Dr. H. Sudarshan Ballal, Chairman, of Manipal Hospitals.
The major take home message of the budget just announced by the Finance Minister is that it is a middle class friendly budget.
As far as the healthcare sector is concerned a few notable points are -
1. Day-care cancer centres in all district hospitals. 200 hospitals to be established in 2025-2026. This will certainly help take care of the increasing burden of cancer patients especially in the non- metros.
2. Cancer, rare diseases and chronic severe ailments 36 life-saving drugs will be fully exempted from basic custom duties. Adding 6 life-saving medicines and bulk drugs attract concessional duties. Patient assistance programs will be expanded and will be exempt from duties. This will help reduce the cost of some of the very essential but expensive drugs in these serious diseases.
3. 10,000 additional medical seats to be added in medical colleges, aim to add 75,000 seats in next 5 years which will improve the doctor to population ratio.
4. Medical tourism and heal in India a major component for push in collaboration with private sector. Medical tourism and Heal in India to be promoted by easier vias norms and capacity building.This certainly is a very welcome move as India has the talent and infrastructure to attract medical value tourism at a fraction of the cost compared to many other countries.
5. AI development centre for education and healthcare 500 crores allocation. PPP 1.5 lakh crore for infra push through national infra mission - will help health infra and financing.
6. Nutrition mission and poshan abhiyan push across all states and schools. A very important measure to prevent malnutrition and improve nutrition especially in the under privileged population.
7. Broad band connectivity to primary health centres will help in expanding Telemedicine consultations for rural patients at village level which will be a big boon in bridging the gap of lack of healthcare personnel in the rural areas.
Overall, it appears to be a reasonable budget for the common man with some boost for the healthcare sector in specific areas.
Mr Rajeev Singh, Managing Director, BenQ India and South Asia - Optimism in AI and Made-in-India
"We are encouraged by the government's announcement of the National Manufacturing Mission, which represents a significant step towards enhancing the 'Make in India' initiative. This mission's focus on supporting small, medium, and large industries, along with its emphasis on clean technology manufacturing, aligns perfectly with our commitment to sustainability and innovation.
Further, the decision to increase the basic customs duty on interactive flat panel displays is a crucial step in addressing the inverted duty structure. This move will foster local manufacturing and support the growing demand for advanced educational technologies, ultimately enhancing innovation in learning environments.
Moreover, the announcement of five National Centers of Excellence for Skilling as well as the setup of 50,000 adult tinkering labs in government schools presents a significant opportunity to integrate advanced technologies, such as interactive flat panel displays (IFP), into the educational framework. These centers will not only equip our youth with essential skills required for manufacturing under the 'Make in India' initiative but also leverage global expertise to design curricula that meet industry needs.
The establishment of a Centre of Excellence for AI in education with a ₹500 crore investment is another vital step towards preparing our youth for future challenges. By fostering skills in AI and related technologies, we can enhance employability and drive innovation across various sectors.
Thus, we believe that with the right policy support and a robust ecosystem for electronic components, India can establish itself as a global hub for advanced technologies. We look forward to collaborating with the government and industry stakeholders to capitalize on these opportunities and contribute to India's digital transformation."
Mr. Ravi Kunwar, VP and CEO, HMD India and APAC: Boost for electronic manufacturing
"The Union Budget 2025-26 presents encouraging prospects for the technology and digital infrastructure sector. We applaud the Indian Government for reinforcing India's vision for self-reliance and innovation-driven growth in electronics manufacturing. Reducing BCD to 5% on open cell components and including 28 additional capital goods for mobile battery fabrication will strengthen local manufacturing and further generate employment in the sector. The formation of the National Manufacturing Mission and investment in skilling initiatives will contribute to India's global competitiveness and facilitate the commitment to climate-friendly development. These measures, coupled with tax reforms and incentives, create a strong foundation for sustainable growth in India's electronics ecosystem."
