Union Budget 2026 FAQs: What It Is, Who Prepares It and Why It Matters Before Budget Day

India

oi-Madhuri Adnal

As
the
government
prepares
for
the
Union
Budget,
attention
first
turns
to
the
Economic
Survey,
a
key
document
that
outlines
how
the
Indian
economy
has
performed
and
where
it
may
be
headed.
Released
annually
by
the
Finance
Ministry,
the
survey
acts
as
a
bridge
between
economic
data
and
budgetary
decisions.

What
is
the
Economic
Survey?

The
Economic
Survey
is
the
government’s
annual
assessment
of
India’s
economic
performance.
Prepared
by
the
Finance
Ministry,
it
reviews
how
the
economy
has
fared
over
the
previous
year
and
highlights
trends
that
may
influence
policy
decisions
in
the
upcoming
Union
Budget.

Who
prepares
the
Economic
Survey?

The
survey
is
compiled
by
the
Department
of
Economic
Affairs
and
overseen
by
the
Chief
Economic
Advisor.
Inputs
are
drawn
from
multiple
government
departments,
research
institutions
and
global
agencies
before
the
final
document
is
approved.

Why
is
the
Economic
Survey
released
before
the
Union
Budget?

The
survey
sets
the
economic
context
for
the
Budget.
It
outlines
growth
trends,
fiscal
pressures
and
sector-wise
performance,
helping
policymakers
decide
where
spending
or
reforms
may
be
needed.

What
kind
of
information
does
the
Survey
include?

The
report
covers
macroeconomic
indicators
such
as
GDP
growth,
inflation,
fiscal
deficit
and
revenue
trends.
It
also
examines
how
sectors
like
agriculture,
industry
and
services
have
performed.

Beyond
this,
the
survey
looks
at
employment,
education,
healthcare,
infrastructure,
social
welfare
schemes
and
environmental
challenges.
Global
economic
factors
that
could
affect
India’s
outlook
are
also
analysed.

Does
the
Economic
Survey
announce
new
policies?

No.
The
Economic
Survey
does
not
contain
policy
announcements
or
budget
proposals.
Instead,
it
provides
data-driven
analysis
and
observations
that
guide
decision-making
ahead
of
the
Budget.

How
is
the
Economic
Survey
prepared?

Officials
analyse
economic
data
collected
throughout
the
year
from
various
sources.
The
Economic
Division
of
the
Finance
Ministry
leads
the
exercise,
after
which
the
Chief
Economic
Advisor
reviews
and
clears
the
final
report
for
presentation
in
Parliament.

When
will
the
Economic
Survey
2026
be
released?

The
Economic
Survey
will
be
tabled
in
Parliament
on
January
29,
2026,
following
clearance
by
the
Cabinet
Committee
on
Parliamentary
Affairs.

Who
will
present
the
Economic
Survey?

Chief
Economic
Advisor
V
Anantha
Nageswaran
will
present
the
survey,
along
with
senior
finance
ministry
officials.
A
press
conference
will
follow
the
presentation.

Where
can
people
watch
the
Economic
Survey
presentation?

The
presentation
and
press
briefing
will
be
broadcast
live
on
Sansad
TV
and
streamed
on
PIB
India’s
YouTube
channels.
Updates
will
also
be
available
on
the
Ministry
of
Finance’s
official
social
media
platforms.

Where
can
the
Economic
Survey
be
downloaded?

After
it
is
tabled
in
Parliament,
the
full
document
will
be
available
for
download
on
the
official
India
Budget
website.

When
will
the
Union
Budget
be
presented?

The
Union
Budget
will
be
presented
on
February
1.
The
Budget
Session
of
Parliament
will
begin
on
January
28
and
continue
until
April
2
in
two
phases,
with
a
break
between
February
13
and
March
9.

Why
is
the
Economic
Survey
important
for
citizens
and
markets?

The
survey
acts
as
an
economic
report
card.
It
helps
businesses,
investors
and
citizens
understand
the
government’s
assessment
of
growth,
risks
and
priorities
before
budget
decisions
are
announced.