The Economic Survey is one of the most important policy documents released by the Government of India every year. It is presented in Parliament a day before the Union Budget and acts as a report card on the state of the Indian economy.
While the Budget tells you what the government plans to do with money, the Economic Survey explains where the economy stands, what has worked, what has not, and what risks lie ahead.
It sets the intellectual and policy backdrop for the Budget that follows.
What is the Economic Survey?
The Economic Survey is an annual document that offers a detailed assessment of India’s economy. It tracks growth, inflation, fiscal health, employment trends, sector performance and external risks.
It is not a political manifesto or a list of schemes. It is a data-heavy, analytical document that looks at:
- How fast the economy is growing
- Which sectors are driving or dragging growth
- Where inflation is rising or easing
- How exports, consumption and investment are behaving
- What structural risks or opportunities lie ahead
In short, it explains the “why” behind the numbers that dominate headlines.
Who prepares the Economic Survey?
The Survey is drafted by the Economic Division of the Department of Economic Affairs under the Ministry of Finance.
It is prepared under the guidance of the Chief Economic Adviser (CEA), currently Dr V Anantha Nageswaran, along with a team of economists and officials.
While the government presents the document in Parliament, the Survey itself is written as a professional economic assessment rather than a political statement.
When is it presented?
The Economic Survey is tabled in Parliament during the Budget Session, usually one day before the Union Budget.
For FY26, the Survey is being presented on January 29, 2026, in both the Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha, followed by a media briefing by the finance ministry.
Why does the Economic Survey matter?
The Economic Survey matters because it shapes how policymakers, investors, companies and households read the economy.
It does three important things:
1. It sets the tone for the Union Budget
The Survey often hints at the government’s thinking on reforms, fiscal discipline, and growth priorities. Many Budget proposals find their logic first in the Survey.
2. It influences market expectations
Bond yields, equity sentiment, currency movement and sector outlooks often respond to the growth and inflation signals in the Survey.
3. It guides long-term policy direction
Beyond short-term numbers, the Survey flags structural issues like labour markets, productivity, climate risk, digitalisation and global trade shifts.
What does the FY26 Economic Survey focus on?
The Economic Survey for FY26 is expected to highlight:
- India’s real GDP growth outlook, estimated at 7.4%
- Inflation trends and price stability challenges
- Banking and financial sector health
- Agriculture and rural demand
- Export performance and services-led growth
It comes at a time when global markets are facing geopolitical shifts, trade tensions, and volatile capital flows, making domestic economic resilience even more important.
Why is the Survey more relevant this year?
Ahead of the Survey, financial markets saw:
- The rupee fall to a record low
- Gold and silver hit all-time highs
These signals reflect global uncertainty, currency stress, and risk aversion. In such an environment, the Survey’s assessment of India’s growth strategy, reform path, and external risks becomes critical.
It acts as a macroeconomic compass when global signals are noisy and unpredictable.
Where can you read or watch it?
The presentation is broadcast live on:
- Sansad TV
- Doordarshan
- Official government digital platforms
The full document will be available on indiabudget.gov.in along with datasets and charts.
The big picture
The Economic Survey is not just a technical report. It is the government’s official reading of the economy and its roadmap for the year ahead.
It explains where India stands, what pressures are building, and where the next phase of growth is expected to come from.
In many ways, it is the story behind the Budget numbers.