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Stories

Upgrades to India's statistical databases

15 entries over 70 days, from 21 June 2026 to 29 August 2026.

01
21 June

Upgrades to India's statistical databases

  • MoSPI and Ministry of Commerce and Industry have upgraded key statistical databases to improve timeliness, representativeness, and accuracy.
  • National Accounts (GDP/GVA): Base year updated to 2022-23. Adoption of 'double deflator' method for agriculture and manufacturing to adjust input/output prices separately.
02
25 June

New Index of Services Production (ISP)

  • MoSPI has introduced the Index of Services Production (ISP) to measure short-term growth in the services sector.
  • The ISP serves as a counterpart to the Index of Industrial Production (IIP).
03
30 June

Industrial output growth trends

  • Industrial output growth reached a 5-month high of 5.1% in May.
  • The Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MoSPI) updated the Index of Industrial Production (IIP) series with a new base year of 2022-23.
04
2 July

Manufacturing PMI slowdown

  • HSBC India Manufacturing Purchasing Managers’ Index (PMI) fell to 54.2 in June, marking the second-lowest level in four years.
  • The index remains above the 50-point threshold, indicating continued expansion in manufacturing activity, albeit at a slower pace.
05
15 July

Index of Services Production launch

  • The Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation has launched the inaugural Index of Services Production (ISP) to measure services sector performance.
  • The ISP tracks 19 sub-sectors, which collectively account for approximately 60% of India’s services sector.
06
18 July

Upgrade of Index of Core Industries (ICI)

  • The Ministry of Commerce and Industry is updating the Index of Core Industries (ICI).
  • The new base year for the ICI series is 2022-23, replacing the previous 2011-12 base year.
07
21 July

Index of Core Industries growth

  • The Ministry of Commerce and Industry has released a new series of the Index of Core Industries (ICI) with a revised base year of 2022-23 (previously 2011-12).
  • The ICI now includes nine sectors, with the addition of iron ore as a new component.
08
22 July

Updated Index of Core Industries (ICI)

  • The Union Government has updated the Index of Core Industries (ICI) series, shifting the base year from 2011-12 to 2022-23.
  • The number of core sectors has increased from eight to nine with the inclusion of the iron ore sector.
09
24 July

Index of Core Industries (ICI) update

  • The Index of Core Industries (ICI) has been updated with a new series, including a new base year, revised weights, and improved methodologies.
  • The number of sectors covered in the ICI has increased from eight to nine with the inclusion of the iron ore sector.
10
29 July

Industrial growth and economic performance

  • India's Index of Industrial Production (IIP) growth reached a 23-month high of 7.3% in June 2026.
  • Manufacturing sector output grew by 7.8% in June 2026, the highest in 23 months.
11
31 July

Growth in Index of Industrial Production

  • Index of Industrial Production (IIP) recorded a 23-month high growth rate of 7.3% in June 2026.
  • Manufacturing sector growth was driven by both domestic and external demand.
12
9 August

IRDAI Data Submission Requirements

  • IRDAI has mandated all insurers, excluding reinsurers, to submit monthly data for the Index of Service Production (ISP).
  • The data collection is intended to support the Union Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MOSPI) in compiling the ISP.
13
21 August

Core sector growth slowdown in July 2026

  • Core sector growth in India slowed to 5.4% in July 2026 from 6% in June 2026.
  • The Index of Core Industries (ICE) was released by the Ministry of Commerce and Industry with a new series, limiting historical comparisons to June 2025.
14
24 August

Core Industrial Sector Growth Slowdown

  • Index of Core Industries (ICI) growth slowed to 5.4% in July from 6% in June.
  • Manufacturing Purchasing Managers’ Index (PMI) reached its lowest level since August 2021 due to weak domestic demand.
15
29 August

Index of Industrial Production (IIP) growth trends

  • IIP growth for July 2026 recorded at 6.7%, down from the revised 8.8% in June 2026.
  • Manufacturing sector grew by 7.3% in July, driven by engineering, automobiles, electronics, and plastic/rubber products.

Questions from this story

Newest first. A story that ran for 70 days is exactly the kind the mains paper asks about as one question.

