Budget 2026 Expectations Live Updates: Key Demands Of Healthcare, Education, Retail, Defence, And Other Sectors

Noting the importance of a combined initiative between the state and centre, Pankaj Priya, Deputy Director and Dean Academics, Birla Institute of Management Technology (BIMTECH), Greater Noida, said that in education, addressing cognitive skill gaps alone is not sufficient, and this responsibility cannot be left solely to State governments when the Centre is driving the national skilling agenda.

"At the higher education level, there is an urgent need to align curricula with Industry 4.0 and emerging technologies such as Generative AI and machine learning. The National Education Policy 2020 recognises this shift and targets that by 2025, at least 50 per cent of students across school and higher education will be exposed to skill-based learning," said Priya.

"This Budget is a critical opportunity to transform India’s education system into a globally competitive engine for innovation and future-ready talent,” he said further.

Meanwhile, Dr P. R. Sodani, President, IIHMR University, said, The healthcare sector needs a significant boost, requiring investments in talent, digital transformation, and infrastructure.

"To further reduce out-of-pocket spending, public health spending needs to increase substantially. The government should effectively utilise the increased public health spending to enhance the capability and capacity of human resources, attract talent, and support training and capacity building," Sodani said.

“As India approaches the Union Budget 2026, there is a strong opportunity to firmly position critical minerals, recycling and rare earth elements as strategic enablers of long-term economic and industrial self-reliance," said Nitin Gupta, Co-Founder & CEO, Attero, noting that recycling today is not only about sustainability, but it is also about material security.

"India continues to rely heavily on imports for lithium, cobalt, nickel and rare earths that power electric mobility, clean energy, electronics and defence. Building native recycling, refining and recovery capabilities are some practical ways to reduce this dependence and create resilient, domestic supply chains," Gupta Stated. 

According to him, E-waste, end-of-life batteries and industrial scrap represent a strategic resource base that can be unlocked at scale through technology.

"Budget 2026 can accelerate this transition by recognising recycling and advanced materials recovery as core industrial infrastructure, enabling easier access to long-term capital and encouraging Indian deep-tech innovation in automation, robotics and process engineering," Co-Founder & CEO, Attero said. 

"With the government’s growing mission-level focus on critical minerals, this budget has the potential to convert intent into impact, strengthening Atmanirbhar Bharat and advancing a truly circular economy," he noted.

“ India’s software products industry has often stood in the shadow of the massively successful IT services sector," said Tejas Goenka, Managing Director, Tally Solutions, noting that companies are now creating software for the world. 

"We have started now seeing some homegrown stories emerging with Indian companies creating software for India, and some Indian companies creating software for the world from India, but there is a long way to go," Goenka said. 

He noted that with AI at our doorstep and it being a national priority, we must urgently create the required environment to create innovations from India for the world.

"To realise this opportunity, we must begin by first recognising software products as a distinct category to support them with a clear and consistent taxation framework. Greater clarity on HSN or SAC codes for digitally exported software, along with extending the RoDTEP scheme to these exports, would enhance global competitiveness," Goenka stated. 

"The heart of all software product companies lies in research and development. We must therefore revise the incentive thresholds and strengthen support for research and development, which can drive innovation, encourage high-skilled job creation, and deepen India’s digital ecosystem, helping the sector contribute meaningfully to the country’s long-term technological leadership,” he added. 

As India approaches the Union Budget 2026–27, the electronics sector stands at a critical inflection point, said Highlighting the Saket Gaurav, CMD, Elista, noting that Global supply chains are being reshaped, and countries that can offer scale, stability, and cost competitiveness will define the next phase of manufacturing.

"India has made encouraging progress, and recent GST reforms, particularly in categories like televisions, have helped improve cost efficiency and accelerate domestic production," Gaurav stated. 

"Electronics is a power-lifter sector for India. The next step is policy continuity with deeper support for local value addition and support for affordable consumption at home. Simplified tariffs, predictable incentive disbursements, and sustained investment in skills, component ecosystems, and applied R&D can significantly reduce friction at the factory level and enable long-term planning," He added. 

“India’s mobility ecosystem is undergoing a decisive transformation, driven by rapid urbanization, progressive policy making, and growing adoption of clean energy vehicles. As we approach Union Budget 2026, we are hopeful of continued policy momentum to further accelerate the growth pace of the industry," Mayank Jain, CEO, Auto Classifieds, CarDekho Group, said.

