MUMBAI, July 8 Reuters India39;s central bank said on Monday the country added 46.7 million jobs in the fiscal year ended March, far exceeding numbers in private surveys that point to high unemployment rates in the South Asian nation.

The employment growth rate was 6 in 202324 versus 3.2 in 202223, the Reserve Bank of India39;s RBI data on measuring industry level productivity and employment showed.

Jobs have been a sensitive topic for Prime Minister Narendra Modi39;s government.

Analysts linked the lack of jobs and high inflation with Modi39;s failure in polls last month to win a majority in the directly elected house of the parliament, meaning he had to rely on allies to return to power for a third term.

India39;s total employment stood at 643.3 million in 202324 versus 596.7 million in FY23, RBI data showed. The central bank uses data from the government39;s National Accounts and Ministry of Labour to extrapolate the country39;s productivity and employment levels.

The report, a routine release from the central bank, has traditionally only shown historic numbers. On Monday, however, the central bank said it is attempting a provisional estimate of productivity for the total economy for the first time for the financial year 202324 based on available information.

The release of the data follows a Citibank report last week that said growth of close to 7 will only create 8 million to 9 million jobs in India, short of the 11 million to 12 million needed.

Even 7 GDP…