Archive · 29 Jan 2026
Economic Survey 2025-26 Highlights Growth and Challenges
The Economic Survey 2025-26 highlights India's economic performance and challenges.
The primary market saw significant fundraising, with ₹10.7 lakh crore raised through equity and debt issuances.
India's external performance demonstrates resilience, with increasing shares in global merchandise and commercial services exports.
The industrial sector showed strong growth, driven by manufacturing and core industries.
The survey also points to the need for strategic resilience through diversification and deeper integration into global value chains.
However, challenges remain in skilling, with low job retention and limited wage growth.
Additionally, India's investment in research and development is low, hindering its ability to compete globally in technology and innovation.
The survey calls for a focus on outcomes in skilling and increased R&D investment to drive innovation and economic growth.
India's primary market raised ₹10.7 lakh crore through equity and debt issuances in FY26.
India's share in global merchandise exports increased to 1.8% and commercial services exports to 4.3% by 2024.
The industrial sector showed strong growth, with manufacturing GVA growing by 7.72% and 9.13% in Q1 and Q2 of FY26, respectively.
The survey highlights the need for strategic resilience through diversification and deeper integration into global value chains.
Challenges in skilling include low job retention and limited wage growth, with a focus on scale over outcomes.
- Who
- Economic Survey 2025-26
- What
- Highlights economic performance and challenges
- When
- Tabled in Parliament on January 29, 2026
- Where
- India
- Why
- To provide an overview of India's economic progress and outline future strategies
Pro-Growth Policies
Critics of Current Approach
Industrial Growth and Diversification
Pro-Growth Policies
Proponents argue that the focus on scale, competitiveness, and integration into global value chains will drive industrial growth and create jobs.
Critics of Current Approach
Critics contend that the current model of import substitution and lack of complete self-reliance may leave India vulnerable to global market fluctuations.
Skilling and Employment
Pro-Growth Policies
Supporters of the government's skilling initiatives highlight the increase in enrolments and certifications as a positive step towards improving employability.
Critics of Current Approach
Opponents argue that the focus on scale over outcomes has led to low job retention and limited wage growth, failing to translate training into stable employment.
Research and Development
Pro-Growth Policies
Advocates for increased R&D investment point to India's progress in critical technologies and the need for private sector involvement to drive innovation.
Critics of Current Approach
Skeptics argue that low R&D expenditure and lack of business-sector investment hinder India's ability to compete globally in technology and innovation.
- Primary Market Fundraising (FY26)
- ₹10.7 lakh crore
- Mainboard IPOs (FY26)
- ₹1.6 lakh crore
- SME Listings (FY26)
- 217
- SME Fundraising (FY26)
- ₹9,635 crore
- Global Merchandise Exports Share (2024)
- 1.8%
- Global Commercial Services Exports Share (2024)
- 4.3%
- Total Exports (FY25)
- USD 825.3 billion
- Manufacturing GVA Growth (Q1 FY26)
- 7.72%
- Manufacturing GVA Growth (Q2 FY26)
- 9.13%
- Industry GVA Growth (H1 FY26)
- 7.0%
- Agriculture and Allied Sector Growth (FY16-FY25)
- 4.45%
- Horticulture Production (2024-25)
- 362.08 MT
- Foodgrains Production (2024-25)
- 3,577.3 LMT
- R&D Expenditure as % of GDP
- 0.64%
- Critical Technologies Rank
- Top 5 in 45 out of 64
Sources
Industrial growth surges to 7.8% in Dec
Industry output growth hits 26-month high of 7.8% in December
Economic Survey calls for industrialization model with focus on global value chain
Govt taking steps to double farmers’ income: Economic Survey
Economic Survey: India’s external performance demonstrates resilience to global shocks
India among top 5 for expanding research in critical technologies, despite low R&D investment
Industrial sector on growth path, needs strategic resilience through diversification: Eco Survey
Economic Survey 2025-26: Despite many skilling schemes, India has a results problem