Gerald Jaideep, CEO, Medvarsity: Budget 2025 - Paving the Way for Innovation and Growth in India's Healthcare and Education Sectors
"The recent budget underscores a transformative vision for India's healthcare and education ecosystems. The establishment of Centers of Excellence in AI for education, coupled with the aggressive expansion of medical seats, reflects a dual commitment to innovation and capacity-building.
For the healthcare edtech sector, this budget opens avenues to collaborate with institutions in curriculum design, AI-driven training modules, and competency-based certifications. The future lies in synergizing policy ambition with industry expertise to build a workforce that is not only larger but also future-ready, adaptive, and globally competitive.
India has been aggressively developing its healthcare facilities, with India's doctor-patient ratio (1:834) surpassing the WHO's 1:1,000 benchmark, but the story changes when we compare the ratio from urban to rural. This proposed addition of 75,000 medical seats over five years is a critical step toward bridging India's doctor-patient ratio in rural regions, and its success hinges on ensuring faculty development, infrastructure readiness, and equitable distribution of opportunities.
Similarly. the government's plan to set up 200 daycare cancer centers will boost healthcare accessibility and create a demand for specialized oncology training. Medvarsity will play a crucial role in equipping healthcare professionals with advanced oncology skills to ensure high-quality cancer care.
The Budget 2025's emphasis on promoting medical tourism and the 'Heal in India' initiative presents immense opportunities for India's healthcare sector. With a focus on enhancing healthcare infrastructure and simplifying visa norms, India is set to become a global hub for medical treatments. Medvarsity is well-positioned to support this growth by providing healthcare professionals with specialized training and certifications that meet international standards, ensuring high-quality care for medical tourists."
Dr. Priyanka Sharma, Head of MONAKA Software R&D Unit, Fujitsu Research of India
"Today's Union Budget 2025, focused on a 'Viksit Bharat,' presents a powerful vision for India's IT industry and its future workforce. I am particularly excited by the emphasis on skilling and upskilling initiatives. The establishment of five National Centers of Excellence, leveraging global partnerships, will directly address the growing demand for skilled professionals in areas crucial to building a tech-for-good India. The expansion of IITs and the new AI Center of Excellence for education will further strengthen this talent pipeline, ensuring India remains at the forefront of technological innovation. The budget's commitment to a Deep Tech Fund of Funds and the PM Research Fellowship scheme is equally significant. These initiatives will provide critical support for next-generation startups and research institutions, fostering a vibrant ecosystem of innovation and attracting top talent. The focus on supporting first-time entrepreneurs, particularly women is commendable and will contribute to a more inclusive and equitable growth tory. These investments in education, research, and entrepreneurship will not only benefit the IT sector but will drive India's overall economic transformation, creating a more prosperous and inclusive future for all. This budget signals a clear commitment to building a skilled and empowered workforce, ready to seize the opportunities of the future."
CP Khandelwal, CEO, PR Innovation, Brand Custodian of Amazfit India : Accelerating tech self-reliance by boosting display manufacturing and lithium-ion battery production
"The Budget 2025's tech-forward policies signal India's ambition to dominate the global electronics value chain. Eliminating BCD on open cell components for displays isn't just a tariff tweak—it's a strategic unlock. By making India a cost-competitive hub for advanced display manufacturing, we're poised to cut reliance on imports for LCD/LED panels, which currently account for 80% of the $7 billion display market. This will catalyze local R&D in next-gen technologies like OLED and MicroLED, critical for smartphones, wearables, and smart TVs.
Equally transformative is the lithium-ion battery push. Adding 28 capital goods for mobile batteries will fast-track domestic cell manufacturing, addressing a critical gap where India imports 90% of its lithium-ion needs. For the wearables and smartphone ecosystem, this means shorter supply chains, faster innovation cycles, and sustainable cost efficiencies. India's future will be driven by innovation, self-reliance, and a bold vision to lead the global tech revolution."
