India, Sept. 14 -- India's growth needs to be judged not only by output, but by what reaches the household. India has a growth number that many countries would envy. Real GDP expanded by 7.8 per cent year-on-year in the April-June 2026 quarter. The figure signals a strong economy and reinforces India's position among the fastest-growing major economies. But another India does not appear in the GDP headline.

For millions of workers, the pressing questions are much more basic: Is income rising fast enough? Is there regular work? Can the family afford food, rent, education and healthcare? What happens when the worker falls ill or loses a job? These questions point to an uncomfortable truth: a growing economy does not automatically mean a s...