Economic Survey 2026 Live Updates: FM Nirmala Sitharaman tables Economic Survey in Rajya Sabha; both Houses adjourned

The Economic Survey, tabled by Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Thursday in the Parliament, stated that flexible vocational pathways starting at the school level will be required to upskill Indians, going forward.

Targeted skilling for women and youth in high productivity sectors will be critical for inclusive outcomes, it suggested.

Advancing institutional convergence and fostering a whole-of-government approach would enable the skilling and employment initiatives to operate in a coherent manner, it added.

The development of an information system bringing together data from e-Shram on unorganised workers, NCS (National Career Service portal) on job vacancies and required skills, and SIDH on training opportunities can lay the foundation for an integrated digital public infrastructure, it recommended.

This could set the stage for a sharper emphasis on industry-driven skilling, which remains central to building job-ready talent and strengthening skill-industry linkage, it pointed out. (PTI)

The expanding network of free trade agreements (FTAs) finalised by India over the years is supporting the country's trade strategy by providing reliable market access amid global uncertainties, the Economic Survey 2025-26 stated on Thursday.

To sustain the momentum in India's trade performance amid global economic uncertainties, the country is actively pursuing a diversified trade strategy, it said.

The country has concluded FTAs with various countries, including the UK, Oman, New Zealand, the European Union (EU), Australia and the UAE.

These pacts enable export-focused firms to boost production and become more integrated into the global value chain (GVC), it added. "Furthermore, by exposing firms to international competition, FTAs improve export competitiveness, encouraging firms to prioritise productivity and reliability over reliance on access-based benefits," it said. (PTI)

India's agriculture sector faces significant sustainability and productivity challenges despite recent growth, the Economic Survey stated.

The survey called for key reforms, including overhauling the fertiliser sector, boosting research and development, strengthening irrigation systems and promoting crop diversification, PTI reported quoting the survey.

Agriculture and allied activities contribute nearly one-fifth of India's national income but account for 46.1 per cent of the workforce, making the sector central to the country's overall growth trajectory, the survey underlined.

"Agriculture will be central to achieving Viksit Bharat, driving inclusive growth and improving the livelihoods of millions," the survey tabled in Parliament said, referring to Prime Minister Narendra Modi's vision of a developed India.

However, climate change poses significant challenges, including erratic weather patterns, rising temperatures, and extreme events that affect crop yields, the survey warned. Water scarcity remains critical in regions dependent on monsoon rainfall. (PTI)

India's annual economic survey presented on Thursday recommended age-based limits to be considered for access to social media ‍and ⁠gambling apps to counter what it called "digital addiction" in the country, news agency Reuters reported.

India, a key growth market ​for social media ‌apps like Facebook, YouTube and X, does not ​have a unified national minimum age for social media access.

The survey, tabled days before Minister of Finance Nirmala Sitharaman presents the Union Budget, recommended families promote screen-time limits, device-free hours and shared ‌offline activities.

"Platforms should be made responsible ‌for enforcing age verification and age-appropriate defaults, particularly for social ‌media, gambling ‍apps, auto-play ​features, and targeted advertising," it stated. (Reuters)

Underlining the rapid rise of digital addiction and screen-related mental health issues among children and adolescents, the Economic Survey, tabled in the Lok Sabha by Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, proposed expanding the national Tele-MANAS programme beyond crisis counselling to actively address digital addiction.

"Integration with school and college systems and training of dedicated counsellors is recommended to normalise help-seeking behaviour and enable early intervention at scale," it stated.

The Economic Survey 2025-26, tabled in the Lok Sabha by Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, underlined that India's automobile industry provides direct and indirect employment to over 30 million people accounting for nearly 15 per cent of the country's GST collections, PTI quoted.

It is a significant driver of economic growth, with India established as the world's largest market for two-wheelers and three-wheelers and the third-largest market globally for passenger and commercial vehicles, the Survey said.

Moreover, government initiatives like PLI Scheme for Automobile & Auto Components Industry, PLI scheme for 'National Programme on Advanced Chemistry Cell (ACC) Battery Storage, PM E-DRIVE Scheme, and PM e-Bus Sewa-Payment Security Mechanism (PSM) Scheme have driven significant growth in Electric Vehicle registrations in recent years, the Survey stated.

Scheme to Promote Manufacturing of Electric Passenger Cars in India (SMEC), notified in March 2024, is also helping the growth of the sector, it noted. (PTI)

The Economic Survey, tabled by Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman in the Lok Sabha on Thursday, pitched for restrictions on marketing of infant milk and beverages, PTI quoted.

The domestic steel sector continues to face challenges related to international price disparity and raw material security, the Economic Survey, tabled by the Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman in Lok Sabha stated.

"The steel sector serves as the backbone of industrialisation and infrastructure, securing India's position as the world's second-largest crude steel producer," the government document said.

The sector has undergone a major transformation in the past 5 years, driven largely by strong domestic demand from the construction and manufacturing sectors, it said.

"However, the sector faces challenges related to international price disparity and raw material security. India was also a net importer of steel during FY26 (April-October), primarily due to low international prices, which resulted in lower margins on exports and cheaper imports," the survey stated.

