Mr. Prateek Rastogi, Co-Founder & CEO, Better Nutrition.
The Union Budget 2026 reflects a clear shift in thinking - from focusing only on crop yields to improving the quality and value of what we grow. The government's emphasis on value-added agriculture, technology-led farmer advisories, and biofortified crops is a timely step, especially as India grapples with rising lifestyle diseases and nutrition deficiencies.
Today, the country spends thousands of crores each year on supplements and healthcare to address problems that begin with poor food quality.The more sustainable solution lies in building nutrition into food itself, starting at the farm. Biofortified crops, supported by better seeds, soil practices, and data-driven farming, can help farmers earn better prices while delivering naturally more nutritious food to consumers - without requiring changes in eating habits.
Please find enclosed the union budget reaction on behalf of Mr. Roy Aniruddha, Co-Founder & Chairman TechnoStruct Academy.
The Union Budget 2026 presents a forward-looking vision for bridging skill development with infrastructure growth, particularly in emerging sectors like construction technology and digital engineering. The government's announcement of five university townships near industrial and logistics corridors is a significant step towards strengthening industry-academia collaboration and creating a skilled workforce aligned with real infrastructure demands. Additionally, the focus on NSQF-aligned skill programmes and technology-driven education frameworks will help prepare youth for specialised construction and design roles.
The strong emphasis on domestic manufacturing of advanced construction and infrastructure equipment, along with revival of 200 legacy industrial clusters, is expected to generate significant demand for trained technical professionals. As construction increasingly integrates digital tools such as BIM, AI-driven project planning, and sustainable design technologies, policy support for digital education and vocational training will play a crucial role in future-proofing India's workforce and accelerating infrastructure-led economic growth.
Akshali Shah, Executive Director, Parag Milk Foods
"The Union Budget 2026 recognises dairy as a key driver of farm income stability, nutrition security and rural employment. The announcement of a credit-linked subsidy programme to promote entrepreneurship in animal husbandry, including dairy, is a timely step that will support the growth of organised dairy enterprises and strengthen allied agricultural sectors.
The budget's focus on scaling up the availability of veterinary professionals by more than 20,000, will play a vital role in supporting the dairy industry at grassroots level. It will significantly improve the overall productivity and profitability of the dairy sector in the rural regions where farmers and allied industries lose cattle in avoidable situations.
For the FMCG and dairy sector, a stronger focus on dairy-led income diversification and allied value chains reinforces the agricultural backbone that supports essential food categories such as milk and dairy products. By encouraging entrepreneurship and investment in dairy enterprises, the Budget creates a supportive environment for sustainable supply chains while contributing to inclusive rural growth."
• Dr. (Prof.) Purshotam Lal, Chairman, Metro Group of Hospitals
"The Union Budget 2026 clearly recognises that India's healthcare priorities must now shift from reactive treatment to long-term preparedness, research and disease prevention. The ₹10,000 crore commitment over five years towards establishing a national Biopharma Hub and strengthening non-communicable disease control is both timely and visionary, as India faces a sharp rise in cancer, diabetes and cardiovascular illnesses.
The proposal to set up trauma centres in every district hospital is a landmark step that will significantly improve emergency response and reduce mortality due to accidents and critical conditions, especially in semi-urban and rural India. Equally encouraging is the creation of a nationwide network of 1,000 accredited clinical trial sites, which will help bridge the gap between scientific innovation and patient access to new therapies.
Strengthening CDSCO and streamlining regulatory processes will further enhance India's credibility in global healthcare and pharmaceutical manufacturing. Combined with the government's focus on allied healthcare professionals and medical tourism, this Budget lays the foundation for a healthcare system that is not only technologically advanced but also inclusive and globally competitive. It positions India as a trusted destination for advanced treatment, research collaboration and affordable biologics, while ensuring that quality care reaches the last mile."
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• Dr Alok Khullar, Group CEO, RJ Corp Healthcare
"Budget 2026 reflects a strategic vision that positions healthcare as a key driver of India's economic and social development. The focus on strengthening research, regulatory systems and infrastructure demonstrates the government's intent to move India up the global healthcare value chain.
