Mr. Raheel Shah, Business Development Director, BDR Pharmaceuticals:
"The Union Budget's focus on developing India's pharmaceutical and biopharmaceutical sector, especially through the 'Biopharma Shakti' initiative with a funding of ₹10,000 crores, is a welcome and well-planned step given the shift in the country's disease burden towards non-communicable diseases. In this context, other initiatives like the exemption of basic customs duty on certain cancer medicines and support for the import of rare diseases will also go a long way in making treatment more affordable for patients. At BDR Pharmaceuticals, we believe that this will be a major catalyst to promote innovation, enhance local manufacturing, and ensure an uninterrupted supply of quality and affordable cancer medicines."
Mr. Olivier Loison, Managing Director of Alstom India-
"We welcome this progressive Union Budget 2026 that prioritizes national development and growth. The focus on improving India's rail infrastructure with the announcement of seven new high speed rail corridors will significantly boost India's passenger mobility, strengthening the overall economic ecosystem. Furthermore, infrastructure development in Tier 2/3 cities and tourism initiatives will enhance national railway and urban mobility. Railways will be a key driver for national development given the noteworthy outlay of ₹ 2,78,030 crores in FY 2026–27. As the trusted partner in India's rail revolution, we are well-placed to address the government's domestic and export ambitions while bringing efficient and safe rail products and solutions contributing to the Viksit Bharat vision. This provides the desired impetus for more modernization in manufacturing, skilling, and overall community impact."
Attributed to : Mr. Hari Somalraju, SYSTRA Group India
We are delighted to see that the Union Budget 2026 has aligned closely with our pre-budget expectations, where we emphasized the need for mobility and freight transport to remain at the heart of India's growth agenda, advocating for continued investments in rail modernisation, high-capacity corridors, and multimodal integration to improve connectivity, reduce logistics costs, and enable sustainable urbanization-transforming the sector for betterment of people, while rail-led mobility drives productivity and lowers the carbon footprints, bolstered by technology adoption, public-private partnerships, and strengthened multimodal planning for inclusive growth and regional development.
This forward-looking budget fulfills these aspirations through itsrobust ₹12.2 lakh crore allocation for infrastructure development paves the way for truly transformative projects. The introduction of seven new High-Speed Rail (HSR) corridors spanning critical routes (Mumbai-Pune, Pune-Hyderabad, Hyderabad-Bengaluru, Hyderabad-Chennai, Chennai-Bengaluru, Delhi-Varanasi, and Varanasi-Siliguri) will revolutionize inter-city travel and foster deeper economic integration. Furthermore, the strategic announcement of the Dankuni-Surat Dedicated Freight Corridor (DFC) and the plan to operationalize 20 new National Waterways will optimize cargo movement, significantly lowering logistics costs and bolstering supply chain resilience.
At SYSTRA India, we see these measures as a decisive step toward a sustainable transport narrative. By prioritizing low-carbon, efficient, and inclusive mobility, this budget aligns seamlessly with global net-zero ambitions while driving regional equity. We stand ready to leverage our global expertise in rail engineering and urban mobility to partner with the government in realizing this ambitious agenda, contributing to the ultimate vision of a Viksit Bharat by 2047.
Mr. Abhishek Raj, Founder and CEO, Jenika Ventures
Budget 2026 strengthens the real estate growth framework by aligning urban development with long-term infrastructure planning. The emphasis on City Economic Regions will unlock new development clusters and enable more balanced expansion beyond major metros. A significant highlight is the ₹1.5 lakh crore outlay for 50-year, interest-free loans to states for capital expenditure and reform-linked initiatives, which will accelerate city-level infrastructure creation and improve project readiness. Measures such as the Infrastructure Risk Guarantee Fund and asset monetization through REITs further enhance funding stability and lender confidence. Together, these interventions provide predictability and a supportive environment for sustainable residential, commercial, and mixed-use real estate development.
Mr. Shorab Upadhyay, Managing Director,TRG Group
The policy direction outlined in Budget 2026 is encouraging for the real estate sector, especially in emerging urban markets. The focus on City Economic Regions promotes planned urbanization and the creation of new real estate demand centers. States will benefit from a substantial ₹1.5 lakh crore allocation in 50-year, interest-free loans to fund capital expenditure and implement reform-driven projects, boosting infrastructure readiness at the local level. In addition, financing measures such as partial credit guarantees and REIT-based asset recycling will reduce risk and attract long-term institutional capital. Together, these initiatives strengthen the real estate ecosystem and support resilient urban growth across Tier II and Tier III cities.
