New Delhi: Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Thursday tabled the Economic Survey of India for the financial year 2025–26 in Parliament, formally setting the tone for the Union Budget scheduled to be presented on Sunday, February 1. This year’s Budget presentation will take place on a weekend.
With the upcoming Budget, Sitharaman is set to present her ninth consecutive Union Budget, a rare milestone in India’s parliamentary and economic history. The tabling of the Economic Survey ahead of the Budget follows a long-established convention of assessing the economy’s performance before outlining the government’s fiscal and policy priorities.
Often described as the country’s annual economic “report card,” the Economic Survey provides a comprehensive and data-backed assessment of India’s economic performance over the past year. It also offers a broad framework to guide future policy decisions, helping explain the rationale behind proposals that later feature in the Budget.
Prepared by the Economic Division of the Department of Economic Affairs under the guidance of the Chief Economic Adviser, the Survey is presented in two volumes, each addressing distinct dimensions of the economy. The first volume offers a macroeconomic overview and outlook, presenting a thematic and analytical assessment of key trends such as GDP growth, inflation, fiscal position, and external trade. It is forward-looking in nature and outlines policy directions and reform priorities for the coming year.
The second volume focuses on a detailed, sector-wise review of economic performance during the previous financial year. It analyses developments in agriculture, industry, services, and infrastructure, while also examining socio-economic areas such as health, education, poverty, and climate-related challenges. The report includes extensive statistical data, supported by tables, charts, and appendices.
The presentation of the Economic Survey marks a crucial step in the Budget-making process, providing lawmakers, policymakers, and the public with a clearer picture of the state of the economy before the government unveils its fiscal roadmap for the year ahead.
