The government on Sunday announced the formation of a high-powered ‘Education to Employment and Enterprise’ standing committee aimed at boosting India's services sector and making the country a global leader in services with a 10% global share by 2047. Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, in her Budget speech, said the committee will prioritise areas to optimise growth, employment and exports, while also assessing the impact of emerging technologies, including artificial intelligence, on jobs and skill requirements.
The announcement reflects the government’s focus on transitioning from education to employment and enterprise, particularly in high-potential service domains. In parallel, the Budget also proposed an increase in duty-free import limits for inputs used in processed seafood exports from 1% to 3% of the previous year’s export turnover, and extended similar benefits to shoe uppers in the leather and synthetic footwear sector, aiming to boost export competitiveness.
These moves are part of a broader push to strengthen export-oriented sectors while preparing the workforce for technology-driven changes. Sitharaman emphasised that the new committee will recommend measures to align skill development with industry needs and future job trends, ensuring India remains competitive in the global services landscape.
Coach Sangeeta Sharma, certified life coach, hypnotherapist & author
Budget 2026 makes a strong statement about infrastructure, manufacturing strength, technology, and a formal "care ecosystem." What stands out is the Government's acknowledgement that India's growth story must be people-centric, not just production-centric. The intent to build a Care Ecosystem, train 1.5 lakh caregivers, set up NIMHANS-2, and upgrade National Mental Health Institutes is a meaningful step forward. 
However, while the budget speaks about health, the framework still leans heavily toward physical, medical, and institutional care. Health in its true sense is not only physical. It is mental, emotional, and psychosomatic. Research consistently shows that nearly 95% of diseases have psychosomatic roots — anxiety manifesting as digestive disorders, suppressed emotions weakening immunity, chronic stress contributing to heart disease. If we treat only the body without addressing emotional and mental strain, we are treating symptoms, not causes.This is where Budget 2026 opens an opportunity, but stops short of completing the picture.Creation of a Mental Wellness Innovation Fund to support startups building apps, AI tools, and community platforms for emotional health, aligning with the budget's push toward AI and technology. GST reduction or waiver on counseling, hypnotherapy, meditation programs, and wellness workshops, making these services affordable for middle-class and rural populations.
Rohit Hudke, Founder & CEO, RINGS & I - on Union Budget 2026
"Clarity Over Quick Wins
Union Budget 2026–27 shows a clear and steady approach to nation building. The three Kartavya outlined by the Honourable Finance Minister - accelerating and sustaining economic growth by improving productivity and competition, ensuring inclusive and balanced development and maintaining fiscal discipline with macroeconomic stability — reflect a focus on long-term strength rather than short-term excitement.
What stands out is the government's intent to support compounding growth instead of quick stimulus. Real value is created when growth is patient, predictable and backed by strong fundamentals. The shift in MSME policy from short-term relief to scale, formalisation and maturity gives founders the confidence to invest in people, processes and quality for the long run. The continued push on infrastructure is also important. It is designed to attract private investment and spread growth beyond a few large centres. Along with this, the government's ongoing work to improve mobility and unlock discretionary consumption strengthens India's consumption story and will further support demand-led growth. Growth Needs Stronger Investment in People. One area that needs deeper attention is the quality of employment. India's growth can accelerate to the next level if there is stronger focus on training and education outcomes that go beyond skills alone. Building a workforce that values discipline, responsibility, and ethical conduct along with capability will have a long-term impact on productivity and economic strength. This kind of ground-level investment in people is essential for sustainable growth.
Overall, this Budget offers clarity. For founders, clarity matters more than incentives. It allows us to plan with confidence, invest with discipline and build brands that are meant to last.."
Anuj Khurana, Co-founder & CEO, Anaptyss
Budget 2026–27 positions India for AI-first, outcome-led enterprise growth
Union Budget 2026-27 sends a clear signal that India's digital competitiveness will be built on scalable AI adoption, stronger digital infrastructure, and enterprise-led innovation. Continued focus on compute, data, and talent will help technology and services organisations move from efficiency-driven models to outcome-led, AI-first operations that support global enterprises.
Equally important is the emphasis on predictability and long-term policy alignment, which enables enterprises to make sustained investments in global delivery, engineering capabilities, and advanced digital platforms. This will reinforce India's position not just as a technology services hub, but as a strategic innovation partner for global businesses.
