Frequently asked questions
Plain-language answers about India's key economic and social statistics and how to read them correctly.
Who produces India's official economic statistics?
Many of India's headline statistics are compiled by the National Statistics Office under the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation. Other figures come from bodies such as the Reserve Bank of India and various ministries that cover their own sectors. Knowing the source helps you understand how a number was gathered and how often it is updated.
What does GDP growth actually measure?
GDP measures the total value of goods and services an economy produces, and its growth rate shows how much that output has expanded over a period. Growth is usually reported after adjusting for price changes so it reflects real activity rather than inflation. It is one broad indicator of economic health, best read alongside others rather than on its own.
What is CPI inflation and how is it different from GDP?
The Consumer Price Index tracks the prices of a representative basket of goods and services that households buy, and CPI inflation is the rate at which that basket's cost is rising. Where GDP is about how much the economy produces, CPI inflation is about how quickly everyday prices change for people. The two answer different questions and can move independently of each other.
What is the difference between year-on-year and quarter-on-quarter figures?
A year-on-year figure compares a period with the same period twelve months earlier, which smooths out seasonal patterns like festival-season spending. A quarter-on-quarter figure compares one quarter with the immediately preceding one, which captures recent momentum but can be swayed by seasonality unless it is adjusted. Mixing the two up is a common source of confusion when reading a release.
Why do official statistics get revised after they are first published?
Early estimates are often based on partial information and are updated as more complete data arrives, which is why figures can be revised upward or downward later. Revisions are a normal part of producing timely statistics rather than a sign of error. When comparing numbers over time it is important to use a consistent base year and the same definitions so you are comparing like with like.