New Delhi, Feb. 1 -- What does Union Budget 2026-27 do for economic growth? There are two ways to look at the question.

The Economic Survey claimed that India's potential growth rate -- the pace at which the economy can grow without triggering inflation -- has increased from 6.5% to 7%. It has projected a growth rate of 6.8%-7.2% for 2026-27. The implication, of course, is that this government's past efforts have helped and it can rightfully take credit for it. On the nominal growth front -- this is what the budget is concerned with and projects -- the assumption is more conservative with a projection of 10%. It is slightly lower than last budget's 10.1% assumption but significantly higher than the 8% nominal growth, according to the fir...