Budget 2026 Expectations Highlights: What to expect on taxes, growth, and key sectors

Balfour Manuel, Managing Director, Blue Dart said: "Budget 2026 has the potential to be a defining inflection point in accelerating India’s logistics transformation under the PM Gati Shakti vision. Building on the progress made in recent years, the next phase of growth will depend on deeper integration of infrastructure planning across air, road, rail, and multimodal networks, supported by faster adoption of digital platforms that enable seamless coordination across the logistics value chain. For the express logistics sector, sustained investments in airport infrastructure, cargo handling capacity, and regional air connectivity will be critical to improving turnaround times and supporting high-value, time-sensitive shipments. In parallel, wider adoption of digital enablers such as unified logistics platforms, data-driven visibility, and paperless processes - can further enhance predictability, transparency, and ease of doing business for exporters and MSMEs alike.

As sustainability becomes central to long-term competitiveness, policy levers can play a catalytic role. Differential taxation that favours greener modes of transport could accelerate modal shifts more effectively than standalone subsidies. Alongside this, focused investments in EV charging and alternative fuel infrastructure would help address practical adoption challenges, particularly across long-haul movements and urban delivery operations, enabling decarbonisation while maintaining service reliability. Continued capital expenditure on road infrastructure, especially last-mile connectivity, will further extend reliable logistics services into Tier 2, Tier 3, and rural India - strengthening MSME participation, integrating them into national and global supply chains, and supporting inclusive growth.

A parallel focus on the logistics workforce, through skill development, stronger safety norms, and clearer frameworks for gig and delivery professionals, will be vital to building operational resilience and service quality at scale. Together, these measures can help translate the Gati Shakti vision into tangible gains for trade, exports, and national competitiveness, supporting India’s journey towards a Viksit Bharat.”

Madhumita Agrawal, Founder & CEO of Oben Electric said: "Oben Electric views the Union Budget 2026-27 as a vital opportunity to strengthen India’s electric mobility journey. While 2025 was a landmark year with EV sales reaching a record 2.3 million units, anchored by 1.28 million two-wheelers, the industry’s long-term health depends on structural tax reforms. A primary concern for domestic manufacturers is the inverted tax structure.

While finished EVs attract a 5% GST, the raw materials sourced to build these vehicles are taxed at 18%. This 13% disparity traps vital working capital across the industry, driving up production costs and straining liquidity. Aligning the GST on all EV components to a uniform 5% is essential to support domestic manufacturing and make 'Make-in-India' EVs more affordable for the mass market.

Furthermore, we believe the next wave of adoption will be led by electric motorcycles. While scooters have seen early success, motorcycles dominate with nearly 70% of India’s two-wheeler landscape but remain significantly under-electrified. To achieve our national 2030 targets, the budget should introduce targeted subsidies and demand incentives specifically for electric motorcycles. Prioritizing this dominant segment will unlock the next level of mass-market electrification and move India closer to a truly self-reliant EV ecosystem."

Shaji Varghese, CEO, Muthoot FinCorp Ltd said: "We recommend budgetary measures for more credit supply to the rural and lower middle-income segments in India. To achieve this, the Union Budget 2026 can include measures for liberalising branch-opening norms for Gold Loan NBFCs to accelerate outreach and deepen market penetration, especially for secured Gold Loans which carry relatively lower risk. Rationalising capital risk weights for Gold Loans by NBFCs to reduce the cost of lending and enable greater credit flow to rural and semi-urban markets.”

He further recommended, “Harmonising SARFAESI Act applicability for NBFCs in line with banks and Housing Finance Companies (HFCs) to help drive rural housing credit and strengthen recovery mechanisms for smaller-ticket mortgage loans. Also, designing targeted schemes to ensure customers who experienced temporary or one-time credit default are not permanently excluded from formal banking channels and are brought back into the lending ecosystem. And lastly, promoting formalisation of gold lending by encouraging policy reforms that shift activity from informal channels to regulated institutions and strengthen consumer protection.”

Umesh Revankar, Executive Vice Chairman, Shriram Finance said: "The broad expectation from the upcoming Budget is continued support for India’s growth priorities with a strong focus on implementation. With large infrastructure projects already identified, timely execution, smoother coordination, and reduced approval friction will be key to ensuring that spending translates into durable assets that improve productivity, particularly in logistics and connectivity.

