Union Budget 2026 Live: Govt to introduce Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code amendment Bill in second half of Budget session, says Sitharaman
2026 Budget Live Updates: Government to introduce Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code amendment Bill in second half of Budget session beginning March 9, says Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, as reported by PTI.
Fitch Ratings on Monday said India’s FY27 Budget keeps the focus on macro stability while avoiding sharp fiscal tightening. With the deficit target only slightly lower than FY26 and capital spending held steady, the agency sees the government choosing growth support over aggressive consolidation. Fitch expects this approach to keep India’s FY27 growth outlook broadly intact at 6.4%, with public investment continuing to anchor both near- and medium-term momentum.
Income Tax Budget 2026 Live Updates
Union Budget 2026 Live: 'Budget prioritize development of Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities alongside sacred temple towns'
Furthermore, the government’s decision to scale public capital expenditure to a record ₹12.2 lakh crore—representing an 8.9% increase—underscores its commitment to sustaining the momentum of physical and multimodal connectivity. The shift toward system efficiency, evidenced by the rollout of seven high-speed rail corridors and the modernization of urban renewal projects, provides the necessary backbone for industrial competitiveness. This robust capex push, combined with the creation of an Infrastructure Risk Guarantee Fund, will not only de-risk private participation but also accelerate the transformation of smaller cities into self-sustaining economic engines, bridging the gap between Bharat and India," said Amrendra Mishra, COO of Zydex Paints and Waterproofing.
Union Budget 2026 Live: 'Budget underscores government’s continued focus on long-term economic growth'
The defence sector, despite receiving a record ₹7.85 lakh crore allocation, witnessed a muted market response. Expectations were significantly higher, and much of the optimism was already priced in. A notable policy shift in the Budget is the tightening of norms around speculative trading. The sharp increase in STT has significantly raised trading costs, reducing the attractiveness of short-term speculation. Overall, Budget clearly signals a preference for productive, long-term investing over speculative activity," said Arunava Chatterjee, Founder & Director of Invesmate Insights.
Union Budget 2026 Live: How stakeholders are reacting to announcements for manufacturing and deep-tech sectors
By coupling this with higher allocations for electronics components, capital goods, and critical inputs such as rare earths, the Budget lays the groundwork for durable industrial growth and stronger capital formation. However, these sectors are defined by long investment cycles and high execution risk. To translate today’s intent into sustained growth, investors will need greater clarity on implementation timelines, incentive design, and the role of private capital in scaling these ecosystems," said Ankit Kedia, Founder and Lead Investor, Capital-A.
Union Budget 2026 Live: What EV industry said about Budget announcements
Measures such as customs duty exemptions on inputs and capital goods for lithium-ion battery manufacturing further strengthen the case for building domestic EV supply chains at scale. For the electric mobility sector, this is a timely intervention. At Simple Energy, the commercialization of our heavy rare earth-free motors reflects a clear shift towards homegrown technology and deep indigenization. Today, we have achieved nearly 95% localization across our manufacturing and supply chain operations, built to withstand global supply shocks. Continued policy support for domestic mining, processing, and manufacturing will be critical to strengthening value chains and positioning India as a serious EV manufacturing powerhouse," said Suhas Rajkumar, Founder and CEO, Simple Energy.
Union Budget 2026 Live: Budget FY27 to boost farmers' income, strengthen cooperatives, says NDDB Chairman
On Sunday, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman announced a comprehensive package for the livestock, fisheries and high-value agriculture sectors in the Budget 2026-27. The total allocation for agriculture and allied activities is Rs 1,62,671 crore for the next fiscal, a 7 per cent increase from the revised estimate of Rs 1,51,853 crore for 2025-26.
Union Budget 2026 Live: How are industry stakeholders reacting to Budget announcements for women?
The proposal for SHE Marts and a smoother transition from self-help groups to real enterprises is particularly promising. Many women have the skills to grow but lack access to customers, markets and consistent support. Strengthening these linkages can help them move from small livelihoods to sustainable businesses.
The focus on MSMEs and services also creates opportunities for women who want to formalise and scale their work, especially in sectors where they are already active.
The attention to education-to-employment alignment is welcome as well. Clearer pathways, mentoring and future-skills training can make it easier for women to stay and grow in the workforce," said Madhura Dasgupta Sinha, CEO and founder of Aspire for her.
Union Budget 2026 Live: What healthcare sector is saying about Budget Fy27 announcements
Union Budget 2026 Live: Vineet Nayar reacts to AI announcements in Budget by Nirmala Sitharaman
Budget 2026 reactions: Cantabil welcomes Union Budget 2026’s strong and much-needed focus on the textile and apparel ecosystem
Budget 2026 can help build a resilient, ethical and AI-led dairy ecosystem: HARIBOL CEO
'Budget marks a decisive shift from intent to execution for India’s life sciences and advanced manufacturing ecosystem'
'Budget reinforces govt’s commitment to infra-led growth'
'Budget measures signal where MSMEs should align next'
"The Budget strengthens India’s role in global supply chains'
"The Budget also strengthens India’s role in global supply chains through ISM 2.0, revived industry clusters, tool rooms, and carbon capture funding, all pushing depth and quality. MSMEs are supported to scale systematically through growth funds and risk capital. On policy, simpler forex rules and lower remittance frictions improve predictability. AI is positioned as a productivity backbone across sectors. Ultimately, execution will decide outcomes, but the direction clearly supports building globally competitive businesses from India," Somdutta Singh said.
'Rollout of optometry training centres create a strong foundation for deploying AI-enabled, population-scale screening tools'
On Defence Budget 2026: Govt has signalled a strong commitment to modernisation and long-term capability building, says ideaForge
With Defence capital expenditure in FY27 rising to ₹2.19 Lakh Crore, almost 22% higher than last year, the government has signalled a strong commitment to modernisation and long-term capability building. This provides clear guidance for frontier technologies and positions ideaForge to continue leading in indigenous UAVs, electronic warfare systems, and advanced aerial platforms, while contributing to India’s vision of a Viksit Bharat and a forward-moving Bharat, says Ankit Mehta, CEO ideaForge.