Union Budget 2026–27 | Budget 2026–27 Lays Strong Foundation for Vikshit Bharat, Says Shyam Steel Group's Lalit Beriwala, Managing Director
We whole heartedly welcome the Union Budget for 2026-27 presented for the 9th consecutive year by the Hon'ble Finance Minister Smt. Nirmala Sitharaman on February 1,2026 laying a stronger foundation for a more connected, technologically empowered, and inclusive India aiming to realise the Prime Minister Modiji's vision of Vikshit Bharat by 2047.
The continued thrust on capital expenditure raising it to 9 % (increase of public capex to 12.2 trillion for 2026-26 ) , railway network expansion, express highway connectivity, and construction-led growth will significantly strengthen India's infrastructure backbone and create sustained demand for quality steel. Infrastructure development proposal in tier II ,III cities will also significantly accelerate growth steel, Cement and other building material sectors with heightened growth in employment opportunities arresting unemployment both in urban and semi urban areas.
Emphasis on Waterways development sector, announcement of seven more Dedicated Freight Corridors, development of eco-friendly sustainable passenger corridors, semiconductor corridors, announcement event of chemical parks , Rare earth Corridors ,Textile Parks besides long term structural reforms will add to accepted economic growth.
In an era of rapid digital transformation, the government's focus on Artificial Intelligence–driven tools and skill-to-employment frameworks aligns with the evolving needs of modern manufacturing. The steel industry stands to benefit from smarter processes, enhanced productivity, and improved operational efficiency through technology adoption."
Another significant aspect of the Budget is the continued support for women-led enterprises and empowerment initiatives that nurture entrepreneurship, reflecting India's evolving socio-economic landscape and commitment to inclusive growth.
Overall, the Budget reinforces infrastructure momentum, sharpens technological focus, and promotes inclusive development— laying a strong foundation for India's next phase of industrial and societal progress.
Like in the past , this budget is also a growth oriented, progressive, business-friendly and down-to-earth budget.
Quote From Mr. Vikram Labhe, Founder & CEO, Melooha
"When we look at where innovation is headed today, it is clear that most breakthroughs are being built on an AI backbone. There is a sharp and growing demand not just for skilled professionals, but for original ideas that can be translated into real economic value. It is encouraging to see the government recognise this shift and respond with a meaningful increase in funding for AI-powered, industry-linked labs, especially across Tier 2 and Tier 3 institutions. This focus helps decentralise innovation and brings high-quality research closer to where talent is emerging. For companies like Melooha, this creates a stronger pipeline of ideas, skills, and applied intelligence. With sustained support for AI and targeted backing for MSMEs, we can expect a new wave of solutions across sectors that are locally rooted, globally relevant, and capable of shaping the next phase of India's digital economy." -- said Mr. Vikram Labhe, Founder & CEO, Melooha
By: Dr. Pallavi Sharma, Director, Kailash Hospitals
The Union Budget 2026-27 unveils a forward-thinking roadmap for India's healthcare ecosystem, addressing emerging health challenges while enhancing patient access and hospital sustainability. By prioritizing prevention and wellness-driven models, it encourages a shift from reactive care to proactive health management, building long-term public health resilience. Initiatives such as mental health programs and the promotion of medical tourism, supported by private-sector partnerships and capacity building, aim to strengthen India's healthcare infrastructure and position hospitals as global destinations for advanced medical services. Efforts to expand domestic research, clinical trials, and medical education, alongside the integration of traditional wisdom with evidence-based innovation, reflect a vision of healthcare as a key investment in human capital promoting equity, wellness, and India's leadership in accessible, world-class medical care.
Prof. B. Ravi -Director, NITK Surathkal
The establishment of a High-Powered 'Education to Employment and Enterprise' Committee is a significant step toward aligning education with industry requirements and entrepreneurial skills. Its focus on leveraging emerging technologies, including AI, to enhance future jobs and startups will be instrumental in shaping a workforce ready for Viksit Bharat. Through its 'bold and balanced' curriculum evolved after multiple rounds of discussions with industry leaders over the last two years, NITK Surathkal is implementing a new model of engineering education for students to explore and embrace appropriate career options aligned with their aspirations.