The expansion of accredited clinical trial networks and creation of scientific review mechanisms will significantly reduce approval timelines while ensuring patient safety and global compliance. This will accelerate innovation and improve access to advanced therapies for Indian patients.
With India's economy projected to grow above 7 per cent, the healthcare industry is poised to emerge as a major employment generator and investment destination. Budget 2026 strengthens the entire healthcare innovation pipeline — from research and regulation to delivery and manpower. This holistic approach will build global confidence in India's healthcare ecosystem and reinforce the country's vision to become a trusted hub for high-quality, affordable and technologically advanced healthcare solutions."
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• Mr. Abhishek Kapoor, CEO, Regency Healthcare
"The Union Budget 2026 places strong emphasis on strengthening healthcare accessibility and preparedness in Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities, which is essential for achieving true universal health coverage. The decision to upgrade district hospitals with trauma and emergency care facilities will significantly enhance critical care access for millions of people outside metropolitan regions.
India's growing burden of lifestyle diseases requires not just treatment but early intervention and structured healthcare networks at the regional level. By investing in district-level infrastructure and expanding clinical research networks, the government is ensuring that advanced care and innovation are no longer limited to select urban centres.
The focus on allied healthcare professionals and skill development addresses one of the most pressing gaps in the system — trained manpower. From technicians and nurses to paramedics and rehabilitation experts, this workforce will be central to delivering quality outcomes.
Budget 2026 builds a framework for a more balanced healthcare ecosystem that connects primary care, emergency services, research and skilled manpower. It signals a shift from fragmented growth to integrated healthcare planning, which will ultimately improve patient outcomes and strengthen trust in India's public and private healthcare systems alike."
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• Dr. Sharan Shivaraj Patil, Chairman, SPARSH Group of Hospitals
"The decision to establish five new Medical Hubs across India and integrate AYUSH centres into these hubs through private-sector participation will provide a major boost to medical tourism and give fresh momentum to the 'Heal in India' initiative. This positions medical tourism as a defining pillar of India's healthcare strategy in Budget 2026, reinforcing the country's growing reputation as a global destination for advanced and affordable treatment.
The government's emphasis on allied healthcare professionals, research infrastructure and regulatory strengthening will directly support India's ability to serve international patients with quality and consistency.
India's healthcare success story now depends on building world-class systems that combine clinical excellence with strong emergency and support services. The proposal to establish trauma centres across district hospitals will strengthen the backbone of emergency care and enhance confidence in India's healthcare readiness.
Equally important is the development of 1,000 accredited clinical trial sites, which will accelerate research, encourage innovation and ensure that Indian institutions contribute meaningfully to global medical science.
Budget 2026 recognises that healthcare leadership today requires integration of infrastructure, innovation and international trust. By linking medical tourism, research and system-wide capacity building, the Budget creates long-term opportunities for hospitals to expand globally while continuing to serve domestic patients with excellence. It lays the foundation for India to emerge as a healthcare destination that is trusted not only for cost efficiency but for clinical quality and scientific credibility."
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• Mr. Baldev Raj, Founder CEO, Prius Healthcare (Unit of Prius Communications) , Vice Chairman, Public Relation Council of India (Delhi Chapter)
"The move to establish five new Medical Hubs across India and integrate AYUSH centres into these hubs through private-sector participation marks a strategic shift in how India positions its healthcare ecosystem globally. This initiative will significantly strengthen the 'Heal in India' mission while also expanding access to advanced and holistic care within the country, particularly across Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities.
Budget 2026 clearly signals that healthcare is no longer viewed only as a social sector, but as a pillar of economic growth and global competitiveness. The emphasis on strengthening trauma care, expanding research capacity and building a skilled allied healthcare workforce reflects an understanding that trust in healthcare is built through systems, not just institutions.
The expansion of accredited clinical trial networks and regulatory reforms will further reinforce India's standing in medical innovation and therapeutic development, enabling deeper collaboration with global research and life sciences partners.
