Parliament LIVE: Sitharaman Tables Economic Survey 2024-25, Real GDP Growth In FY26 Expected To Be Between 6.3-6.8%

In the April-June quarter too, India's GDP grew at a slower pace than was estimated by its central bank.The Reserve Bank in its latest monetary policy had cut India's growth forecast for 2024-25 to 6.6 per cent from 7.2 per cent. The government expects 6.4 per cent growth. India's GDP grew by an impressive 8.2 per cent during the financial year 2023-24, and continued to be the fastest-growing major economy. The economy grew by 7.2 per cent in 2022-23 and 8.7 per cent in 2021-22.

The Indian economy grew by 5.4 per cent in real terms in the July-September quarter of the current financial year 2024-25. The quarterly growth was quite lower than RBI's forecast of 7 per cent. 

The Economic Survey tabled in the Parliament forecast that the real GDP of India is expected to register a growth between 6.3% to 6.8% in the financial year 2026.

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Friday presented the Economic Survey 2024-25 in the Lok Sabha. The Economic Survey is an annual document presented by the government ahead of the Union Budget to review the state of the economy. The document also provides an overview of the short-to-medium-term prospects of the economy. The Economic Survey is prepared by the Economic Division of the Department of Economic Affairs in the Ministry of Finance under the supervision of the chief economic adviser.

After the President's address to the Parliament, Congress MP Sonia Gandhi says,"The President was getting very tired by the end...She could hardly speak, poor thing."

Congress MP & LoP Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi along with party MPs Sonia Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra in Parliament at the start of the Budget session of Parliament.

In her address to a joint sitting of Parliament, President Droupadi Murmu said, "Two months ago, we marked the 75th anniversary of adopting our Constitution, and just a few days ago, we completed 75 years as a nation... On behalf of all Indians, I pay my respects to Babasaheb Ambedkar and all members of the Constitution Committee."

President Murmu’s convoy heads towards Parliament from Raisina Hill, where she will address a joint sitting of both Houses.

President Droupadi Murmu leaves Rashtrapati Bhavan for Parliament to address the joint sitting of both Houses at the start of the Budget session.

PM Narendra Modi highlighted his government's dedication to achieving a 'Viksit Bharat', stressing the emphasis on "Innovation, Inclusion, and Investment". His media address before the Budget session also provided a glimpse of the priorities to expect in FM Nirmala Sitharaman's Union Budget 2025 speech.

PM Modi says, "I pray that Maa Lakshmi continues to bless the poor and middle class of our country. It is a matter of great pride that India completed 75 years as a democratic nation. India has established itself well on the global pedestal...This is the first complete budget of my third term. I can confidently say that in 2047, when India will complete 100 years of Independence, India will fulfil its aim of Viksit Bharat and this budget will give new energy and hope to the nation..."

Before the joint session of Parliament, Prime Minister Narendra Modi is delivering his speech at the commencement of the Budget Session.

The Budget session of the Parliament, set to commence on January 31, will see the government introducing 19 legislations as part of their agenda, including the Waqf (Amendment) Bill.

Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla arrived in Parliament as the Budget session begins today. 

Following President Murmu's address, Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman will present the Economic Survey in both Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha.

The first phase of the Budget session will end on February 13, with a break to review the Budget proposals. The session will resume on March 10 and run until April 4, comprising a total of 27 sittings.

Before the start of the session, opposition parties have called for a debate on the stampede and the mismanagement during the ongoing Mahakumbh Mela in Prayagraj. They insist that the government should discuss the issue in Parliament. However, the government responded at the all-party meeting, stating that the incident is under the jurisdiction of the state, with the Uttar Pradesh government already looking into the matter.

If you're eager to follow the Union Budget presentation live, there are several ways to tune in. The live streaming will begin at 11 am on February 1, 2025, and will be accessible through multiple platforms:

- Lok Sabha TV and Rajya Sabha TV
- DD News and other leading news channels