Two-volume format of Survey was unwieldy: Sanjeev Sanyal

The Economic Survey 2022 released on Monday reverted to a single volume after eight years, as the earlier two-volume format was way too “unwieldy”, Principal Economic Advisor Sanjeev Sanyal said in his introductory remark. He also said that theme-based volume-one was not adequately linked with the sector-specific analysis.

“The two -volume format did allow space for bringing in new ideas and themes but, at almost 900 pages, it was also becoming unwieldy, Sanyal said in the preface of the Survey.

It was also felt that the thematic chapters of Volume 1 were not adequately linked to the sectoral chapters of Volume 2, Sanyal said adding that it reverts to a single volume plus a separate volume for the statistical appendix--demonstrates the use of satellite and geo-spatial images to gauge various economic phenomenon – urbanization, infrastructure, environmental impact, farming practices and so on.


The idea of having a separate volume for the statistical appendix is to give it a distinct identity as the one-stop source of authentic data, Sanyal said.

The trend of a two-volume Economic Survey started in 2014. Since then, the first volume was, typically, authored by the chief economic advisor (CEA). It contained thoughts on state of economy vis-à-vis different sectors and mentioned reforms that should be undertaken to accelerate growth. Volume two, on the other hand, talked about the developments happened during the financial year in which the survey was published.

However, this time the survey is being drafted by Sanyal and his team as the new CEA V Anantha Nageswaran has been appointed on Friday- two days prior to Survey being tabled in the parliament.