NEW DELHI — Union Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal defended the government's latest gross domestic product (GDP) figures on Wednesday, criticizing opposition leaders and former finance secretary Subhash Garg for casting doubt on the data.

Addressing reporters, Goyal stated that ministers and politicians do not manufacture data, calling the 7.8 per cent growth rate a reality. He argued that critics are misguiding the public by incorrectly comparing growth rates between the old series and the new series, despite a change in the base year.

Goyal's remarks follow claims by former finance secretary Subhash Garg, who stated that GDP growth would have been approximately 2.6 per cent in current prices had last year's GDP not been revised downward from roughly Rs 86 lakh crore to Rs 80 lakh crore.

According to data released by the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation on August 31, key economic figures include:

• Real GDP Growth: India's real GDP expanded by 7.8 per cent in Q1 FY27, reaching an estimated Rs 81.36 lakh crore compared to Rs 75.46 lakh crore a year earlier.
• Nominal GDP: Rose 10.3 per cent to Rs 88.27 lakh crore, up from Rs 80 lakh crore in Q1 FY26.
• Real GVA: Increased by 8.2 per cent to reach Rs 73.82 lakh crore.

The Reserve Bank of India has projected full-year FY27 GDP growth at 6.7 per cent. The upcoming quarterly estimates covering Q2 FY27 are scheduled for release on November 30, 2026.