New Delhi buzzed with anticipation on Thursday as Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman presented the Economic Survey 2026 in Parliament. This pivotal document underscores India’s economic resilience despite swirling global uncertainties and looming U.S. tariffs.
The survey offers a comprehensive outlook on India’s GDP growth projections for the current fiscal year 2025-26 and the upcoming 2026-27. As the precursor to the Union Budget, it encapsulates the nation’s economic performance over the past year and charts potential pathways ahead.
Chief Economic Adviser V. Anantha Nageswaran is set to dissect the key policy recommendations later, addressing critical issues like rupee depreciation, escalating global political tensions, and more.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi hailed Sitharaman’s milestone, noting she has become the first woman to present the central budget nine consecutive times—a historic feat etched in India’s parliamentary annals.
Addressing the Budget session, PM Modi described it as a moment of national pride. Sitharaman will unveil the 15th Union Budget of the Modi government on February 1, marking the second full budget following the NDA’s third consecutive term in 2024.
Over the past decade, India has fortified its foundations across key sectors, paving the way for accelerated and sustainable growth. The Budget session, spanning 65 days with 30 sittings, will pause on February 13 and resume March 9 for parliamentary committees to scrutinize ministry expenditure proposals.
Kicking off January 28, the session unfolds in two phases: the first until February 13, and the second from March 9 to April 2. This survey signals optimism, positioning India as a beacon of stability in turbulent times.