With India projected to grow at over 7 per cent, healthcare will play an increasingly important role in driving employment, investment and international engagement. At the same time, the creation of healthcare hubs beyond metropolitan centres will help decentralise quality care and reduce the burden on urban hospitals.
Budget 2026 positions healthcare as a cornerstone of the Viksit Bharat vision — where infrastructure, innovation and credibility converge. It underlines that India's healthcare journey is now about leadership on the global stage, backed by strong policy direction and long-term institutional confidence."
" Aligned with the vision of Viksit Bharat, the Union Budget reinforces the focus on sustainability-driven growth for India's core manufacturing sectors. For stainless steel manufacturers, decarbonisation is pivotal to long-term competitiveness and aligning with global export standards.
The ₹20,000 crore commitment towards carbon capture and utilisation acknowledges the challenges faced by hard-to-abate sectors and is expected to accelerate the adoption of cleaner, more efficient processes across the steel value chain. A well-defined implementation roadmap and access to advanced technologies will be crucial in translating this support into tangible, industry-wide impact. "
- Chandragupt Prakash Mangal, Managing Director, Mangalam Worldwide Limited.
Arun Ramamurthy, Co-founder, Staywell.Health.
The Indian Government intends to increase investment in its biopharma sector through various initiatives such as the Biopharma, Shakti' fund (which is Rs. 10,000 crore) along with improving the affordability of medicines used in treating chronic diseases. This investment will serve to lower healthcare costs over time. Investing more in preventive care, traditional health care modalities (Ayurveda and Yoga) and increasing the total number of places of care will change the focus of healthcare from being solely reactively treated too much more integratively-treat/ integrated wellness based over a long time frame – ultimately decreasing stress on the existing healthcare delivery system/infrastructure and improving health risk outcomes throughout the overall healthcare insurance delivery system.
Deepak verma, Head of Business, Pacecourt(Sports)
The Khelo India Mission, now extended for a further 10 years, is a much-needed initiative that understands sports as a long-term national infrastructure and not merely an activity that takes place through events. As India readies itself for a long-term sports infrastructure build-out in schools, developments, and public spaces, and as it prepares for the Commonwealth Games in the next decade, the need to shift the focus from short-term build-out to the long-term design of these infrastructure assets is essential. Long-term, standardized, and climate-resilient sports surfaces are critical to ensuring that public investments are channeled into sports infrastructure that remains safe, playable, and functional over a period of high usage. The success of this mission will not only be measured by the number of courts constructed but also by the quality of these courts that can withstand the test of time .
Prashant Mishra, Founder and Ceo, Agnam Advisors
Union Budget 2026 focuses on growth through higher spending on infrastructure, manufacturing and jobs, while still aiming to gradually reduce the fiscal deficit. Lower customs duties on EVs, electronics and essential medicines, along with new support for MSMEs, startups and urban infrastructure, are positive for the economy and for sectors like manufacturing, financials and domestic businesses. However, large government borrowing and global uncertainty have kept markets volatile, showing that actual execution and company earnings matter more than budget headlines. On the tax front, the government has largely kept the new tax system unchanged, with some relief through easier TDS/TCS rules and higher limits for rent, remittances and senior citizens, but without major rate cuts. Overall, the budget supports India's medium-term growth story and reinforces the need for disciplined investing, diversification and tax efficiency rather than quick portfolio changes based only on budget-day reactions.
Saurabh bansal, Founder, Finatwork investment
Several priorities in the Union Budget are influenced by the changing geopolitical environment. Support for India's goal of self-reliance and long-term strategic ability is indicated by the emphasis placed on domestic defence and security manufacturing. The customs duty exemptions on defence and aerospace components are an example of this focus on manufacturing for self-reliance.
At the same time, there is an effort to position Indian manufacturers more competitively in the global economy by focusing on domestic production while also focusing on exporting, including establishing textile parks, producing containers, and creating targeted export funding. These initiatives are intended to reduce pressure on tariffs from other countries and ultimately position Indian manufacturers to compete more effectively in the international marketplace.
