The economy of Kurukshetra is primarily agrarian; an overwhelming work force is engaged as cultivators and agriculture labourers. The district enjoys an ideal location benefits being situated adjacent to national highway number 1. It is coming up as an industrial belt and has started throbbing with the wide spectrum of developmental activities and unfolds immense potential of industrial opportunities.

Farming is the main occupations of the people as a sizeable percentage i.e. over 90% of people are engaged in various agricultural pursuits. Wheat and Rice are the main crops of the district. Among the commercial crops sugarcane is an important crop of this district. It covers approximately an area of 12 thousand hectares in the district Kurukshetra. Cultivation of vegetables especially of potato is very popular in Kurukshetra district. The approximate production of potato crop in Kurukshetra district is about 5645 tonns.

To supplement the income, dairy farming and cattle rearing is another occupation adopted by the people which are strengthening economy of the district. Most of the agriculturists are engaged in dairy farming, poultry farming, and pig farming etc.as a side business. To support this occupation there is wide network of veterinary facilities which includes about 24 Civil Veterinary Hospital, 26 Dispensaries and 41 Stockmen Centres, as well as Artificial Insemination Centres, Poultry -cum- Piggery Centre. There are 3 milk plants in private sector in Kurukshetra itself, whereas another one is situated just near Kurukshetra i.e. in Karnal. A wide net work of Milk Cooperative Societies is adding to the economic condition of poor rural people.

Being agriculture based economy industrial set up in the district is also agrobased, as there are number of small and big Rice Shellers and Wheat Processing Units. A conscious attempt has been made by the District Industries Centre Kurukshetra to identify the small-large scale industry having scope in the district. For promotion of industrialization, a special Sector i.e. 3 Sector has been developed as Industrial Area where number of small scale units have been established.

The District also boosts of wide network of Commercial Bank branches. There are as many as 76 branches of various banks. The Punjab National Bank is the Lead Bank of the district. Commercial banks, Regional Rural Bank (Ambala Kurukshetra Gramin Bank) and co-operative banks look after the financial needs of the growing economy of the district.