From an NBFC ecosystem perspective, industry discussions have centered on incremental enabling measures rather than headline announcements—such as improving operational efficiency in funding flows, making refinancing channels more accessible, and providing a level playing field in the use of SARFAESI—while staying aligned with responsible lending and strong underwriting practices.

MSME credit typically strengthens when infrastructure momentum and funding stability for lenders improve together, especially in semi-urban and rural clusters. Given the importance of exports for MSMEs to diversify and scale, targeted budgetary support can play a meaningful role in strengthening the sector while maintaining a prudent, customer-centric approach to lending.”

Vaibhav Goyal, MD & CEO, Navi General Insurance Limited said: "The removal of GST on retail health insurance marked a historic step towards addressing the affordability challenge in health coverage. As we look to the Union Budget 2026, there is an opportunity to focus on 'adequacy' as well.

Revisiting Section 80D limits to better reflect double-digit medical inflation, and extending these benefits to the New Tax Regime, could help more Indians access coverage that truly meets their needs. Additionally, offering tax incentives to employers who encourage retail health insurance for their workforce could further broaden the safety net. By addressing affordability, tax parity, and employer participation, the Budget can play a key role in reinforcing social security for every citizen."

Tejas Jain, Founder & CEO, BimaKavach said: "As we approach the Union Budget, there is a clear opportunity to position insurance as core financial infrastructure for Indian businesses, not just a compliance requirement. Extending tax benefits beyond life and health insurance and ensuring parity across tax regimes can meaningfully improve adoption of business covers, especially among MSMEs that remain underinsured despite rising exposure. Rapid digitalisation is also creating new risks, including cyber incidents and AI-led operational failures. Policy encouragement for digital risk covers is therefore essential. Targeted measures to improve insurance access for rural and women-led enterprises can further strengthen economic resilience.”

Rajesh Damani, Founder and Managing Director - Jamshri Realty Limited said: "The upcoming Union Budget 2026 is expected to be a watershed moment for Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities. These emerging hubs are now the centers of demand for high-quality residential and mixed-use spaces.

We anticipate a budget that prioritizes 'Infrastructure-led Urbanization.' Increased capital expenditure on regional connectivity, such as ring roads and metro extensions, will unlock new growth corridors. A crucial expectation is the revision of the 'Affordable Housing' price cap. Raising this limit to 75 lakh or 80 lakh would reflect the current land and construction costs in growing cities. This change would allow more families in Tier 2 markets to access credit-linked subsidies and tax benefits.

For developers, granting the real estate sector 'Infrastructure Status' and streamlining single-window clearances will reduce project timelines significantly. By incentivizing digital infrastructure and green building practices, the government can help us create self-sustained urban ecosystems. These measures will ensure that the growth of India’s real estate sector remains inclusive and balanced across all geographies."

Imran Kagalwala, Co - Founder of Unix India said: "As the Union Budget 2026 approaches, India’s manufacturing sector is looking for policy continuity and targeted support that strengthens domestic value creation rather than only scale. While initiatives such as Make in India and PLI schemes have accelerated manufacturing capacity, the next phase must focus on deepening localisation, improving supply-chain resilience, and enhancing competitiveness across mid-value manufacturing categories, including electronics and consumer devices. For Micro, Small or medium scale brands, the absence of PLI-linked benefits remains a gap due to various criteria, and there is a strong expectation that the Budget will either extend PLI coverage to MSMEs or introduce equivalent support mechanisms to enable their participation in India’s manufacturing growth story.

From the Budget, the industry expects rationalisation of duties on critical components and raw materials where domestic availability remains limited, alongside continued incentives that encourage local assembly, testing, and value addition. Addressing cost pressures arising from global price volatility in semiconductors, displays, and memory components will be important to ensure stable production and predictable pricing. At the same time, ensuring a level playing field through appropriate anti-dumping measures is critical, as subsidised imports from countries such as China and Vietnam often undercut Indian manufacturers in a highly price-sensitive market, impacting the viability of domestic brands.

Equally important is investment in manufacturing infrastructure and skilling. Support for advanced manufacturing technologies, automation, and Industry 4.0 adoption, particularly for MSMEs, can improve productivity and quality."