When viewed together, these initiatives provide a clear policy framework for building resilience into supply chains, decreasing the amount of foreign dependency, and enhancing India's manufacturing and exporting capacity during a time of uncertainty around the world.
Amit Kumar, Director and CTO of Easebuzz(MSME)
The Government's 2026 Union Budget prioritises strengthening the MSME ecosystem with measures for liquidity, institutional support and the formalisation of the sector. A ₹10,000 Crore SME Growth Fund will enable MSMEs to expand their operations, improve efficiencies and remain competitive, while nearly 200 legacy industrial clusters will be revived so that traditional manufacturing regions can be revitalised from credit and technology constraints.
The integration of the Government e-Marketplace with the Trade Receivables Discounting System (TReDS) is designed to resolve long-standing issues related to delayed payments by improving the visibility of accounts receivable and increasing cash flows to SMEs. The top-up to the Self-Reliant India Fund will provide additional equity support for micro and emerging enterprises, in addition to the credit-based support measures.
Liquidity and credit guarantee support, as well as the introduction of corporate mitras to assist MSMEs in meeting compliance and other operational needs, demonstrate a holistic approach to enterprise development. In the digital and fintech sectors, these reforms represent the increasing importance of having transparent and technology-enabled transaction infrastructure to promote MSME resilience, formalisation and sustainable growth.
Mr Rohit Garg, Founder & CEO, Olyv.
The proposed Banking for Viksit Bharat committee signals a clear intent to strengthen India's financial system in step with the economy's rising credit needs. A comprehensive review spanning both banks and NBFCs is critical, given the role NBFCs play in expanding retail credit and supporting formal banking. The focus should be on addressing structural inefficiencies affecting credit flow, pricing, and risk management, while driving better governance, transparency, and technology-led efficiencies. Crucially, reforms must balance innovation with robust regulatory oversight to safeguard financial stability. Sustainable growth will ultimately depend on execution, regulatory alignment, and prudent lending practices rather than short-term policy measures.
"We see the Union Budget 2026 as a positive and forward-looking step for India's MSMEs and the broader industrial and infrastructure ecosystem. The focus on providing growth capital, such as the Rs 10,000 crore SME Growth Fund, along with the Rs 2,000 crore top-up to the Self Reliant India Fund, directly addresses the structural challenges that often hold enterprises back, including access to timely capital and predictable cash flows. Measures aimed at easing liquidity, improving transparency, and supporting compliance provide businesses the confidence to scale responsibly, innovate, and create long-term employment opportunities. From our perspective, these steps reinforce the idea that the government is not just offering short-term relief, but building an ecosystem that enables sustainable enterprise growth.
At the same time, the continued emphasis on infrastructure, with capital expenditure projected at Rs 12.2 lakh crore, coupled with initiatives like the Infrastructure Risk Guarantee Fund, sends a clear signal of long-term commitment to building a future-ready economy. These measures help strengthen investor confidence, encourage private participation, and create a more resilient industrial landscape. Overall, the Budget provides a credible framework for MSMEs and infrastructure players to plan boldly, expand operations, and contribute meaningfully to India's economic growth and job creation, while positioning the country as a competitive and self-reliant manufacturing hub."- Mr. BL Bajaj, Founder & Managing Director, Dynamic Orbits.
Budget 2026 sends a strong signal toward employment generation, technology-led growth, and support for labour-intensive sectors, priorities that directly benefit FMCG and consumption-driven industries. The focus on AI missions, skilling, and the Education-to-Employment initiative will strengthen frontline productivity and formal workforce models across sales and distribution. Investments in manufacturing, logistics, and services will further enable faster and more efficient General Trade expansion. The push to promote women entrepreneurs creates a meaningful opportunity for more women-led businesses to scale sustainably across India.
- Anjana Ghosh, MD, Scale Sherpas.
