Mr Udit Yadav, Founder & Director of Satan Digital:
We appreciate the government's progressive approach in the 2025-26 Union Budget, especially the ₹500 crore allocation for the Centre of Excellence in Artificial Intelligence for Education. This significant investment builds upon previous efforts to integrate AI into key sectors and will play a pivotal role in enhancing educational methodologies and outcomes through advanced AI applications.
By prioritizing AI skill development and establishing five National Centres for Skilling, the government is ensuring that India's youth are equipped with future-ready expertise to thrive in the evolving digital landscape. As an EdTech leader, Satan Digital is committed to supporting this vision by making AI and digital marketing education more accessible, practical, and industry-aligned. With the right blend of policy support and technological advancements, India is well on its way to becoming a global hub for AI-driven learning and innovation, and we are excited to be part of this journey."
Mr Udit Yadav, Founder & Director of Satan Digital:
We appreciate the government's progressive approach in the 2025-26 Union Budget, especially the ₹500 crore allocation for the Centre of Excellence in Artificial Intelligence for Education. This significant investment builds upon previous efforts to integrate AI into key sectors and will play a pivotal role in enhancing educational methodologies and outcomes through advanced AI applications.
By prioritizing AI skill development and establishing five National Centres for Skilling, the government is ensuring that India's youth are equipped with future-ready expertise to thrive in the evolving digital landscape. As an EdTech leader, Satan Digital is committed to supporting this vision by making AI and digital marketing education more accessible, practical, and industry-aligned. With the right blend of policy support and technological advancements, India is well on its way to becoming a global hub for AI-driven learning and innovation, and we are excited to be part of this journey."
Dr. Vishal Arora, Chief of Business Transformation & Operational Excellence, Artemis Medicare Services Limited:
"The Union Budget 2025-26 focuses on affordable and technology-driven health with strengthened medical education, infrastructure, and the digital health initiative. In order to bridge the doctor-patient gap, 10,000 new UG and PG medical seats will be introduced this year. Overall, the goal would be to increase this figure to 75,000 in five years. The Day Care Cancer Centers will open in all district hospitals, starting with 200 this year, which will expand cancer care. Exemption of customs duty for 36 critical medicines, including drugs for cancer and rare diseases, will make life-saving treatments more accessible. Proposal for a reduction of GST on health insurance to make wider coverage possible is a commendable step. A ₹500 crore Centre of Excellence in AI will push medical research, and medical tourism initiatives will definitely put India on the global healthcare map. Focused on education, digital transformation, affordability, and innovation, this budget is a huge step towards universal health coverage and better patient care."
Mr Meghdut Roychowdhury, Founder of Make Calcutta Relevant Again and Chief Innovation Officer of Techno India Group:
The announcement of a new Rs 10,000 crore Fund for startups is a game-changer for India's entrepreneurial ecosystem. Funding has always been one of the biggest challenges for startups, especially those outside metro cities. With Rs 91,000 crore already committed through Alternate Investment Funds (AIFs), this fresh infusion of capital is a much-needed boost that will help startups scale, innovate, and take bigger risks.
More importantly, this initiative signals the government's belief in young entrepreneurs and the power of homegrown innovation. It's not just about financial support—it's about creating an environment where startups, especially from Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities, can access the resources they need to thrive.
The key now is in the execution. If this fund is distributed transparently and inclusively, reaching a diverse pool of founders across industries, it could set the stage for India to truly become a global startup powerhouse. As someone passionate about nurturing talent and innovation, I am excited to see the impact this will have on the next generation of changemakers.
Dr. PN Arora, Chair - Health Committee, PHDCCI,
"We applaud the government's efforts for priortising and strengthening India's healthcare sector in Budget 2025-26. The announcement of 200 daycare cancer centres in district hospitals in FY 2025-26 is a landmark decision in India's fight against cancer. This initiative will significantly improve early detection and treatment accessibility, particularly in underserved regions. Additionally, the inclusion of 36 life-saving drugs in the customs duty exemption list and concessional duty for manufacturing cancer medicines will make treatment more affordable for patients. Further, the government's focus on medical education expansion by adding 10,000 medical seats in 2025-26, and the aim of adding 75,000 seats in the next five years presents a broader vision to strengthen the healthcare workforce and promote innovation in healthcare delivery. We anticipate further reforms in the coming years to make healthcare facilities more affordable and accessible to all."