Mr Kanwar Pal Singh ,Founder, Investor Home Solutions
Budget 2026 presents an integrated policy framework that directly supports real estate development through sustained urban infrastructure investment. The development of City Economic Regions, coupled with a ₹1.5 lakh crore allocation in 50-year, interest-free loans to states for capital projects and reforms, will help cities scale infrastructure efficiently and attract real estate investment. Complementary financial measures, including the Infrastructure Risk Guarantee Fund and structured asset monetization through REITs, demonstrate a mature approach to sector financing. These initiatives improve capital access, enhance project viability, and encourage institutional participation, creating a stable, enabling environment for long-term residential, commercial, and mixed-use real estate growth.
Mr Tanuj Gupta, Director Sales and Marketing Thermocool Home Appliances*
The Union Budget 2026 is a good start for the consumer durables industry in India, as it again emphasizes the growth of MSMEs, manufacturing in India, and ease of doing business. With over 70% of industry leaders emphasizing MSMEs as the key beneficiaries, and the government targeting an increase in the GDP share of manufacturing from around 16-17% to 25%, this gives a good starting point for growth. The emphasis on the manufacturing mission, such as cost-effective business, technology, and a future-ready workforce, will enable brands in the industry to innovate, grow, and make quality products. The Union Budget further reinforces the 'Make in India' initiative and gives the industry the required tools to compete in the global market and enhance their manufacturing capabilities in the country.
Nikhil Ambekar, Co-founder & CEO, Turinton AI
"The Union Budget 2026 shows that India is clearly leaning into technology-driven growth, with AI becoming a bigger part of how different industries work. The push to strengthen digital and innovation infrastructure is a positive sign for startups, especially those building solutions for businesses and regulated sectors. Looking ahead, more direct support for AI development hubs and AI-first startups will help ensure this momentum turns into real, responsible, and scalable impact. It also opens up an opportunity for Indian companies to build AI solutions that are grounded in local needs and global standards."
"Union Budget 2026 marks a structural shift in how India is approaching technology from viewing AI as a research initiative to positioning it as enterprise infrastructure. The focus on emerging technologies across healthcare, manufacturing, semiconductors, and MSMEs reflects an understanding that economic competitiveness will now be driven by operational intelligence embedded directly into core systems.
The Biopharma SHAKTI allocation of ₹10,000 crore is particularly significant as it moves India from generic pharmaceutical manufacturing toward biologics innovation. This creates immediate demand for platforms capable of real-time clinical trial monitoring, adverse event prediction, regulatory automation, and end-to-end auditability, while maintaining strict data sovereignty and human oversight. In highly regulated sectors, zero data movement and compliant, on-premise AI will become non-negotiable.
Similarly, the India Semiconductor Mission 2.0 positions India as a design and IP-led innovation hub. This will require advanced manufacturing execution systems, digital twins, predictive maintenance, and secure AI deployments that can optimise yield without exposing proprietary designs to external infrastructure.
The push toward automated Hi-Tech Tool Rooms, advanced infrastructure equipment, and the rejuvenation of 200 industrial clusters addresses the realities of brownfield manufacturing, where legacy systems, fragmented data, and process complexity demand decision support rather than system replacement.
What makes this Budget distinct is its execution-first mindset from SME growth capital to applied AI pilots. The real opportunity now lies in bridging policy intent with ground-level implementation by delivering AI systems that are secure, explainable, rapidly deployable, and capable of generating measurable business outcomes within short timeframes."
Ms. Santosh Agarwal, CEO of Paisabazaar, said
Budget 2026 signals a strong leap towards a Viskit Bharat with timely push toward strengthening India's credit ecosystem, particularly for small businesses and individual taxpayers.
The Government has continued its focus on widening access to credit and creating a robust financial system. India's small businesses have traditionally faced challenges in accessing formal credit; the proposed ₹10,000 crore SME Growth Fund can be a significant step toward energising the growth of the key sector. Additionally, the proposed ₹2,000 crore top-up to the Self Reliant India Fund improves the supply of capital for micro and small enterprises. Together these two initiatives can improve the pipeline of credit-ready businesses and deepen the formal lending ecosystem.
