Economic Survey 2026 Live Updates: FM Nirmala Sitharaman to table India’s economic ‘report card’ in Parliament today

The Economic Survey 2026 is one of the most closely watched documents released by the Government of India each year. Think of it as the country’s annual economic report card.

It lays out how the economy has performed, what challenges lie ahead, where opportunities exist, and how policy thinking is likely to evolve. Released just days before the Union Budget, the Survey plays a key role in setting the tone for fiscal decisions and long-term economic planning.

What exactly is the Economic Survey?

The Economic Survey is an annual publication prepared by the Department of Economic Affairs in the Ministry of Finance, under the guidance of India’s Chief Economic Adviser (CEA). It takes a deep dive into how the Indian economy fared in the previous financial year, backed by data, trends, and analysis.

Economic Survey 2026 will offer a wide-ranging look at the state of the economy. It will  examine key indicators such as economic growth, inflation, employment, and fiscal health, while also breaking down performance across major sectors like agriculture, industry, services, and infrastructure.

Released every year ahead of the Union Budget, the Survey provides the economic context that helps shape policy and budgetary choices. It is largely data-driven, relying on official statistics and economic indicators, and it reviews government reforms while also outlining possible strategies for the future.

Because of this depth, it serves as an important reference point not just for policymakers, but also for students, researchers, and economists.

The Economic Survey 2026 PDF will be officially released by the Government of India for public access today at 11 am. It will include a detailed review of the economy, sector-wise assessments, and policy recommendations. Once released, the PDF can be downloaded from official government portals.

Follow Firstpost’s LIVE blog for all the latest updates on the Economic Survey 2026.

Live Updates

A quick look at the history of the Economic Survey

The Economic Survey made its debut in 1950–51 as part of the Union Budget documents, offering a snapshot of India’s economic performance. In 1964, it was separated from the Budget and turned into an independent document. This shift was meant to ensure a more detailed and objective assessment of the economy ahead of the Budget presentation. By doing so, it allowed Parliament and policymakers to study economic trends, challenges, and opportunities in advance—leading to more informed fiscal decisions.

Continuing this tradition, the Economic Survey 2026 will be released today, ahead of the Union Budget 2026–27, which is scheduled to be presented on 1 February 2026.