"Support for shared and technology-led mobility solutions will be critical in shaping the next phase of growth for the automobile industry and addressing the evolving needs of Naya Bharat,” Jain added. 

Anil Rawal, MD & CEO, IntelliSmart Infrastructure, said Smart meters are catalysts for India's digital transformation journey towards the $5 trillion economy. Advanced Metering Infrastructure (AMI), therefore, deserves formal recognition under the Harmonized Master List of Infrastructure.

"Being one of the largest digital infrastructure projects in the country, with about USD 30 billion project outlay, smart meter AMI is no longer an auxiliary component of electricity distribution; it is the digital backbone that enables loss reduction, seamless renewable integration, optimizes demand-side management, and delivers consumer-centric services that modern India demands," Rawal noted.  

Accordingto him, this inclusion will unlock transformative benefits such as long-term, low-cost capital through priority sector lending, infrastructure bonds, InVITs, and global institutional investors, while providing critical regulatory clarity for lenders and developers navigating this evolving landscape.

"Additionally, it will eliminate existing ambiguities, accelerate the Revamped Distribution Sector Scheme (RDSS) implementation, and reinforce India's transition toward a resilient, data-driven, and sustainable power ecosystem. This is not just about infrastructure classification; it's about empowering India's energy independence and securing our digital future,” He added. 

"The Union Budget 2026–27 will boldly advance India's Viksit Bharat@2047 vision by prioritising transformative investments in education technology, youth skilling, and middle-class prosperity—essential catalysts for the consumer electronics and edtech sectors," said Rajeev Singh, Managing Director, BenQ India and South Asia, anticipating a comprehensive strategy that aligns fiscal measures with our sector's growth trajectory.

"In particular, we foresee a substantial allocation under PM SHRI and Samagra Shiksha schemes to revolutionise smart classrooms, mandating at least 50% local procurement of IFPs and projectors to equip 1.5 lakh schools and transform hybrid learning for 20 million students, enabling brands like ours to deploy over 2.5 lakh units annually," Singh added. 

Weighing a focus on skilling in this year's budget, Pankaj Rana, CEO, Hisense India, said that the Union Budget 2026–27 offers a transformative platform to operationalize India's Viksit Bharat@2047 vision, with youth skilling and middle-class empowerment as foundational pillars that will cascade benefits to high-growth sectors like consumer electronics.

"As Hisense India accelerates its 'Make in India' commitment, we anticipate a few targeted measures to unlock our sector's potential, for instance, an increase in allocation for electronics by 20-25% with simplified norms for next-gen components like RGB MiniLED panels," he added.  

Praising the government's efforts for India's thriving manufacturing sector, Bharat Gite, MD & CEO, Taural India, said over the last few years, the government has established a robust foundation for India’s manufacturing growth through infrastructure investments, support for MSMEs, and a sustained push for domestic production, including in Tier II and Tier III regions.

"As we move into the next phase of Make in India, the focus must expand from building capacity to building global competitiveness. With carbon-border mechanisms such as the EU’s CBAM coming into effect, sustainability is becoming a critical condition for market access," Gite noted.

For strategic materials like aluminium, central to sectors such as energy, defence, and healthcare, incentivising the production and adoption of green aluminium, alongside low-carbon, traceable, and high-quality manufacturing, will increasingly define India’s position in global supply chains, he added. 

Expressing his demand from the upcoming Budget, he said, "We are hopeful that the Union Budget 2026–27 will accelerate this transition by supporting clean energy, sustainable mining, carbon-intelligent production, and wider MSME participation, enabling India to scale sustainable manufacturing, strengthen export competitiveness, and emerge as a trusted global industrial partner."

Emphasizing the need of catering the young population by providing them jobs, Neeraj Jain, CFO, Quess Corp, “India’s demographic dividend will only translate into growth if employability keeps pace with scale.

As we approach Budget 2026, the focus must shift from job numbers to job readiness and formalisation.

Rationalising the 18% GST on manpower staffing would significantly lower barriers to formal employment and expand social security coverage, Jain demanded. 

