Ahead of the presentation of the Union Budget 2026, the Finance Ministry will table the Economic Survey in Parliament, offering a comprehensive assessment of India’s economic performance and outlook. Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman is scheduled to present the Union Budget 2026 in Parliament on February 1, with the Economic Survey traditionally placed before lawmakers a day earlier.
The Economic Survey serves as the government’s annual report card on the economy. Prepared by the Ministry of Finance, primarily through the Department of Economic Affairs with inputs from the Chief Economic Adviser, the document reviews how the economy has performed over the past year and identifies key trends shaping the months ahead.
Unlike the Union Budget, which lays out the government’s revenue plans and expenditure priorities for the coming financial year, the Economic Survey is analytical in nature. It examines major sectors such as agriculture, industry and services, alongside areas like exports and employment. The survey compiles data, highlights trends, and outlines projections to provide context for policy choices that may follow in the Budget.
Presenting the Economic Survey before the Budget allows policymakers and legislators to assess the state of the economy before debating fiscal proposals. By outlining both achievements and challenges, the survey explains the economic reasoning behind potential tax measures, spending allocations and reform initiatives. It also enhances transparency by placing the government’s assessment of growth, inflation, fiscal health and sectoral performance in the public domain.
Another key purpose of the survey is to stimulate informed discussion. Once tabled, it becomes a reference point for economists, opposition leaders and the media to debate economic conditions ahead of the Budget. Such discussions can shape public understanding and, at times, influence final policy decisions.
In terms of content, the Economic Survey typically tracks major macroeconomic indicators such as GDP growth, inflation levels, the fiscal deficit and the current account balance. It evaluates sector-wise performance, reviews social and developmental indicators including health, education and employment, and often offers policy recommendations aligned with the government’s reform and investment priorities. Data tables, charts and explanatory narratives are used to present complex economic trends in an accessible manner.
Together, the Economic Survey and the Union Budget form a sequential policy exercise—first diagnosing the economy’s condition and then outlining how the government plans to respond in the year ahead.
-
-
-
-