Also, with a larger push towards infrastructure development at scale, the government clearly aims to provide fresh impetus to employment generation across sectors. Special domestic provisions such as ODOP (One District One Product) and policies encouraging multinational companies to establish global data centres in India underscore the government's proactive approach to changing economic and technological landscapes.
As India targets long-term, broad-based economic growth, setting up of a high-level committee on banking for Viksit Bharat can also become an important step towards strengthening the financial sector.
Introduction of Total Return Swaps on corporate Bonds that would allow investors to gain exposure to bonds without directly holding the underlying securities should enhance liquidity and participation.
On the direct tax side, the introduction of the Income Tax Act 2025, represents a major step toward simplification of process and rationalisation of assessment. A simplified journey and a removal of ambiguities will ease compliance for individuals and small businesses.
Mr. Prerrit Mansingh, Secretary of Aayom Welfare Society said, "Support for the SMEs, infrastructure investments in Tier-2 and 3 cities, and attention to emerging technologies like AI toward job creation and skill development are strategic and growth-oriented moves. The focus on youth with skill-building, along with provisions for elderly care, animal welfare, and greater access to women to essential services and education are commendable.
From a civil society perspective, the real test will be how effectively these initiatives reach to the people on ground. Meaningful partnerships, strong and strategic implementation, and fair access through community-based and grassroots organizations will be essential to ensure that growth translates into lasting impact. This year's budget laid out a clear push for economic growth along with the importance of inclusion."
The Honourable Finance Minister Smt. Nirmala Sitharaman has presented a growth-oriented budget delivering a powerful push to infrastructure, manufacturing, and technology, boosting job creation. The vertical transportation industry would benefit from the acceleration of the momentum of construction and real estate growth.
Development of city economic regions, establishment of seven high-speed rail corridors, new schemes for construction and infrastructure equipment manufacturing, proposal of infrastructural risk guarantee fund, massive outlay for semiconductor, rare earth and electronics industries transformation are commendable. At Otis, we welcome the Budget's forward-looking vision and remain committed to supporting India's infrastructure ambitions. Through continuous innovation and digital integration, we are proud to help move people and the nation forward- safely and swiftly." by Mr. Sebi Joseph, President, Otis India.
Nikita Kumawat, Co-Founder and Executive Director, Brandworks Technologies
"Union Budget 2026 marks a significant change in India's electronics and semiconductor journey, shifting the focus from capacity creation to long-term capability development. The introduction of the Indian Semiconductor Mission 2.0 and the launch of the Shakti initiative, coupled with an enhanced financial outlay of Rs 40,000 crore, further strengthen the ecosystem and reflect the government's commitment to building a future-ready ecosystem across equipment, materials, full-stack IP, and resilient supply chains.
The focus on domestic component manufacturing, R&D, and workforce upskilling is a critical step towards strengthening India's position in the global electronics value chain. These measures will reduce import dependence and create the foundation for innovation-led, sustainable growth.
India's next phase of progress will be driven by companies that integrate design, engineering, and advanced manufacturing at scale, for which Budget 2026 lays the groundwork. This transition reinforces India's ambition to emerge as a global hub for electronics and semiconductor innovation."
Rahul Mody, MD & Co-Head, Investment Banking at Ambit IB, "The budget, through a range of measures, expands opportunities to invest across a number of sectors, including manufacturing, chemicals, pharmaceutical, infrastructure, real estate, tourism etc. In the real estate sector, the proposal to monetise CPSE Real estate assets through REITs is an important reform for asset recycling, significantly expanding investible pool of income generating assets for investors"
Dr. Manish Mattoo, CEO HealthCare Global Enterprises Ltd.,
"The Union Budget 2026-27 stands out as one of the most future-ready budgets for India's healthcare and life sciences ecosystem. The ₹10,000-crore Biopharma Shakti initiative signals a decisive shift from reactive healthcare spending to proactive, innovation-driven disease management. Spread over five years, this investment directly targets India's growing disease burden - particularly cancer, diabetes, cardiovascular disorders, autoimmune diseases, rare diseases, and infectious conditions that require advanced biologics, biosimilars and next-generation therapies.
What makes this budget especially impactful is its focus on building end-to-end biopharmaceutical capability - from R&D and clinical trials to manufacturing and faster regulatory approvals. By strengthening clinical trial infrastructure and upgrading institutions like CDSCO, the government is accelerating access to safer, more effective treatments while improving global confidence in India's regulatory ecosystem.
