Budget 2025: Modi Government to Present Economic Survey Ahead of Union Budget

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman to table key economic report outlining India’s growth trajectory, policy priorities, and fiscal roadmap for 2025-26.

New Delhi, January 31: The wait for Budget 2025 is over as the Narendra Modi-led NDA government gears up to present the Economic Survey in Parliament on Friday, a day before the Union Budget.

As per tradition, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman will table the pre-budget economic review, offering insights into India’s economic health, key policy priorities, and growth projections for 2025-26.

📌 Key Timings:
✅ 12 PM – Lok Sabha Presentation
✅ 2 PM – Rajya Sabha Presentation

What is the Economic Survey?

The Economic Survey is a detailed annual report on India’s economy, prepared by the Economic Division of the Finance Ministry under the guidance of the Chief Economic Adviser. It provides:

🔹 A comprehensive review of economic trends from 2024-25 (April-March)
🔹 Projections and insights for the upcoming financial year
🔹 Sector-wise analysis, including agriculture, industry, services, and global trade
🔹 Themes and recommendations that may shape the Union Budget 2025

Past Economic Survey Themes:

📌 2022: Agile Approach – India’s economic response to COVID-19
📌 2023: Recovery Complete – Post-pandemic economic rebound
📌 2024: Economic Resilience – Strengthening India’s growth momentum

This year’s central theme is eagerly awaited, as it will indicate the government’s economic vision and strategies for the remainder of Modi 3.0’s tenure.

State of the Indian Economy

🔺 July-Sept 2024 GDP Growth: 5.4% (Lower than RBI’s 7% forecast)
🔺 RBI’s Latest GDP Projection for 2024-25: 6.6% (Down from 7.2%)
🔺 Government’s Growth Expectation: 6.4%
🔺 India’s GDP in 2023-24: 8.2% – Fastest growing major economy
🔺 Previous Growth Rates:
✅ 2022-23: 7.2%
✅ 2021-22: 8.7%

With GDP growth slowing down and weak consumption trends, the Economic Survey’s outlook on investment, inflation, and fiscal policies will be closely watched.

Union Budget 2025: Key Details

📅 Budget Presentation: February 1, 2025, at 11 AM in Lok Sabha
📅 Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman’s 7th Budget (Most by Any FM After Morarji Desai)
📅 Budget to be Presented in Digital, Paperless Format

Customary Halwa Ceremony: A Tradition Before the Budget

A few days before the budget, the Finance Ministry follows the tradition of the “Halwa Ceremony”, marking the start of budget document printing.

📌 Date: January 24, 2025
📌 Led by: Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman & Minister of State Pankaj Chaudhary
📌 Lockdown Begins: Officials involved in the budget process remain confined in the ministry until the presentation.

Budget Session 2025: Parliamentary Schedule

📅 January 31: President Droupadi Murmu to Address Parliament’s Joint Sitting
📅 February 1: Union Budget 2025 Presentation
📅 February 14 – March 10: Inter-Session Break
📅 April 4: Expected End of Budget Session

Once the Union Budget is presented, it will undergo detailed debates and discussions in Parliament, allowing MPs to scrutinize its provisions, raise concerns, and suggest amendments before final approval.

With India at a crucial economic juncture, all eyes will be on the government’s fiscal strategy and key announcements in the Economic Survey and Budget 2025.