Abhimanyu Saxena, Co-Founder of Scaler, said: "Building on the positive momentum created by recent policy measures, such as the focus on AI Centres of Excellence, industry-linked skilling initiatives, and large-scale internship programmes, the upcoming Union Budget must place skilling firmly at the centre of India’s growth agenda. In an AI-led era, one of the most pressing challenges industries continue to face is the shortage of talent equipped with future-ready, applied skills. Ongoing shifts in workforce requirements have underscored the importance of continuous upskilling, making employability today less about static roles and more about sustained relevance. Addressing this skills gap is not just an industry concern but a strategic national imperative.

As the government strengthens its push towards AI integration in education, we hope to see policies that further encourage Corporate India to invest meaningfully in employee reskilling, alongside tax incentives for individuals investing in professional upskilling programmes, similar to educational loans, which would democratise access to high-quality learning and foster a culture of lifelong education. A substantial increase in budgetary allocation to digital infrastructure will also be critical to bridging the digital divide and ensuring that AI-led learning reaches learners across geographies.

With a stronger emphasis on AI-powered, personalised, and outcome-driven education models, this Budget has the opportunity to reinforce India’s position as a global talent hub, empowering millions to thrive in the evolving job market while driving innovation and long-term economic growth.

Equally important is addressing the expectations of India’s Gen Z workforce, which is entering the job market amid rising education costs and economic uncertainty. Measures such as enhanced tax relief for young earners, easier access to affordable education financing, and stronger support for digital, startup, and gig-economy pathways would go a long way in enabling young professionals to invest confidently in their skills and careers. Empowering this generation with financial flexibility and future-facing opportunities will be key to sustaining India’s demographic dividend.”

Tanuj Shori, Founder and CEO, Square Yards said: "The Indian housing market is clearly moving out of a luxury-led upcycle and into a more value-driven phase, with the mid-income segment poised to anchor growth as premium demand begins to stabilise. From the 2026 Union Budget, one should expect a sharper focus on improving affordability through enhanced tax relief for mid-income homebuyers, higher interest deduction limits and sustained investment in urban infrastructure. Equally important is policy support that encourages supply in the affordable and mid-market segments, as recent launches have been disproportionately skewed towards higher ticket sizes. A budget aligned to these realities can strengthen end-user demand, improve price-to-income dynamics and support a more balanced and sustainable phase of urban housing growth."

Ram Medury, Founder & CEO, Maxiom Wealth said: "Budget conversations often circle back to the same question for salaried Indians. Will this be the year taxes finally feel fairer. Budget 2026 has created that expectation. There is growing talk of raising the 30 percent slab, smoothing the steps in between, and possibly linking tax slabs to inflation. For middle class households any tax talk is a potential relief for their monthly cash flows.

Indian salaries grow gradually, but tax slabs remain unchanged for long periods. Over time, people pay a higher share of tax without feeling richer. Many developed economies adjust tax brackets automatically, so inflation does not quietly push people into higher taxes. India does not do this yet, which is why the debate around indexation is gaining ground.

India also sits in a unique spot globally. Personal income tax collections are lower than in OECD countries, but families here spend far more from their own pocket on health, education and retirement. That gap explains why the tax burden feels heavier than the numbers suggest.

If Budget 2026 moves toward a simpler New Tax Regime with clear savings incentives, along with GST simplification and sustained spending on infrastructure, green energy and MSMEs, confidence can improve. Predictable policies can help businesses invest in growth, and households can plan better. To sum up, a fair and globally competitive tax system is our aspiration for Budget 2026 which strengthens both growth and long term wealth creation.”

Ashok Kapur, Chairman, Krishna Group and Krisumi Corporation said: "As the Union Budget 2026 approaches, the government, with a focus on accelerating growth, is expected to introduce reforms aimed at improving efficiency across key sectors, including real estate. As a significant contributor to GDP and India’s second-largest employer after agriculture, the real estate sector is well-positioned to support overall economic activity, backed by steady end-user demand and long-term value creation.

We expect the government to maintain its strong focus on infrastructure development, given its multiplier effect on the economy and its role in improving connectivity, liveability, and urban efficiency. An extension and expansion of the Credit Linked Subsidy Scheme (CLSS) would provide significant relief to homebuyers. Policy stability and regulatory clarity will also remain important in reinforcing buyer confidence and encouraging disciplined, quality-led development across residential markets.

