ARS Insights, January 2026. Practical research thinking for business owners, in plain language.
1. What the Economic Survey projects
Reports on the Economic Survey tabled in Parliament this week say the economy is projected to grow between 6.8% and 7.2% in 2026-27, after an estimated 7.4% in 2025-26. The Survey says the fiscal deficit target of 4.4% of GDP for the current year is on track, services make up 53.6% of GDP, and manufacturing value added grew 9.1% in the July to September quarter.
2. Why a range matters
Why it matters: The Survey gives a range, not a single number, because nobody can forecast growth exactly. Many small businesses plan with one number and are caught out when reality differs.
What to measure: plan three cases for the year, a weak, a middle and a strong one. For each, write down your expected sales, your cost and the point at which you would stop or speed up spending.
3. One question for your business this month
What is the first sign, in your own sales data, that would tell you the year is going better or worse than planned?
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ARS Market Research Services Pvt. Ltd., Chennai. arsmrs.in
Sources: Enterprise AM report on the Economic Survey 2025-26, 30 January 2026.