  1. Analyze the recent trends in the Index of Industrial Production (IIP) and discuss how the divergence between consumer durables and non-durables reflects broader challenges in the Indian economy. 150 words · 29 August
  2. The performance of the manufacturing and capital goods sectors is often considered a barometer for industrial health. Critically examine the structural shifts in India's industrial growth as indicated by recent IIP data, focusing on the implications of uneven sectoral recovery for sustainable economic development. 250 words · 29 August
  3. Analyze the factors contributing to the recent slowdown in India's core industrial sector growth. How does the reliance on a statistical low base effect complicate the assessment of industrial performance? 150 words · 24 August
  4. The persistent contraction in the crude oil and natural gas sectors highlights structural challenges in India's energy security. Discuss the implications of external dependence on energy imports for the Indian economy and evaluate the effectiveness of current policy interventions like ethanol-blending. 250 words · 24 August
  5. Analyze the factors contributing to the recent slowdown in India's core industrial sector growth and discuss the implications of sectoral disparities on the overall industrial output. 150 words · 21 August
  6. Discuss the significance of integrating sectoral data from regulatory bodies like IRDAI into national statistical indices such as the Index of Service Production (ISP). 150 words · 9 August
  7. Analyze the role of government capital expenditure as a primary driver of industrial growth in India in the post-pandemic era. What are the associated risks of over-reliance on this engine? 150 words · 31 July
  8. The Index of Industrial Production (IIP) often reflects the broader economic resilience of the country. Discuss the structural challenges and external headwinds that currently threaten the sustainability of India's industrial growth trajectory. 250 words · 31 July
  9. Analyze the factors contributing to the recent surge in India's industrial growth as reflected in the latest Index of Industrial Production (IIP) data. What are the potential headwinds that could impact this momentum in the near future? 150 words · 29 July
  10. The recovery in consumer demand and robust performance in capital goods are critical indicators of economic health. Discuss the significance of these sectors in sustaining India's industrial growth trajectory and evaluate the role of external geopolitical factors in shaping domestic economic stability. 250 words · 29 July
  11. Discuss the significance of updating the Index of Core Industries (ICI) in reflecting the structural shifts in the Indian economy. How do methodological revisions, such as the inclusion of new sectors and weight adjustments, enhance the index's role as a barometer of industrial performance? 150 words · 24 July
  12. The periodic revision of economic indicators is essential for accurate policy formulation. In light of the recent updates to the Index of Core Industries (ICI), analyze the need for institutional consolidation of economic statistics under a single nodal agency. What are the potential benefits of bringing all major economic indices under the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation? 250 words · 24 July
  13. Discuss the rationale behind updating the base year and methodology of the Index of Core Industries (ICI). How does this alignment with the Index of Industrial Production (IIP) enhance the reliability of industrial growth data? 150 words · 22 July
  14. The periodic revision of economic indicators is essential for capturing the structural shifts in the Indian economy. In the context of the updated Index of Core Industries (ICI), analyze the significance of sectoral re-weighting and the inclusion of new industries in providing a more accurate reflection of current industrial performance. 250 words · 22 July
  15. Discuss the significance of the Index of Core Industries (ICI) in measuring industrial performance in India. How does the revision of the base year and the inclusion of new sectors enhance the accuracy of this economic indicator? 150 words · 21 July
  16. The divergence in growth trends between core industrial sectors and hydrocarbon-based industries reflects broader shifts in the Indian economy. Analyze the factors contributing to this trend and discuss the implications of reliance on imports for energy-related sectors in the context of global price volatility. 250 words · 21 July
  17. Discuss the significance of periodically revising the base year for economic indicators like the Index of Core Industries (ICI) in reflecting the structural changes in the Indian economy. 150 words · 18 July
  18. Discuss the significance of the newly launched Index of Services Production (ISP) in enhancing the statistical measurement of the Indian economy. 150 words · 15 July
  19. The services sector is a major driver of India's economic growth. How does the introduction of the Index of Services Production (ISP) facilitate better policy formulation and macroeconomic monitoring in the context of India's transition toward a service-led economy? 250 words · 15 July
  20. The Purchasing Managers’ Index (PMI) is a key indicator of economic health. Discuss the significance of PMI in assessing the manufacturing sector and explain how global geopolitical tensions can influence domestic industrial output. 150 words · 2 July
  21. Analyze the factors contributing to the recent slowdown in India's manufacturing sector as reflected in the latest PMI data. How does the interplay between input cost inflation and output growth impact the overall macroeconomic stability of the Indian economy? 250 words · 2 July
  22. Discuss the significance of updating the base year and methodology for the Index of Industrial Production (IIP). How does the transition from Wholesale Price Index (WPI) to Producer Price Index (PPI) enhance the accuracy of industrial output measurement? 150 words · 30 June
  23. Analyze the role of the Index of Industrial Production (IIP) as a barometer for the Indian economy. In light of recent methodological shifts in its calculation, evaluate the challenges in maintaining consistency and reliability in national income accounting. 250 words · 30 June
  24. Discuss the significance of the newly introduced Index of Services Production (ISP) in enhancing the accuracy of macroeconomic indicators for the Indian economy. 150 words · 25 June
  25. The services sector is a major contributor to India's GDP. In this context, examine how the introduction of the Index of Services Production (ISP) will help in better policy formulation and tracking of economic growth compared to existing industrial indices. 250 words · 25 June
  26. Why is the periodic revision of base years for national accounts and price indices essential for effective macroeconomic policymaking in India? 150 words · 21 June
  27. Discuss the significance of the 'double deflator' method and the transition to a Producer Price Index (PPI) in enhancing the accuracy of India's economic growth and inflation measurement. 250 words · 21 June