"The Union Budget's focus on expanding the Rare Earth Permanent Magnet Scheme and building dedicated rare earth corridors is a positive step towards reducing import dependence for critical materials used in EV manufacturing. Rare earth magnets, which are key components in electric motors, benefit directly from this initiative, and strengthening capabilities across mining, processing and advanced manufacturing will create a more reliable domestic supply base.

The India Semiconductor Mission 2.0 and the Electronics Components Manufacturing Scheme will help build domestic capabilities in semiconductors and other electronic components, strengthening the supply chain for critical EV systems and reducing dependence on importsAs electric motorcycle manufacturing scales in India, such measures are particularly relevant for manufacturers with end-to-end, in-house development and manufacturing capabilities, supporting localisation and long-term supply stability." -- said Ms. Madhumita Agrawal, Founder & CEO, Oben Electric

"India's electric two-wheeler segment has gained strong momentum, and the Union Budget 2026–27 takes a step toward scaling it into a full industrial ecosystem. Focusing on rare earth magnets and dedicated corridors in mineral-rich states is crucial to secure the materials that power electric drivetrains. Reducing customs duty on capital goods for lithium-ion batteries will help lower costs and support local manufacturing. India Semiconductor Mission 2.0 and the enhanced Electronics Component Manufacturing Scheme will strengthen supply chains, promote full-stack Indian IP, and accelerate battery and component localisation. This is pleasing to see how the government focuses on MSMEs—through credit guarantee support of ₹10,000-crore SME Growth Fund, it will further empower companies like ours to expand capacity, innovate faster, and compete globally. For Zelio, these measures provide a clear and stable pathway to scale Make in India electric two-wheelers that are affordable, reliable, and designed for mass adoption across Tier II, Tier III, and emerging markets. As the ecosystem matures, further momentum can be unlocked through targeted PLI support for battery cells and motor controllers, along with rationalisation of GST on electric two-wheelers to enhance affordability and widen consumer access." -- said Mr. Kunal Arya, Co-founder & MD of Zelio E Mobility

"Electric two-wheelers today need far more semiconductor and electronic content than ICE vehicles, but the sector is still largely dependent on imports for chips and key components. Steps like the India Semiconductor Mission 2.0 and the enhanced ₹40,000 crore outlay for electronics component manufacturing are encouraging and move us in the right direction. The government's focus on rare earth permanent magnets and dedicated corridors in mineral-rich states, alongside the creation of high-tech tool rooms and chemical parks, will strengthen domestic mining, processing, and component manufacturing while reducing import dependence. The reduction of basic customs duty on capital goods for lithium-ion batteries is another significant measure that can lower production costs and support local manufacturing at scale. That said, the inverted GST structure remains a real challenge, with inputs taxed higher than finished EVs. Fixing this imbalance will be critical to truly strengthen India's EV manufacturing ecosystem and make electric two-wheelers more affordable and scalable for mass adoption." -- said Mr. Sameer Moidin, Founder & CEO of EVeium Smart Mobility

Mr. Pratap Jain, Founder and CEO, ChanaJor OTT
"Budget 2026 shows that creativity and enterprise are now intertwined with India's growth story. From skill-building to heritage digitization, the government is creating an ecosystem where ideas, culture, and technology come together. For the industry, this is a moment to embrace new opportunities, expand horizons, and help position India as a hub of innovation and creativity on the global stage."

"Budgets should be seen as a continuum. Instead of expecting new announcements every year, one should see the trajectory of how successive budgets are adding up. Budget 2026 continues to reinforce the financial and institutional foundations essential for the PMs vision of Viksit Bharat by 2047," said Dheeraj Gupta of Jumboking Burgers.

Union Budget 2026-27 quote from Mr. Gautam Khanna, CEO, P.D. Hinduja Hospital & Medical Research Centre, Mumbai "The Union Budget 2026-27 builds on to the government’s focus on strengthening India’s healthcare system and adopts a broad based and people centric approach. This year the focus has been clearly on improving affordability, expanding workforce, enhancing infrastructure and building emerging care needs.

The announcement to add 1 lakh Allied Healthcare Professionals over the next five years by upgrading existing and establishing new institutions will help in addressing critical gaps in diagnostics, peri-operative care, mental and behavioural health, and rehabilitation. With government targeting to train 1.5 lakh caregivers will go a long way in creating a comprehensive geriatric and allied care system and is timely given India’s increasing elderly population. This futuristic measure will help in easing the lives of our senior citizens and help create necessary infrastructure and workforce to assist them in leading healthy lives.