In the 2025-26 fiscal year, crude steel production grew by 11.7 per cent, finished steel production increasing by 10.8 per cent, and consumption rising by 7.8 per cent during April-October 2025-26, compared to the corresponding period last year.

- with inputs from PTI

The Economic Survey, tabled in the Lok Sabha on Thursday, stated, "the outlook is one of steady growth amid global uncertainty, requiring caution, but not pessimism."

The GDP growth projection, in the range of 6.8 to 7.2 per cent in 2026-27, has taken into consideration the cumulative impact of policy reforms over recent years that appear to have lifted the economy's medium-term growth potential closer to 7 per cent.

"With domestic drivers playing a dominant role and macroeconomic stability well anchored, the balance of risks around growth remains broadly even," the pre-Budget document stated.

- with PTI inputs

The Economic Survey, which was tabled by Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, stated the domestic Indian economy remains on a stable footing but slower growth among trading partners and tariff-induced disruptions to trade could weigh on exports and investor sentiment, news agency Reuters reported.

The ​government projects this fiscal year's growth ‌at 7.4%, beating the 6.3%-6.8% forecast range from last year's survey.

The report on the ​state of the economy, authored by Chief Economic Adviser V. Anantha Nageswaran and his team in the finance ministry, investment and consumption are likely to gain strength as firms respond to recent reforms.

- with inputs from Reuters

Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Thursday tabled the Economic Survey 2025-26 in the Lok Sabha, an annual report card of the country's economic performance in the financial year.

According to sources, the Economic Survey is likely to project a 6.8-7.2 per cent growth for 2026-27, a shade lower than 7.4 per cent estimated for the current fiscal, news agency PTI quoted.

The survey is tabled ahead of the Union Budget and presents a backdrop for the policy actions to be taken in the next financial year.

Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman tabled the Economic Survey of India in the Parliament today.

Prepared by the Economic Division of the Finance Ministry, under the chief economic adviser, the Survey reviews economic performance and key indicators for 2025–26 and presents an outlook for the next fiscal year.

Sitharaman will present the Union Budget on Sunday (February 1, 2026).

Soon after Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed the media outside the Parliament on Thursday, the Congress hit out at him, saying he delivers his "usual hypocrisy-laden message to the nation" before the beginning of each session and "today's performance is part of this series," news agency PTI reported.

Congress general secretary in-charge Jairam Ramesh said, "He (PM) will not convene and chair all-party meetings to take the opposition into confidence on national issues."

He will suddenly have Bills introduced at the last minute and bulldozed through Parliament without the necessary legislative scrutiny, Ramesh claimed, adding that Modi would not sit in Parliament and respond to the concerns of opposition leaders, and will instead make election rally speeches in both Houses.

"Before the beginning of each session, he will give his usual hypocrisy-laden 'desh ke naam sandesh' with Parliament as his backdrop. Today's performance is part of this series," the senior Congress leader said. (PTI)

Proceedings in both Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha began on Thursday at 11 am.

Today is the second day of the Budget Session 2026, where Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman will table the Economic Survey of India.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi hailed the Free Trade Agreement (FTA) with the European Union in his address to the media ahead of the Budget Session on Thursday.

"At the very beginning of this quarter, the India–European Union Free Trade Agreement reflects how bright the coming direction is and how promising the future of India's youth is. This is free trade for an ambitious India, for aspirational youth, and for a self-reliant India. I am confident that Indian manufacturers, in particular, will use this opportunity to enhance their capabilities," he told the reporters.

The second day of the Budget session of Parliament began with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s address to the media outside the Parliament, where he hailed President Droupadi Murmu’s address a day earlier, as an “expression of confidence of 140 crore citizens, which outlined the aspirations of youth.”

He also hailed the FTA with EU, calling it a step towards an “ambitious India,” as he urged manufacturers to benefit from new markets.

"A new market has opened up, which is set to offer quality products to 27 EU member nations," he said.

In our Opinion section today, Gourav Vallabh sheds light on the emerging need for India to focus on economic reforms and their execution, underlining that the country's economic story told through quarterly GDP prints present an incomplete picture.

Vallabh writes:

"The last decade was about fixing the plumbing, building digital systems, physical infrastructure, and fiscal capacity. The next should be defined not just by landmark reforms but also consistent execution, especially at the state and municipal levels. The test ahead is whether private enterprise, local governments and institutions can fully exploit it. If they do, growth will be faster, broader and more inclusive."

Read the full Opinion here.

In her address to the joint sitting of Parliament, President Droupadi Murmu used the platform to frame the government’s agenda around big-ticket economic reforms, rural employment, national security, and social welfare.

She also invoked civilisational icons and regional pride in her speech that comes months before key state elections.

She projected India as a stabilising force globally, stating that “India is playing the role of a bridge in the world,” and that “even nations engaged in conflict, express their trust in India on important issues.”

President Murmu also talked about the rural employment law, the Viksit Bharat-Guarantee for Rozgar and Ajeevika Mission (Gramin) or VB-G RAM G Act, which drew audible protests from Opposition benches during the address.

Here are the key points from Murmu's speech.