Explained: What is the Economic Survey? Why does it matter?

In fact, beyond the summary, the Economic Survey also paints a variety of future scenarios, highlighting likely challenges and pointing to possible solutions. In the past few years, the Economic Survey has been presented in two volumes. For example, in the last year’s Survey, which was the last one presented by the then CEA Arvind Subramanian, Volume 2 provided the more descriptive review of the fiscal year, encompassing all the major sectors of the economy, while Volume 1 focussed on research and analysis about the challenges — both contemporary and long-term — facing the Indian economy. Thus, Volume 1 contained chapters on the GST, the investment-saving slowdown, and fiscal federalism and accountability, as well as on the challenges of long-term economic convergence, gender inequality, climate change and agriculture, delays in the appeals and judicial process, and science and technology.

As such, apart from providing a comprehensive snapshot of the various sectors of the economy, the Survey is also used as a sounding board for introducing new policy ideas and triggering fresh debates. As the years have rolled by, successive CEAs have used every aspect of the Economic Survey to convey some key idea. For instance, the colour of the 2018 Survey’s cover — pink — was chosen “as a symbol of support for the growing movement to end violence against women, which spans continents”.

Follow LIVE UPDATES on the Economic Survey 2019

Given that the Indian economy is going through a rough patch, this year’s Economic Survey will be keenly watched for a new bunch of big ideas under the new CEA.

Curated For You

Dhurandhar Worldwide Box Office Collection Day 7 Update: Ranveer Singh starrer set to cross Rs 230 crore mark in India

India vs UAE U19 Asia Cup 2025 Highlights: India beat UAE by 234 runs

Akhanda 2 Movie Review, Collection LIVE Updates: Nandamuri Balakrishna film set to cross Rs 20 cr mark in 2 days