India GDP data credibility under fire as 7.8% print sparks dispute

India reported 7.8% GDP growth for the latest quarter, beating the 7% forecast, but former finance secretary Subhash Garg alleges the figure is inflated due to revisions of prior-year data. The dispute underscores eroding trust in India's statistical system, raising uncertainty about the reliability of official economic indicators. This matters because markets and policymakers rely on these numbers for investment and rate decisions.