Budget 2025 Economic Survey Highlights: FDI revives to $55.6 billion in FY25; Take a look at India’s Economic Outlook

Economic Survey LIVE: According to the economic report card, government programs like Mudra Yojana, Skill India, and Start-Up India are designed to promote entrepreneurship, but the income disparity persists.

“Women’s economic contribution is undeniable, yet their earning potential is severely restricted due to systemic barriers,” according to the report. 

Economic Survey LIVE: The share of self-employed workers increased from 52.2% in 2017-18 to 58.4% in 2023-24. However, a notable gender disparity remains, as self-employed women earn only a third of what men make, highlighting concerns over income inequality and economic fairness, according to the economic survey report. 

Economic Survey LIVE: According to the survey, the European Union (EU) has positioned CBAM as an environmental safeguard against carbon leakage. The so-called ‘carbon tax’ posed significant risks to India’s trade prospects. 

European Union's Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM) is a carbon tariff on imports of carbon-intensive goods.

Economic Survey LIVE: According to the survey, the government may raise taxes on salaried employees over labour reduction if AI eventually results in job cuts. 

The survey cited an IMF paper stating that governments may be forced to tax the incremental profit of corporations that use AI to replace labour.

Economic Survey LIVE: According to the economic data report, the rising participation of rural women into workforce has fueled the increase infemale labour force for FY2023-24.

“Female labour force participation rate (FLFPR) has been rising for seven years, i.e., from 23.3 per cent in 2017-18 to 41.7 per cent in 2023-24, driven mainly by the rising participation of rural women,” said the report. 

Economic Survey LIVE: According to the survey, the prices of tomatoes, onions, and potatoes are hitting the Indian consumer's wallets hard. 

the average food inflation rate in FY25 (April-December) was 6.5 per cent 

“Uneven monsoon-induced supply disruptions in certain regions caused price pressures, mainly in tomatoes and onions, contributing to higher inflation rates in vegetables and overall food inflation,” said the survey report. 

Economic Survey LIVE: According to the economic survey, the tourism sector returned to the pre-pandemic level of 5% of GDP in FY23. 

“The tourism sector's contribution to GDP returned to its pre-pandemic level of 5 per cent in FY23,” as per the report. 

Economic Survey LIVE: Shipping cargo movement in India rose to 819 million tonnes in FY24, according to the economic data released on January 31. 

“The cargo movement at major ports in FY24 was 819 million tonnes (MT), up from 783 MT in FY23,” as per the report. 

Economic Survey LIVE: According to the economic survey data, India contributed 4.3 per cent to the global services exports in 2023. 

“India held a 4.3 per cent share in global services exports in 2023, ranking seventh worldwide,” said the survey report.

Economic Survey LIVE: According to the economic survey data, the agriculture and allied activities sector contributes to 16% of India's GDP, as of the FY24 (PE) at current prices.

“The ‘Agriculture and Allied Activities’ sector has long been the backbone of the Indian economy, playing a vital role in national income and employment. This sector contributes approximately 16 per cent of the country’s GDP for FY24 (PE) at current prices,” said the survey. 

Economic Survey LIVE: According to the report, the average monthly wireless data usage jumped to 19.3 GB in the 2023-24 fiscal, compared to its earlier levels of 12.1 GB in FY2021.

“The average monthly wireless data usage per user in FY24 is 19.3 GB, up from 12.1 GB in FY21,” as per the report. 

Economic Survey LIVE: According to the survey report card, the Indian Railway recorded an 8% y-o-y gain in passenger traffic in the 2023-24 fiscal. 

“Indian Railways recorded an 8 per cent growth in passenger traffic originating in FY24. Revenue-earning freight in FY24 grew by 5.2 per cent,” said the survey report. 

Budget Economic Survey 2025 Live: According to the economic report card for the year, India is looking to diversify its export market to other regions, beyond the regular trade partners. Exports were valued at $35.87 billion in FY2023-24.