Budget 2026 makes strong strides towards strengthening India’s consumption engine: Swiggy
Union Budget 2026 reactions: Government push for AYUSH, Biopharma Shakti to advance preventive healthcare and traditional medicine
Commenting on the budget, Mr. Abdul Majeed, Chairman & Managing Trustee, Hamdard Laboratories, said that the emphasis on upgrading AYUSH pharmacies and drug testing laboratories, expanding the pool of skilled professionals, and bolstering evidence-based research would significantly improve quality standards and public trust in traditional healthcare systems. He also noted that the proposal to establish three new All India Institutes of Ayurveda underlines the government’s commitment to institutional capacity-building and formal education in traditional medicine.
Highlighting India’s evolving health challenges, Majeed pointed out that the country’s disease burden is increasingly shifting towards non-communicable diseases such as diabetes, cancer, and autoimmune disorders, where prevention and long-term care are critical. In this context, he said that biological medicines are emerging as key to improving longevity and quality of life at affordable costs, while positioning India as a global biopharma manufacturing hub. The proposed Biopharma Shakti initiative, with an outlay of ₹10,000 crore over five years, signals a strong push in this direction.
Budget 2026 distinctly positions logistics as a strategic pillar of India’s economic growth, says DTDC
From a customer lens, two Budget measures are especially meaningful: the complete removal of the ₹10 lakh value cap on courier exports, and the proposed shift to faster, more tech-enabled customs processes, including the Customs Integrated System and wider use of AI-led, non-intrusive inspection. Together, these can make cross-border shipping simpler, more predictable, and more scalable for small businesses and D2C brands, he added.
Budget 2026 reactions: Union Budget is forward looking, prioritises growth areas, says EY
For the telecoms sector, an INR40,000 Cr allocation to semiconductor and electronic component and equipment manufacturing is the key highlight. This is expected to give a fillip to 5G equipment and component development. Telcos are likely to get access to high-end technologically advanced domestic manufactured products for providing telecom services. Additionally, providing a tax holiday to MNCs offering cloud services using Indian data centres is expected to boost data centre investment in India, where telcos are playing a key role, he added.
Budget 2026 reactions: Pace of fiscal consolidation has moderated in Budget FY27, says EY
Budget reactions 2026: India Semiconductor Mission 2.0 rightly positions semiconductors as a strategic national priority, says EY
However, global semiconductor manufacturing operates on unforgiving timelines. To fully leverage policy support, industry must accelerate capability building and honour committed milestones. Clear accountability and faster execution will be key to converting ambition into Atmanirbhar Bharat outcomes, says Saurabh Agarwal, Tax Partner, EY India.
What this Budget means for decision-makers
'Tech‑stack exemptions for data centres are a pragmatic move'
'Budget reflects govt’s intent to monetise CPSE assets located in prime areas across India through REITs'
Union budget establishes a robust framework for future-ready employment, says TeamLease Services
Budget 2026–27 reinforces reforms over stimulus: Muthoot FinCorp
By combining fiscal discipline, manufacturing strength, a bold services mission, digital public infrastructure, infrastructure led growth, skilling and simpler tax processes, the Budget advances the Viksit Bharat 2047 vision of a resilient and self-reliant India, while directly strengthening the financial wellbeing, opportunity and dignity of the common man and making growth truly inclusive and a force for good.
For Muthoot FinCorp Ltd., this policy direction is constructive and aligned with our purpose of transforming the life of the common man by improving financial wellbeing and being a force for good.
Budget 2026 Reaction: Fintechs welcome NBFC reforms, banking panel
He said the proposed high-level committee on banking could help shape regulations that balance financial inclusion with consumer protection. “The government’s NBFC restructuring plan and technology-led credit expansion are encouraging for grassroots fintechs. Clear norms for larger NBFCs and foreign investment can improve credit access for MSMEs and underserved segments, reinforcing digital financial services as a key pillar of the Viksit Bharat vision,” Tabrej added.
Union Budget 2026 News Live: Novo Nordisk flags urgent NCD challenge
'Budget to strengthen India’s manufacturing and MSME sector'
"In this context, the integrated textile programme announced in the Budget is a timely intervention. Initiatives such as mega textile parks, a strong push on value addition and technical textiles, modernisation of traditional clusters, common testing and certification facilities, and the Samarth 2.0 skilling ecosystem are expected to enhance competitiveness across the textile value chain while opening avenues for innovation and application-driven growth. This integrated approach reinforces India’s vision of manufacturing-led growth and inclusive opportunity," Mahesh Kudav said.
'Budget outlines a constructive roadmap for strengthening India’s financial system'
Budget 2026 Reaction: What Income Tax Reforms & AI Mean for HR and Workforce Strategy?
HDFC Securities on Budget FY27: GDP slowdown weighs on tax collections but fiscal prudence maintained
The sharp focus on manufacturing—across semiconductors, electronics, rare earths, defence, biopharma and MSMEs—signals continuity in industrial policy, even as higher STT on F&O has unsettled market sentiment in the near term. On the fiscal side, while corporate tax collections have surprised positively, the slowdown in personal income tax and GST highlights the drag from weaker nominal growth.
Expenditure priorities reflect evolving realities: higher defence and subsidy spends in FY26, and a renewed push towards rural development, infrastructure, education and energy in FY27. With capex growth remaining robust and loans to states for capex rising sharply, the government’s investment-led growth strategy appears firmly on track. As long as fiscal discipline is maintained, public capex is likely to remain the key growth lever in the years ahead.”
