Data Glossary

The interest rate at which the Reserve Bank of India lends money to commercial banks. Currently 5.25%.

The interest rate at which the RBI borrows money from commercial banks. Currently 3.35%.

Gross Domestic Product — the total value of all goods and services produced in India. Real GDP grew 7.8% in Q1 FY 2026-27.

Consumer Price Index — measures the average change in prices paid by consumers for goods and services. Currently 4.82% (August 2026).

Wholesale Price Index — measures price changes at the wholesale level, before retail. Tracks goods traded in bulk between businesses.

The difference between government earnings and spending. April-July 2026 stood at 26.8% of the full-year target.

The rate at which prices for goods and services rise, reducing purchasing power. Currently 4.82% (August 2026).

The process by which the RBI controls the supply of money to achieve economic goals like controlling inflation.

The use of government spending and taxation to influence the economy.

Monetary Policy Committee — the six-member RBI body that decides the repo rate. Meets every two months.

The percentage of the labor force that is unemployed. Currently 5.1% (July 2026, PLFS).

Periodic Labour Force Survey — the official MoSPI survey that measures employment and unemployment across India. Published monthly.

Merchant Discount Rate — a small fee banks and payment providers charge merchants on certain UPI transactions above ₹2,000. Not a tax. Not paid by customers.

The economic growth potential that results from a young, working-age population. India's median age is 28.4 years.

The movement of people from rural to urban areas. Currently 36% of Indians live in cities.

The age that divides the population into two equal halves. India's median age is 28.4 years.

The percentage of people who can read and write. India's literacy rate is 77.7%.

The number of people per square kilometer. India's population density is approximately 480 people per sq km.

The number of females per 1,000 males in a population. India's sex ratio is 943.

Total Fertility Rate — the average number of children a woman has in her lifetime. India's TFR is 2.0, below the replacement rate of 2.1.

Gross State Domestic Product — the total value of goods and services produced in a state.

The average income earned per person in a state or country. India's national average is ₹2.15 lakh.

The percentage of people living below the poverty line. India's national average is 14.2%.

Human Development Index — a UNDP measure combining life expectancy, education, and income. Ranks countries and states on human development.

The average number of years a person is expected to live. India's life expectancy is 72.7 years (2026).

The total spending on healthcare as a percentage of GDP. India's total health spending is 3.8% of GDP, with government spending at 1.84%.

The number of infant deaths per 1,000 live births. India's IMR is 20.9 per 1,000 (2026).

The number of maternal deaths per 100,000 live births. India's MMR is 88 per 100,000.

The percentage of children receiving full immunization. India's coverage reached 97.9% in 2025-26.

Air Quality Index — a 0–500 scale that rates air pollution. Higher values mean worse air. Delhi often exceeds 300 in winter.

Universal Immunization Programme — India's free vaccination program for children and pregnant women, covering 12 diseases.

Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana — India's ₹5 lakh/year health insurance scheme for ~12 crore poor families.

The total production of food grains like rice, wheat, pulses. India produced a record 376.56 MT in 2025-26.

Minimum Support Price — the guaranteed price at which the government buys crops from farmers to protect their income.

A government scheme providing ₹6,000 per year to eligible farmers as direct income support. Over 9.49 crore farmers covered.

The artificial application of water to land for agriculture. Currently 52% of India's land is irrigated.

India's agricultural exports reached a record $52.55 billion in FY 2025-26, up 2.8% from $51.12 billion.

An international financial institution that provides loans and grants to developing countries for development projects.

International Monetary Fund — an organization that works to foster global monetary cooperation and financial stability.

A country with rapid economic growth and industrialization, like India, China, and Brazil.

An economic measure that compares currencies based on what they can buy in each country, not just exchange rates. India is the 3rd largest economy by PPP.