— Sushanto Mitra, CEO, Lead Angels:
"The Union Budget 2025-26 takes promising steps to strengthen India's startup ecosystem with a dedicated Startup Fund of Funds and enhanced credit guarantees for SMEs, improving capital access and fostering innovation. The National Manufacturing Mission creates new opportunities for startups aligned with 'Make in India.' Simplified regulations and reduced income tax will ease compliance burdens, allowing founders to focus on scaling their businesses while managing salary costs more effectively. However, broader tax incentives for startup investors could have further boosted capital inflows. We look forward to policy refinements that drive sustained entrepreneurial growth."
— Hanuman Tripathi, Partner - Fintech, Lead Angels:
"The Union Budget 2025-26 is a boost for startup founders, strengthening ease of doing business and improving access to capital. The dedicated Startup Fund of Funds and enhanced SME credit guarantees will help founders secure much-needed funding, while streamlined regulations reduce compliance burdens. The focus on manufacturing through the National Manufacturing Mission also creates new opportunities for startups aligned with 'Make in India.' With these measures, founders can spend less time navigating red tape and more time building and scaling their ventures. This is a step in the right direction for India's entrepreneurial ecosystem."
Dr. Apurba Ganguly, Founder, Chairman & Chief Scientist Officer - Nano Phyto Care & bioGAN:
The 2025 Budget underscores the government's commitment to strengthening healthcare infrastructure and accessibility. At VarcoLegCare, we welcome the increased allocation towards digital health initiatives, preventive care, and medical R&D. These measures will enhance patient outcomes and drive innovation in the sector. The emphasis on public-private partnerships aligns with our mission to deliver advanced, patient-centric solutions. We remain dedicated to leveraging these opportunities to expand quality healthcare access, particularly in underserved areas. This budget is a step forward in building a resilient, technology-driven healthcare ecosystem for a healthier future.
Abhi Sinha, Co-Founder, HealSpan:
The 2025 Budget highlights a progressive approach to healthcare and insurance technology, reinforcing the need for digital transformation in the sector. At HealSpan, we applaud the government's focus on expanding health coverage, AI-driven diagnostics, and interoperability of medical records. The push for insurtech innovation and greater accessibility to affordable policies will empower millions. Strengthening data security frameworks will also ensure patient trust in digital healthcare solutions. This budget paves the way for a more inclusive, tech-enabled ecosystem, and we remain committed to leveraging these advancements to enhance seamless, efficient, and personalized healthcare experiences for all.
Mr. Sanjaya Mariwala, President of the IMC Chamber of Commerce and Industry and Executive Chairman & Managing Director of OmniActive Health Technologies:
"The Union Budget delivered today showcases a clear vision for India's economic future. The reforms in income tax structure will put more money in the citizens' pockets, creating a cycle of spending and growth. What is particularly encouraging is the focus on agricultural and MSME improvements. The Finance Minister signalled a strong commitment to enhance crop diversification, self-reliance and agriculture productivity. Furthermore, the Government's focus on streamlining business processes and enhancing manufacturing by providing policy support to industries will boost job creation and enhance productivity.
Mr.Praveen Raju, President of ARISE
The 2025 Budget reaffirms India's commitment to quality education, innovation, and inclusive learning. With a focus on 100% good quality school education, expanding Atal Tinkering Labs, and establishing a Centre of Excellence in AI for Education, this budget paves the way for a future-ready, globally competitive education system. The emphasis on digital infrastructure, skill development, and educational reforms is a significant step toward realizing the vision of Viksit Bharat.
Mr Vinesh Menon, Director General & CEO, ARISE
Given the speed at which the world is moving on technology, some interesting announcements have been made in the budget 2025 by the FM to boost indias cobtribution in this area espcially in education.
Investing in Innovation
Research, Development and Innovation to implement private sector driven Research, Development and Innovation initiative announced in the July Budget, FM has now allocated 20,000 crore which is good.
Deep Tech Fund of Funds being explored to catalyze the next generation startups as a part of this initiative will help good innovators in the education sector where innovation for more effective teaching is needed.
In the next five years, under the PM Research Fellowship scheme, the budget will provide ten thousand fellowships for technological research in IITs and IISc with enhanced financial support. This is positive.
In parallel to the tech momentum, A Gyan Bharatam Mission for survey, documentation and conservation of our manuscript heritage with academic institutions, museums, libraries and private collectors will be undertaken to cover more than 1 crore manuscripts and a National Digital Repository of Indian knowledge systems for knowledge sharing will be set up. This ensures that with progress, we also keep a watch on the traditional values of india for sustained conservation.
The Union Budget 2025-26 has been widely hailed by healthcare leaders and industry experts for its strong focus on creating a patient-centric healthcare ecosystem. With substantial investments in medical education, infrastructure, and digital transformation, the budget aims to strengthen India's healthcare sector and improve accessibility for all.