For the healthcare industry, this is a strong vote of confidence. It encourages innovation in biologics and vaccines, supports domestic production of life-saving therapies, and reduces dependence on imports - all while making advanced treatments more affordable for patients.
In the long run, Biopharma Shakti has the potential to reshape how India tackles non-communicable diseases and complex chronic conditions. Budget 2026 doesn't just allocate funds - it lays the foundation for a resilient, research-led healthcare system capable of meeting India's evolving health challenges head-on.
Mr. Chirag Shah, Founder and CEO of Pulse-
"The Budget sends a clear signal of policy continuity with a strong focus on growth anchored in technology, infrastructure and MSME development. The emphasis on capital expenditure, support for Champion MSMEs and targeted measures to deepen credit access is likely to create positive multiplier effects across the economy. The announcements around data centres and digital infrastructure further strengthen the foundation for data-led financial systems. As lenders increasingly rely on technology and real-time insights to assess risk and expand credit, the availability of reliable financial data will be critical in enabling MSMEs to scale sustainably. Overall, the Budget reinforces confidence in a more transparent, efficient and inclusive credit ecosystem, aligned with our commitment to enabling smarter MSME finance."
Mr. Narasimha Jayakumar, Chief Executive Officer, Elevate Campuses Limited-
"Education is the foundation to the progress of the Nation; the Union Budget's focus on higher education and education infrastructure ecosystem creation is in the right direction. The mission of Elevate Campuses is to build inclusive educational communities by delivering modern student accommodation and K–12 Assets that nurture student wellbeing and holistic development. Elevate Campuses enables HEIs and K–12 school operators to offer quality learning environments that support student development and foster all-round growth. Today, we believe, India has significant shortage of professionally managed hostels and services for students and Elevate is working to plug this gap.
The Union Budget proposal to create five University townships along major industrial corridors strongly is timely. By bringing together Universities, research institutions, skill centres and residential infrastructure within planned academic zones, the Budget reinforces the shift towards large-scale, outcome-oriented education ecosystems."
By- Subhabrata Sengupta, Partner, Avalon Consulting
In auto, it is largely a continuation of existing initiatives like PM e-Drive and PLI. Policy continuity is welcome. SME definition upgrade (2.5 X investment limit) will help remove the distortion of auto comp players remaining small and is welcome. The scrapping of duty in 35 components is interesting, while it may encourage things like lithium recycling and also copper recycling, some upcoming copper capacity may face challenges as unintended consequences.
By- Subhabrata Sengupta, Partner, Avalon Consulting
In logistics, setting a firm target of costs below 8% of GDP is welcome, but measurement remains somewhat opaque. Continuation of Bharatmala, Sagarmala, MMLP and ULIP funding is welcome. However, ULIP remains buggy and needs better implementation on the ground. Focus on modal shift to rail and water are also welcome.
By- Subhabrata Sengupta, Partner, Avalon Consulting
In energy, it continues to focus on renewables and SMRs. State borrowing being linked to DISCOM reforms will hopefully help strengthen the weakest link. However, distortions remain in bio-energy subsidy and implementation. There are also gaps in getting the requisite investment in T&D (esp. smart grid) and LTES, critical for wider renewable adoption. May not be a budget initiative, but some joined up thinking and policy clarity needed in such areas.
By- Samir Somaiya, Chairman and Managing Director, Godavari Biorefineries ltd
We welcome the emphasis on Carbon Capture and Storage and BioCNG. These reflect the continuing importance on towards moving towards a lower carbon footprint and moving towards a net zero as per the Prime Ministers's commitment of India achieving net zero status by 2070.
By- Abhimanyu Roy, Executive Director, Avalon Consulting
INR 10, 000 Cr allocation towards biopharma and biologics sector development is a major positive. This alongwith the emphasis on reforms in the CDSCO, announcement of new NIPERs and the setting up of 1000 Clinical Trial sites signal the government's focus on R&D and new product development in the Indian pharma sector. Announcement of new NIPERs is also a positive, however the focus needs to be capacity building of staff and capability in the existing NIPERs as well.