Quote From Ms. Madhumita Agrawal, Founder & CEO, Oben Electric
"The Union Budget's focus on expanding the Rare Earth Permanent Magnet Scheme and building dedicated rare earth corridors is a positive step towards reducing import dependence for critical materials used in EV manufacturing. Rare earth magnets, which are key components in electric motors, benefit directly from this initiative, and strengthening capabilities across mining, processing and advanced manufacturing will create a more reliable domestic supply base.
The India Semiconductor Mission 2.0 and the Electronics Components Manufacturing Scheme will help build domestic capabilities in semiconductors and other electronic components, strengthening the supply chain for critical EV systems and reducing dependence on imports
As electric motorcycle manufacturing scales in India, such measures are particularly relevant for manufacturers with end-to-end, in-house development and manufacturing capabilities, supporting localisation and long-term supply stability." -- said Ms. Madhumita Agrawal, Founder & CEO, Oben Electric
Quote From Mr. Kunal Arya, Co-founder & MD at Zelio E Mobility
"India's electric two-wheeler segment has gained strong momentum, and the Union Budget 2026–27 takes a step toward scaling it into a full industrial ecosystem. Focusing on rare earth magnets and dedicated corridors in mineral-rich states is crucial to secure the materials that power electric drivetrains. Reducing customs duty on capital goods for lithium-ion batteries will help lower costs and support local manufacturing. India Semiconductor Mission 2.0 and the enhanced Electronics Component Manufacturing Scheme will strengthen supply chains, promote full-stack Indian IP, and accelerate battery and component localisation. This is pleasing to see how the government focuses on MSMEs—through credit guarantee support of ₹10,000-crore SME Growth Fund, it will further empower companies like ours to expand capacity, innovate faster, and compete globally. For Zelio, these measures provide a clear and stable pathway to scale Make in India electric two-wheelers that are affordable, reliable, and designed for mass adoption across Tier II, Tier III, and emerging markets. As the ecosystem matures, further momentum can be unlocked through targeted PLI support for battery cells and motor controllers, along with rationalisation of GST on electric two-wheelers to enhance affordability and widen consumer access." -- said Mr. Kunal Arya, Co-founder & MD of Zelio E Mobility
Quote from Mr. Sameer Moidin, Founder & CEO of EVeium Smart Mobility
"Electric two-wheelers today need far more semiconductor and electronic content than ICE vehicles, but the sector is still largely dependent on imports for chips and key components. Steps like the India Semiconductor Mission 2.0 and the enhanced ₹40,000 crore outlay for electronics component manufacturing are encouraging and move us in the right direction. The government's focus on rare earth permanent magnets and dedicated corridors in mineral-rich states, alongside the creation of high-tech tool rooms and chemical parks, will strengthen domestic mining, processing, and component manufacturing while reducing import dependence. The reduction of basic customs duty on capital goods for lithium-ion batteries is another significant measure that can lower production costs and support local manufacturing at scale. That said, the inverted GST structure remains a real challenge, with inputs taxed higher than finished EVs. Fixing this imbalance will be critical to truly strengthen India's EV manufacturing ecosystem and make electric two-wheelers more affordable and scalable for mass adoption." -- said Mr. Sameer Moidin, Founder & CEO of EVeium Smart Mobility
A Vikram Joshe, founder of WAE Ltd.
On Manufacturing and SME:
"The Union Budget 2026–27 offers incremental calibration rather than structural relief for India's SME sector. The headline ₹10,000-crore SME Growth Fund marks a policy shift toward equity and scale-oriented financing, but its reach is inherently limited. It will benefit a narrow cohort of formal, growth-ready firms, while the vast majority of micro and small enterprises, still grappling with thin margins, volatile demand, and delayed payments, remain largely untouched.
Liquidity reforms around TReDS are directionally sound, yet experience suggests platforms alone cannot correct entrenched power asymmetries between large buyers and small suppliers. Without strict enforcement of payment discipline, working-capital stress will persist. Importantly, the budget underplays demand-side constraints, tax complexity, and compliance friction, factors that matter more than capital availability in the post-COVID landscape.
In essence, this is a selective growth budget, not a broad-based SME revival plan. It advances long-term formalisation, but does little to alter the immediate ground reality for most SMEs."
On Hospitality sector:
"The Union Budget 2026 offers recognition without resolution for the hospitality sector. Tourism is positioned as a growth and employment engine, with announcements around destination development, connectivity, skilling, and heritage circuits. These measures can expand footfalls over the medium term and improve service quality, but their impact on hotel balance sheets will be indirect and time-lagged.