Srividya Kannan, CEO and Founder, Avaali Solutions: Enhanced investment and focus on India's growth potential
"A key decision by the government to drive the digital economy is the formation of a national framework for promoting Global Capability Centers (GCCs) in emerging Tier-II cities. This move is set to boost employment growth and position India as a hub for high-value global services.
The government's plan to establish 50,000 Atal Tinkering Labs is a visionary step toward fostering a culture of innovation and entrepreneurship across the country. By integrating interventions at schools, universities, research institutions, MSMEs, and industries, this initiative will create a robust ecosystem for technological advancement. It is encouraging to see the government's strategic focus on the digital economy and its commitment to building a future-ready workforce.
Investment in AI Centers of Excellence (CoEs) in education is a positive step toward the adoption of emerging technologies in key industries. Additionally, the expansion of infrastructure in the five IITs established after 2014, including increasing capacity for 6,500 more students and enhancing hostel and other facilities at IIT Patna, is a significant move toward strengthening India's tech workforce.
It is also promising to see the government extending support to the domestic equipment industry under the Make-in-India and National Manufacturing Mission. This initiative will empower local businesses and strengthen India's position as a leader in next-generation manufacturing and technology. Moreover, it will create new opportunities for global electronic equipment companies to establish their captive centers in India.
Also it is extremely heartening to see increase in the limits for classification of MSME and additional credit offerings to them. This will immensely help boost the Indian entrepreneurial ecosystem."
Ujjwal Sarin, Founder - Nu Republic: Strengthening Make in India
"The Union Budget's National Manufacturing Mission is a pivotal step in strengthening 'Make in India' through policy support and clean tech innovation. With a strong focus on domestic manufacturing of solar PV cells, EV batteries, and high-voltage equipment, India is set to lead in sustainable technology.
Addressing the inverted duty structure, the increase in customs duty on interactive flat panel displays will boost local production and investment in advanced display technologies. Additionally, the establishment of five National Centers of Excellence for Skilling and a ₹500 crore AI Centre of Excellence in education will bridge the industry-academia gap, fostering a future-ready workforce.
These initiatives reinforce India's path to becoming a global leader in advanced manufacturing and digital innovation. We welcome these efforts and look forward to collaborating with stakeholders to drive technological self-reliance and growth."
Sumit Bhatia, co-founder, Aksum Trademark Pvt. Ltd:
"The Government's decision to increase investment and turnover limits for MSMEs by 2.5x and 2x, respectively, is a welcome move that will enable businesses to scale, innovate, and attract investments. Additionally, the enhanced credit guarantee cover under CGTMSE will provide easier access to formal credit, helping MSMEs grow and modernize.
At Aksum , we believe these reforms will strengthen India's MSME sector, boost job creation, and drive economic growth. We look forward to leveraging these benefits to expand and innovate."
Jeenendra Bhandari, Chairman of JITO Incubation and Innovation Foundation (JIIF):
With China aggressively expanding its AI capabilities and the U.S. maintaining its dominance, India cannot afford to lag behind. Deep tech is no longer an option; it is the need of the hour. The government's commitment—allocating ₹20,000 crore for private-sector-driven R&D and proposing a Deep Tech Fund—signals a crucial shift toward fostering homegrown innovation. With alternative investment funds already receiving commitments of over ₹91,000 crore and an additional ₹10,000 crore Fund of Funds on the way, we have a unique opportunity to build world-class startups in AI, quantum computing, and advanced manufacturing.
Prabhdeep Singh, Founder & CEO, RED.Health said "We applaud the Union Budget 2025 for its focus on strengthening India's healthcare system, particularly the 'Heal in India' initiative. This is an exciting opportunity for India to position itself as a global leader in healthcare, bringing in international patients and driving advancements in medical technology.We are excited about the government's plans to expand medical education with 10,000 new seats in the coming year, rising to 75,000 over the next five years. This will significantly address the shortage of healthcare professionals and strengthen the overall healthcare infrastructure.
