Economic Survey 2025-26: DISCOMs record profits for the first time in India
The Hindu
India’s energy gap between supply and demand has dropped to nil by November 2025
Making a decisive turnaround, India’s power distribution utilities – Distribution Companies (DISCOMs) and power departments recorded a positive Profit After Tax (PAT) of ₹2,701 crore last year, states the Economic Survey 2025-26. Tabled in Lok Sabha on Thursday (January 26, 2026) by Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, the Economic Survey stated that a streamlined payment discipline has helped reduce outstanding dues to DISCOMs, which reduced from ₹1.4 lakh crore (June 2022) to ₹4,927 crore (January 2026).
Listing the reforms introduced in the past year, the Survey states that DISCOMs has registered a profit from a loss of ₹67,962 crore in 2014-15. The reforms which helped this turnaround include implementation of - late payment surcharges, automatic fuel and power purchase cost adjustment on a monthly basis, passage of prudent power procurement and distribution network costs, timely recovery of costs for generators as per adjusted tariffs, effective release of subsidies, revamped distribution sector scheme and allowing state electricity commissions a reasonable leeway for return of equity (RoE).
Also Read | Financial sector regulators must walk the tightrope to balance growth with stability: Economic Survey
The improved state of the DISCOMs is also due to the reduction in Aggregate Technical and Commercial (AT&C) losses, from 22.62% in 2014-2015 to 15.04% and improved cost recovery, states the Survey.
On the whole, the power sector saw a sustained expansion in installed capacity by 11.6% to 509.74 GW as of November 2025. India’s Transformation capacity has increased from 38,805 MVA to 60,260 MVA this year, and the gap between energy demand and supply has declined from 4.2% in 2014-15 to nil by November 2025. A legislation — the Electricity (Amendment) Bill, 2026, is in the pipeline in Parliament’s ongoing Budget Session to promote efficiency, competition, and financial discipline in the power sector.
Click here to read the Economic Survey 2025-26
Stock markets recover as Sensex and Nifty bounce back following a three-day slump, driven by value-buying in blue-chip stocks.
U.S. President Donald Trump’s administration is set to receive a roughly $10 billion fee from investors in the recently completed deal to take control of TikTok’s U.S. business, the Wall Street Journal reported
Meta is planning sweeping layoffs that could affect 20% or more of the company, three sources familiar with the matter told Reuters
Learn how to choose the best personal loan lender by evaluating eligibility, interest rates, and borrowing experience.
Discover why pension planning is essential in modern India to ensure financial security and peace during retirement.
The U.S. has launched two investigations under Section 301 of the Trade Act of 1974 against India and other economies to examine practices that may be ‘unreasonable or discriminatory and burden or restrict U.S. commerce’. One probe examines whether countries, including India, are using excess manufacturing capacity to export to the U.S. in a manner that hurts American businesses, while another looks at whether countries have taken ‘sufficient steps’ to prohibit imports of goods produced with forced labour.
NHAI raises annual pass fee to ₹3,075 from April 1, 2026, streamlining toll payments for FASTag users.
The U.S. probes forced labour in global supply chains, scrutinizing China and India's exports, warns the Global Trade Research Initiative.
The Hindu collection of images of the LPG crisis: War lights a kitchen fire
The company, which launched its IPO in 2020, is now listed on the National Stock Exchange as well as the Bombay Stock Exchange.
Explore the Essential Commodities Act's role in addressing India's gas crisis and its impact on various sectors.
Star Health Insurance plans to boost AI-driven claim settlements from 20% to 50% within two years, investing heavily in technology.
The iron ore production has increased by nearly two-thirds since 2015