Hon’ble FM’s proposal to support states in establishing regional medical hubs in partnership with the private sector will give a huge boost to India’s medical tourism industry and strengthen our potential to deliver quality services at scale. These hubs will integrate all medical services with diagnostics, treatment, rehabilitation, education and research under one hub.

The exemption of Basic Customs Duty on 17 drugs and medicines used in cancer treatment alongside the extension of import duty exemptions to drugs, medicines and Food for Special Medical Purposes for seven additional rare diseases is one of the most impactful measures. This will provide much needed financial relief to patients and their families and reduce high out of pocket expenses for long term and lifesaving treatment.

These initiatives and critical announcements will help lay a strong foundation to improve access, affordability, build and skilled workforce. Strengthening trauma care infrastructure by establishing Emergency and Trauma Care Centres across district hospitals and increasing existing capacities is a welcome move however, it would have been more encouraging for further infrastructure development by providing simplified access to long-term financing in smaller towns and rural areas beyond the major urban areas. It will also be exciting to see how the healthcare workforce skilling programs integrate digital healthcare modalities for enhanced access to affordable and quality healthcare services.

Overall, the budget has signaled a balanced approach addressing immediate healthcare needs and at the same time investing in building capacity for the future.”

Shubhendra Singh Thakur, CEO, Erlysign, a rapid, non-invasive saliva test for early detection of oral precancerous conditions.

"The Budget signals a positive intent to strengthen India's healthcare and biotechnology ecosystem, particularly through initiatives like Biopharma Shakti, which can play a meaningful role in advancing research, innovation, and domestic manufacturing. For health-tech and diagnostics startups, long-term funding support and a clear push toward innovation are essential to translating scientific breakthroughs into scalable, real-world solutions.

The steady increase in healthcare allocations over recent years, culminating in a higher outlay for FY26, reflects a growing recognition of the sector's importance. Continued focus on health research, early detection, and preventive care will be critical in improving patient outcomes while also positioning India as a global hub for affordable and innovation-led healthcare.",

Anish Popli, Founder & CEO, ProcMart

“With a sharp focus on manufacturing expansion and infrastructure creation, the Budget reflects a clear commitment to long-term industrial competitiveness and India's next phase of growth. As new factories, logistics corridors, and industrial clusters come online, the demand for structured and transparent MRO procurement will rise significantly. By strengthening MSME participation through TReDS, GeM integration, and targeted cluster rejuvenation, the Budget addresses long-standing inefficiencies in industrial supply chains. This creates a strong case for digital B2B platforms that connect enterprises with reliable suppliers, ensure compliance, and enable cost-efficient operations. Overall, the Budget signals a shift toward building resilient, data-driven supply chains that support sustained industrial productivity rather than one-time, capex-led growth.”

Dilip Modi, Founder & CEO, Spice Money

"Budget 2026 clearly articulates the government's kartavya to ensure that every family, community, and sector has access to resources and opportunities for meaningful participation in India's growth story. The focus on scaling manufacturing, rejuvenating legacy industrial clusters, creating champion MSMEs through a ₹10,000 crore fund, and strengthening banking and NBFC frameworks reinforces the central role of small enterprises in employment generation and local economic resilience.

MSMEs provide livelihoods to millions across rural and semi-urban India, and initiatives such as mandating TReDS for CPSU purchases, improving credit flow, and reviewing the banking system for Viksit Bharat will directly strengthen their financial sustainability. The proposed Bharat Vistar platform and the broader emphasis on technology-led productivity also signal a clear intent to ensure that growth reaches farmers, micro-entrepreneurs, and underserved communities.

For last-mile fintech platforms, this budget creates a strong enabling environment to translate policy intent into on-ground outcomes by delivering credit, payments, and essential financial services to Bharat's smallest businesses and households, ensuring that inclusion remains at the heart of India's economic transformation."

Joydip Gupta, APAC Head at Scienaptic AI-

"It's encouraging to see the Budget continue to recognise the role of AI and technology in shaping India's growth story. For the financial services ecosystem, this focus creates a strong opportunity to use AI more meaningfully to improve credit decisioning, expand access to finance, and build more resilient lending systems. The broader push towards digital infrastructure and a review of the banking sector signals the government's intent to strengthen the foundations of the financial system. Over time, sustained policy support and regulatory clarity will be key to helping innovation translate into real, on-ground impact for lenders and borrowers alike."

Sohrab Bararia, Partner Grant Thornton Bharat-

"Focus on economic growth in sectors like biopharma mfg hubs, semiconductor ISM2.0, extension of electronic component mfg scheme, rare earth minerals, chemical parks, strong capital goods, container mfg scheme, textile sector scheme (man made, technical textile), global sports goods, champion MSME, ship repair, etc."...

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