Fitch on Budget FY27: Slow debt cut, steady capex and what it means for India’s growth
"The slowing pace of consolidation is in line with our view that further progress on deficit reduction is becoming more difficult without compromising more on GDP growth. The government opted to keep capex spending relatively stable at 3.1% of FY27 GDP rather than pursue a greater degree of consolidation. This likely reflects an effort to offset lagging private investment.
"We see the budget as broadly neutral for the FY27 growth outlook. Fitch currently forecasts FY27 growth at 6.4% for next fiscal year. The continued emphasis on capex spending should be supportive of both near- and medium-term prospects," said Fitch.
Union Budget 2026: Budget strengthens MSMEs and women-led enterprises to drive domestic and export growth
"The Union Budget 2026–27 places strong emphasis on strengthening MSMEs, women-led enterprises and ease of doing business are key pillars for India’s domestic and export-led growth. Initiatives such as support for Self-Help Entrepreneur (SHE) Marts, enhanced focus on value addition, and measures to simplify e-commerce exports reflect a clear intent to empower small businesses and artisans. The continued push towards productivity, inclusion and market access will help consumer-facing enterprises participate more meaningfully in India’s growth journey.", said Tarun Joshi, Founder & CEO, IGP
Union Budget 2026: Budget signals long-term commitment to tourism skilling and competitiveness
Sameer Puri, Managing Director, Kestone Utsav said “The Union Budget 2026–27 appears to reinforce tourism as a long-term economic and employment lever rather than a short-term stimulus. The proposal to upgrade the National Council for Hotel Management and Catering Technology into a National Institute of Hospitality reflects a recognition of the sector’s growing need for structured skilling and professionalisation. Initiatives such as the upscaling of 10,000 tourist guides across 20 iconic destinations and the development of a National Destination Digital Knowledge Grid are likely to enhance destination quality and visitor engagement over time. Coupled with sustained investments in infrastructure, connectivity and experiential tourism, these measures suggest a steady policy focus on strengthening the hospitality value chain and improving India’s competitiveness as a global tourism destination.”
Union Budget 2026: Budget 2026 lays foundation for sustainable growth and energy security
Mr Girish Tanti, Co-founder & Vice Chairman - Suzlon Group and Chairman of Indian Wind Turbine Manufacturers Association (IWTMA) said: "Budget 2026 is a testament to our nation's resilience and commitment to growth, even amidst global uncertainty. With a significant increase in capital expenditure to ₹12 lakh crore and energy spending to ₹1 lakh crore, we're laying the foundation for a sustainable future. Focus on renewable energy growth, grid modernization, and energy security will accelerate India's energy transition. Atmanirbhar Bharat push with rationalizing policies, and incentivizing innovation through PLI and tax benefits for domestics R&D and manufacturing. Bond market reforms will further boost our economic momentum. This inclusive and comprehensive budget ensures we're on course for continued growth and prosperity"
Union Budget 2026: Budget signals growing confidence in the maturity of India’s capital markets
Sanchita Mukherji, Business Economist and Managing Partner, Talk The Walk said: "The Union Budget 2026 marks an important step in India’s capital market evolution. The decision to permit foreign individuals to invest directly in Indian equities reflects a calibrated and forward-looking approach to reform. By enhancing the individual investment limit from 5% to 10% and raising the overall cap from 10% to 24%, the government is widening participation while retaining essential prudential safeguards. This measured liberalisation can strengthen price discovery, deepen shareholding structures, and support long-term capital formation. Equally, sustained regulatory oversight will be critical to preserve market stability and ensure alignment with India’s broader economic priorities. Overall, the move signals growing confidence in the resilience, depth, and maturity of India’s capital markets."
Union Budget 2026: Budget strengthens India’s cargo and aviation ecosystem through infrastructure and reforms
Union Budget 2026: Budget lays strong foundation for MSME-led, export-driven growth
Mr. Rohit Mahajan, Founder and Managing Partner, plutos ONE said: “The Union Budget 2026 is a decisive step in India’s journey towards becoming a Viksit Bharat, with a strong, execution-led focus on SMEs, MSMEs, skill development, and travel-driven demand creation. The Finance Minister, Nirmala Sitharaman, has clearly shifted the narrative from short-term relief to long-term competitiveness and scale. The announcement of a ?10,000 crore MSME Growth Fund is a landmark move, aimed at building tariff-resilient, export-ready enterprises rather than subsidy-dependent businesses. This will enable high-potential MSMEs to invest in technology, productivity enhancement, and global market access—key pillars for India’s manufacturing and export ambitions. Equally transformative is the integration of GeM with TReDS and the move to make TReDS receivables tradable through asset-backed securities. This structural reform directly addresses the long-standing working capital challenges of MSMEs by converting invoices and receivables into bankable, market-linked assets, thereby lowering the cost of capital and improving liquidity. In this context, Plutos ONE is actively working with Bharat Connect to enable Bharat Connect for Business, focused on invoice-based lending solutions for MSMEs and SMEs. By leveraging digital rails and receivables-based financing, such initiatives align seamlessly with the Budget’s vision of formalisation, credit deepening, and sustainable growth. Overall, Budget 2026 lays a strong foundation for self-reliance, exports, and inclusive economic expansion”
Union Budget 2026: Budget 2026 emerges as a relief budget for the common man
"We welcome the Union Budget 2026 as a Relief Budget for the common man. At Expert Panel, we believe the first step to becoming debt-free is having more disposable income, and the Finance Minister’s decision to make income up to ?12 Lakh tax-free (under the new regime) is a direct lifeline for salaried families. This extra liquidity will empower thousands of distressed borrowers to regularize their EMIs and regain their financial dignity. Furthermore, the introduction of Credit Cards with a ?5 Lakh limit for Micro Enterprises and the Credit Guarantee cover of ?20 Crore are masterstrokes against the menace of predatory lending. By ensuring easy access to formal credit for small businesses and first-time entrepreneurs, the Government has built a safety net that will prevent thousands from falling into a debt trap. This Budget truly lays the foundation for a financially stable and Viksit Bharat" - Anurag Mehra, Director of Expert Panel
Union Budget 2026: Budget 2026 signals major push to simplify India’s legal and tax framework
Mr. Abhinav Saxena, Founding Partner at Saxenas And Kumar Law Chambers LLP said: "The Union Budget 2026 is a definitive step towards de-clogging India's legal and regulatory arteries. We specifically welcome the proposal to implement a comprehensive New Income Tax Act to replace the six-decade-old law. For the legal fraternity and our corporate clients, this simplification is a long-awaited reform that will drastically reduce interpretation disputes and compliance friction. Furthermore, the focus on digitizing NCLT tribunals and the introduction of a Customs Amnesty Scheme signal a clear shift towards a Trust-Based governance model. By smoothing out the insolvency process and reducing legacy tax litigation, the Government is allowing firms to focus on value creation rather than courtroom battles. For startups and MSMEs, this Ease of Doing Business is the most valuable capital of all."