With sustainability becoming an increasingly important policy priority, incentives for green and eco-friendly housing could help accelerate responsible development practices. A continued emphasis on governance, design excellence, and sustainable urban growth will ensure that premium residential developments meet the evolving expectations of discerning buyers in 2026."

Pradeep Aggarwal, Founder & Chairman, Signature Global (India) Ltd said: "As we approach the Union Budget 2026, the real estate sector remains optimistic, with expectations focused on sustained policy support to improve housing affordability, ease liquidity constraints, and maintain long-term growth momentum. Continued government interventions through fiscal incentives, financing support, and demand-stimulating measures will be critical in strengthening end-user confidence and ensuring the sector’s steady contribution to the broader economic recovery.

The real estate sector currently contributes around 7 per cent to India’s GDP and supports over 200 allied industries. Granting industry status would improve access to institutional funding, reduce borrowing costs, and enhance transparency, enabling the sector to play a stronger role in job creation and economic growth. According to industry reports, real estate has the potential to contribute up to 15 per cent to India’s GDP by 2047, making it a key driver in achieving the vision of a ‘Viksit Bharat’ by 2047.

The extension and reintroduction of the Credit Linked Subsidy Scheme (CLSS) could provide meaningful relief to aspiring homebuyers, especially first-time buyers, while stimulating demand across various housing segments. Such measures would further strengthen buyer confidence and reinforce the sector’s role as a key contributor to economic growth.

Expanding the definition of affordable housing to include homes priced up to ₹1 crore would better reflect current market realities and reinforce the government’s ‘Housing for All’ vision. If implemented, such reforms could unlock significant growth potential, support sustainable development, and enable the sector to make a stronger contribution to the country’s broader economic goals."

Dr. R.G. Agarwal, Chairman Emeritus, Dhanuka Agritech Ltd said: "We often talk about strengthening India’s innovation ecosystem, but the reality is that India still spends only about 0.7% on research and development. Countries like China, Israel, the US and many European nations invest much more. If we genuinely want scientific progress and global competitiveness, R&D funding has to increase. Earlier, private-sector research was encouraged through income-tax deductions, which are no longer available. We hope this budget restores strong support for R&D for both public institutions and industry.

Pesticides are not luxury products. They are plant medicines and a form of crop insurance for farmers. Yet, they attract 18% GST, similar to luxury items. Just as the GST on essential human medicines was reduced, we urge the government to bring the GST on pesticides down to 5%, so farmers are not overburdened.

At the same time, we recognise that several promises from the last Budget have moved from announcement to action. Other initiatives are underway, and the intent is positive. The key focus now should be execution and real impact at the farm level."

Rajneesh Chopra, Managing Director, Amway India said: "The 2025 GST rationalization was a gamechanger for India's nutraceutical sector, delivering simplified tax structures and providing significant relief to consumers, and we commend the government for this bold reform. As India advances towards Atmanirbhar Bharat, Budget 2026 presents a timely opportunity to further strengthen the overall health and wellbeing ecosystem. We recommend formally recognising food and dietary supplements as an integral part of overall wellness, with the potential to improve health outcomes while unlocking significant economic value.

The budget should focus on simplifying custom duty structure by rationalising customs duty slabs on imported supplements, ingredients used in nutraceutical, beauty and personal care, and select consumer durables. Such measures would enhance India’s trade competitiveness, boost local manufacturing and exports aligning with the “Make in India” initiative. This should be complemented by Production-Linked Incentive (PLI) schemes, targeted tax benefits, and export-linked incentives to support global expansion.

To enable grassroots entrepreneurship, the Budget should consider introducing lower income tax slabs for small businesses like direct sellers/ distributors, sole proprietors, similar to the fiscal support extended to start-ups through deferred taxation, thereby enabling millions, including women and those in smaller towns, to participate meaningfully in the formal economic growth and drive more inclusive development.

Finally, dedicated budgetary support for clinical research and evidence-based nutrition will be crucial to strengthening consumer trust and enhancing the global credibility of Indian-made supplements, firmly positioning India as a trusted, science-led hub for preventive health and long-term well-being.”

Dr. Sabine Kapasi, CEO at Enira Consulting Pvt Ltd, Founder of ROPAN Healthcare Private Limited and UN advisor, said, "Budget 2026 will indicate how healthcare is positioned within India’s growth priorities. Patient volumes are rising, institutional capacity is uneven, and dependence on imported medical equipment remains high. Addressing these issues requires scale, domestic capability, and technology-led delivery.

