New Delhi, Dec. 17 -- Each release of data on gross domestic product (GDP) in India follows a familiar script: an initial wave of headline enthusiasm, followed by doubts about manufacturing strength, real-nominal gaps and statistical discrepancies.

But these debates miss a key point. India's core methodology for GDP estimation is broadly sound and internationally aligned; the real weakness lies in the broader statistical ecosystem-data-sets that haven't kept up with structural shifts, outdated reconciliation tools and price measures that struggle to reflect fast-changing production and consumption.

The result is an over-interpretation of the headline number without the context needed to read it properly. Unless we modernize this archite...