What is economic survey and why it matters?

Economic Survey 2026

• Nirmala Sitharaman to present FY26 Economic Survey in Parliament today
• Survey to outline India's growth prospects, sector performance, and key concerns
• FY26 real GDP growth estimated at 7.4%, higher than previous projections

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Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman will be presenting the Economic Survey for FY26 in Parliament today. Seen as the report card of the Indian economy, the survey will give details around the short-term as well as long-term growth prospects as well as key concerns.

Ahead of the economic survey, financial markets witnessed rupee crashing to an all-time low at 92/$. On the other hand, gold and silver breached all previous records with the white metal smashing Rs 4 lakh/kg record for the first time ever.

Even as the global political order witnesses major upheavals with no guarantee for the future events, the economic survey gains more significance as it charts a blueprint for the India’s economic growth.

What is the Economic Survey?

The Economic Survey offers a detailed evaluation of the Indian economy, mapping key macroeconomic indicators, growth trends and sectoral performance. It sets the context for policy debate and shapes expectations in the run-up to the Union Budget.

Tabled in Parliament today

The Survey will be presented in both the Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha today by the Chief Economic Adviser (CEA). A media briefing will follow, during which senior finance ministry officials are expected to highlight the document's key findings and economic signals.

Key themes to watch

The FY26 Economic Survey is likely to focus on:

Real GDP growth outlook for FY26

Inflation trends and price pressures

Performance of key sectors such as banking and agriculture

Export strength and services-led growth

Growth outlook and recent trends

India's economic performance in recent years has frequently exceeded projections made in earlier Economic Surveys. For FY25-26, real GDP growth is estimated at 7.4% as per the First Advance Estimates, higher than the 6.3-6.8% range projected in the previous pre-Budget Survey.

Where to watch and access the Survey

The presentation of the Economic Survey can be viewed live on Sansad TV and Doordarshan, as well as through official government digital platforms. The complete document and accompanying data will be available on the Union Budget website, indiabudget.gov.in.

Moneycontrol.com will carry live updates, in-depth analysis and industry reactions to the Survey's key takeaways.

Who prepares the Economic Survey?

The Economic Survey is drafted by the Economic Division of the Department of Economic Affairs under the Ministry of Finance. It is authored under the guidance of the Chief Economic Adviser, currently Dr V Anantha Nageswaran, and provides a comprehensive assessment of macroeconomic conditions, fiscal trends and forward-looking risks.

Why the Economic Survey is important

Widely regarded as an indicator of the government's policy stance, the Economic Survey offers insights into priorities that may influence the Union Budget for 2026-27.

Schedule for FY26 Economic Survey

The Economic Survey 2025-26 will be tabled in Parliament today, Thursday, January 29 by Nirmala Sitharaman, followed by a media interaction led by Chief Economic Adviser V Anantha Nageswaran.