Union Budget 2026: Budget 2026 marks a turning point for tier-2 and tier-3 startup ecosystems
"As a founder building from Jamshedpur ( Tier 2 City ), I see Budget 2026 as a decisive turning point in India’s startup narrative, one where the momentum is finally shifting from metro-centric hubs to grassroots innovation. By scaling the GENESIS programme and reinforcing the Fund of Funds and Seed Fund schemes, the government is tackling the very hurdles we face outside the major metros: access to patient capital, high-level mentorship, and robust infrastructure. The specific focus on first-time entrepreneurs, particularly women and SC/ST founders, signals a powerful intent to democratize entrepreneurship rather than leaving it to a privileged few. For those of us operating in Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities, measures like enhanced credit guarantees, extended tax holidays, and the rise of innovation universities are game-changers. They significantly lower the risk for early-stage ventures and provide the cash-flow visibility essential for scaling. Collectively, these aren't just headline announcements; they lay the groundwork for a more inclusive, resilient, and deeptech-driven ecosystem where innovation is no longer a prisoner of geography. "- Adeeb Jamal, Founder at ARAF
"The Budget emphasises the importance of strengthening India’s logistics base and enhancing India’s competitiveness in exports through a number of initiatives, including the development of national waterways, dedicated freight corridors and promoting coastal cargo movement. The food processing and frozen food (FFPF) sector will require faster, more predictable movement of products and improved port connectivity to enable companies to grow exports, reduce discarded product and bolster resilient cold chains to support supply networks.Additionally, the budget’s focus on enhancing productivity in agriculture through technology-led governance, including the implementation of digital and AI enabled systems throughout the agri value chain, will ultimately enable processors to work more closely with farmers through greater consistency, traceability and planning of their crops. Continued investment in integrated infrastructure, consisting of farms, cold storage, transport corridors and seaports, will be paramount to tap India’s potential of being a global hub for exports of processed and frozen food.
Union Budget 2026: Budget strengthens Atmanirbhar Bharat through rare earth and clean-tech push
“The Union Budget 2026-27 delivers a strong agenda for Atmanirbhar Bharat by prioritising domestic capacity in critical minerals and reducing India’s strategic import dependencies. The announcement of dedicated rare earth corridors across states like Odisha, Kerala, Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu is especially significant, as rare earth permanent magnets are essential for EVs, renewable energy systems and advanced manufacturing. By supporting domestic mining, processing, research and manufacturing, the government is building resilient supply chains that will be central to India’s clean-tech future. The proposed outlay of Rs. 20,000 crore over five years for CCUS technologies also reflects a parallel commitment to scaling climate-focused industrial solutions. At Attero, we are aligning strongly with this direction by scaling our Rare Earth Element recycling capacity from 300 tonnes to 30,000 tonnes annually with a Rs. 100 crore investment. This growth is backed by Attero’s deep innovation base, with 47+ global patents and over 200 applications across our recycling and resource recovery technologies, strengthening India’s circular economy leadership.” – Mr. Nitin Gupta, Co-founder & CEO, Attero
Union Budget 2026: Budget strengthens confidence in India’s real estate growth across emerging cities
“Budget 2026 reinforces confidence in India’s real estate growth story. With a sustained focus on infrastructure creation, urban development and housing-led demand, it lays a strong foundation for long-term, planned growth across Tier II and Tier III cities. The emphasis on higher public capital expenditure and strengthening emerging urban centres will significantly improve livability, connectivity and the quality of urban ecosystems. This, in turn, is expected to enhance end-user confidence, support stable housing demand and align well with the evolving aspirations of India’s homebuyers. For developers such as Manglam Group, the Budget provides a positive and enabling outlook for residential growth in emerging cities.” — Ms. Amrita Gupta, Director of Manglam Group.
We appreciate the emphasis on greater public capital investment, which is projected to accelerate infrastructure development, a crucial enabler for real estate and flexible workspace ecosystems that service a wide range of commercial activities. The planned ₹10,000-crore MSME Growth Fund and required use of the Trade Receivables Discounting System (TReDS) by central public sector firms demonstrate a strong commitment to boosting liquidity, scaling-up prospects, and financial certainty for small and medium enterprises. Additionally, the Budget's emphasis on simplifying compliance and simplifying tax procedures provides much-needed clarity for startups and expanding enterprises operating in a complicated regulatory environment. This Budget emphasises the need of policymakers and the private sector to work together to create chances for enterprise growth, long-term job creation, and increased global competitiveness for Indian enterprises.
Union Budget 2026–27: CII Vice President Suchitra Ella says, "Budget was very comprehensive, extensive; no area that has been left untouched."
