Union Budget 2026 Expectations Highlights: Jan Swasthya Abhiyan urges major increase in Union Health Budget ahead of 2026–27

Mr. Kaushal Agarwal, Chairman, The Guardians Real Estate Advisory, says,
“As the Union Budget 2026 approaches, the real estate sector will be watching closely for policy continuity and targeted measures that further strengthen housing affordability and sustain end-user confidence. The market has demonstrated strong resilience over the past year, supported by steady sales across major cities and rising participation from genuine homebuyers. In this context, calibrated tax relief for buyers, particularly in the mid-income and affordable segments, such as enhanced deductions on home loan interest and principal, along with a relook at stamp duty and registration charges, could meaningfully ease the cost of ownership and encourage first-time buyers."

"Equally important will be the government’s continued focus on urban infrastructure, metro connectivity, and redevelopment-led growth, which are key to unlocking new demand corridors and improving city livability. Greater clarity and consistency in taxation, including a rational approach to levies on under-construction properties, can further strengthen buyer sentiment and developer confidence. Together, these measures can support balanced, inclusive growth while reinforcing real estate’s role as a stable, long-term contributor to India’s economic and urban development.”

Allowing minimum government shareholding in listed public sector undertakings (PSUs) to be reduced to 26% to facilitate deeper disinvestment, further correcting inverted duty structures and focusing on input tariff neutrality to enhance manufacturing competitiveness: these are some of the specific recommendations made in the Eco­n­omic Survey 2025-26 that could be among the focus areas of the upcoming Union Budget.

The Survey, tabled Thursday, also called for a more pragmatic approach to Quality Control Orders (QCOs), proactive steps to attract more foreign direct investment (FDI), and deepening long-term finance, among other reform measures.

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Lamenting the continued lack of international financial support for climate action in developing countries, India on Thursday said domestic financial resources were proving insufficient for its investment requirements for green transition.

The Economic Survey presented to Parliament on Thursday said global capital markets were flush with funds, but very little money was being directed for climate action. And even that was being predominantly invested in developed countries or China. Developing countries, excluding China, were getting just about 15 per cent of international climate finance, it said.

“The core challenge is not a shortage of global capital, but a structural misalignment between abundant liquidity and risk appetite,” the Survey said.

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