New Delhi, Sept. 8 -- The ongoing controversy over India's GDP estimate for the first quarter (Q1) of 2026-27, from April to June, echoes what happened after its base year was reset in 2015 from 2004-05 to 2011-12. This time, the gauge's base was updated to 2022-23 and its inflation-adjuster upgraded.

Back then, too, the debate took on a political hue; critics alleged that data was fudged to over-claim prosperity. The latest bout is about real growth of 7.8% in the economy's Q1 size, as reported by the National Statistics Office (NSO), over last fiscal year's Q1.

Two flashpoints dominate. One, revisions of earlier GDP estimates. And two, the gauge's switch from the wholesale price index to newly crafted producer price trackers that allo...