Real estate remains the cornerstone of India’s Viksit Bharat vision, powering jobs, housing, and urban progress. The Budget 2026 delivers a decisive push for the sector, with a sharp focus on Tier 2 and Tier 3 infrastructure, CPSE asset monetisation through REITs, and the groundbreaking Infrastructure Risk Guarantee Fund, expected to be around ₹25,000 crore, which de-risks construction phases and unlocks private developer confidence. While further impetus for affordable housing would be welcome, the budget sets a clear roadmap for sustainable urban expansion and strengthens investor sentiment across the sector.
Union Budget 2026: Budget boosts confidence in residential growth across emerging cities
“Budget 2026 reinforces confidence in India’s real estate growth story. With a sustained focus on infrastructure creation, urban development and housing-led demand, it lays a strong foundation for long-term, planned growth across Tier II and Tier III cities. The emphasis on higher public capital expenditure and strengthening emerging urban centres will significantly improve livability, connectivity and the quality of urban ecosystems. This, in turn, is expected to enhance end-user confidence, support stable housing demand and align well with the evolving aspirations of India’s homebuyers. For developers such as Manglam Group, the Budget provides a positive and enabling outlook for residential growth in emerging cities.” — Ms. Amrita Gupta, Director of Manglam Group.
This year's budget is very good. It is a sustainable budget. It prioritizes tourism and infrastructure... This budget will benefit the youth. Artificial intelligence has also been given importance in the budget... Many people will benefit from this budget
The Budget has been presented well and boosts the confidence of 140 crore Indians, especially the youth, reflecting extensive feedback from Yuva Shakti with strong focus on employment, education, entrepreneurship, manufacturing, MSMEs, urbanisation, skilling, services and IT. The government has taken the right decisions with timely reforms to strengthen these youth-driven sectors. In civil aviation, two key steps stand out: incentives and viability gap funding for seaplane manufacturing and operations, which will improve connectivity in coastal and riverine areas; and measures to promote aircraft manufacturing in India, including customs duty exemption on parts and components. These steps will strengthen the aviation ecosystem, create jobs, attract global investors, boost regional connectivity, and are historic, game-changing decisions for the civil aviation industry
Union Budget 2026: Budget boosts India’s creative talent with orange economy push
“We welcome Budget’s clear focus on nurturing India’s creative industries being given the orange economy status. Recognising animation, gaming, VFX and comics as strong, fast-emerging sectors with significant growth potential in India and across global markets is highly opportune. In India, we have abundant creative talent, a rich heritage of literature, and a vibrant cultural landscape, but this talent has often not been recognised internationally. This initiative, by considering creativity as an economy, is a very positive step towards changing that," Asit Kumarr Modi, Founder, Neela Film Production and Neela Mediatech said. "The proposal to set up ABGC content creator labs in schools and colleges is a timely and forward-looking move that institutionalises creative and technical learning early, giving young creative minds the infrastructure, education, and technology to excel. Early exposure to animation and game development can build a strong foundation in storytelling, design thinking, coding, and immersive technologies, encouraging innovation beyond metros," Asit Kumarr Modi said.
Union Budget 2026: Budget 2026 signals policy continuity, manufacturing push and global investor confidence
Baba Kalyani, CMD of Bharat Forge Ltd.said: “The Union Budget 2026 reflects the hallmark of Prime Minister Modi’s stable, strong and visionary leadership, anchored in policy continuity, fiscal discipline and a clear focus on building long-term national capabilities.
I congratulate the Hon’ble Finance Minister on her ninth successive Budget, which strikes a careful balance between macroeconomic stability and sustained investment-led growth. The articulation of a multi-pronged growth framework and the three kartavyas reinforces the commitment to building a competitive, inclusive and future-ready economy.
At a time of heightened geopolitical and supply-chain uncertainty, these measures are bound to strengthen India’s economic resilience and global positioning, sending a strong signal to both Global and Indian investors.
Through this budget, the government’s bet on Manufacturing is reinforced; special emphasis on modern infrastructure, high-speed rail corridors, healthcare and cities as engines of growth, is timely and strategic. The progression of the semiconductor programme to ISM 2.0 through ecosystem development, alongside the announcement of rare-earth corridors across eastern and southern India, will significantly strengthen domestic supply chains. Equally important is the focus on green competitiveness, with meaningful allocations for carbon capture and decarbonisation, aligning sustainability with industrial performance.
Aligned with the geo-strategic realities, the defence sector emerges as a key pillar of this Budget. With defence receiving the second-highest allocation with about 25% increase in the modernisation budget, the emphasis is firmly on upgrading platforms, systems and technologies, while improving procurement efficiency. The message to industry is clear: deepen long-term capability, technology and Aatmanirbharta or self-reliance.
I laud Madam Minister’s special thrust on Information Technology Services for companies setting-up Data Centers and Cloud Services from India; the 22yr tax holiday for such investments is a well-thought initiative aimed at Global leadership in this segment.
Finally, the focus on university-industry clusters and AI-led productivity will help India fully leverage its demographic dividend. Overall, the Budget provides industry the confidence to invest, innovate and partner in building a globally competitive Indian economy.”
Union Budget 2026 Live: Budget 2026-27 offers no roadmap to tackle unemployment, inflation, says Kejriwal
Union Budget 2026 Live: Budget focuses on consolidation, rationalisation and job creation
Ranen Banerjee - Partner and Leader Economic Advisory, PwC India sad: “The theme of the Budget can be summarised as consolidation, rationalisation, and incentivisation- consolidation of ongoing schemes, rationalisation of overlapping schemes, and incentivisation of business, individuals, and entrepreneurs through further ease of doing business. Given the fiscal constraints, the Budget was on expected lines with the fiscal deficit for FY26 being met and the FY27 target being just 10 bps lower with the debt- to- GDP ratio targeted to be lowered by 50 bps. Job creation is a cross- cutting theme, with interventions and further momentum through creation of a cadre of Corporate Mitras, training of tourist guides, veterinary, hospitality, and allied healthcare professional skilling, and development of tourist circuits and specialised tourist trails.”