The focus on growing the orange economy recognises that creativity and cultural knowledge are becoming economic assets. As this ecosystem scales, preserving lineage, family heritage, context, and ancestral wisdom while making it credible and accessible for modern professionals will be key to sustaining its growth.
- Arvind Subbarao, Co-Founder & CEO, iMeUsWe.
Inputs by Bruce Keith, CEO & Co-Founder, InvestorAi
The ongoing fiscal discipline and general move towards tax harmonisation is welcome. Adding more heft and focus on education in a world where AI is changing the rules also makes sense. Perhaps the biggest surprise to me was the increases in Securities Transaction Tax (STT) on futures and options premium by 150% and 50% respectively.
The Government doesn't like that 90%+ people lose money in F&O so have chosen to make it more expensive. In my view this is the wrong lever to this problem. Better to look at education and AI rather than risk collateral damage from a reduction in big volume players causing liquidity to shrink. The overall market needs this to function.
Inputs by Ankur Mittal, Co-Founder, Inflection Point Ventures
India's service led economy can get disrupted with strong gains in AI and hence govt focus on building India as a powerhouse of strong AI talent is a great step to retain our continued growth in the world economy. This will also increase great flow of capital to India from global tech giants to take advantage of the talent pool while also supporting the indian startup ecosystem. IPV startups like CTPL can really support the government in this initiative.
Inputs by Anil Joshi, Managing Partner, Unicorn India Ventures
'Indian Semicon is at a very nascent stage and needs a lot of hand holding and policy support, ISM 2.0 will certainly help in mushrooming genuine Semicon use cases and will make India self reliant. Additionally ₹ 40000 CR deployment for electronic components will help resolving supply issues for development. Both the initiatives will help the industry a lot, great policy decision by FM
The launch of Bharat Vistaar will go a long way in helping the farming sector, the combination of real time data from satellite and AI application can help farmers take informed decisions in improvings farm productivity and also different mix of produce. The announcement of 4 telescope centres will be a big help to astro physics and study the celestial objects and built India's own self reliant mechanism to study the space and development of respective projects'
Manu Iyer, General Partner and Co-founder, Bluehill.VC
'The launch of India Semiconductor Mission 2.0 in the Union Budget 2026-27 is a watershed moment for India's technology and manufacturing landscape. By significantly expanding support for domestic semiconductor equipment, materials, design, and supply-chain capabilities, ISM 2.0 will accelerate India's journey towards self-reliance in advanced chips and position the country as a globally competitive semiconductor hub. Coupled with the strategic decision to establish dedicated rare earth corridors across mineral-rich states — strengthening mining, processing, research and manufacturing of critical minerals — this Budget not only deepens the foundation for high-tech growth but also enhances supply-chain resilience in sectors from electronics to defense and clean energy. Together, these initiatives will drive innovation, high-skilled employment, and India's role in resilient global value chains'
Inputs by Hitesh Jirawla, Founder & CEO, Cubictree
'There has been a huge push from the Govt of India to digitise the courts in India, Now with the legal sector standing at the junction of a quantum leap. The convergence of the India AI Mission with ₹ 10,000 Cr+ and the government's aggressive push for R&D allows us to tackle the 'Iron Triangle of legal tech: Cost, Speed and Accuracy. Having navigated this landscape for a decade and a half, we see the government's multiple AI Innovation Fund is not just as a fund, but as a validation that Legal AI is the new infrastructure of a developed India'
"Union Budget 2026 sends a powerful message that healthcare is no longer just a social obligation, but a national growth engine. The focus on strengthening district hospitals, expanding trauma and emergency care centres, and building a skilled caregiver ecosystem will significantly improve access to quality healthcare across India, especially in Tier II and Tier III cities. The emphasis on allied health professionals, medical value tourism and technology-driven healthcare delivery aligns perfectly with India's vision of a Viksit Bharat one where quality healthcare is accessible, affordable and globally competitive. For hospitals and practitioners, this Budget creates the right ecosystem to invest in modern infrastructure, advanced treatment, and patient-centric care. As an ophthalmologist, I also see this as an opportunity to expand preventive eye care, early diagnosis and advanced vision treatments, ensuring that millions of Indians can lead healthier, more productive lives", says Dr Sharoon Shitole, Consultant Ophthalmologist & Managing Director, Vencer Hospital, Pune.
