New Delhi, February 27 – As India moves towards deeper integration in global value chains, regular updates to the base year – currently updated every five years – reflect the government's commitment to data-driven policy interventions in response to shocks in the global economy, economists said on Friday.
New estimates put real GDP at ₹322.58 trillion for FY 2025-26, compared to the First Revised Estimate (FRE) of ₹299.89 trillion for FY 2024-25, indicating a GDP growth rate of 7.6 per cent, up from 7.1 per cent in the 2024-25 FRE.
Furthermore, nominal GDP is estimated at ₹345.47 trillion for 2025-26, compared to ₹318.07 trillion in 2024-25, showing an 8.6 per cent growth rate, according to PHDCCI President Rajeev Juneja.
Real Gross Value Added (GVA) is estimated at ₹294.40 trillion for 2025-26, compared to ₹273.36 trillion in FY 2024-25, registering a 7.7 per cent growth rate, up from 7.3 per cent in 2024-25.
"The revised GDP framework will enhance the credibility and analytical usefulness of India's national accounts statistics. The updated methodology is expected to provide policymakers, businesses, and investors with a more accurate picture of economic activity across sectors," he added.
The new series integrates multiple data sources, including GST statistics, financial results of listed companies, transport indicators, and digital administrative sources.
This broader data coverage is expected to strengthen the measurement of economic output, consumption, investment, and sectoral contributions, and prepare India for the next phase of its growth trajectory, Juneja said.
Improved statistical measurement will support data-driven and evidence-based policymaking and facilitate better economic planning.
"Foreign investors, both institutional and non-institutional, that are keen to invest in India's growth story, will see this as reliable and internationally comparable data, which will be beneficial for increasing India's private capital expenditure-driven growth momentum," said PHDCCI CEO and SG, Dr Ranjeet Mehta.
According to ICRA Ltd's Chief Economist Aditi Nayar, manufacturing GVA expanded by double digits for the fifth consecutive quarter in Q3 FY2026, while services GVA growth edged up to a 7-quarter high of 9.5 per cent from 9.3 per cent in the previous quarter.
"ICRA currently believes that there is a higher likelihood of a prolonged pause on the policy rate, amid expectations of a base-led uptick in the CPI inflation in the near term," she said.