Union Budget 2026: Union Budget fuels Viksit Bharat vision, strengthens India’s investment and agri ecosystem
"We welcome the Union Budget's comprehensive vision for Viksit Bharat. The government's continued focus on strengthening domestic manufacturing, generating employment, and driving agricultural transformation provides the clarity businesses need to continue investing with confidence. The Budget's emphasis on building domestic capacity and infrastructure, reinforces India's emergence as a stable and attractive destination for long-term investment." "The underlying philosophy of 'Sabka Saath Sabka Vikas' reflects an inclusive growth agenda that further inspires PepsiCo India's Partnership of Progress philosophy. As an agri company at heart, we are particularly encouraged by the farmer-centric measures that will strengthen rural livelihoods for resilient agricultural value chains of the future." - Jagrut Kotecha, CEO, PepsiCo India & South Asia
Union Budget 2026: Crisil Intelligence backs integrated push for biopharma, skills and medical tourism
Binaifer Jehani, Business Head - Assessments, Crisil Intelligence on healthcare said: “The proposal is directed towards increasing investments in biopharma, enhancing domestic resilience, boosting the country’s global competitiveness, as well as address critical service gaps through large-scale capability-building for allied health professionals and caregivers, particularly in geriatric and mental healthcare. Also, focus on medical tourism and traditional medicine should expand high-value opportunities while anchoring local livelihoods. In toto, these measures will move India towards an integrated, skilled and future-ready healthcare ecosystem”.
Last year they had announced Rs 100 crores for the Chabahar port in the budget estimates. Then that went up to Rs 400 crores in the revised estimates, and this year's budget is zero, which looks like we're giving up on the port. In view of the current geopolitical situation, with the squeeze on Iran, the increasing sanctions from Western countries, and the demand that we not cooperate with Iran, it's a very valuable relationship we've had for a long time, but it looks like we appear to be abandoning the idea of spending any money on that port. It may be true that there are practical obstacles. If everything is sanctioned, how do you spend money? And what happens to those who do go there? Because those companies are active in Chabahar, then will be sanctioned by the West as well. Even Indian companies will be sanctioned. So that may be the reason. But it does look like it's a surrender to a particular policy that has been imposed from the outside on Iran. The very fact that there is no money in the budget suggests that
Union Budget 2026: Bharat VISTAAR brings AI to the heart of Indian agriculture
Amit Singh, Partner, Deloitte, said that: “Bharat VISTAAR (#UnionBudget2026) brings AI to the heart of agriculture by integrating ICAR knowledge and Agri‑startup insights to offer verified, contextual, and timely advisories to farmers. Real impact will come from scaling to millions and steadily building the ecosystem to boost productivity and farmer incomes.The launch of Bharat VISTAAR in the Union Budget 2026–27 marks a much‑awaited and transformative AI reform for Indian agriculture. By combining AI with trusted knowledge sources such as ICAR, along with insights from agri‑startups and ecosystem partners, it delivers verified, contextual, and timely advisories to farmers. The true success of Bharat VISTAAR will depend on scaling to the population level, driving last‑mile adoption, and patiently building a robust data and delivery network. With sustained implementation, it can significantly enhance productivity, reduce risks, and improve farmer incomes over the long term.”
Union Budget 2026 Live: Budget 2026 signals AI-led governance, jobs and open-source innovation
Himanshu Tyagi, a professor at the Indian Institute of Science and co-founder of Sentient: " It’s encouraging to see the Union Budget 2026 reaffirm strong support for the AI Mission and the use of AI as a force multiplier for governance. India has always created outsized impact at unprecedented scale, often by adapting within complexity rather than waiting for perfect conditions. AI now changes the equation, because intent-driven systems align far more closely with that institutional strength than traditional software. The focus on jobs and skills is also critical—and open-source AI can help ensure this transition expands opportunity by allowing more builders across India to contribute directly. ”
I was looking at the budget. First of all, there is nothing in the budget for Goa. The central government has completely forgotten about Goa. There is nothing for Goa or the people of Goa. Secondly, from a national perspective, this budget will increase inflation, create more unemployment, and today, the biggest problems for young people are unemployment and inflation. There is no concrete blueprint for creating jobs, and this budget will only increase inflation
Nuclear power basically will feed into the fifth layer, the energy layer of AI architecture and it's very important that we have nuclear power because nuclear power will provide the base load clean power which is required for long-term sustenance of the AI economy and for that today many reforms many simplifications have been announced and this will really help us bring that new energy which is required for the large numbers. We are expecting maybe even $200 billion of investment in data centres. Already, $90 billion has been announced, and $70 billion is already getting into construction. So with this announcement and with the simultaneous announcement on nuclear power, this will be a very big journey. We are seeing a lot of interest from AI server manufacturers who would now like to manufacture AI servers in India. We are also seeing a lot of interest in doing the ATMP for the AI chips in India. In future, we'll definitely be looking at having our own AI chips. So this way, all these five layers, the services layer, the model layer, the chip layer, the infra layer, and the energy layer, all of them get covered because of these announcements
Union Budget 2026: Bold Budget will strengthen India’s digital economy and talent pipeline
Sunil Bharti Mittal, Founder & Chairman, Bharti Enterprises said: “A bold Budget that combines growth with inclusion. The strong emphasis on skilling, alongside sustained investments in science, innovation, and research are timely & will strengthen domestic capabilities, advancing import substitution in critical sectors.Bolstering infrastructure and logistics with a focus on energy-efficiency & impetus to data centre ecosystem will further reinforce confidence in our burgeoning digital economy. Bharti remains highly committed to play its part in enabling technology-led growth, expanding financial inclusion, and accelerating future-ready education through Bharti Airtel Foundation to secure India’s talent dividend.”
