Lucknow: Uttar Pradesh’s economy has achieved a historic milestone, more than doubling over the past eight years to reach over ₹30.25 lakh crore, according to the state’s first-ever Economic Survey presented in the Assembly on Monday.
Finance and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Suresh Kumar Khanna highlighted the state’s remarkable progress, noting that in 2016-17, Uttar Pradesh’s economy was ₹13.30 lakh crore, and it is now projected to reach ₹36 lakh crore in the current financial year 2025-26.
Economic Growth Under Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath
The Economic Survey underscores the accelerated growth under the leadership of Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, who assumed office in 2017 and was re-elected with an absolute majority in 2022. According to Khanna, the state’s contribution to the national economy has risen from 8.6 percent in 2016-17 to 9.1 percent in 2024-25, positioning Uttar Pradesh as one of India’s largest economies.
Economic expert Sharad Kohli described the achievement as a reflection of “sustained investment and development” in the state. He added, “Uttar Pradesh has more than doubled its economy in the last eight years, reaching over ₹30 lakh crore.”
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Historic Presentation of Economic Survey
For the first time, the Uttar Pradesh government has presented its Economic Survey before the budget session, mirroring the practice of the central government. Khanna termed this a “historic step” and emphasized that the survey is more than just statistics.
“The Economic Survey is a living document showcasing the state’s progress, public expectations, and future prospects,” he said.
Boost in Investor Confidence
Khanna highlighted the increasing investor confidence in Uttar Pradesh, which has a population of 250 million. Once hesitant, investors are now proposing industrial investments worth over ₹50 lakh crore. He credited the state government’s policies for positioning Uttar Pradesh as a major hub of agriculture, industry, and technological innovation.
Per Capita Income Doubles
The Economic Survey also revealed significant improvement in per capita income.
- 2016-17: ₹54,564
- 2024-25: ₹109,844
- Projected 2025-26: ₹1.20 lakh
Per capita income based on GSDP also rose from ₹61,142 to ₹126,304, reflecting broad-based economic growth.
Balanced Growth Across Sectors
The Economic Survey highlights balanced growth across agriculture, industry, and services:
- Agriculture & allied sectors: 25.8% of GSDP
- Industry: 27.2%
- Services: 47%
Khanna emphasized that this balance has strengthened the state’s economic resilience.
Narrowing Gap with National Average
The Finance Minister noted that while Uttar Pradesh’s per capita income had fallen to 50.2 percent of the national average by 2014-15, it has now improved to 53.5 percent in 2024-25, signaling positive economic change.
Nation-Leading Skill Development
Citing the Wheebox India Skills Report 2025, Khanna announced that Uttar Pradesh ranks first in the country in numerical skills, achieving a score of 80.12 percent.
Opposition Raises Questions
The Economic Survey was not without controversy. The Samajwadi Party (SP) questioned its presentation. Senior SP leader Sangram Yadav alleged that the government bypassed the Business Advisory Committee and described the survey as “a second copy of the Governor’s address.”
In response, Khanna defended the move, stating that ministers have complete freedom to present the government’s perspective in the Assembly.
Looking Ahead
With projections indicating the state’s economy reaching ₹36 lakh crore in 2025-26, and per capita income potentially exceeding ₹1.2 lakh, Uttar Pradesh is positioning itself as a model for economic growth, investment, and skill development in India.
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