Expansion of hospitals and medical colleges in Tier 1 and Tier 2 cities should be a priority, since these regions already carry a significant share of patient load. These institutions must serve as regional hubs, combining tertiary care with medical education and specialist training. Workforce expansion must include faculty, nurses, and allied health professionals to ensure quality outcomes.

Domestic manufacturing deserves sharper focus. India continues to import critical medical devices and diagnostics. A redesigned PLI that supports R&D-led medical technology manufacturing can improve affordability, strengthen supply security, and build export capacity.

Digital systems increasingly shape healthcare delivery and medical training. Investment in interoperable health infrastructure and modern training platforms will improve efficiency and consistency of care.

Healthcare also requires long-term capital and stable research incentives. Dedicated financing mechanisms and restored R&D deductions can support infrastructure creation and innovation. The budget allocations will determine how effectively these priorities translate into action.

Investing in National AI programs for healthcare and medical education would help workers get ready for the future and keep India's health systems competitive around the world."

Mahesh Krishnamoorthy, Managing Director - Core Integra said: "The year 2025 has been quite turbulent for India for various reasons including war, tariffs, weaker currency which has impacted the overall business scenario and job markets. Considering the current geopolitical situation and its unpredictability, the budget may be conservative to maintain stable economic growth rate in 2026. The Budget must provide incentives for manufacturing and MSME especially to support trade uncertainties, enhance financing options and attract investments. From direct tax perspective, expect it to remain largely same.

At best, the standard deduction value could be revisited, and old tax regime may continue to be retained. The impact due to new labour codes and its impact on employers may have a dent on the tax revenues, unsure if the budget would factor this into consideration. Startups could continue to get extension of some existing benefits though new schemes seem unlikely. Overall, it is expected that Budget 2026 would remain a neutral one focusing on stability and protective against uncertainties."

Arti Dawar, CEO, Shiv Nadar School said: ""India’s education sector is at an important juncture, with nearly 50 percent of the country’s 1.4 billion population under the age of 25. This demographic dividend calls for sustained and strategic investment. The target of increasing the Gross Enrolment Ratio from 28.4 percent to 50 percent by 2035 reflects a commitment to expanding access. Continued progress will depend on faster implementation of NEP 2020, supported by teacher training, institutional capacity building, and outcome-driven reforms. It will also require universal digital infrastructure to bridge the urban-rural divide, deeper collaboration between industry and academia, and sustained investment in skills development and research. Together, these measures can strengthen India’s human capital and support the transition towards a knowledge-driven economy, contributing to the goal of Atmanirbhar Bharat.”

Ashutosh Gupta, Director of Sales & Marketing, Summercool Home Appliances Ltd said, "As we look ahead to the Union Budget 2026, it’s worth noting that last year’s Budget provided significant support to the MSME sector, recognizing it as the ‘second engine of growth’ for the economy. Along with the changes made last year by increasing the thresholds for investment and turnover, the Budget 2025-26 revision eased the entry to MSME status for numerous enterprises so that they could access formal credit and government support. Furthermore, the credit guarantee cover for micro and small enterprises was doubled from ₹5 crore to ₹10 crore. This is expected to bring around ₹1.5 lakh crore of additional credit to the market over the next five years.

The small manufacturing companies that managed to get access to credit and formal financing services were able to become stronger in terms of working capital, they were able to invest in technology upgrades, and they were even able to expand their operations. As for the Budget 2026, we think the government will still tackle the issue of financing barriers, among which probably the most important ones will be the credit support enhancements, the reduction in regulatory friction, and the incentives for technological adoption. The application of these measures will ensure that the MSME sector becomes more competitive and creates more jobs, and this will in turn lead to larger economic growth."

Srinivas Choudhary, Founder & CEO of Alligator Automations said: "The technology exports related to automation and robotics and AI-based manufacturing in India are expected to experience robust double-digit growth over the next two to three years on the back of supply chain diversification and the worldwide fast-tracking of the modernization of factories on a global scale. The industrial automation and robotics industry’s export volume is expected to display a CAGR of 18-22% and reach the mark of USD 15-18 billion by 2027, as estimated by industry experts.