Amith Agarwal, Co-Founder & Chief Executive Officer, StarAgri said "I wholeheartedly congratulate our Finance Minister, Madam Nirmala Sitharaman, on presenting a budget that strategically addresses the real issues Indian farmers face today.
The PM Dhandhanya Krishi Yojana is a transformative step that will ensure Indian farmers, especially small and marginal ones, benefit from scientific and modern agricultural practices such as crop rotation and crop diversification. The unique scheme to boost pulse production—focusing on urad, toor, and masoor—will not only secure sustainable farm incomes but also enrich the Indian food basket with nutrition-fortified staples.
The post-harvest storage improvement plan at the village level, beginning with 100 districts with low-productivity, is a visionary move. It will significantly reduce food wastage while empowering local farmers with better pricing leverage. Additionally, the launch of agri-districts will drive focused initiatives to enhance farm infrastructure across the value chain.
Lastly, extending the Kisan Credit Card (KCC) limit from ₹3 lakh to ₹5 lakh will provide a much-needed boost to agri-financing, enabling farmers to access credit at more affordable rates.
The three key themes—agri-infrastructure and warehousing at the village level, increasing food production through crop diversification, & enhancing credit accessibility through digital platforms and KCC expansion—represent path-breaking reforms for Indian agriculture. This budget sows the seeds for a resilient, prosperous, and future-ready farming ecosystem."
Prajodh Rajan, Co-Founder & Group CEO, Lighthouse Learning (formerly EuroKids International), said, "The Union Budget 2025-26 introduces key initiatives aimed at fostering innovation and expanding access to education. The plan to establish 50,000 Atal Tinkering Labs in government schools is a promising step toward nurturing curiosity and hands-on learning among students. Additionally, initiatives like the Bharatiya Bhasha Pustak Scheme and the removal of TCS on education remittances reflect an encouraging push toward making learning more inclusive and financially accessible. These efforts align with the need to equip students with skills for a rapidly evolving world. As we complete the first quarter of the 21st century, these measures align with the evolving needs of students and the broader goal of preparing them for a rapidly changing world.
However, while the focus on skilling and technology is a step in the right direction, early childhood education has not received the attention it deserves. A more structured approach to strengthening pre-primary education, alongside greater investments in teacher training and infrastructure for K-12 schools, would create a more well-rounded learning ecosystem. We hope for a more comprehensive policy approach to support every learner from the foundational years."
Sudarshan Lodha, Co-Founder & CEO, Strata SM REIT , said, "The Union Budget 2025-26 takes meaningful steps toward strengthening India's infrastructure landscape, particularly through the expansion of the Public-Private Partnership (PPP) model and the continuation of the Asset Monetisation Plan. The ₹1.5 lakh crore interest-free loan to states for capital expenditure is a welcome move, as it will encourage long-term investments in critical sectors. Also, the ₹10 lakh crore Asset Monetisation Plan provides a much-needed boost to unlock value from existing assets and reinvest in new projects.
The revision in IT slabs is also a positive step, as it will add more liquidity and encourage wider participation in investments, including structured real estate opportunities. The evolving regulatory and fiscal framework will be crucial in ensuring that private capital finds efficient avenues to participate in infrastructure development. A well-defined regulatory framework will be key, and I'm looking forward to seeing how these policies translate into real investment opportunities."
Saily Lad- CEO & Founder of Volksara Techno Solutions, on the Union Budget 2025-26:
"The Union Budget 2025, introduces pivotal reforms that promise to accelerate growth in sectors critical to India's development. The enhanced investment and turnover thresholds for MSMEs and startups will empower businesses to scale operations and drive innovation. Notably, the substantial allocation for smart city initiatives underscores the government's commitment to urban transformation. This focus aligns seamlessly with our mission at Volksara Techno Solutions, where we specialize in integrating advanced technologies into urban infrastructure to create safer, more efficient, and sustainable cities. Additionally, increased funding for healthcare and education technology will enable us to further our efforts in delivering cutting-edge solutions that enhance public services and quality of life. These strategic investments not only bolster the technology sector but also pave the way for a more connected and prosperous India."
