Recurring criticism of GDP methodology: Here's what experts have to say

Critics have been pointing out flaws in India's methodology of computing gross domestic product (GDP) ever since the base year was revised to 2011-12 from 2004-05 and a new way of calculating it was adopted. In that respect, the latest criticism by economists Ashoka Mody, Arvind Subramanian and Josh Felman is no exception. To understand the methodology correctly amid these criticisms, Indivjal Dhasmana interviewed former Chief Statisticians Pronab Sen and T C A Anant and former Acting Chairman of National Statistical Commission P C Mohanan and sought their view on how gaps in GDP calculations could be filled, going forward. The questions asked of them were almost the same. Of these, Mohanan's interview is through email. Edited Excerpts:

Averaging