GDP Data Credibility Debate | Saurabh Garg On Data, Methodology & Transparency

Can India’s economic data be trusted? As questions grow around the credibility of India’s GDP and macroeconomic statistics, Dr. Saurabh Garg, Secretary, MoSPI, strongly rejects allegations of data manipulation. He explains how India’s latest statistical methodologies were developed through consultations with experts, economists, forecasters and international institutions. Garg highlights India’s expanding data ecosystem, including UPI, GST, e-Vahan and PFMS, and says these sources are publicly available for verification. He also points to India’s extensive statistical machinery, including around 10,000 field workers collecting data across households and enterprises. The conversation then turns to employment, with Garg discussing unemployment rates of roughly 3–5% and the bigger challenge of job quality. Watch the full conversation on India’s data credibility, transparency and jobs debate.