Mr. Sanjay Dighe, CEO & Whole-time Director of Krystal Integrated Services Ltd, on the Union Budget 2025-26:
"The Union Budget 2025-26 promotes infrastructure growth, urban development, and skill enhancement. These have been the growth drivers for the facility management sector. The push on PPP projects and tier-2 city growth offers new avenues for public-private collaboration and economic growth.
The ₹1.5 trillion interest-free loans and ₹1 trillion Urban Challenge Fund will accelerate infrastructure development, boosting demand for facility management services. The establishment of five national skilling centers will strengthen the talent pool, essential for high-quality services.
Shashank Avadhani, Co-founder, and CEO at Alyve Health:
Alyve Health welcomes the Union Budget 2025, which marks a major step towards building a healthier India. The government's focus on promoting medical tourism and the Heal in India initiative, along with streamlined visa norms, presents a significant growth opportunity for our healthcare sector and aligns with our vision of making India a global health and wellness hub.
We are encouraged by the increase in FDI in the insurance sector to 100%, which will foster competition and expand access to essential health services, ensuring that individuals receive necessary care without financial strain.
The emphasis on a program for vegetables and fruits reflects growing awareness of nutritional needs, supporting Alyve Health's core philosophy of promoting healthier lifestyles.
The exemption of 36 lifesaving drugs from customs duty is a critical move for those battling cancer and rare diseases, improving access to essential medicines. Additionally, the inclusion of 1 crore gig workers in the PM Jan Arogya Yojana ensures that a crucial segment of the workforce receives vital healthcare.
The increased funding for the National Health Mission and mental health initiatives will address healthcare disparities, particularly for the 'missing middle class. These measures pave the way for a more inclusive and sustainable healthcare system. Alyve Health is eager to collaborate with stakeholders to leverage these advancements and drive better health outcomes for all.
Mr. Arun Prakash M, Founder and CEO of GUVI Geek Networks:
Mr. Arun Prakash M, Founder and CEO of GUVI Geek Networks, believes the government's emphasis on AI and upskilling will have a long-term favourable impact on Indian talents, "The growing emphasis on AI has been addressed well in the Union Government by inviting investments in AI for drug discovery. As India looks to advance its capabilities in AI, upskilling in relevant tech education will be imperative. The government's decision to add broadband connections in government secondary schools to integrate digital learning, while also helping learners to understand the subjects better in their respective languages is commendable. Furthermore, the establishment of 5 national centres of excellence for upskilling to supplement Make for India and Make for the World will have long-term favourable implications on the future of millions of Indian talents, helping them to become critical contributors of the country's bid to become a developed nation by 2047."
Mr. Avneet Singh Marwah, CEO, SPPL, a Kodak and Blaupunkt brand Licensee:
"We appreciate the Honourable Finance Minister's efforts, such as the reduction of income tax up to Rs 12 lakh and the formation of a high-level committee for regulatory reforms, which help enhance governance. However, the recent reduction in customs duties to nil on open cells and components manufacturing applicable only to industries with bonded manufacturing plants, creates an uneven playing field for TV manufacturers without access to such facilities. This policy is not welcomed by the broader TV manufacturing industry, and for true growth, these benefits should be extended more equitably across the sector. Additionally, the government's National Manufacturing Mission, which will support small, medium, and large industries with policy backing and a governance framework, is a positive step toward fostering a more inclusive and competitive manufacturing ecosystem."