By- Abhimanyu Roy, Executive Director, Avalon Consulting
The Budget has signalled it's continued focus on building capacity and developing the ecosystem- through the 5 healthcare and medical tourism hubs and the plans to augment allied health professionals and care workers. MVT Medical Value Tourism is a huge opportunity for India which the Budget has recognised. However one would have liked to see a more detailed plan and specific allocations on these aspects.
Also the continued focus on electronics and semiconductor mfg in the Budget will indirectly benefit the Medical Devices industry to accelerate localisation of electronic medical devices and components.
By- Sudipta Sengupta, Founder & CEO, The Healthy Indian Project (THIP)
The Union Budget 2026–27 sends a strong and reassuring signal for India's healthcare ecosystem by recognising care, capacity building, and access as national priorities. The emphasis on strengthening the care ecosystem, training 1.5 lakh multiskilled caregivers, upgrading allied health institutions, and establishing emergency and trauma care centres at the district level directly supports better-informed, better-prepared citizens. For organisations like THIP, which work at the intersection of health literacy, preventive care, and patient education, this budget reinforces the importance of knowledge as healthcare infrastructure. Empowered people are the first line of care, and this budget acknowledges that reality.
By- Abhimanyu Roy, Executive Director, Avalon Consulting
The Budget has highlighted its intent towards procedural reforms e.g. simplify licensing, faster input tax credit refunds etc. This will help the chemicals industry as well. A specific focus on removing inverted duty structures, reducing import duties in certain key raw materials, extending ITC refund scope to capital goods and input services for product and services exporters (e.g. CDMOs) would have helped but nothing specific has been mentioned in these areas. While mfg. competitiveness has been emphasised, one would have liked a focussed support for MSMEs.
The announcement on 3 Chemical Sector Parks is welcome. Hopefully details will emerge soon.
Finally the INR 20,000 Cr allocation for CCUS projects is positive as a massive thrust is required for the chemicals industry to decarbonise. Similar focus and allocation on Green Hydrogen and CBG should be a priority.
By- Vivek Prasad, Executive Director, Avalon Consulting
The focus on MSMEs is encouraging and will help India's manufacturing sector prepare to enhance its competitiveness in response to the new FTA regime that the government is envisioning. Initiatives like the revival of 200 industrial clusters, scheme for promoting container manufacturing and the INR 10,000 cr. MSME fund will also go a long way in this endeavour. However as with everything the devil will be in the execution. Reviving industrial clusters will require investing in common infrastructure, connections to local and global supply chains as well as improving the ease of doing business for companies in these clusters. In that context the initiative to democratise the use of TReDS is a step in the right direction.
By- Santosh Sreedhar, Partner, Avalon Consulting
I expect the thrust on MSME Sector through the Rs. 10,000 Cr SME Growth Fund and the Self-reliant India fund to have an indirect impact also on the Agri and Rural sectors if a good part of these funds are used for agri & food processing industries. MSME growth in Tier II and II cities can also provide much needed employment to rural population without forcing them to migrate away from their farms. This can help improve labor availability for farming which has been a major challenge in agriculture by allowing the workers to move between farm and manufacturing jobs based on demand.
The change in focus from subsidy based support to productivity improvement in agricultural sector is welcome. Though there were underlying initiatives towards this in the past, the change in the Budget's language to productivity hints at a mindset change.
The Bharat Vistaar Integrated AI Stack initiative can be of high impact if it is delivered well. Today, a lot of this is being experimented by private sector players, but they are constrained by lack of funds to take up something so ambitious. If the AI Stack can become an open platform that the private sector can use to build their services on, it can make a significant impact on reach compared to Government trying to do this on their own.
Another key change consistent with the productivity improvement theme is the emphasis on areas such as plantation crops, fisheries, animal husbandry, high-value agriculture and horticulture. Moving away from traditionally supporting mostly the field-crops and cash crops in budgets, this shift is an acknowledgement that rural upliftment cannot happen by doing more of the same, and that having a better mix of livelihoods is important to grow rural income.
By- Santosh Sreedhar, Partner, Avalon Consulting
There are no specific announcements that have a direct impact on consumer spending. The tax reforms in the past are also yet to show full impact. However, if the Government initiatives around MSME growth, connectivity and rural productivity start to show results, these can result in higher consumer spends resulting in better results for consumer facing industries.
