Inflation down, poverty up 7 points, every root reform deferred—how the Economic Survey's press conference obscures what the statistical annex reveals.

Finance minister says survey tells a story, reflecting the resilience and discipline shown during the previous year.

PES 2025-26 reports historic primary surplus and multi-year-high reserves; on flipside, poverty has climbed to 28.9pc and April inflation hit 10.9pc.