Ms. Pallavi Singh, Country Representative, JVC TV India:
"We applaud the Honourable Finance Minister for initiatives like the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship's support for female micro-entrepreneurs through incubation and acceleration programs. These efforts are crucial for empowering women-led enterprises and fostering a more diverse, inclusive business landscape, ultimately contributing to India's long-term manufacturing growth. However, we are concerned about the recent reduction in customs duties on open cells and components, which only benefits industries with bonded manufacturing plants, creating an uneven playing field and disadvantageous to other TV manufacturers. We believe these benefits should be extended more broadly across the sector to ensure true and sustainable growth. Additionally, the reduction in income tax up to Rs 12 lakh and the formation of a high-level committee for regulatory reforms are vital steps towards improving spending power and helping the common man fight rising inflation."
Mr Tushar Choudhary, Founder & CEO, Motovolt Mobility:
"The recent budget has delivered a promising outlook for India's electric vehicle (EV) industry, especially with the reduction in Basic Customs Duty (BCD) on capital goods related to EV manufacturing. This move will help lower production costs, making EVs more affordable for consumers and encouraging higher sales.
Aligned with the National Manufacturing Mission, the budget's focus on rationalizing customs tariffs signals the government's intent to localize high-value production and reduce dependency on imports. Additionally, the exemption on critical minerals like lithium is a significant step toward easing the supply of vital components for EV batteries, further lowering costs and boosting domestic manufacturing.
The commitment to enhancing EV infrastructure, particularly in charging stations and battery swapping networks, is another much-needed development. This will improve the user experience and drive the adoption of EVs across the country.
Efforts to localize EV components like batteries, motors and controllers will help reduce upfront costs which would further strengthen India's EV Ecosystem giving the EV sector the ability to penetrate the Indian Markets."
"We applaud the Union Budget 2025 for its strategic allocation of Rs. 1.48 lakh crore towards education and skill development, marking a 4.3% increase from the previous year. The budget's proposals, including skill development plans for 20 lakh youth over 5 years, demonstrate a forward-thinking approach to fostering a globally competitive Indian workforce. At PlanetSpark, we are deeply aligned with the government's vision and are committed to empowering the youth with essential skills like public speaking, thereby grooming them into future leaders who can drive meaningful impact."
Rajeev Tiwari, Co Founder of STEMROBO Technologies:
The announcements made in the Union Budget 2025 highlight a forward-thinking vision for India's growth, with a strong emphasis on digital infrastructure, skill development, and innovation. The decision to expand broadband connectivity to all government secondary schools is a game-changer. It will not only bridge the digital divide but also ensure that students across the country have access to the same learning opportunities, regardless of their location.
The establishment of 50,000 Atal Tinkering Labs over the next five years is a great move for encouraging creativity and innovation among our youth. These labs will provide hands-on learning and inspire the next generation of engineers, scientists, and innovators. Such initiatives will also increase awareness and understanding of the importance of 21st-century skills, helping schools and students recognize their critical role in future-ready education.
The launch of the Bharatiya Bhasha Pustak Scheme, which will bring digital books in Indian languages, is another crucial step towards making education more accessible to people in rural and remote areas, while also preserving our rich linguistic diversity. This will further encourage students to embrace modern learning tools while staying connected to their cultural roots.
The ₹500 crore investment in AI research and development for setting up five Centers of Excellence for Skilling with global expertise will ensure that our workforce is prepared for the future, ready to meet the demands of the global market. This will underscores India's commitment to becoming a global leader in technology, These measures will strengthen the adoption of 21st-century skills in schools and encourage students to develop competencies such as critical thinking, problem-solving, and digital literacy.
Another crucial step is the enhanced credit coverage support for MSMEs and startups. This initiative will go a long way in fostering innovative startups and entrepreneurs, enabling them to become an integral part of the education ecosystem. With increased financial support, startups focusing on educational technology, AI tools for learning, and skill development programs will have greater opportunities to create impactful solutions that enhance education quality and accessibility.
Overall, these initiatives will not only drive growth but also position India as a key player in the global economy, equipping its younger generations with the tools needed to thrive in an increasingly technology-driven world while fostering innovation within the education sector.
