Maharashtra Budget Session Begins Today, March 6, as Economic Survey Projects Stronger Growth For 2025–26

The Maharashtra Legislature commenced its Budget session today, featuring an address by the Governor to a joint sitting of both Houses. The session will run for 23 working days until April 7, 2026, with major discussions centred on the presentation of the 2027–28 state budget and related financial allocations.

Lawmakers are also expected to take up several pending bills and ordinances during the sitting. The session follows the tabling of the Economic Survey for 2025–26, which outlines key developments in the state’s economic performance.

Key Highlights from The Economic Survey

The Economic Survey for 2025–26 projects Maharashtra’s economic growth at 7.9%, up from 7.3% in 2024–25. This growth estimate surpasses the national projection of 7.4% for the same period.

The survey notes that the slowdown in agriculture was offset by stronger contributions from industry and services, which carry a higher weightage in Gross State Value Added calculations. The document serves as a precursor to the state budget and offers insights into sectoral trends that have shaped growth during the year.

Agriculture Slowdown Due To Adverse Weather

The agriculture and allied sectors experienced a sharp decline, with projected growth falling from 9.1% in 2024–25 to 3.4% in 2025–26. Excess rainfall affected nearly 42% of the state in 2025, damaging crops across multiple regions.

Untimely rains and hailstorms further suppressed agricultural output, particularly impacting the kharif season. The survey reports that pulses production is expected to contract by 28%, while oilseed output may decline by 47.4%, signalling significant stress within the farm economy.

Industrial And Services Sectors Drive Overall Growth

Industrial growth is projected to increase from 4.3% in 2024–25 to 5.7% in 2025–26, supported by improved performance in manufacturing and construction. The services sector is expected to grow from 8.3% to 9%, maintaining its position as the state’s strongest contributor.

According to the survey, momentum in these sectors has been aided by favourable price conditions and record Goods and Services Tax collections during the financial year. Despite these gains, regional disparities persist, with only 6 districts recording per capita income above the state average, while 28 districts remain below it.

Improvement In Health Indicators

The survey highlights a notable decline in the Infant Mortality Rate (IMR), which fell to 14 deaths per 1,000 live births in 2023. This figure is significantly better than the All‑India average of 25 for the same year.

The improvement is attributed to sustained enhancements in maternal and child healthcare services across the state. Data from the Sample Registration System indicates long‑term progress over the past five decades.

Read More: Maharashtra Posts Slowest GSDP Growth Among Big 4.

Conclusion

The Maharashtra Budget session opens at a time when the state’s Economic Survey reflects mixed sectoral performance. Strong growth in services and industry has helped lift overall projections despite pronounced agricultural setbacks.

Regional income disparities and the impact of adverse weather remain areas of concern highlighted in the report. The coming weeks of legislative discussions are expected to focus on financial priorities aligned with these economic realities.

Disclaimer: This blog has been written exclusively for educational purposes. The securities mentioned are only examples and not recommendations. This does not constitute a personal recommendation/investment advice. It does not aim to influence any individual or entity to make investment decisions. Recipients should conduct their own research and assessments to form an independent opinion about investment decisions.

Investments in the securities market are subject to market risks, read all the related documents carefully before investing.