GDP Data Credibility Row a Political Issue: Former NSC Chief

Rajeeva Karandikar, who previously headed the National Statistical Commission, has waded into the ongoing debate over India's GDP calculations, asserting that questions about data credibility are primarily a political matter. Speaking on the contentious issue that has drawn criticism from economists and opposition parties, Karandikar defended the technical soundness of the new GDP series while acknowledging the need for greater institutional transparency.

The former NSC chief's comments come amid sustained controversy over the government's 2015 revision of the GDP base year from 2004-05 to 2011-12, which resulted in significantly higher growth estimates. Critics have questioned whether the new methodology accurately reflects economic reality, while supporters maintain the revised series better captures the structure of India's evolving economy.

Karandikar emphasized that public confidence in statistical systems requires not only methodological rigor but also transparent communication about data compilation processes and underlying assumptions. He rejected suggestions that the new GDP series represents manipulation, instead framing the debate as reflecting broader political disagreements over how India's economic performance should be measured and presented.

The trust deficit surrounding official economic data reflects deeper concerns about institutional independence and government credibility in India's statistical establishment. Karandikar's intervention underscores the challenge of maintaining public confidence in official statistics when economic measurements become entangled with political narratives and competing ideological positions on growth and development.