"Similarly, Section 80JJAA should reflect the current wage realities, and aligning it with the Employment Linked Incentive framework would meaningfully support hiring. Greater predictability in tax assessments is also critical; high-pitched assessments disrupt cash flows and create avoidable uncertainty," he added. 

Highlighting the role the defence sector could play in achieving Viksit Bharat 2047 goals, Nikunj Parashar, Founder & CEO of Sagar Defence Engineering, said that the defence budget is an important factor in sustaining preparedness while gradually strengthening indigenous manufacturing as we advance towards Viksit Bharat 2047.

"As collaborations between the armed forces, DPSUs, and private industry increase, budgetary support has been crucial to building confidence for long-term investment in indigenous systems and subsystems," said Parashar. 

With the upcoming iteration of the Defence Acquisition Procedure (DAP), a timely opportunity is presented to implement targeted reforms, such as phased localisation, multipliers focused on Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs), and a stronger vendor-driven ecosystem, he added. 

Meanwhile, Kapil Bardeja, Founder and CEO, Vehant Technologies, believes that India’s aviation sector is on a remarkable growth trajectory, with over 250 million passengers flying across domestic and international routes in early 2025.

At the same time,  for most of the technology and equipment the sector needs today, India is already developing it domestically instead of importing.

"We must 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," Bardeja said. 

"Policymakers should shift their focus from volume-led growth to innovation-driven global leadership, underscoring the need for stronger investments in deep technology, artificial intelligence (AI), research and development (R&D), and resilient energy infrastructure in the upcoming Budget," Nandagopal P, CEO, Asymmetri; CTO, Gacsym Ventures; and Limited Partner, Arya Ventures said noting India stands at a critical inflection point in its economic journey.

Budget 2026 must provide the policy backbone, stronger R&D tax incentives, and support for deep-tech venture funding, so that innovation can move faster from lab to market, he added.

Emphasising the need to put technologies at the centre of national economic planning, Chanakya Bellam, Director, AION-Tech Solutions Ltd, said that strategic investments in artificial intelligence, machine learning, full-stack digital platforms, business intelligence (BI), and cloud infrastructure will be critical for sustained economic growth, job creation, and global competitiveness.

Meanwhile, Raj Kumar Medimi, Executive Director, Trinity Cleantech, said as India accelerates its journey toward becoming a $5 trillion economy, the upcoming Union Budget presents a critical opportunity to strengthen the country’s power and energy infrastructure at the grassroots level.

"We expect the Budget to place sharper emphasis on transmission and distribution upgrades, and reduction of technical losses," he added.

Priyanka Aeron, Co-founder of Thrive Brands AI (Deeptech Startup, expects the upcoming Union Budget to deliver a clear and forward-looking roadmap that strengthens India’s AI startup ecosystem and accelerates deep-tech innovation.

"The AI-based enterprises are no longer just experimenting but are already making a difference in various sectors like healthcare, fintech, retail, manufacturing, and governance. The government’s backing can result in these startups increasing the rate of innovation, the level of productivity, and the global market position significantly," said Aeron noted

"Also, the reduced compliance frameworks and the public-private collaboration will be conducive to the start-ups gaining access to the market faster and going on to create meaningful solutions. A balanced and clear-cut approach to responsible AI is equally important. Moreover, the partnership of heavy investments in AI skills, ethical governance structures, and cooperation between industry can bring about innovation that is both accountable and trusted," he demanded. 

 Sandeep Jain, CFO, NDR InvIT, believes that the infrastructure and logistics sector stands at an important inflection point.

"Continued progress on NHAI’s asset monetisation programme will be key to expanding the InvIT ecosystem, attracting long-term capital and increasing the overall size of the sector. A steady and transparent monetisation pipeline will boost investor confidence and enable faster reinvestment into new infrastructure projects," said Jain

At the same time, focused policy support for MSMEs is essential, as they are the backbone of India’s logistics and warehousing ecosystem. Easier access to finance, tax certainty and operational incentives will help MSMEs scale up and strengthen supply chains across the country, he added. 

