Archive · 29 Jan 2026
Economic Survey 2025-26 Highlights Key Issues
The Economic Survey 2025-26, presented in India's Parliament, talks about important issues affecting the country's economy.
It says that more women are working now, but they still face many problems like not being able to move around easily, not having affordable places to live, and not having flexible work hours.
The survey suggests that the government should make policies to help women, like providing safe transportation and creating special work areas for women.
It also talks about gig workers, who are people who work for companies like food delivery services.
About 40% of these workers earn less than Rs 15,000 per month, and the survey says the government should set minimum pay rates for them.
The survey also discusses artificial intelligence (AI) and suggests that India should focus on making AI that is useful for specific jobs rather than spending a lot of money on big AI models.
It also proposes a new way for students to learn and earn money at the same time, starting from Class 11.
The survey warns that India's IT sector might face challenges because of AI, and the country needs to adapt to stay competitive.
Women's labour force participation in India increased from 23.3% in 2017-18 to 41.7% in 2023-24, but they still face structural barriers like limited mobility and lack of affordable housing.
About 40% of gig workers in India earn below Rs 15,000 per month, and the survey calls for setting minimum per-hour or per-task earnings to ensure fair wages.
The gig economy in India has grown by 55% to 1.2 crore workers in FY25, with non-agricultural gigs forecast to make up 6.7% of the workforce by 2029-30.
The survey proposes an 'AI-OS' initiative where the government acts as a monetary shareholder in AI infrastructure, similar to UPI and Aadhaar, and focuses on sector-specific AI applications.
The 'Earn-and-Learn' initiative proposes that students can start earning academic credits and work experience through apprenticeships and project placements as early as Class 11.
- Who
- Economic Survey 2025-26, Government of India
- What
- Highlights key issues in women's labour participation, gig economy, and AI development
- When
- Thursday (date not specified)
- Where
- India
- Why
- To address structural barriers and propose policy interventions
- Women's Labour Participation
- 41.7% in 2023-24
- Women in STEM
- 2.9% of employed female workforce with advanced degrees
- Gig Workers Earnings
- 40% earn below Rs 15,000 per month
- Gig Economy Growth
- 55% increase to 1.2 crore in FY25
- AI-OS Initiative
- Government as monetary shareholder in AI infrastructure
- Earn-and-Learn Initiative
- Students earn academic credits and work experience from Class 11
- Structural Challenges
- Limited access to cutting-edge compute infrastructure
- IT Sector Caution
- Risk of hollowing out India’s core value proposition
Sources
Gig workers cry foul during protest against Urban Company’s instant services – ‘They pushed, touched us inappropriately’
Economic Survey 2025-26 Flags Low Earnings For 40% Gig Workers, Calls For Minimum Per-Hour/Task Pay & Policy Reforms
Government needs a startup mindset, merely making rules isn't enough: Economic Survey
Economic Survey 2025-26 urges policy action to raise women’s labour participation