“The export of textiles and apparel, including handicrafts, were valued at USD 35.87 billion in FY24. India is looking to diversify its export market to other regions,” said survey report. 

Budget Economic Survey 2025 Live: According to the survey report, India's domestic production of electronic goods rose at a CAGR of 17.5% between FY15 to FY24. 

“The country has also drastically reduced its dependence on smartphone imports, with 99% now manufactured domestically. Programmes such as Make in India and Digital India, along with improved infrastructure, ease of doing business, and various incentives, have boosted domestic manufacturing and drawn foreign investments,” said the survey report. 

Budget Economic Survey 2025 Live: Highlighting the growth in domestic auto sales, the economic survey disclosed that automobile sales in India rose by 12.5 per cent in the 2024 fiscal. Recognising this move, the government extended the PLI scheme by one year. 

“In FY24, the Indian automobile domestic sales grew by 12.5 per cent. Recognising the sector's potential, the government extended the PLI scheme by one year,” said the report. 

Budget Economic Survey 2025 Live: According to the survey report, India's steel sector witnessed a 4.6% growth in the April to November months of FY2024-25, fueled by public spending in key infrastructure industries. 

“In April-November of FY25, the country’s finished steel production registered a growth of 4.6%. The sustained growth in steel sector is fuelled by ongoing development projects and increased public spending in key infrastructure industries,” said the report. 

Budget Economic Survey 2025 Live: The economic report card highlighted that prioritising skill development for the labour force and revising complex grassroots-level procedures and regulations are the two important metrics for growth in the manufacturing and service sectors. 

“The service sector's contribution to total GVA has risen from 50.6 per cent in FY14 to 55.3 per cent in FY25 (First Advance Estimates),” said the survey. 

Budget Economic Survey 2025 Live: According to the report, the retail headline inflation has softened in the first three quarters of the financial year 2024-25, compared to the levels in FY2023-24. 

“Retail headline inflation has softened from 5.4 per cent in FY24 to 4.9 per cent in April – December 2024,” said the survey. 

Budget Economic Survey 2025 Live: According to the survey, the industrial sector grew 6.2% in the financial year ended 2025, according to the first advance estimates of GDP, driven by robust growth in electricity and construction. 

“The industrial sector has also found its footing above the pre-pandemic trajectory. The robust rate of growth in recent years has taken the services sector close to its trend levels,” said the survey.

Budget Economic Survey 2025 Live: According to the survey report, the government outlined that the capital expenditure on key infrastructure sectors grew 38.8% between FY20 to FY24 and that in FY25. 

The report also sheds light that after the electoral process, the capital expenditure momentum has picked up between July and November 2024.

Budget Economic Survey 2025 Live: President Droupadi Murmu highlighted India's progress report ahead of the Economic Survey announcement and said that the nation contributes to 15% of the global growth. 

“In ten years, India has become 5th largest economy. From 2021 to 2024, India has grown at an average rate of 8% annually. Today, India alone is contributing 15% of the global growth. Government is striving to make India the 3rd largest economy in the world,” according to the President's address before the report release. 

Budget Economic Survey 2025 LIVE: According to the survey, the government highlighted that Deregulation is the key to achieving the goal of “Viksit Bharat.”

Assessing India's medium-term growth outlook, considering the geo-economic fragmentation (GEF) and China's manufacturing progress and strategic dominance, the survey said, “The way forward for India is to reinvigorate the internal engines and domestic growth levers and focus on economic freedom. The focus of reforms and economic policy must now be on systematic deregulation as the key agenda under Ease of Doing Business 2.0.”

Budget Economic Survey 2025 LIVE: According to the survey, India's gross foreign direct investment inflows revived in FY25, increasing from $47.2 billion in the first eight months of FY24 to $55.6 billion in the same period of FY25, a YoY growth of 17.9 per cent.

Economic Survey 2025 highlighted the resilience of the export sector, which has been on a steady upward trend in recent years despite global economic challenges.