"For InvITs, greater clarity on tax treatment—especially allowing loss carry-forward where changes in shareholding result from asset transfers into InvITs—will address existing gaps and improve ease of doing business. Such measures will further strengthen InvITs as a stable and attractive platform for infrastructure investment in India,” Jain said further

Expressing his optimism around measures for ease in doing business in the upcoming budget, Raghupati Singhania, Chairman & Managing Director, JK Tyre & Industries Ltd, said that he was optimistic about a renewed emphasis on meaningful ease of doing business, particularly through faster approvals and more streamlined regulatory processes that can unlock private investment.

"Continued focus on quality infrastructure and logistics will be critical in strengthening India’s cost competitiveness and manufacturing efficiency. In the context of evolving global trade challenges, policy measures that support exports and deepen India’s integration into global supply chains will be increasingly important," Singhania stated. 

"For the automotive and tyre sectors, policy continuity that enhances affordability and supports rural incomes can sustain demand and create strong multiplier effects across the economy. A forward-looking, investment-led Budget will play a key role in accelerating India’s manufacturing growth and reinforcing investor confidence,” he said further. 

Expressing optimism around forward-looking policies in the upcoming budget, Abhishek Raj, Founder and CEO, Jenika Ventures, said that the Indian real estate sector in 2026 looks forward to substantial growth, supported by government policies, technology, and increased institutionalization.

"The residential market is expected to witness a drift towards the luxury and super luxury segment, while Tier-II and Tier-III cities are set to acquire prominence because of improved connectivity and affordability," Raj noted.

Hailing the recent GST reform, he said that the simplified rates and a reduction in rates for construction materials would help in reducing costs and making it more transparent, instilling investor confidence.

"The upcoming budget looks forward to fixing boundaries for affordable housing, home loan tax deductions, GST reforms, and sectoral recognition, further kick-starting this sector in the year 2026," Raj Demanded.

Meanwhile, Pawan Sharma, Managing Director, TRG Group, believes that the Indian real estate industry is expected to show sustainable and organized growth in 2026 because of a mix of end-user demand, institutional investment, and government initiatives.

"Budget allocations and initiatives related to the real estate industry, such as affordable housing, housing loan tax, and reduced and refined GST, will also accelerate and aid this healthy growth pattern and trajectory," he noted.

Highlighting the importance of the upcoming budget for the agriculture sector, Simon Wiebusch, Country Divisional Head, Crop Science Division of Bayer in India, Bangladesh & Sri Lanka, said that the Union Budget 2026 marks a critical midway point toward the agriculture milestones envisioned for 2030, but more so will lay the foundation for Viksit Bharat 2047.

"At Bayer, we believe that the sector needs higher income and credit support for farmers, predictable trade policies, and sustained investment in agri-logistics, value addition, and post-harvest infrastructure to create scalable impact," said Wiebusch. 

"Equally critical is accelerating innovation in seeds, crop protection, and digital, climate-smart farming to drive productivity and resilience. Aligned with the Viksit Bharat 2047 vision, these measures can position Indian agriculture as a globally competitive growth engine and a cornerstone of rural prosperity," he added. 

Tarun Joshi, Founder & CEO, IGP, expressed his hope to see continued momentum towards building a stronger digital and consumer-driven economy.

"With India’s consumption landscape evolving rapidly, a budget that encourages entrepreneurship, strengthens supply chains, and boosts consumer spending will empower homegrown brands like IGP to scale responsibly, build globally relevant Indian brands, and contribute meaningfully to the country’s long-term economic vision,"  Joshi demanded.

Highlighting the transformation happening in India's retail spaxe Ashish Pandey, Director & Co-Founder, BuyBuyCart, said that the Indian retail market is largely driven by the rapid expansion of organized and neighborhood stores through franchising, along with the growing acceptance of private labels.

Putting in his demands, Pandey Said, " The upcoming budget should provide support for easier access to institutional credit for franchise partners, rationalization of GST, financial incentives for local sourcing and packaging."

Meanwhile, Rohan Gupta, Managing Director & Chief Financial Officer, Gargee Designers, is confident to see measures that strengthen India’s fashion and luxury manufacturing ecosystem in the upcoming budget.

"Rationalisation of GST on high-quality apparel and handcrafted products would significantly ease cost pressures and make premium Indian menswear more competitive, both domestically and globally," he added.

Budget 2026: As the Union Budget is finalised, the nuts and dry fruits sector is looking for policy support that strengthens domestic processing and value addition rather than focusing only on trade flows, said Gunjan Vijay Jain, President, Nuts and Dry Fruits Council (India). 

