A dissection of Indian growth using a DSGE filter

Abstract

In order to build a strong and sustainable recovery post the COVID-19 pandemic, we need to draw important observations from the growth experience of the past. In this context, this paper uses a dynamic stochastic general equilibrium (DSGE) model that takes into account persistent growth rate shocks to decompose the Indian GDP into potential output and output gap. Apart from analysing the trajectory of potential output-output gap, it also examines their underlying drivers. The results suggest that a combined deceleration in neutral and investment-specific technology growth post 2016, brought down the potential growth to around 6 per cent in 2020Q1. The output gap also witnessed a persistent decline since 2018Q1, primarily due to weak demand and a rise in investment adjustment costs reflecting heightened stress in the investment and financial sectors. A forecasting exercise is also undertaken which shows that the estimates of output gap from the model possess competing inflation forecasting ability compared to HP filtered output gap.