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India’s GDP for the period April to June 2021 registered a record high. Gross domestic product (GDP) grew at 20.1% in the three-month period, compared with a contraction of 24.4% in the same quarter a year earlier. It is reflecting a rebound in consumer spending, and improved manufacturing in spite of a devastating second wave of Covid cases. The National Statistical Office (NSO), Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementationon on 31 August, 2021 have released the data for the first quarter (April-June) Q1 of 2021-22. The released statement said, “GDP at Constant (2011-12) Prices in Q1 of 2021-22 is estimated at Rs 32.38 lakh crore, as against Rs 26.95 lakh crore in Q1 of 2020-21, showing a growth of 20.1 percent as compared to contraction of 24.4% in Q1 2020-21. Quarterly GVA at Basic Price at Constant (2011-12) Prices for Q1 of 2021-22 is estimated at Rs 30.48 lakh crore, as against Rs 25.66 lakh crore in Q1 of 2020-21, showing a growth of 18.8%”. This is India’s fastest growth since official quarterly data started being released in the mid-1990s, which is up sharply from 1.6% in the previous quarter, but a bit slower than the Reserve Bank of India’s 21.4% projection.
“The lockdown instructions in various States were duly considered by the National Statistical Office. The impact on economic activities and the data collection mechanisms owing to COVID-19 pandemic has an effect on the Quarterly GDP estimates also. The impact of these measures on overall economic activity is embedded in source data,” said National Statistical Office.
According to the NSO data, gross value added (GVA) growth in the manufacturing sector accelerated to 49.6 per cent in the first quarter of 2021-22, compared to a contraction 36 per cent a year ago. Farm sector GVA growth was up at 4.5 per cent, compared to 3.5 per cent earlier. Construction sector GVA grew by 68.3 per cent compared to 49.5 per cent contraction earlier. Mining sector grew by 18.6 per cent, as against a contraction of 17.2 per cent a year ago. Electricity, gas, water supply and other utility services segment grew by 14.3 per cent in the first quarter of this fiscal, against 9.9 per cent contraction a year ago. Similarly, trade, hotel, transport, communication and services related to broadcasting grew by 34.3 per cent compared to 48.1 per cent contraction earlier. Financial, real estate and professional services grew by 3.7 per cent in Q1 FY22 compared to a contraction of 5 per cent. Public administration, defence and other services grew at 5.8 per cent during the quarter under review, compared to (-) 10.2 per cent a year earlier.