"Overall exports (merchandise + services) have grown steadily in the first nine months of FY25, witnessing a YoY growth of 6 per cent. India’s external debt has remained stable over the past few years, with the external debt to GDP ratio standing at 19.4 per cent at the end of September 2024," said the survey.

Budget Economic Survey 2025 LIVE: The survey highlighted a consistent decline in the gross non-performing assets (GNPA) ratio of commercial banks.

"The gross non-performing assets ratio of scheduled commercial banks has declined consistently from its peak in FY18 to a low of 2.6 per cent at the end of September 2024," said the survey.

Besides, the survey underscored that the credit-GDP gap narrowed to -0.3 per cent in Q1FY25 from -10.3 per cent in Q1FY23, indicating that the recent growth in bank credit is sustainable.

India’s insurance market continues its upward trajectory, with total insurance premiums growing by 7.7 per cent in FY24, reaching ₹11.2 lakh crore. The pension sector has also seen significant growth, with the total number of pension subscribers growing by 16 per cent (YoY) as of September 2024, according to the survey.

Budget Economic Survey 2025 LIVE: The survey pointed out that retail headline inflation softened from 5.4 per cent in FY24 to 4.9 per cent in April –December 2024 due to various government initiatives and monetary policy measures.

The survey noted that supply chain disruptions, extreme weather conditions, and consequent reduced harvests were key factors driving India’s food inflation.

However, the government’s proactive policy interventions, including strengthening buffer stocks for essential food items, periodic open market releases and efforts to ease imports during supply shortages, helped stabilise inflation.

"Despite challenges, there are positive signs for inflation management in India. The Reserve Bank of India and the International Monetary Fund (IMF) project that India’s consumer price inflation will gradually align with the target of around 4 per cent in FY26," it said.

Budget Economic Survey 2025 Live: As per the survey document, all sectors are performing well.

"The agriculture sector remains strong, consistently operating well above trend levels. The industrial sector has also found its footing above the pre-pandemic trajectory. The robust growth rate in recent years has brought the services sector to its trend levels," said the survey.

Budget Economic Survey 2025 Live: The survey pointed out that despite global uncertainty, India's real GDP growth of 6.4 per cent in FY25 (as per first advance estimates of national income) remains close to the decadal average.

"Keeping in mind the upsides and downsides to growth, real GDP growth in FY26 is expected to be between 6.3 and 6.8 per cent. From an aggregate supply perspective, real gross value added (GVA) is also estimated to grow by 6.4 per cent FY25," the survey said.

Budget Economic Survey 2025 Live: Capital expenditure (capex) has improved from FY21 to FY24. The capex has grown by 8.2 per cent during July – November 2024 YoY.

Budget Economic Survey 2025 Live: The real GDP growth for FY25 is expected at 6.4% despite global challenges, according to the Economic Survey.

Budget Economic Survey 2025 Live: The economic survey highlighted geopolitical risks that have been a concern for the global economic outlook.

Budget Economic Survey 2025 Live: Inflation rates across economies have trended downward steadily, approaching central bank target levels. Major central banks have been reducing policy rates due to a decline in inflation, according to the survey.

Budget Economic Survey 2025 Live: Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman tabled the Economic Survey in Parliament on Friday, January 31. According to the survey, India's FY26 GDP growth is expected in the range of 6.3-6.8 per cent amid global uncertainty.

Budget Economic Survey 2025 Live: The Economic Survey has been tabled in the Parliament.

Budget Economic Survey 2025 Live: Azad Samaj Party-Kanshiram President and MP, Chandrashekhar Azad tells ANI, “We have hopes from the government but there is fear as well if the govt will fulfil them or not. Youth, farmers, women - all have expectations. This budget session is at a time when the assembly election in the national capital is about to be held - it will have an impact on that too...”

TMC MP Kirti Azad tells ANI, "From the last 11 years, the government is merely lying... All they do is lie. Nothing is going to come out of the Economic Survey..."

