New Delhi, Jan 29 (PTI) Following are highlights of the Economic Survey 2025-26 tabled by Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman in Parliament on Thursday.

* GDP growth for next fiscal pegged at 6.8-7.2 pc * FY27 growth projection higher than 7.4 pc growth estimated for the current fiscal * Projects medium-term growth potential at 7 pc, economy on a path of steady expansion amid global uncertainties * GST rejig, reforms converted global uncertainty into opportunity; FY27 to be a year of adjustment as economy adapts to these changes * Survey cautions against broader financial contagion if the AI boom fails to deliver the anticipated productivity gains, which may lead to a correction in overly optimistic asset valuations * Rupee valuation does not accurately reflect India’s stellar economic fundamentals * External environment remains uncertain, India needs to be cautious, but there is no reason for pessimism * Govt remains well on track on envisaged fiscal consolidation path, aims to attain fiscal deficit target of 4.4 pc of GDP in FY26 * FY27 inflation is likely be higher than the current fiscal, but unlikely to be a concern * Survey pitches for policy to reshape terms of work for gig workers * FTA with Europe will strengthen India's manufacturing competitiveness, export resilience and strategic capacity * Pitches for implementing 'Swadeshi' as a disciplined strategy, says not all import substitution is either feasible or desirable * Swadeshi is inevitable and necessary in the wake of export control and technology denials by developed nations * Survey calls for a 'National Input Cost Reduction' strategy * Pitches for progressing from ‘Swadeshi’ to 'strategic indispensability' so that the world moves from "thinking about buying Indian" to "buying Indian without thinking".

* Prices of precious metals, both gold and silver, are likely to continue increasing due to their sustained demand as safe-haven investments amid global uncertainties. PTI JD CS JD BAL BAL

Economic growth projections and policy shifts signal GST adjustment, fiscal consolidation, and Swadeshi strategic push for manufacturing competitiveness. Prioritises sustaining growth and completing fiscal consolidation with GDP projections of 6.8-7.2% next fiscal and a commitment to a fiscal deficit target of 4.4% of GDP; anticipates moderate near-term inflation and cautions on financial contagion risk if AI productivity gains disappoint. Announces GST restructuring as an adjustment factor, urges cautious engagement with external uncertainty, and promotes trade and industrial measures-including FTA engagement with Europe, a disciplined Swadeshi approach, a National Input Cost Reduction strategy, progression toward strategic indispensability, and reforms for gig-worker terms-to boost manufacturing competitiveness and export resilience.