Presenting the Budget, Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman said, "Our Government has added almost 1.1 lakh UG and PG medical education seats in ten years, an increase of 130 per cent. In the next year, 10,000 additional seats will be added in medical colleges and hospitals, towards the goal of adding 75,000 seats in the next five years."
Union Health Minister JP Nadda echoed this sentiment, highlighting the significant increase in healthcare funding. He posted on X, "The Union Budget 2025-26 strengthens India's healthcare sector with an allocation of ₹99,858.56 crore, marking a 191% increase from ₹34,286 crore in 2014-15 and a 9.78% rise from ₹90,958.63 crore in 2024-25."
A key highlight of the budget is the 661.4% increase in funding for Human Resources for Health and Medical Education, rising from ₹220 crore in FY2024-25 to ₹1,675 crore in FY2025-26. This significant allocation aims to bridge India's doctor-patient ratio of 1:834, which remains below the World Health Organization's (WHO) recommended 1:1000.
Dr. Aashish Chaudhry, Managing Director, Aakash Healthcare, welcomed the move, stating, "The healthcare sector will greatly benefit from the government's initiatives to improve infrastructure, increase medical seats, and establish daycare cancer centers. The addition of 10,000 medical seats this year and 75,000 over five years addresses the critical shortage of healthcare professionals. Furthermore, the push for digital infrastructure, including broadband connectivity to all primary health centers, will revolutionize healthcare delivery."
Experts believe the budget has taken a holistic approach to strengthening the healthcare sector by focusing on infrastructure development, capacity building, digital health, tech-enabled services, and medical tourism.
Dr. N. K. Pandey, Chairman & Managing Director, Asian Hospital, emphasized, "The Budget looks progressive for the healthcare sector. Creating a new healthcare economy requires the right policy push, and the Union Budget 2025-26 has paid serious attention to infrastructure development, digital transformation, and capacity building. Even allowing 100% FDI in the insurance sector will significantly benefit the healthcare industry."
The government's decision to exempt basic customs duty on 36 life-saving drugs for rare diseases, cancer, and chronic conditions was also well received. Additionally, 37 more specified drugs and 13 new Patient Assistance Programs (PAPs) have been introduced to support patients across India.
Dr. Praveen Gupta, Principal Director & Chief of Neurology, Fortis Hospital, said, "The government's decision to rationalize customs duties on life-saving drugs, particularly for rare diseases, is a welcome step. This will make advanced treatments more accessible for patients and institutions, reducing financial burdens. The announcement of 200 daycare cancer centers in district hospitals will significantly improve cancer care accessibility in underserved areas."
The budget also emphasizes diagnostic services and telemedicine infrastructure as part of its broader vision for digital health.
Dr. Aakaar Kapoor, CEO, City X-Ray & Scan Clinic, pointed out, "The expansion of telemedicine infrastructure through broadband connectivity in PHCs will significantly enhance digital diagnostics and AI-driven radiology services. A well-implemented PPP model in diagnostics could accelerate last-mile healthcare delivery. We also hope to see further steps encouraging indigenous manufacturing of imaging and laboratory equipment to support long-term industry growth."
The Ayushman Bharat - Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (PM-JAY) received a 28.8% increase in allocation, rising from ₹7,299 crore last year to ₹9,405 crore in FY2025-26.
Dr. Rajendra Patankar, CEO, Jupiter Hospital, highlighted the importance of this investment, and said, "The Economic Survey has projected that India will achieve the WHO's doctor-to-population ratio of 1:1000 by 2030. This budget reaffirms that we are on the right path in terms of capacity building, with the government prioritizing medical education. With 780 medical colleges now operational, India is making significant strides in strengthening its healthcare workforce."
With medical tourism emerging as a major revenue earner, experts believe that initiatives in Budget 2025-26 will further boost the sector.
Anup Mehra, DGM Finance - PSRI Hospital, said, "The Budget 2025-26 proved that the healthcare sector has been accorded priority. Medical Travel Value (Medical Tourism) has become a key revenue driver for the industry and the country. The renewed push for medical tourism, backed by easier visa norms, will bring significant economic benefits."
The government has also committed ₹10,000 crore for a 'Fund of Funds' and the establishment of a Deep Tech Fund for startups, a move welcomed by healthcare innovators.
"The allocation of additional funds for startups will accelerate innovation, including in healthcare. These initiatives will not only improve access to quality healthcare but also foster entrepreneurship, innovation, and job creation," concluded Rajneesh Bhandari, Angel Investor and Founder, NeuroEquilibrium.
