Archive · 30 Jan 2026
Economic Survey 2025-26 Highlights Key Issues
The Economic Survey 2025-26 talks about important things happening in India.
It says that many people still don't eat a balanced diet, even though there are programs to help.
The survey also mentions that many students drop out of school after Class 8, especially in rural areas.
Additionally, it notes that a lot of Indian students are going abroad for education, which costs a lot of money.
The survey suggests ways to improve these situations, like making schools better and helping farmers use the right amount of fertilizer.
It also talks about gig workers, who often earn very little and need better protection and support.
The survey says that India's economy is growing, but it could grow even faster with more reforms.
Finally, it warns that giving too much cash to people without conditions might not be good for the economy in the long run.
The Economic Survey 2025-26 highlights persistent nutrition gaps despite multiple food security programs.
Dietary diversity remains low, with excessive cereal consumption and insufficient intake of protective foods.
The survey calls for improving food quality, bioavailability, and outcome tracking in nutrition programs.
Secondary age-specific net enrolment rate remains low at 52.2%, highlighting the need to retain students beyond Class 8.
India has become the largest source of international students, with 18 lakh Indians studying abroad in 2025.
- Who
- Indian Government, Gig Workers, Students, Farmers, State Governments
- What
- Economic Survey 2025-26 highlights issues in education, nutrition, agriculture, gig economy, fiscal deficits, and economic growth
- When
- Economic Survey 2025-26
- Where
- India
- Why
- To address dietary diversity, education retention, agricultural productivity, gig worker welfare, fiscal sustainability, and economic growth
- Secondary Age-Specific Net Enrolment Rate (NER)
- 52.2%
- Percentage of Rural Schools Offering Secondary Education
- 17.1%
- Percentage of Urban Schools Offering Secondary Education
- 38.1%
- Number of Indian Students Abroad (2025)
- 18 lakh
- Ratio of Indian Students Abroad to International Students in India (2024)
- 28:1
- Annual Outward Remittance for Studies Abroad (FY24)
- USD 3.4 billion
- Decline in Outward Remittances for Education (August 2025)
- 23.3%
- Percentage of Gig Workers Earning Below ₹15,000 Monthly
- 40%
- Projected Non-Agricultural Gig Workforce Share by 2029-30
- 6.7%
- Projected GDP Contribution from Gig Work by 2029-30
- ₹2.35 lakh crore
- Gig Worker Growth from FY21 to FY25
- 55%
- Share of High-Skilled Gig Workers by 2030
- 27.5%
- Share of Low-Skilled Gig Workers by 2030
- 33.8%
- Unconditional Cash Transfers (UCTs) in FY26
- ₹1.7 lakh crore
- Combined Gross Fiscal Deficit of States in FY25
- 3.2% of GDP
- Combined Revenue Deficit of States in FY25
- 0.7% of GDP
- India's Medium-Term Growth Potential
- 7%
- Potential Growth with Reforms
- 7.5% to 8%
Sources
Economic Survey 2025 26: Economic Survey flags a urea price reset, backs direct cash transfers to farmers
Economic Survey 2025 26: Diet diversity remains weak despite welfare push, warns survey
Need to retain students beyond Class 8: Economic Survey
For every 1 student coming to India, 28 went abroad; remittance hit $3.4 billion in 2024: Economic Survey
Raise Urea MRP, pay fertiliser subsidy to farmers, says Survey
Economic Survey advocates for reviving ‘village commons’. Here’s what it means
Economic Survey: A word of caution on food self-reliance risk from India's ethanol-blending push
Need to retain students beyond Class 8: Economic Survey
Higher maize based ethanol prices driving away farmers from growing oilseeds & pulses: Survey
Eco survey seeks minimum pay norms for gig workers as 40% earn less than ₹15,000 monthly
CEA: 7% growth potential can rise to 7.5% in next few years with more reforms
Cash Transfers Widening Fiscal Deficits Of State Governments
Rising prices of maize-based ethanol 11.7% per year failed to shift paddy farmers