According to him, India remains largely dependent on imports for several nut varieties, but the real opportunity lies in building a robust processing ecosystem that can generate employment, reduce wastage, and enhance value capture within the country.

"Investments in modern processing units, scientific storage, grading, sorting, and packaging infrastructure can significantly improve efficiencies across the supply chain, particularly in producing and consuming states," Jain noted. 

Expressing his demand for the upcoming budget, he said, the sector expects targeted budgetary support to encouragethe setting up of processing clusters, access to affordable long-term credit, and technology upgradation for MSMEs involved in handling and processing nuts and seeds.

Such measures would not only improve quality and shelf life but also help Indian players meet evolving domestic consumption patterns and global quality benchmarks. There is also a need to strengthen linkages between processors and farmers through aggregation models that ensure better price discovery and income stability, the Nuts and Dry Fruits Council's President further stated.  

Ankit Mehta, CEO of IdeaForge Technology, believes that the UAV sector stands at a pivotal juncture.

"The Defence Procurement Manual 2025's 'build here, buy here' emphasis has catalysed domestic manufacturing, where we are witnessing renewed momentum through increased defence allocations," Mehta said.

To further catalyse India's ambition as a global UAV hub, the budget must address both opportunities and emerging regulatory challenges, Mehta demanded.

Emphasising the potential that India possesses, Vamsi Vikas, Founder and Managing Director of Raghu Vamsi Aerospace Group, highlights that India today does not suffer from a lack of intent or ambition in defence manufacturing.

"Over the years, the industry has developed meaningful capabilities, created robust infrastructure, and nurtured specialised talent aligned with clearly identified defence priorities. What now requires equal attention is the sustainability of this ecosystem as it moves from promise to performance," he noted.

Vice Admiral Paras Nath (Retd.), AVSM, VSM, Group President, Crown Defence, said that, ahead of bueget the industry is encouraged by the sustained focus on indigenisation and capital allocation.

"From now on, there is an expectation that greater emphasis on outcomes, such as faster conversion of DAC approvals into firm orders, enhanced support for indigenous MRO infrastructure," Nath stated.

Expressing the need for capital for a significant reform, Vinu Warrier, Managing Partner & Founder, eduVelocity, said that the education sector is looking for a shift from incremental funding to structural reform that genuinely addresses access, affordability,y and outcomes.

"The expectation from this Budget is a student-centric financing model that combines affordable credit, income-linked repayment mechanisms, and transparent scholarship disbursal. Equally important is greater alignment between education funding and employability outcomes," Warried noted.

Seeking funding for skill programs, Pravesh Dudani, Founder and Chancellor of Medhavi Skills University, demanded that 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," Dudani said.

Meanwhile, Sumeet Mehta, CEO & Co-Founder, LEAD Group, noted that as digital learning becomes integral to school education, the real challenge lies in translating potential into consistent classroom impact.

"Budget measures that support classroom digital infrastructure and enable continuous teacher upskilling are critical," he added.

Dr Sandip Sonara, Master Surgeon in Multidisciplinary Endometriosis Care, says as healthcare priorities take shape through the Union Budget, it is crucial to focus on preventive and specialised care, particularly women’s health, which has long been under-recognised.

"Early diagnosis, fertility-preserving treatment, advanced imaging, and access to minimally invasive surgery must be strengthened across both urban and rural India. Strategic investment in medical infrastructure, skill-based training, and regional centres of excellence will not only improve patient outcomes for conditions like endometriosis but also reduce the long-term economic and social burden of delayed care,” Sonara said. 

Weighing on the need for attention for healthcare infrastructure in the upcoming budget, Vineet Aggarwal, COO, Paras Health, believes prioritising healthcare infrastructure in Tier-2 cities in Budget 2026 is critical if we want to build a truly inclusive and resilient health system.

"Even today, a significant portion of India’s population living in Tier-2 regions must travel to metros for specialised treatment. This not only leads to delayed diagnoses and poorer outcomes but also imposes a heavy financial and emotional burden on families. Strengthening healthcare capacity in these cities will allow people to access high-quality care within their own communities, without the need for long-distance travel during vulnerable moments," Aggarwal noted.