The buzz around union budget 2026 is heating up with the ongoing geopolitical tensions worldwide. India’s next move would mean define its growth story is what analysts believe. However, we have a lot of internal matters to resolve before going ahead. On that note, here are more business leaders who shared their thoughts on the upcoming budget.
Soham Chokshi, Co-founder and CEO, Shipsy
For India to emerge as the world’s third-largest economy, the Union Budget must move beyond fragmented interventions and adopt a unified, outcome-driven approach. A decisive focus on lowering logistics costs is essential to making Indian manufacturing globally competitive. This can be achieved by strategically integrating three national strengths: continued infrastructure investment, the scale and ambition of the Make-in-India initiative, and India’s vast AI and engineering talent. By enabling AI-led optimization across supply chains, production, and logistics, the government can unlock productivity gains, reduce systemic inefficiencies, strengthen exports, and meaningfully advance the vision of Viksit Bharat.
Vikram Labhe, Founder & CEO, Melooha
We at Melooha view the Union Budget 2026–27 as a pivotal moment to accelerate India’s leadership in AI-driven consumer platforms and data-led digital services. As AI adoption deepens across sectors, policy emphasis on applied AI, scalable cloud infrastructure, and sovereign data ecosystems will be critical to building globally competitive digital-first businesses.
Support for multilingual AI, vernacular computing, and responsible data frameworks can unlock mass-market personalisation at scale, particularly across India’s diverse user base. Incentives for AI-led SaaS innovation, digital skilling, and cross-border service exports will enable Indian platforms to expand globally while remaining rooted in trust and compliance. Simplified regulations and tax rationalisation for digital-native companies can further strengthen India’s position as a hub for next-generation AI-powered consumer technology.
Kunal Arya, Co-founder & MD, Zelio E Mobility
We at Zelio E-Mobility believe India’s electric mobility transition will be driven primarily by two-wheelers, where affordability, daily usability, and scale are the most critical factors. Ground-level adoption trends show that sustainable EV growth depends more on long-term structural enablers than short-term subsidies, making policy stability increasingly important for manufacturers. The Union Budget 2026–27 should prioritise deeper localisation through component-specific PLI support for battery cells, controllers, and power electronics to reduce import dependence and strengthen Make in India.
Rationalising GST on electric two-wheelers and enabling priority-style, low-cost financing can accelerate mass adoption more effectively than one-time incentives. A clear national charging roadmap, including a target of 50,000 public charging points by 2027 and mandatory chargers at highways and fuel stations, along with longer-tenure capital, will be essential to building a scalable and resilient EV ecosystem.
Rahul Jain, Managing Director at Matrix Geo Solutions
We at Matrix Geo Solutions expect the Union Budget 2026–27 to accelerate India’s infrastructure and digital transformation by strengthening policy support for geospatial technologies, drone-based surveying, and data-driven planning. Priority should be given to wider adoption of LiDAR, GIS, photogrammetry, and AI-enabled geospatial analytics across national infrastructure, water resources, disaster management, and urban development programs.
Enhanced allocations for geospatial data infrastructure, streamlined drone regulations, and incentives for indigenous technology development will improve project accuracy, speed, and cost efficiency. The Budget should also encourage integration of geospatial intelligence with BIM, digital twins, and smart infrastructure platforms. Such measures will enable better decision-making, faster execution of large-scale projects, and position India as a global leader in geospatial engineering, modern surveying, and technology-driven infrastructure development.
Abhishek Aggrawal, Chief Executive Officer, Birla Fertility and IVF
India’s health system has made significant progress in prevention, diagnostics, and treatment. Fertility care now needs to be formally integrated into this framework as part of comprehensive family health planning. Budget 2026 has an opportunity to enable earlier and more efficient fertility care through practical measures. Integrating fertility screening into preventive health programmes and extending insurance coverage to diagnostics and early stage interventions would allow people to seek care sooner, when treatment is more effective and costs are better controlled.
Access must be matched with quality. National standards for fertility laboratories, structured training for embryologists, and consistent clinical protocols are essential to delivering safe and reliable outcomes across the country. These are targeted investments with long term returns. Strong fertility care infrastructure supports family formation, demographic stability, and a more resilient healthcare system, making it a logical inclusion in India’s health and economic planning.
Arijeet Talapatra, CEO, itel India
As India rapidly moves towards deeper digital inclusion, the upcoming Union Budget 2026 presents an excellent opportunity to accelerate the growth of the electronics industry through targeted interventions. Sustained and forward-looking policy support for semiconductors and high-end electronic components is critical towards reducing India’s import dependence – strengthening the domestic ecosystem and enhancing our global competitiveness.
With industry efforts underway to localize key components manufacturing under the ECMS policy, focused fiscal support can help build resilient and stable domestic supply chains aligned with the Government’s vision of making a Viksit and Atmanirbhar Bharat. A dedicated push for innovation through investment schemes and R&D linked incentives will go a long way towards enabling tech brands to design next-generation devices – democratizing technology for millions of consumers across Bharat.