Budget Economic Survey 2025 Live: Where and how to watch Economic Survey?

On Sansad TV and PIB India channels.

Ministry of Finance Facebook page.

Official X handle of Finance Ministry for live updates @FinMinIndia.

The Economic Survey can be downloaded from the India Budget website after the release, link.

Budget Economic Survey 2025 Live: The Survey serves as a detailed statistical report for journalists, educators, researchers and students, while the Budget is more broad in the sense that it impacts the common everyday man and corporates alike.

Budget Economic Survey 2025 Live: The survey document consists of analysis, data, research and recommendation based on the past financial year, while the Budget aims to meet requirements for policies, allocations and plans for the financial year ahead.

Economic Survey 2025 Live: The Union Budget is an annual financial statement from the Central Government which outlines its proposed expenditures and revenues for the upcoming fiscal year (FY2024-25) — from April 1, 2024 to March 31, 2025. While the topics covered may be similar to the Economic Survey, there are key difference between the two:

The Economic Survey is released ahead of the Budget, providing a complete economic overview of the past year with non-binding suggestions for the financial year ahead. But the Budget outlines the government's achievements of the past financial year and outlines goals and allocations for the financial year ahead.

Budget Session of Parliament LIVE: President Murmu addressed the Parliament to begin the Budget Session of Parliament today. She said, “India presenting an example to world by becoming pillar of economic, social and political stability.”

Budget Session of Parliament LIVE: Addressing the Budget Session of Parliament, President Droupadi Murmu sais, “My government believes in women-led development in the country...The government aims to have 3 crore 'Lakhpati didi'…It is a matter of great pride for the Parliament that today women in large numbers are flying fighter aircraft, joining Police and also leading corporates in the country...Our daughters are making the country proud by winning Olympic medals.”

Budget Session of Parliament LIVE: President Murmu addressing the Budget Session of Parliament today said: 

• Situation in Jammu and Kashmir has changed after abrogation of Article 370. 
• My government has ensured Dalits, STs and OBCs become biggest beneficiaries of our initiatives and schemes.

Budget Session of Parliament LIVE: President Murmu while addressing the Budget Session of Parliament said, “Reform, perform and transform have become strong pillars of India's governance model.”

On languages and culture President Murmu added that the government has granted classical language status to Assamese, Bengali, Marathi, Pali and Prakrit.

Budget Session of Parliament LIVE: “My government has taken historic steps to protect country's borders and ensure internal security. The fight against left-wing extremism has reached final stage, number of affected districts has declined sharply to 38,” said President Murmu.

“We are one country. Have one dream, one goal — Viksit Bharat. We have to achieve Viksit Bharat as a unity country. When we move ahead together, we will achieve this,” says President Murmu.

Budget Session of Parliament LIVE: “The country has taken several historic steps to protect the country's borders and ensure internal security....The govt has also taken steps towards self-reliance in the defence sector. From Make in India, we have moved to make for the world…” says President Murmu in Parliament.

Budget Session of Parliament LIVE: “In the last six months, my government has made record investment in future infrastructure. I am feeling happy to inform that Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla rail link project has been completed and now the country will be connected by railway line from Kashmir to Kanyakumari. Under this ambitious project, world's highest rail bridge has been constructed over Chenab River,” says President Murmu.

Budget Session of Parliament LIVE: President speaks on northeast India

"To enable the entire country to see the potential of the eight states of the North East, the first Ashtalakshmi Mahotsav was organised," says President Murmu.

Budget Session of Parliament LIVE: President speaks on healthcare, hospitals

“To ensure health services to all citizens, 1.75 lakh Arogyoa Mandir have been established in the country. Looking at the rising number of cancer patients, custom duty on many cancer medicines has been waived off,” said President Murmu.

Budget Session of Parliament LIVE: President Murmu speaks on India's rail and metro network in Parliament, saying, “India's metro rail network has now crossed the 1000-kilometre milestone. India has the world's third-largest metro network.”