India Rebases GDP but Excludes Unpaid Care Work Worth Rs 34.5L Cr

5 Nov 2026, 8:36 pm · 6h ago · 1 min read · YourStory

India updated its GDP base year to 2022-23 in February 2026, reporting a 7.8% quarterly growth rate despite global economic headwinds. However, revised national accounting methods continue to exclude unpaid domestic and care work performed primarily by women. According to data from India's Time Use Survey 2024, women spend an average of 343 minutes each day on unpaid domestic responsibilities compared to 43 minutes for men. A study by the Ministry of Women and Child Development values this unpaid care economy at Rs 34.5 lakh crore, representing up to 17% of India's GDP.