Dhriti Prasanna Mahanta, Vice-President, TeamLease Degree Apprenticeship:
"The Union Budget 2025-26 is a bold step toward making India a global leader in AI-driven innovation and workforce development. The establishment of a Centre of Excellence for AI in Education, with an outlay of ₹500 crore, presents a unique opportunity to skill India's youth in cutting-edge AI technologies and create a highly skilled talent pool across industries.
To maximize its impact, the Centre must integrate multidisciplinary education models, ensuring AI learning is not confined to technical domains but extends across business, healthcare, manufacturing, and other sectors. Modular AI courses should be developed, allowing trainees to learn through a blend of virtual classrooms and on-the-job training (OJT), making learning more accessible and industry-relevant.
Additionally, the Centre should work in synergy with existing apprenticeship & work based learning programs to embed AI training within structured learning pathways, expanding apprenticeship & WBL opportunities in AI-driven roles. A robust framework for collaboration between academia, industry, and young learners is essential to drive innovation, enhance employability, and build a future-ready workforce.
By prioritizing AI skilling, this initiative will position India at the forefront of global AI leadership, ensuring inclusive and sustainable economic growth while equipping its workforce for the industries of tomorrow."
Mukul Goyal, Co-Founder of Stratefix Consulting:
"The Union Budget 2025 has rightly emphasized the pivotal role of MSMEs in India's economic landscape. With over one crore registered MSMEs contributing approximately 36% to our manufacturing output and 45% to exports, their significance cannot be overstated.
The government's decision to enhance the investment and turnover thresholds for MSME classification is a commendable move. This adjustment will enable more enterprises to avail MSME benefits, fostering growth and competitiveness. Additionally, the increase in credit guarantee cover for micro-enterprises from ₹5 crore to ₹10 crore is a significant step. This initiative is expected to inject an additional ₹1.5 lakh crore in credit over the next five years, empowering small businesses to invest in innovation and expansion.
However, while these measures are promising, it is crucial to address the persistent challenges that MSMEs face. Access to timely and affordable credit remains a hurdle for many small businesses. Streamlining the loan disbursement process and reducing bureaucratic red tape are essential to ensure that the intended benefits reach the grassroots level.
Furthermore, the emphasis on digitization and technology adoption is a welcome move. Encouraging MSMEs to integrate digital tools can enhance operational efficiency and open new market avenues. Providing incentives for technology adoption and digital literacy programs will be instrumental in this transition.
In conclusion, the Union Budget 2025 lays a solid foundation for strengthening the MSME sector. By addressing the existing challenges and building on the proposed initiatives, we can look forward to a more robust and resilient MSME ecosystem, driving India's journey towards becoming a global manufacturing hub."
Dhriti Prasanna Mahanta, Vice-President, TeamLease Degree Apprenticeship:
"The Union Budget 2025-26 is a bold step toward making India a global leader in AI-driven innovation and workforce development. The establishment of a Centre of Excellence for AI in Education, with an outlay of ₹500 crore, presents a unique opportunity to skill India's youth in cutting-edge AI technologies and create a highly skilled talent pool across industries.
To maximize its impact, the Centre must integrate multidisciplinary education models, ensuring AI learning is not confined to technical domains but extends across business, healthcare, manufacturing, and other sectors. Modular AI courses should be developed, allowing trainees to learn through a blend of virtual classrooms and on-the-job training (OJT), making learning more accessible and industry-relevant.
Additionally, the Centre should work in synergy with existing apprenticeship & work based learning programs to embed AI training within structured learning pathways, expanding apprenticeship & WBL opportunities in AI-driven roles. A robust framework for collaboration between academia, industry, and young learners is essential to drive innovation, enhance employability, and build a future-ready workforce.
By prioritizing AI skilling, this initiative will position India at the forefront of global AI leadership, ensuring inclusive and sustainable economic growth while equipping its workforce for the industries of tomorrow."