The Indian automation companies are gradually receiving recognition not only as cost-effective system integrators but also as cutting-edge and trustworthy technology partners who have the capability to provide comprehensive solutions to factory automation. The same is reflected in the rising competitiveness in the international market in turnkey automation projects, robotic end-of-line solutions, machine vision solutions, and AI-driven quality inspections. The automated solutions provided by these companies are seeing a rising demand in the automobile, FMCG, pharmaceutical, and electronic industries combined, which comprise around 65% to 70% of the total export demands.

Artificial intelligence has also been emerging as an important growth catalyst in this environment. Being incorporated into manufacturing operations, it offers users predictive maintenance, real-time operations, and informed decision-making, which cumulatively enhance overall equipment effectiveness by up to 10 to 15%. With exporting manufacturing units leading the adoption charge in robotics, robot density in these units is expected to see an increase in density levels greater than those in past levels. This also signifies that India has moved ahead in diligently developing an overall automation environment.

The support of the policy will play an important role in maintaining this pace. The budget measures aimed at the sector include increased R&D tax support, export-oriented PLI plans for automation hardware and software, accelerated depreciation for Industry 4.0, enhanced access to export credits for the long term, and skilling programs for robotics and artificial intelligence. All of the above measures together have the potential to bring about the shift of India as a global hub for innovative manufacturing and intelligent automation solutions."

Ashish Pandey, Director & Co-Founder, BuyBuyCart (Noida -Based) said: "A major change in the retail market of India is taking place, which is mainly caused by the quick rise of organized and neighborhood stores through franchises, along with the acceptance of private labels becoming more common. Organized retail is expected to grow within the next two or three years by 15–18% every year, with private labels being at a rate of over 20% CAGR, along with the help of value-conscious buyers, better sourcing, and the retailers having a stronger control over the quality and price. Franchise-based retail models are one of the main factors to boost the penetration in tier II and III cities, which results in quicker scaling up, lower risk of capital being lower, and local entrepreneurship and jobs being created.

Private labels, especially in FMCG, daily essentials, personal care, and home categories, account for about 10–12% of organized retail sales at present, and they are very likely to double their share at least by 2027 since consumers are going to rely more on value, consistency, and trust. The Budget that is on the way can be a great help in the form of easier institutional credit access for franchise partners, GST on private-label and essential goods rationalization, incentives for local sourcing and packaging, and small-format retailers facing fewer compliance issues. The measures mentioned can then, in turn, enhance the retail backbone of India, support the new generation of entrepreneurs, and the future retail and private label ecosystems that are going to be scalable and locally produced."

Deepti Dabas Hazarika, Dean, School of leadership and Management, Manav Rachna International Institute of Research and Studies, said, “Union budget 2026 is expected to spell continuity and impetus of reforms in a nation with evolving domestic needs and forward-looking priorities. Looking forward to a move from intent to execution, specifically to promote climate resilient, regenerative practices and scale-up of Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI) frameworks for agriculture; Tax incentives for healthier FMCG products and sustainable packaging; Easing of capital market taxation, including a higher exemption limit on long-term capital gains; Continuity in manufacturing-focused reforms to sustain India’s industrial momentum and enhanced outlays for skills-based and digital education.”

As India generates over nine million tonnes of plastic waste annually, industry leaders are calling on the Union Budget 2026 to play a decisive role in transforming plastic recycling into a commercially viable and operationally scalable sector.

Despite rising waste volumes, formal recycling continues to languish in single digits, held back by high taxation on plastic waste and recycling inputs, inconsistent enforcement of Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR), limited traceability, and inadequate access to modern recycling technologies. Industry stakeholders believe that targeted fiscal and regulatory interventions in the upcoming Budget could unlock significant scale in India.

“India’s formal recycling ecosystem remains constrained by a policy framework that has not kept pace with sustainability goals. High GST on plastic waste, scrap, recycling machinery, and inputs continues to make compliant recycling financially uncompetitive. The Union Budget must prioritise zero-rating GST on plastic waste, scrap, and recycling equipment, along with a meaningful reduction in GST on recycled plastic granules, to incentivise their use in long-life and durable products.

