"Sharing his anticipation for the Union Budget 2026-27 and its potential impact on the industry, Matías Gainza Eurnekian, CEO, Federal Card Services (FCS), said "India's payments landscape is entering its next phase of expansion, supported by rising consumer incomes, growing spending power, and rapid digital adoption. Industry insights from PwC and Visa consistently show that as disposable incomes increase, the use of cards and digital payment methods also accelerates especially when backed by strong acceptance infrastructure, financial inclusion initiatives and innovative payment offerings.
In this context, the upcoming Union Budget presents an important opportunity to strengthen the foundations of the ecosystem. Targeted incentives for advanced manufacturing and a continued push toward local production can help build a more resilient, globally competitive payments value chain. Extending and modernising schemes such as the Production Linked Incentive (PLI), particularly for next-generation technologies, would further support this momentum.
Equally critical is policy clarity that balances growth with fiscal discipline. When consumers and businesses have confidence in the macroeconomic environment, it directly supports the adoption of new payment technologies and enables the digital payments sector to scale in a sustainable, long-term manner."
Dilip Modi, Founder & CEO, Spice Money
"As India accelerates its financial inclusion journey, the Union Budget should continue to prioritise the non-bank Business Correspondents ecosystem and rural fintechs that enable last-mile access to essential banking services. BCs are the backbone of assisted digital finance in Bharat, delivering critical services such as mATM transactions, AePS, cash-in and cash-out, and CASA access in regions where physical bank branches remain limited. Strengthening this network through better infrastructure support, digital enablement, and sustainable incentive structures will significantly deepen formal banking penetration. Rural fintechs have played a pivotal role in making everyday banking accessible and reliable for underserved communities. Enhanced connectivity in rural areas, and adoption of vernacular and voice-based interfaces can further drive usage and trust among first-time users.
As fintech participation in core banking and payment services grows, there is also a need for clearer regulatory guidelines focused on operational transparency, standardised reporting, and consumer protection. Consistent disclosure norms, improved grievance redressal frameworks, and clear compliance expectations will help strengthen confidence across the ecosystem. A budget that balances inclusion, innovation, and governance will ensure that assisted digital finance continues to empower citizens while supporting sustainable growth in India's rural economy."
Sudarshan Lodha, Co-founder & CEO, Strata
“Over the last few Budgets, the government has laid a strong foundation for commercial real estate through infrastructure investment, urban development programs, and capital-market reforms such as REITs and asset monetisation. As we look to Union Budget 2026–27, the next phase should focus on easing project-level financing, enabling structured private credit, and providing clearer tax and regulatory frameworks for alternative investment platforms. These measures can unlock long-term capital, support office expansion beyond core metros, and strengthen real estate’s role in employment and urban growth.”
Mr Rahul Guha, Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, From API Holdings' perspective -
"The government's consistent focus on digital healthcare and startup growth has been instrumental in expanding healthcare access across India. As we approach the budget, we see exciting opportunities to further accelerate this progress.
Addressing the GST rate differential where medicines are taxed at 5% while input services attract 18% GST—would significantly improve working capital efficiency for healthcare companies. This would enable us to maintain affordability while scaling our services to reach more Indians.
As businesses adapt to evolving labour guidelines, thoughtful tax or GST measures could help ensure that compliance costs don't impact healthcare affordability for end consumers—a shared priority for both industry and government.
We're encouraged by the government's continued commitment to the startup ecosystem. Further streamlining the ease of doing business will empower digital health platforms to innovate faster and serve millions more citizens. We look forward to a budget that builds on India's healthcare transformation journey."
From Thyrocare's perspective -
India's diagnostics sector has seen remarkable growth, supported by progressive government policies. As we look forward to the upcoming budget, we see outstanding opportunities to further strengthen this momentum.
Aligning employee health testing with labour guidelines could be a game-changer for preventive healthcare, benefiting both employers and employees while building a healthier workforce. We also believe that streamlining compliance frameworks across entities would enhance operational efficiency and allow diagnostic players to focus more on innovation and service quality.
Extending Production Linked Incentive schemes for domestic manufacturing of diagnostic essentials—reagents, needles, and vials—would further strengthen the government's 'Make in India' vision. For companies committed to local manufacturing, this support would alleviate import dependency and create a more self-reliant healthcare ecosystem. We remain optimistic that this budget will continue to prioritise healthcare infrastructure, enabling the sector to serve India's growing healthcare needs more effectively.
