Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman has presented her ninth consecutive budget today. However, the stock markets are not so pleased with certain announcements, especially on STT due to which the markets have been bleeding. However, the government sources are claiming that it is a budget for a middle-income economy, which is striving hard to grow rapidly. On that note, here are some reactions from business leaders who have shared their views with Thought Habitat.
Vipul Prakash, Founder & CEO of FireAI
The specific allocation for Capacity Building AI Missions and the operationalization of the Anusandhan National Research Fund are landmark steps. They signal a shift from simply adopting technology to deepening our indigenous R&D capabilities. For the Indian tech ecosystem, the commitment to emerging technologies as a driver of inclusive growth is encouraging. When combined with the ₹10,000 Crore SME Growth Fund, this budget creates a powerful flywheel. The Research and Development and Innovation Fund will build the tech, and the Capacity Building Missions will ensure our workforce is ready to use it. At FireAI, we are ready to support this vision by helping these newly empowered businesses turn data into their strongest asset.
Adeeb Jamal, Founder, ARAF
As a founder building from Jamshedpur (a Tier 2 city), I see Budget 2026 as a decisive turning point in India’s startup narrative, one where the momentum is finally shifting from metro-centric hubs to grassroots innovation. By scaling the GENESIS programme and reinforcing the Fund of Funds and Seed Fund schemes, the government is tackling the very hurdles we face outside the major metros: access to patient capital, high-level mentorship, and robust infrastructure.
The specific focus on first-time entrepreneurs, particularly women and SC/ST founders, signals a powerful intent to democratize entrepreneurship rather than leaving it to a privileged few. For those of us operating in Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities, measures like enhanced credit guarantees, extended tax holidays, and the rise of innovation universities are game-changers. They significantly lower the risk for early-stage ventures and provide the cash-flow visibility essential for scaling. Collectively, these aren’t just headline announcements; they lay the groundwork for a more inclusive, resilient, and deep-tech-driven ecosystem where innovation is no longer a prisoner of geography.
Avneesh Sood, Director, Eros Group
Union Budget 2026 makes it clear that real estate growth in India will be shaped by infrastructure, fiscal discipline, and predictable taxation and not short-term incentives. The decision to sustain public capital expenditure at ₹12.2 lakh crore in FY27, even while keeping the fiscal deficit at 4.4% of GDP, sends a strong signal on continuity. For real estate, this matters because infrastructure, not subsidies, ultimately determines where housing and commercial demand emerges. The Budget’s emphasis on transport corridors, city economic regions, and industrial expansion will accelerate demand beyond the top metros. Tier-I markets will continue to anchor office and premium residential demand, but the sharper upside over the next cycle will come from Tier-II cities, where infrastructure spending, job creation, and lower entry prices are converging. This is where mid-income housing and rental demand will deepen.
Equally important is tax stability. With no changes to income-tax slabs, home-loan deductions, or capital-gains structures, the Budget avoids policy volatility. For homebuyers planning 15-20-year EMIs and for developers managing leverage, predictability is a positive outcome in itself. Simplification of tax compliance, especially around property transactions and NRI sales will improve deal closure timelines and reduce friction. Overall, Budget 2026 underlines a shift toward a more mature, infrastructure-led real estate market driven by jobs, mobility, and long-term capital rather than fiscal incentives.
ANURAG JAIN, CEO & FOUNDER, ORISERVE
The government’s renewed focus on AI and emerging technologies signals a clear intent to move India from technology adoption to technology leadership. Strengthening national missions around AI, deep-tech R&D, and innovation creates a strong foundation for building scalable and responsible digital systems. For the fintech ecosystem, continued policy backing for the AI Mission and R&D funding will accelerate intelligent solutions that improve efficiency and financial inclusion. Initiatives like Bharat Vistaar emphasize the importance of multilingual, AI-led platforms in widening access. This approach is especially relevant for financial services, where trust, personalization, and reach are critical.
Dr. Kanishk Agrawal, Chief Technology Officer at Judge group India
The government’s clear focus on AI and emerging technologies marks a defining shift in how India is approaching inclusive economic growth. By strengthening national missions such as the AI Mission, National Quantum Mission, and the R&D and Innovation Fund, the budget signals that deep-tech is no longer peripheral but central to nation-building. The launch of Bharat Vistaar, a multilingual AI platform integrating agri-stack portals and ICAR data, is particularly significant it reflects how advanced technology can be democratised for real-world impact. AI-led advisory tools have the potential to transform agriculture by improving productivity, enabling data-driven decisions, and reducing risks for farmers, especially in underserved regions. What stands out is the intent to align innovation with accessibility, ensuring that technology-driven growth benefits not just enterprises and institutions, but also grassroots stakeholders who form the backbone of India’s economy.
Mandar Patil, Senior Vice President, Sales at Cyble
The government’s strong push toward AI and emerging technologies marks a pivotal step in positioning them as engines of inclusive economic growth and national development. Strengthening national missions around AI, quantum computing, and deep-tech R&D signals a clear intent to build future-ready digital infrastructure at scale. As initiatives like Bharat Vistaar leverage multilingual AI platforms to democratize access to data and insights, it becomes equally critical that cybersecurity is embedded by design into these systems. From protecting sensitive agricultural and citizen data to ensuring the integrity of AI-driven decision-making, secure-by-default frameworks will be central to long-term trust and adoption. Enhanced funding for AI and innovation creates an opportunity to integrate advanced threat intelligence, continuous monitoring, and resilient architectures into next-generation platforms. A secure AI ecosystem will not only accelerate innovation but also ensure that India’s digital growth remains trusted, resilient, and sustainable as the country advances toward its Viksit Bharat vision.
Vishal Sood, Founder & CEO, Placecom
The Union Budget must prioritize the integration of artificial intelligence into India’s higher education system, making it mandatory across all disciplines. AI has the potential to revolutionize learning by offering personalized education, adaptive assessments, and data-driven career guidance. By mandating AI-driven curricula, upgrading teacher training, and fostering research in AI, we can create a future-ready workforce. Additionally, encouraging collaboration between academia and startups will drive innovation, allowing MSMEs to leverage AI for growth. Targeted budget allocations should fuel these efforts, ensuring that students graduate with skills aligned to industry needs, bridging the gap between education and employment. With AI at the core of education, we can empower our youth with the skills needed to thrive in an increasingly digital world, making India a global leader in both innovation and talent development.
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