“Union Budget 2026 has completely ignored public education”, says Kerala Education Minister V Sivankutt
Union Budget 2026: ISM 2.0 shifts focus from kick-start to capability building in India’s semiconductor ecosystem
Hareesh Chandrasekar, CEO & Co-Founder AGNIT Semiconductors Private Limited, said, “The announcement of rolling out India Semiconductor Mission 2.0 addresses the next set of bottlenecks the ecosystem is facing. These include access to equipment and materials, development of full-stack Indian IP, and depth in domestic supply chains. ISM 1.0 helped kick-start participation, while ISM 2.0 is focused on building capability where it matters most. The focus now has to be on execution. Industry-led R&D, support for advanced materials and manufacturing-linked design, and close integration between research centers and companies are essential to shorten development cycles and reduce external dependencies. Given the long timelines and capital intensity involved, policy clarity and continuity will be as important as financial incentives. If implemented with speed and consistency, ISM 2.0 can help Indian companies scale faster and build globally competitive capabilities across the value chain.”
This is an injustice caused by the Government of India. We had hoped that this budget would provide us with relief. But Karnataka has not been given any relief, and not just Karnataka, but the entire South India
"The jump in public capital expenditure from ₹2 lakh crore in 2014-15 to ₹11.2 lakh crore in Budget 2025- 26, with a proposed increase to ₹12.2 lakh crore in FY 2026-27, reflects the government’s long-term commitment to infrastructure-led growth. This scale of investment will significantly reduce logistics costs, bring in private capital, and accelerate the economic development of urban precincts across India. Infrastructure development requires patient capital and risk confidence. The proposed Infrastructure Risk Guarantee Fund, alongside asset monetization tools like REITs and InvITs, directly addresses construction-phase risks and will unlock large-scale private investment into roads, urban infrastructure, and real estate-linked assets."
The budget has set the roadmap for Viksit Bharat. It is dedicated to our youth and women shakti. Inspired by duty, today’s budget brings major changes in the electronics and IT sector. There are four major announcements, starting with electronics manufacturing. Over the last decade, electronics manufacturing has grown six times, while exports have increased eight times
On Union Budget 2026-27, Congress leader Gaurav Gogoi says, “Today in our budget, there is no vision. It’s a 100% complacent budget. A very unfortunate budget has been presented today.”
'Budget 2026 is a constructive step toward building a more inclusive and future-ready healthcare ecosystem'
I don't think the middle class is disappointed, because last year such a large-scale income tax exemption was given, which was beyond everyone's expectations... I think the middle class will be happy because there is a focus on strengthening manufacturing, services, education, skill development, attracting more international finance, and increasing exports... Since there is an increase in the Security Transaction Tax on options and futures trading, it might be the reason for the current situation (dip in the stock market). I think it's just a matter of a day or two. As people understand how many benefits this budget offers, how well-thought-out it is, how it strengthens the country's economy, and how it attracts large-scale investment, I believe the stock market will show a good surge in a positive direction.
Budget 2026: Where does this budget create jobs, tell young people about jobs: Former FM P Chidambaram
Budget 2026: 'Budget sends a strong signal on India’s intent to emerge as a global hub for data centres'
Union Budget 2026: “In the true sense, this budget is for the youth, women, farmers, marginalised, poor, and the common man,” says Rajasthan CM Bhajanlal Sharma
Union Budget 2026 Live: PM Modi appeals to the entrepreneurs, manufacturers, and all the people associated with production in the country to give a lot of emphasis on the quality of products
Union Budget 2026 Live: Sitharaman's counter to Trump's tariffs
Also read: India's Counterstrike: Budget 2026 arms India with plans to blunt out Trump's tariff attack
Union Budget 2026 Live: 'Budget has brought a major fillip to infra sector'
"This kind of infrastructure push also tends to generate large-scale employment across sectors, from construction and engineering to services and logistics, while attracting long-term private and institutional investment. Importantly, the benefits won’t be limited to metros. Better regional connectivity can spark growth in Tier-2 and Tier-3 cities too, helping develop industrial clusters, logistics hubs, and new urban centres,” Yogesh Mudras said.
Union Budget 2026 Live: Even by accountant's standards, it was a poor account of the management of the accounts, says Chidambaram
Union Budget 2026 Live: Unemployment, depreciation of rupee, many other challenges were not addressed by the finance minister, says Chidambaram
Union Budget 2026 Live: 'Budget 2026 reflects a clear shift in tourism policy'
"For Himachal Pradesh, the government’s commitment to developing eco-trails and nature-based tourism infrastructure is a timely and welcome step. Well-planned eco-trails can help decongest over-visited destinations, promote slower and more meaningful travel, and extend tourism benefits to local communities beyond peak seasons. More importantly, they align economic growth with ecological responsibility in an environmentally sensitive mountain state. The emphasis on managed trekking routes, trained local guides, community participation, and forest-based infrastructure reflects a mature understanding of sustainable tourism. If implemented with discipline, clear carrying-capacity norms, waste management systems, and strict environmental safeguards, eco-trails can become a model for low-impact, high-value tourism,"Parth Sharma said.
Union Budget 2026 Live: India's civil and defence aviation sector to soar higher with latest Budget announcements
As a boost to India's defence aviation manufacturing, she proposed to exempt basic customs duty on raw materials imported for the manufacture of parts of aircraft to be used in maintenance, repair, or overhaul requirements by units in the defence sector.