By- Sudipta Sengupta, Founder & CEO, The Healthy Indian Project (THIP)
The Union Budget 2026–27 offers a pragmatic boost to India's SME ecosystem by addressing the real friction points that small businesses face - access to capital, faster cash flows, and compliance support. Measures such as the ₹10,000 crore SME Growth Fund, mandatory TReDS adoption for CPSE procurement, and expanded credit guarantees can significantly ease working capital stress. Equally important is the focus on professional support in Tier II and Tier III towns, which strengthens operational resilience beyond metro hubs. By improving liquidity, reducing delays, and formalising trust-based systems, this budget creates a more stable environment for SMEs to focus on productivity, growth, and long-term sustainability rather than short-term survival.
By- Ankita Srivastava, General Manager – Growth & Strategy at THIP (The Healthy Indian Project)
Budget 2026 signals a positive inflection point for health insurance. With possible GST rationalisation, tax parity under the new regime, and cost-control reforms, there is a reasonable likelihood of moderation in health insurance premiums over time. Lower premiums can improve affordability, drive first-time buyers, and significantly increase insurance penetration, nudging households to view health cover as a necessity rather than a discretionary expense.
By- Neha Juneja, Founding Members EquiRize & IndiaP2P
The FM's announcement on the introduction of a market-making framework on corporate bonds is a big positive and while details are awaited it is likely to improve liquidity in the market encouraging wider participation.
Siddharth Jalan, Founder, SquidJC (Textile)
The Union Budget presents a long-term vision for India's textile sector, and the measures aimed at strengthening the domestic manufacturing ecosystem are a welcome step. When viewed alongside the recently signed Free Trade Agreement with the European Union, India now has a real opportunity to become globally competitive in textiles. For businesses like ours that work closely with textile manufacturers, this signals the potential emergence of a new wave of sustainable Indian fashion brands backed by 100% localized fibre production. If executed well, this ecosystem-led approach can reduce dependence on imports, improve cost competitiveness, and position India as a reliable global sourcing hub. The focus now needs to be on implementation and ensuring that sustainability, innovation, and scale move together as the sector grows on the global stage.
Siddharth Jalan, Founder, SquidJC (Design & Content)
The government's continued emphasis on strengthening design education through institutional support is encouraging, especially as India's creative economy continues to mature. However, the announcement around content creator labs leaves some unanswered questions. While content creation is undoubtedly a growing industry, the outcome the government is aiming to achieve through these labs remains unclear. Content today is largely market-driven, platform-led, and creator-owned. Without a defined end goal, be it skilling, monetization, or global competitiveness, the impact of such initiatives may be limited. A more structured roadmap linking design thinking, storytelling, and commercial viability could help truly unlock value for India's creative and content ecosystem.
Siddharth Jalan, Founder, SquidJC (Crypto / Blockchain)
The lack of meaningful policy movement for blockchain and crypto in this budget is disappointing, especially at a time when global adoption of these technologies is accelerating. We work closely with companies in the blockchain space, and many would have welcomed a clearer regulatory and operational framework to build from India. Globally, blockchain and cryptocurrencies are increasingly being deployed for real-world applications across finance, supply chains, and governance. Not creating a conducive environment for innovation and deployment risks pushing Indian businesses to look outward and could make us less relevant in the global blockchain ecosystem. A forward-looking approach would have gone a long way in retaining talent and attracting long-term investment into the country.
Siddharth Jalan, Founder, SquidJC (Tech)
The introduction of tax holidays for cloud services and data centres until 2047 is an unexpected but highly positive move for India's technology ecosystem. This, combined with allocations towards rare earth mineral development, signals an intent to strengthen foundational tech infrastructure. Over time, these measures could play a critical role in enabling indigenous semiconductor production, especially as global supply chains remain volatile. From a long-term perspective, this is a strong strategic step toward self-reliance and scalability in advanced technologies. If aligned with skill development and manufacturing incentives, India could significantly strengthen its position in the global tech value chain.
Siddharth Jalan, Founder, SquidJC (AI)
While artificial intelligence featured prominently in this year's budget, India's approach still feels largely reactionary. The focus appears to be on adoption rather than on building core, original AI capabilities. Today, most innovation in the ecosystem relies on AI wrappers rather than the development of indigenous large language models or tools. Without a clear roadmap for data access, compute infrastructure, and research incentives, it will be difficult for India to compete globally in AI development. That said, the renewed focus on data centres could be an early signal toward building foundational AI infrastructure. The hope is that this is the first step in a more comprehensive strategy to create truly Indian AI capabilities.