Rajiv Kumar, Vice Chairman, DS Group
We extend our sincere gratitude to the Government for the strategic tax reliefs provided to the FMCG sector; these measures have been instrumental in driving a visible recovery and fuelling a robust resurgence in consumer demand across the nation. It will be helpful if the upcoming Union Budget continues to focus on a consumption-driven framework that strengthens affordability and market access. We request for targeted manufacturing support to bolster the “Make in India” mission.
This can be achieved by facilitating measures such as capital subsidies and land at concessional rates to bolster rural production and consumption, alongside providing critical tax relief through Input Tax Credits. To maximize the growth of the FMCG sector, we request the government to implement a comprehensive support framework that helps Indian companies going global to successfully navigate the complex global environment and set up robust presence across the globe.
Gaurav Sharma, Chief Human Resources Officer, True Balance (Balancehero India & True Credits)
Ahead of the Union Budget, there is a growing need to move the focus from job creation in numbers to building high-quality, future-ready roles. In fintech and digital lending, organisations need talent that understands both digital systems and evolving compliance requirements.
Higher fund allocation to Skill India programmes, particularly for digital and compliance-focused roles, along with incentives for startups that collaborate with academic institutions, can help create a more prepared workforce. A budget that supports such measures while enabling startups to generate sustainable employment will be critical for responsible growth in the digital economy.
Ravindra Agrawal, Chairman, KisanKraft Ltd.
Budget 2026 is an opportunity to undertake architecture-level reforms that the Indian agriculture sector has long needed. Despite contributing nearly 18% to GDP and engaging over 45% of the workforce, the sector continues to grapple with low farm productivity, inefficient water use, and limited market integration. Incremental schemes do not suffice; India requires a unified, results-driven framework.
A key priority must be efficiency-driven input subsidy reform, shifting from consumption-based subsidies to scientifically designed, Package of Practice (PoP)–linked incentives tied to production outcomes. Performance-based support improves soil health, enhances resource efficiency, and strengthens farmer incomes.
Mechanisation subsidies should be delivered strictly through DBT, eliminating multiple state-level approval processes, while remaining restricted to FMTTI/BIS-approved equipment to ensure real on-ground impact. Equally critical is integrated water–soil–climate management. Climate-resilient seeds, improved packages of practice, and diversified cropping patterns are essential to conserve water, reverse soil degradation, and improve nutrition outcomes.
Universal digitised land records are foundational for affordable credit, long-term investments, and data-driven policymaking. Encouraging new participants and enterprises in agriculture can further accelerate modernisation.
Budget 2026 should also fast-track technology-enabled supply chains—standardised grading, storage, traceability, and logistics—to reduce post-harvest losses, improve farmgate prices, and enhance exports. Stable, multi-year global competitiveness policies will ensure Indian produce consistently meets international standards. If addressed cohesively, these reforms can stabilise farmer incomes, embed sustainability, and position India as a strong player in the global food economy.
Rajagopal G, Co-Founder, Director & Group CEO, LifeBridge Group
India’s senior care ecosystem urgently needs an integrated policy framework that brings together healthcare, housing, financial security, and workforce development. Today, senior living and assisted care operate in silos and are often governed by regulatory frameworks designed for hospitals or conventional real estate, rather than the continuum of care they actually provide. This leads to regulatory uncertainty, higher costs, and uneven quality of care. Budget 2026 is a crucial opportunity to formally recognise senior care and senior living as a distinct and essential sector, enabling fit-for-purpose governance and long-term planning.
By supporting this integration through clear national classification, outcome-based standards, rational GST treatment, access to long-term financing, and dedicated skill development for caregivers, the Budget can significantly improve affordability and quality of care for seniors. A cohesive senior care ecosystem will not only reduce the burden on families but also create a sustainable, investable framework that prepares India for its rapidly ageing population.
Kundan Shahi, Founder, Zavo
The fintech sector in India is a key driver of economic growth and financial inclusion. The Unified Payments Interface (UPI) now handles around 85% of digital transactions nationwide. In July 2025 alone, UPI processed a record 19.47 billion transactions worth over ₹25 lakh crore, showing how deeply digital finance is embedded in daily life.
Looking ahead to the Union Budget 2026-27, there is hope it will strengthen digital financial infrastructure and boost innovation. A dedicated framework to streamline digital lending, similar to UPI’s role, could help bridge credit gaps for MSMEs and underserved entrepreneurs. Fintech startups also want supportive regulatory and tax policies. Simplified compliance, special fintech licenses, or sandbox environments could fast-track innovation while protecting consumers. Tax incentives for fintech investors and entrepreneurs could reverse the recent decline in startup funding.
Lowering GST on financial services like insurance and simplifying capital gains tax can encourage growth and adoption. The budget should prioritize digital inclusion, credit support for small businesses, and a future-ready fintech policy. These steps will help fintech expand financial access and strengthen India’s global leadership in innovation.
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