Amid swirling global headwinds, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman painted a picture of resilience in her latest X update on the Economic Survey. India’s real GDP is forecasted to grow at 7.4% in FY 2025-26, per first advance estimates, cementing its status as the world’s quickest-expanding large economy for the fourth year running.

Sitharaman credited PM Modi’s stewardship for fortifying economic pillars against international shocks. The trajectory holds steady above 7%, showcasing India’s ability to thrive where others falter. Balancing growth with discipline, the government eyes a 4.4% fiscal deficit for FY26.

A capex revolution is underway, with outlays ballooning 89% from FY22 levels to Rs 11.21 lakh crore. Effective capex now constitutes 3.9% of GDP, up from a pre-COVID 2.7%, birthing infrastructure that underpins long-term economic might.

Highways tell a success story: a 60% network expansion to 1.46 lakh km by FY26 from 91,287 km in FY14 has eased freight movement dramatically. Banking health gleams too—GNPA at a historic 2.2% in Sep 2025, profits soaring 16.9% in FY25.

Evolving from swadeshi roots to strategic necessity, India’s manufacturing push via eased regulations promises a future where global markets default to Indian goods. This Economic Survey isn’t just data; it’s a roadmap to India’s enduring global prominence.