Amit Shukla, General Manager – Head of Indian Operations, Alma Medical Private Limited
"The 2026 Union Budget is a progressive way forward that smartly integrates technology, health, and innovation, thereby bolstering India's growth trajectory. The rapid adoption of AI-powered tools through large-scale Capacity Building AI Missions for a whopping 25 crore Indian citizens definitely reflects India's strong commitment towards digital empowerment and skill enhancement for a competitive, futuristic AI-driven world. For beauty aesthetics and MedTech firms like ours, fostering domestic manufacturing, reinforcing Make-in-India, advancing preventive care, digital health, and clinical device protection is revolutionary. Additionally, the rationalized taxes and GST will make advanced lasers, diagnostics, and aesthetic tech more accessible, while expansion in homegrown infrastructure will provide a larger reach to customers. These strategic initiatives will effectively merge tech innovation and affordability and position India at a competitive edge on a global scale."
Bhavin Patel, Co-Founder & CEO, Vartis Platforms & LenDenClub on Skilling India for Tomorrow - Budget's Big AI Moment
"The Budget clearly recognises the growing role of technology, especially AI, in shaping India's future growth and competitiveness. There is a strong need for AI-skilled talent across fintech, technology and other sectors that are using AI to improve efficiency. The focus on introducing AI learning from the school level, strengthening teacher training, and enabling large-scale upskilling and reskilling reflects a clear intent to prepare India's workforce for the future.
Initiatives such as AI-enabled job matching, bringing informal workers into the formal ecosystem, and attracting global talent will help build a stronger and more future-ready talent pool. This people-first, technology-led approach will support the growth of India's AI ecosystem, create quality jobs, and open new opportunities for businesses and individuals alike."
"I welcome the government's recognition of the critical role that Applied Psychology and Behavioural Health professionals play in India's healthcare ecosystem. This acknowledgement is both timely and necessary. At Walnut Clinics, we work extensively with children on the autism spectrum and those with neurodevelopmental and behavioural challenges. One of our biggest constraints has been the limited availability of well-trained Allied Health Professionals. As a result, we invest heavily in in-house training and capacity building to ensure quality care for our patients. The government's initiative to upgrade existing AHP institutions and establish new ones is a significant step towards bridging this gap. It also reflects a deeper understanding of India's evolving disease burden, which is increasingly shifting towards lifestyle-related conditions, autoimmune disorders, and genetic and neurodevelopmental conditions. These challenges require a multidisciplinary approach, where applied psychologists, behavioural health specialists, and other AHPs are integral to long-term outcomes. I applaud the government's insight into the changing nature of health and healthcare in our country and its commitment to strengthening the Allied Health workforce to meet future needs", says Dr. Chanchal Agrawal , Founder and clinical Director, Walnut clinic Pune.
Cybersecurity : Inputs by Pankit Desai, Co founder CEO, Sequretek:
"The Union Budget 2026 made the growth of India's digital economy as one of the core focus area of growth of the economy. With strong GDP numbers already released, the FM focused on several initiatives that can bring more capital in the country. The announcement on raising the safe harbour limit to Rs 2000 crore for IT and ITES companies will benefit the sector immensely.
For IT companies with overseas group entities, the higher ₹300 crore threshold expands access to safe harbour provisions, reducing transfer pricing litigation and tax disputes. In effect, if transactions with overseas affiliates are priced in line with prescribed arm's-length norms, tax authorities will not challenge the pricing methodology—bringing greater certainty, lower compliance risk, and fewer legal issues.
Additionally, the tax holiday for setting up data centres in India by foreign cloud companies gives out a strong signal as the world looks at India as a major GCC centre. This will also strengthen our technological sovereignty.