Without correcting these cost distortions, the transition from virgin to recycled plastics will remain limited,” says Sushil Kumar Aggarwal, Chairman and Whole-Time Director of AVRO India Limited; National President of The All-India Plastics Molded Furniture Manufacturers Association (AIPMFMA); Chairman, CII Western U.P Zone

Pravesh Dudani, Founder and Chancellor of Medhavi Skills University said: "As the Union Budget approaches, education and skilling must be backed by targeted financial allocations that convert intent into impact. While the Economic Survey 2024–25 highlights a 13.8% rise in higher education institutions and an increase in Gross Enrolment Ratio to 28.4% from 23.7% over the last eight years, budgetary spending should now focus on improving access, quality, and outcomes.

Increased funding for academic and digital infrastructure will enable universities to translate innovation into industry-ready solutions, while dedicated fiscal incentives can strengthen the apprenticeship ecosystem and deepen industry participation. Budget support should prioritise flexible learning pathways, recognition of prior learning, and re-engagement of drop-outs to further improve GER.

Additionally, sustained investment in capacity building of teachers and faculty through continuous upskilling, responsible AI integration, and digital pedagogy is essential to ensure equitable, future-ready education. Alongside this, spending should also focus on expanding digital infrastructure through platforms such as DIKSHA and SWAYAM, enhancing broadband connectivity, and promoting inclusive EdTech adoption."

Niyati Handa, Co-founders & Director of Eklavya said: "“Looking ahead at Budget 2026, there is a bigger expectation that India’s education agenda will be recalibrated. The focus should move beyond enrollment numbers to learning outcomes, strengthening critical thinking, conceptual understanding, and teaching excellence that shape young minds.

A substantive increase in the budget for school education is essential, especially at the foundational level. Investments to upgrade teacher training, curriculum modernisation, and age-appropriate learning frameworks have to take place holistically to develop solid academic and cognitive roots for future-ready learners. Likewise, I believe that bridging the urban–rural education gap should remain one of the top priorities. When monetary assistance is enabled in scaling digital and hybrid learning models, it can significantly expand access to quality education in Tier 2, Tier 3, and rural regions, ensuring that geography does not limit potential.

Teacher capacity building also deserves sharper focus. Continuous upskilling of educators with evolving student requirements, new pedagogies, and even interdisciplinary approaches will be key to sustaining educational reform. Additionally, certain policies can also be employed that reinforce merit-based pathways for students through scholarships and need-based financial support. This, in turn, will ensure that deserving students are empowered to pursue their aspirations without financial constraints.

A strong case also exists for closely aligning education with career outcomes, emerging professions and real-world problem-solving. We expect budgetary support for learning to become more relevant and make a difference.

Ultimately, Budget 2026 must envision education as a long-term strategic investment: one that powers India’s knowledge economy, drives innovation, advances the research ecosystem, and solidifies the nation’s global competitiveness over the years to come.”

Shikhar Aggarwal, Joint Managing Director, BLS International said: "India’s travel and tourism ecosystem has benefited significantly from the Government’s progressive policy outlook towards global mobility and ease of travel. We hope the government maintains this positive outlook. In addition, continued policy support through the upcoming Union Budget - particularly through certain measures to increase the disposable income, as well as targeted travel incentives - would encourage people to spend more on both domestic and international travel, boosting the overall tourism industry.

Furthermore, a review of the current foreign exchange limits and taxes on forex transactions would further support this momentum by easing cash-flow pressures for travellers and service providers. Together, such measures can unlock long-term economic value and contribute meaningfully to the vision of a Viksit Bharat."

Kapil Bardeja, Founder and CEO, Vehant Technologies said that the country's aviation sector is on a remarkable growth trajectory, with over 250 million passengers flying across domestic and international routes in early 2025. He added that the rising demand for air travel highlights the need for advanced, reliable security systems that can keep pace with this expansion. The government’s Make in India support is helping Indian companies innovate in aviation security.

"For most of the technology and equipment the sector needs today, India is already developing it domestically instead of importing. It's important that we continue on our journey to self-reliance by enabling the ecosystem, be it policy framework, on-ground support, etc., to become stronger, more efficient, and globally competitive in aviation security. At the same time, it is also boosting India’s potential as an exporter of cutting-edge aviation security solutions in the coming years.

Additionally, strategic collaboration between industry leaders and government authorities will be essential to drive this transformation. By promoting Atmanirbhar Bharat solutions and fostering a supportive policy ecosystem, India’s aviation sector can remain safe, technologically advanced and Export-ready, further reinforcing the objectives of the ‘Make in India’ mission," Bardeja added.