Economic Survey 2026 release: when, where, how to access
Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman presents Economic Survey in Parliament January 29, 2026, 11 AM, setting tone for Budget.
The Economic Survey 2025–26 is set to be tabled in Parliament on Thursday, January 29, 2026, marking a key moment in India’s annual budget exercise. Prepared by the Finance Ministry’s Department of Economic Affairs, the document serves as a comprehensive snapshot of the country’s economic health and the government’s financial performance in the year ending March 31, 2026.
Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman will present the Economic Survey in both the Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha at 11 a.m. during the ongoing Budget Session of Parliament. The presentation is traditionally seen as the curtain-raiser to the Union Budget, which is scheduled to be unveiled on February 1. While the Budget outlines what the government plans to do in the coming year, the Economic Survey explains where the economy currently stands and why certain policy choices may follow.
Often described as the government’s annual “report card,” the Economic Survey reviews growth trends, fiscal performance, inflation, employment, trade, and key sectoral developments. It evaluates how domestic and global factors have shaped India’s economic trajectory over the past year and highlights the challenges that policymakers continue to face. For economists, investors, and policymakers alike, it provides a detailed narrative behind the numbers.
Beyond assessing the past, the Survey also looks ahead. It offers insights into possible policy directions and reform priorities, setting the tone for the Union Budget that follows just days later. While it does not announce new schemes or tax changes, its analysis often signals the government’s thinking on issues such as public spending, structural reforms, and long-term growth strategies.
This year’s Survey comes at a time when the global economic environment remains uncertain, with geopolitical tensions, shifting trade patterns, and fluctuating energy prices influencing growth prospects worldwide. Domestically, attention is focused on sustaining economic momentum, managing inflation, boosting employment, and ensuring fiscal discipline while meeting development needs. The Survey is expected to address how India has navigated these pressures and what lies ahead.
After the document is tabled in Parliament, Chief Economic Adviser V. Anantha Nageswaran will hold a press briefing to explain its key findings and themes. This interaction is closely watched, as it helps translate dense economic analysis into clearer takeaways for the public and markets. The briefing also provides context on how the government interprets economic trends and risks.
For Parliamentarians, the Economic Survey serves as a factual base for debates during the Budget Session. Lawmakers across party lines use its data and assessments to question, defend, or critique the government’s economic management. For students, researchers, and policy observers, it becomes a reference document that shapes discussions well beyond Budget week.
The timing of the Survey is deliberate. By being presented just days before the Union Budget, it allows the government to frame the economic narrative ahead of its most important financial statement of the year. It helps explain why certain spending priorities are chosen, why fiscal targets are set at specific levels, and how broader economic goals align with budgetary decisions.
Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman’s role in tabling the Survey underscores its importance within the budgetary process. As India’s chief economic document before the Budget, it reflects the collective thinking of the Finance Ministry and its economic advisers, rather than the political promises often associated with budget announcements.
In essence, the Economic Survey 2025–26 is more than just a compilation of charts and statistics. It is a story of how the Indian economy has performed over the past year, the pressures it has absorbed, and the opportunities it hopes to seize. As Parliament convenes to hear its findings, the Survey will shape expectations, spark debate, and set the stage for the Union Budget that follows—making it a crucial moment in India’s economic calendar.