Union Budget 2026–27 has sparked nuanced reactions across infrastructure, exports, tourism, education, fintech, and agri-manufacturing. Rather than headline populism, experts point to a deeper policy direction focused on productivity, logistics, skilling, and long-term competitiveness. Here’s how key voices from industry and investment are reading the fine print.
Uday Kotak – Chairman & MD, Kotak Mahindra Bank
“Budget first take. A budget for the real economy. Welcome increase in defence spend. Broad fiscal discipline continues. Works on balancing between financialisation of the economy, and focused development of diverse, deep India long term.”
CA Gaurav VK Singhvi – CEO & Managing Partner, Avinya Ventures VC Fund
“Union Budget 2026 signals a decisive shift towards logistics-led growth, and the renewed focus on dedicated freight infrastructure between Delhi and Mumbai is particularly noteworthy. As a Chartered Accountant and investor, what stands out is the government’s clear intent to strengthen supply-chain efficiency rather than merely expand headline capital expenditure. The enhanced freight corridor connectivity, including key industrial hubs such as Surat, has the potential to materially reduce logistics costs, improve turnaround times, and unlock scale benefits for manufacturing and exports.
From an investment lens, this move improves India’s competitiveness by integrating industrial clusters with ports and consumption centers more seamlessly. It also sends a strong signal to private capital both domestic and global that infrastructure creation is being aligned with productivity and long-term returns. Budget 2026, in that sense, reflects a maturing fiscal strategy: one that views infrastructure not as expenditure, but as an enabler of sustained economic value creation.”
Bhagirath Goswami – Founder, Being Exporter
“Union Budget 2026 may not announce headline export incentives, yet it reflects a clear understanding of what exporters truly need.
From the Being Exporter community’s ground-level experience, sustained investment in ports, logistics, freight corridors, and container capacity directly improves delivery reliability and buyer confidence.
Customs duty rationalisation on critical inputs eases cost pressure for exporters across textiles, leather, food processing, marine products, and electronics.
The Budget’s deeper interpretation is simple: exports grow when manufacturing quality, compliance, and execution improve. This is a prepare-and-perform moment, policy creates momentum, but results will come from disciplined pricing, stronger processes, and long-term buyer relationships globally.”
Zubin Karkaria – CEO, VFS Global
“The Union Budget charts a strong roadmap to Vision 2047, positioning tourism, mobility, and human capital as engines of long-term growth. By recognising tourism as a catalyst for jobs, foreign exchange, and regional development, the government is building a more competitive and resilient travel ecosystem.
The emphasis on capacity building is encouraging with measures towards infrastructure development, skill enhancement, and institutional support that will help strengthen service quality, destination readiness, and ease of doing business. Initiatives like the National Institute of Hospitality, upskilling of tourist guides, and the National Destination Digital Knowledge Grid will have an enduring impact in the long-term.Sustainable, heritage, and experiential tourism, along with support for medical tourism hubs, will diversify India’s offerings, while reductions in TCS on overseas tour packages and TDS under the Liberalised Remittance Scheme for education will ease financial pressure on Indian travellers and students, boosting global mobility and connectivity.”
Prateek Shukla – Co-Founder and CEO, Masai
“The Union Budget 2026 is good news for young workforce. Families will save money and more people will be able to get a good education as the TCS on education and medical costs is lowered from 5% to 2%. This is especially important now that everyone needs to learn new skills.
The government’s strong focus on growth driven by technology is what stands out the most. The emphasis on artificial intelligence, emerging technologies, and industry-led research aligns well with the realities of today’s job market, where roles are evolving faster than traditional education systems can keep pace. Initiatives like the proposed ‘Education to Employment and Enterprise’ Standing Committee acknowledge a long-overdue need to bridge the gap between degrees and real-world employability, especially in the services and tech sectors.
Future-ready jobs and India’s ability to compete internationally in high-value digital services will be greatly aided by the ongoing push for structured skilling, training facilities, and innovation-driven ecosystems. The introduction of ISM 2.0 with an outlay of 40,000 crores will enhance India’s long-term aspirations in the semiconductor industry, but this budget’s greater significance comes from its dedication to developing competent personnel, encouraging creativity, and creating long-term job opportunities for the upcoming generations.Viksit Bharat is built when education stops being a credential factory and becomes a talent pipeline. Budget 2026 should fund that shift.”
Pranav Koomar – Founder and CEO, PlusCash
“Ahead of Budget 2026, there are strong expectations for income tax reforms benefiting the middle class and long-term investors.” He says higher standard deductions or simpler tax rates can lift disposable income and consumption. Investors are also looking for clarity or relief on long-term capital gains to encourage sustained market participation. A balanced approach, Koomar adds, can support households without undermining fiscal stability.
<p>The post Union Budget 2026–27 Quotes: Industry Leaders Decode the Signals, Sectors, and Strategy first appeared on Hello Entrepreneurs.</p>
Comments are closed.