Sat Feb 01 03:41:59 UTC 2025: ## India’s Economic Survey Highlights Growth, Digitalization, and Challenges

**NEW DELHI** – India’s Economic Survey 2024-25, presented to Parliament today, paints a picture of robust growth tempered by global uncertainties. The survey reveals an 8% increase in Indian Railways passenger traffic and a 5.2% rise in freight revenue in FY24, driven by significant digitalization efforts. E-ticketing in the reserved sector reached 86%, while unreserved sector digital ticketing climbed to 33%. The railways are also modernizing their systems, including a new cloud-native passenger reservation system.

However, the survey also notes concerns. Private sector investment lags due to weak demand, a situation the Chief Economic Adviser suggests industry can address through increased hiring and wages. While food inflation is expected to ease, the survey emphasizes the need for “Ease of Doing Business 2.0,” advocating deregulation to reduce business costs and stimulate growth.

The document highlights the growing importance of Global Capability Centres (GCCs) and the need for sustainable workplace policies, including tax incentives for green buildings and smart technologies. Experts, including Akshay Lakhanpal of Space Matrix and Akhilesh Tuteja of KPMG, emphasize the need for balanced technological advancement and workforce development, particularly in the context of India’s aspiration to become a “Viksit Bharat” by 2047.

The survey also touches upon crucial sectors. It urges the Union Health Ministry to regulate unhealthy food advertising and adopt stricter marketing restrictions, citing concerns about ultra-processed foods. While railway network expansion slowed, the production of rolling stock increased. Finally, the survey notes that only 37% of urban Indians have easy access to public transport, lagging behind countries like Brazil and China. The increasing role of generative AI and the potential impact on labor demand are also addressed, underscoring the need for government-led upskilling initiatives. Overall, the survey projects GDP growth in the range of 6.3-6.8% for 2025-26.

Read More