Economic Survey 2025-26: airports up to 164, high-speed corridors 5,364 km, 23 IITs, 21 IIMs, 20 AIIMS
The Economic Survey 2025-26 reports that airports rose from 74 (2014) to 164 (2025), high-speed corridors grew from 550 km (FY14) to 5,364 km, and India now has 23 IITs, 21 IIMs and 20 AIIMS.
Summary
Highlights of the Economic Survey 2025-26 include: high-speed corridors up nearly ten-fold from 550 km in FY14 to 5,364 km (FY26, till December 2025) with 3,500 km of railway added in FY26; India as the world's 3rd largest domestic aviation market with airports increasing from 74 in 2014 to 164 in 2025; and DISCOMs posting their first-ever positive profit after tax of ₹2,701 crore in FY25. India now has 23 IITs, 21 IIMs and 20 AIIMS, plus international IIT campuses in Zanzibar and Abu Dhabi. Over 31 crore unorganised workers (54% women) are registered on e-Shram, and NITI Aayog's MPI fell from 55.3% (2005-06) to 11.28% (2022-23).
Key facts
- High-speed corridors
- 550 km (FY14) → 5,364 km (FY26, to Dec 2025)
- Airports
- 74 (2014) → 164 (2025); 3rd largest domestic aviation market
- DISCOMs
- First positive PAT: ₹2,701 crore in FY25
- Institutions
- 23 IITs, 21 IIMs, 20 AIIMS; IIT campuses in Zanzibar and Abu Dhabi
- e-Shram
- Over 31 crore workers, 54% women (Jan 2026)
- Multidimensional poverty
- 55.3% (2005-06) → 11.28% (2022-23)
Practice MCQs 3 questions
According to the Economic Survey 2025-26, the number of airports in India increased from 74 in 2014 to how many in 2025?
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Correct answer: C — 164
PIB: The number of airports increased from 74 in 2014 to 164 in 2025.
As per the Economic Survey 2025-26, international IIT campuses have been established in which two places?
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Correct answer: A — Zanzibar and Abu Dhabi
PIB: India has 23 IITs, 21 IIMs and 20 AIIMS, alongside two international IIT campuses in Zanzibar and Abu Dhabi.
Consider the following statements based on the Economic Survey 2025-26: 1. Power DISCOMs recorded a positive profit after tax for the first time in FY25. 2. Multidimensional poverty (NITI Aayog) declined to 11.28% in 2022-23. Which of the above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: C — Both 1 and 2
PIB: DISCOMs recorded a positive PAT of ₹2,701 crore in FY25 for the first time, and MPI declined from 55.3% (2005-06) to 11.28% (2022-23).