GDP grows 7.8% in the first quarter of 2026-27, on the new base year 2022-23

On 31 August 2026 the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MoSPI) released its estimates of Gross Domestic Product for April to June 2026, the first quarter (Q1) of 2026-27. The estimates use the new base year 2022-23.

Real GDP, or GDP at constant prices, is estimated at ₹81.36 lakh crore, against ₹75.46 lakh crore in Q1 of 2025-26. That is a growth rate of 7.8%. In Q1 of 2025-26 the growth rate was 6.9%. Nominal GDP is estimated at ₹88.27 lakh crore, against ₹80.00 lakh crore a year earlier, a growth of 10.3%.

Real Gross Value Added (GVA) grew 8.2% to ₹73.82 lakh crore, and nominal GVA grew 11.5% to ₹80.53 lakh crore. On the same day the ministry released the National Accounts Statistics 2026, with revised estimates for earlier years.

Why it matters for the exam

This is UPSC Prelims economy and UPSC GS Paper 3 material: growth, national income accounting and the revision of the base year. For BPSC it fits Prelims and Mains GS Paper 2 (Indian economy). Growth figures are asked directly in Prelims, and a Mains answer on the economy is stronger with the latest quarter's number in it.

Revise the difference between real and nominal GDP, and between GDP and GVA. Then practise reading a press note like this one: why nominal growth (10.3%) is higher than real growth (7.8%), what the GDP deflator measures, and why a change of base year leads to revised figures for earlier years.

Points for Prelims

• Period: Q1 of 2026-27 (April to June 2026). Released by MoSPI on 31 August 2026.
• New base year: 2022-23.
• Real GDP: ₹81.36 lakh crore, growth 7.8% (6.9% in Q1 of 2025-26).
• Nominal GDP: ₹88.27 lakh crore, growth 10.3%.
• Real GVA: ₹73.82 lakh crore, growth 8.2%. Nominal GVA: ₹80.53 lakh crore, growth 11.5%.
• National Accounts Statistics 2026 released the same day.

Source: PIB (MoSPI), 31 August 2026.

Also reported by: MoSPI press note, 31 August 2026.