What the budget notably avoids is the sector's core structural pain. There is no GST rationalisation, despite clear evidence that a fragmented tax regime distorts pricing and competitiveness. There is also no infrastructure status, targeted credit support, or cost-side relief—critical for a capital-intensive industry still recovering from Covid-era leverage and margin erosion.
In effect, the budget bets on demand creation while sidestepping operating realities such as high taxation, financing costs, and labour pressures. For large chains, the signals are mildly positive. For small and mid-sized operators, this is not a recovery budget, but a continuation budget—strategic in narrative, limited in economic substance."
Mr. Rajesh Rokde, Chairman, All India Gem & Jewellery Domestic Council (GJC)
"The Union Budget 2026–27 reflects a stable and sensitive approach towards the Gems & Jewellery industry. The absence of any increase in customs duty or GST, continued policy certainty, strong MSME and cluster support, ease-of-doing-business measures, and litigation-reducing income-tax reforms together provide confidence to the trade and reinforce the Government's recognition of our sector as a key contributor to employment, exports, and economic growth."
Mr. Avinash Gupta, Vice Chairman, All India Gem & Jewellery Domestic Council (GJC)
"The Gems & Jewellery trade welcomes the Union Budget 2026-27. The absence of any increase in customs duty, combined with strong MSME support, improved access to finance, simplified income-tax compliance, and enhanced ease-of-doing-business measures, will enable jewellers across the value chain to plan confidently and focus on sustainable growth amid global uncertainties."
Union Budget Reaction Quote from Ms. Priya Rustogi, Leader (Managing Director), India, LIXIL IMEA
"The Union Budget 2026 signals India's strong commitment to large-scale infrastructure, urban expansion, and domestic manufacturing- aligning closely with LIXIL's long-term investment and manufacturing strategy in India.
The record ₹12.2 lakh crore public capex, focused on high-speed rail, freight corridors, and urban development in Tier II/III cities, will drive construction in housing, hospitality, commercial, and public projects- redefining quality living spaces across the country.
Key enablers include the Infrastructure Risk Guarantee Fund to boost private developer confidence and accelerate project delivery, plus dedicated REITs to recycle CPSE real estate assets for redevelopment and modernization. These steps shift from sporadic builds to sustained, high-quality urban growth, elevating design integrity, water efficiency, and performance as standard expectations.
GROHE's water-efficient bathroom and kitchen solutions are ideally positioned for this urban evolution, delivering premium experiences while prioritizing resource conservation in denser cities.
The ₹10,000 crore SME Growth Fund, ₹2,000 crore top-up to the Self Reliant India Fund, and mandatory TReDS for CPSE procurement strengthen MSME supply chains- enhancing predictability and resilience for partners in our manufacturing network.
The ₹20,000 crore allocation for Carbon Capture, Utilization, and Storage underscores sustainability's role in future infrastructure. This resonates with LIXIL's emphasis on water efficiency and responsible practices, enabling GROHE to contribute meaningfully to India's green urban growth."
Pradeep Gupta,Executive Director, Head of Investments – India, Lighthouse Canton
“The government has delivered a reform led, targeted budget to reposition India as a future-growth story. While the fiscal discipline path shows continuity, public capex and infra led policy momentum remain uncompromised, especially with a focus on tier II & III cities. It is heartening to see the policy push towards semiconductors, rare earths, biosimilars, and clean tech, reflecting a clear expansion of our policy corridors. The multi layered focus on MSME’s has been made for a holistic anchoring of the segment.
Another hallmark is around the structural path undertaken to expand the addressable market for AI applications. The focus on digital public infrastructure, data platforms, skilling, and compute access is well placed. Policy measures to accelerate recycling of significant real estate assets of CPSEs through dedicated REITs is a massive move to unlock strategic capital. The tourism sector finds renewed focus, while the PROI equity ownership limit expansion has come at a right time. The TCS rehaul on foreign remittances broadly emphasis on ease of living, friction free compliance & global mobility.
That said, disinvestment targets can get challenged while nominal GDP estimates appear to be conservative. Consumption centric measures seem to have been restrained and largely been executed outside the budget ambit. This suggests the emphasis is on productivity-led growth, with focus on improving infrastructure, institutional capacity, and supply-side efficiency.”