Union Budget 2026 Live: Sitharaman announces measures to promote environmentally sustainable movement of cargo
a) Establish new Dedicated Freight Corridors connecting Dankuni in the East, to Surat in the West;
b) operationalise 20 new National Waterways (NW) over next 5 years, starting with NW-5 in Odisha to connect mineral-rich areas of Talcher and Angul and industrial centres like Kalinga Nagar to the Ports of Paradeep and Dhamra.
c) Training Institutes will be set up as Regional Centres of Excellence for development of the required manpower. This will benefit youth in the entire stretch of the waterways to train and acquire skills.
d) a ship repair ecosystem catering to inland waterways will also be set up at Varanasi and Patna;
e) launch a Coastal Cargo Promotion Scheme for incentivising a modal shift from rail and road, to increase the share of inland waterways and coastal shipping from 6 % to 12 % by 2047.
Union Budget 2026 Live: Sitharaman proposes 6-month foreign asset disclosure scheme for small taxpayers
She said there will be no interest liability on taxpayers on the penalty amount for the period of appeal before first appellate authority, irrespective of the outcome.
The finance minister also proposed exemptions of three years for dividend income received by notified cooperatives on investments made up to January 31, 2026.
Union Budget 2026 Live: Govt touches upon plan to create big home-grown accounting firms
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Union Budget 2026 Live: Health ministry gets 9% hike in Budget allocation
"This budget places a special focus on mental health, which is a welcome step. The upgradation of the central psychiatric institutions in Ranchi and Tezpur, and the announcement of the establishment of a new NIMHANS (National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences) in North India, are commendable," he added.
Union Budget 2026 Live: Rijiju believes that today's budget is not just political rhetoric
"Our Finance Minister has presented a strong case for the Reform Express for a developed India. I am very happy, and the package that has been announced and established is simply outstanding. What has been done for the development of the eastern region, the announcements regarding express highways, the Buddhist circuit, and the huge announcements for minorities..." he said.
He expressed his satisfaction with the Budget saying, "Many announcements have been made for the Northeast. From infrastructure to connectivity, the Buddhist circuit, and in every respect, it has been done for the whole of India..."
Union Budget 2026 Live: Sitharaman comments on falling Rupee value
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Union Budget 2026 Live: Govt increases highways ministry budget to Rs 3.09 lakh cr
This marks about 8% hike from the outlay of Rs 2.87 lakh crore for the current financial year.
Union Budget 2026 Live: Inside Sitharaman's scheme for container manufacturing
She proposed a Scheme for Container Manufacturing to create a globally competitive container manufacturing ecosystem, with a budgetary allocation of ₹10,000 crore over a 5 year period.
Union Budget 2026 Live: What is Sitharaman's vision under the first 'kartavya'?
i) Scaling up manufacturing in 7 strategic and frontier sectors
ii) Rejuvenating legacy industrial sectors
iii) Creating “Champion MSMEs”
iv) Delivering a powerful push to Infrastructure
v) Ensuring long-term energy security and stability
vi) Developing City Economic Regions
Union Budget 2026 Live: Sitharaman shares '3 kartavya' to focus on poor, underprivileged and disadvantaged
First kartavya is to accelerate and sustain economic growth, by enhancing productivity and competitiveness, and building resilience to volatile global dynamics.
Second kartavya is to fulfil aspirations of our people and build their capacity, making them strong partners in India’s path to prosperity.
Third kartavya, aligned with our vision of Sabka Sath, Sabka Vikas, is to ensure that every family, community, region and sector has access to resources, amenities and opportunities for meaningful participation.
"This threefold approach requires a supportive ecosystem. The first requirement is to sustain the momentum of structural reforms— continuous, adaptive, and forward-looking. Second, a robust and resilient financial sector is central to mobilising savings, allocating capital efficiently and managing risks. Third, cutting-edge technologies, including AI applications, can serve as force multipliers for better governance," Sitharaman highlighted.
Union Budget 2026 Live: Union Budget reflects Indians' aspiration to become fast growing economy, says Andhra CM Naidu
Union Budget 2026 Live: Check where's every rupee is going and coming from
Union Budget 2026 Live: Defence Ministry hails Rs 7.85 lakh crore allocation for FY27, i.e., 2% of GDP
The total defence budget is 14.67% of the government's expenditure and is the highest among the Ministries.
"In addition to the modernisation of the Armed Forces and financing their regular requirement, the significantly enhanced allocation will also cater for the financial requirements that have arisen due to the emergency procurement of arms and ammunition made subsequent to Operation Sindoor under both the categories viz. Capital and Revenue," it said.
A large share of the defence budget to the tune of Rs 2.19 lakh crore has been allotted for capital expenditure vis-à-vis Rs 1.80 lakh crore which was allotted as BE of FY 2025-26.
Out of the total allocation made to the Ministry of Defence (MoD), here's the section wise allocation:
- 27.95% is for capital expenditure
- 20.17% for revenue expenditure on sustenance and operational preparedness
- 26.40% for revenue expenditure on pay and allowances
- 21.84% for Defence Pensions
- 3.64% for civil organisations
"Through this enhanced provision, the Government has reaffirmed its resolve to transform the Armed Forces and their capabilities to the world’s highest standards with a strategic shift towards the goal of Aatmanirbhar Bharat," the ministry said.
Union Budget 2026 Live: Sitharaman raises bet on public spending with Rs 12.2 lakh crore capex
Union Budget 2026 Live: The Centre’s net tax receipts for FY27 are estimated at ₹28.7 lakh crore, while the revised estimate for FY26 stands at ₹26.7 lakh crore.
Union Budget 2026 Live: How has the govt contributed to higher education in India
"That quality of education should be available in India only. That is why all the states are competing with each other. They will come in a challenge mode and say that we are ready to give land. Multi-specialty hospitals like this. Universities with different types of courses can all come and set up and this will also mean partnering with universities abroad," she added.
She emphasised that the government aims to provide foreign-standard university education in India.