The Make in India, Make for the World, has received a further impetus with the ₹10,000 crore SME Growth Fund that will empower the growth engine of our economy to adopt emerging tech, meet risk capital requirements to become globally competitive. In a nutshell, the Budget this year attempts to lay a path for India to become a global tech powerhouse across manufacturing, services and much more".
Abhinav Mathur, CEO & MD, Something's Brewing, Kaapi Machines, Kaapi Machine & Budan
The Budget's continued focus on capital goods, competitive manufacturing, and smoother customs processes is encouraging for equipment-intensive sectors such as coffee and beverages. As a provider of advanced coffee equipment solutions, we welcome the push to strengthen India's domestic manufacturing base, while recognising that certain high-precision machines and components will still need to be imported to meet exacting quality standards. Efficient digital customs systems and a more predictable trade environment will be crucial to ensure timely deployment of equipment for our HoReCa and institutional partners. Also, growing public investment in tourism, destination infrastructure, and hospitality skilling is likely to stimulate new cafés, hotels, and experiential formats, creating additional demand for high-quality coffee equipment. Rationalised duty structures and support for technology-led manufacturing can help India gradually build local capabilities in foodservice equipment. Continued credit access and formalisation will enable cafés, QSRs, bakeries, and institutional operators to invest in reliable, long-life machines, supporting faster expansion of organised foodservice in Tier 2 cities and emerging markets.
Quote on behalf of Ms Ranjita Raman, CEO Jaro Education
"This Budget makes a strong and timely push towards building a workforce that is ready for the future and aligned with India's Viksit Bharat 2047 goals. By placing skill development and industry-linked education at the core of its agenda, the government has clearly acknowledged the need to bridge the gap between learning and employability. The proposal to develop university townships near industrial corridors and to set up an Education to Employment and Enterprise Standing Committee reflects a practical, outcome-focused approach, especially for strengthening the services sector.
The continued emphasis on research, innovation, and digital learning will play an important role in scaling up skilling and reskilling efforts across the country. Equally important is the reduction in TCS from 5% to 2% on education and medical expenses, which will ease financial pressure on learners and working professionals and encourage greater participation in higher education and career progression."
Quote on behalf of Prateek Shukla, Co-Founder & CEO, Masai
"The Union Budget 2026 is good news for young workforce. Families will save money and more people will be able to get a good education as the TCS on education and medical costs is lowered from 5% to 2%. This is especially important now that everyone needs to learn new skills.
The government's strong focus on growth driven by technology is what stands out the most. The emphasis on artificial intelligence, emerging technologies, and industry-led research aligns well with the realities of today's job market, where roles are evolving faster than traditional education systems can keep pace. Initiatives like the proposed 'Education to Employment and Enterprise' Standing Committee acknowledge a long-overdue need to bridge the gap between degrees and real-world employability, especially in the services and tech sectors.
Future-ready jobs and India's ability to compete internationally in high-value digital services will be greatly aided by the ongoing push for structured skilling, training facilities, and innovation-driven ecosystems. The introduction of ISM 2.0 with an outlay of 40,000 crores will enhance India's long-term aspirations in the semiconductor industry, but this budget's greater significance comes from its dedication to developing competent personnel, encouraging creativity, and creating long-term job opportunities for the upcoming generations."
Ms. Akansha Agarwal, Co-Founder & CMO, Int2Cruises,
The Union Budget 2026 underscores the government's strategic focus on strengthening India's tourism sector. Initiatives such as the establishment of a National Institute of Hospitality, large-scale training of tourist guides, and the enhancement of trekking and heritage trails highlight a clear commitment to improving domestic travel experiences. At the same time, the reduction of TCS on overseas tour packages to 2% is a well-timed move that improves affordability and reinforces traveller confidence. Together, these measures are set to drive growth across both domestic and outbound tourism, promote premium travel segments such as cruises, and support the long-term development of a resilient tourism ecosystem.
