quarter of this year has been compared with a number from the obsolete series based on the old base year of 2011-12, even though the new series had already been published in February 2026. So, this claim that the numbers have been compressed now relates to a figure that was released in February 2026 but was not quoted. That's the second glaring error...The third is the fact that when you look at the actual output or actual volumes, whenever a growth rate is compared from quarter to quarter, we do it based on actual production, let us say, of steel, cement and automobiles, in Q1 of 2025-26 with Q1 of 2026-27. In each of these areas, volume growth has been of the order of 10 per cent, 15 per cent and 20 per cent. So, it's unfortunate that a comparison is being made of apples and oranges, when I'm sure people know better..."

VIDEO | Srinagar: On 7.8 per cent GDP growth in first quarter, Secretary (MoSPI) Saurabh Garg says, "…As the Prime Minister has said, this is a Herculean task that has been made possible with the support of the people. The kind of consumption expenditure that we are seeing has remained extremely robust. Investment in capital formation and capital goods has also been extremely strong, which shows that corporates have implemented a number of programmes. More importantly, the policy interventions made by the government are also showing results. So, a combination of all these factors has helped us achieve this growth rate of 7.8 per cent.” (Full video available on PTI Videos - ptivideos.com)