Ms Ambika Bhaik, CEO , Yellow Fertility
"The Budget's focus on creating regional healthcare hubs across India is a welcome and forward-looking move. By building integrated centres that combine treatment, research, diagnostics, and rehabilitation, India is taking an important step towards becoming an even stronger global destination for healthcare and medical tourism
India already sees many patients from overseas coming here for advanced treatments, including IVF, because of the quality of care and expertise available. For specialised areas like fertility care, this initiative also means the possibility of reaching more families beyond the big cities and making reproductive healthcare more accessible.
At the same time, these hubs can generate meaningful job opportunities for doctors, embryologists, nurses, counsellors, lab teams, and other allied healthcare professionals, strengthening the healthcare workforce across the country."
Mr. Shezaan Bhojani, CEO & Co-founder, DesignCafe,
"The Union Budget 2026 provides a significant impetus to India's organised home interiors and renovation sector. Measures supporting MSMEs, the establishment of a new Design Institute in Eastern India, and a strong emphasis on future-ready skills and AI adoption within the services sector collectively encourage innovation, entrepreneurship, and technology-led growth. The focus on infrastructure development across Tier-II and Tier-III cities will expand the sector's reach beyond major metros, enabling design and renovation businesses to serve a wider base of homeowners. Taken together, these initiatives are expected to enhance consumer confidence, stimulate housing demand, and accelerate the professionalisation of the interior design ecosystem while generating meaningful employment opportunities."
Quote on behalf of Dr Vibha Dhawan, Director General, TERI, said:
"The Union Budget 2026 consolidates India's long-term transition towards clean, secure, and innovation-driven growth. The continued emphasis on green energy—particularly renewed attention to nuclear power alongside solar and battery energy storage—highlights the importance of diversifying India's energy mix with reliable baseload capacity, especially for hard-to-abate sectors. Equally significant is the Budget's push to mainstream artificial intelligence across sectors, from manufacturing to public services, with a clear focus on AI-led productivity gains, efficiency, and digital transparency.
In agriculture, where inefficiencies in water use, fertilizer application, and labour continue to constrain outcomes, AI-enabled resource efficiency and precision tools have the potential to be transformative. Together with enhanced support for clean energy, rural energy transition mechanisms, and the expansion of digital infrastructure, the Budget signals a future where distributed renewable systems, data-driven decision-making, and sustainable agriculture reinforce one another. Taken together, these interventions lay a strong foundation for sustainable growth aligned with India's Viksit Bharat vision by 2047."
Mr Ankur Shah, Managing Director, Krishna Defence and Allied Industries Limited
"While global developments such as US tariffs are being closely observed, the government is signalling that India is ready to think beyond reliance on any single market, expand opportunities in Europe, and improve ease of doing business. The Union Budget 2026–27's announcement of a significant increase in defence capital expenditure to ₹2.3 lakh crore underscores a strong commitment to modernisation, self-reliance, and indigenisation. For domestic manufacturers, this presents a strategic opportunity to scale production, invest in advanced R&D, and develop mission-critical technologies. With domestic manufacturing capacity projected to grow 7%, India is not only reducing import dependency but also enhancing its defence readiness. At Krishna Defence, we view this renewed focus on embedding defence manufacturing into India's broader industrial ecosystem as a pivotal moment. It positions us to deliver resilient, homegrown solutions that strengthen national security, foster technological innovation, and elevate India's standing as a globally competitive defence manufacturer.
Mr Hari Krishna, Founder & CEO at Green Drive Mobility,
"India's shift towards India's push for electric mobility, with the government focusing on electric mobility with a specific focus on public transportation and sustainable last-mile delivery. The PM-eBus Sewa scheme will deploy 4,000 new electric buses, complemented by ₹2,000 crore under the PM E-DRIVE scheme for pan-India EV charging infrastructure, accelerating clean transport adoption. For last-mile delivery, this opens opportunities to electrify logistics fleets, reduce emissions, and enhance operational efficiency. At Green Drive, we see this industry's expectations for 38,000 e-buses by 2029; the government's continued policy support provides the clarity and stability needed to drive India's green mobility transition."
