Union Budget 2026: Pre-Budget Expectations

“India’s Union Budget 2026 must sustain the infrastructure-led growth trajectory with a capex outlay near ₹12 lakh crore, reinforcing roads, railways and logistics to unlock economic multipliers. Continued priority for marquee programmes — including Bharatmala Pariyojana Phase 2.0 to expand national corridors and boost freight efficiency — is essential for connectivity and jobs. A strategic focus on the energy transition is critical: India’s target of 500 GW non-fossil capacity by 2030 and net-zero by 2070 requires enhanced fiscal incentives for renewables, green hydrogen, storage and grid modernisation to attract capital at scale. The Budget should also accelerate the launch of National Monetisation Pipeline (NMP 2.0) with an ambitious ₹10 lakh crore target over FY26-30, unlocking brownfield asset value to fund new projects. These measures will drive private investment, reduce logistics costs and position India as a global clean-energy and infrastructure hub.”
Jagannarayan Padmanabhan, Senior Director & Global Head, Consulting, Crisil Intelligence 

“Over the last few Budgets, the government has laid a strong foundation for commercial real estate through infrastructure investment, urban development programs, and capital-market reforms such as REITs and asset monetisation. As we look to Union Budget 2026–27, the next phase should focus on easing project-level financing, enabling structured private credit, and providing clearer tax and regulatory frameworks for alternative investment platforms. These measures can unlock long-term capital, support office expansion beyond core metros, and strengthen real estate’s role in employment and urban growth.”
Sudarshan Lodha, Co-founder & CEO, Strata

"The F&B startup market is seen evolving with innovation in alternative proteins, functional nutrition, digitization, and e-commerce. India today is uniquely positioned to build not just for its own consumers, but for the global market. From our position as a startup company focusing on healthy snacks, we see a considerable transition in the Indian food & beverage marketplace; consumers are now making food choices based on health rather than just taste.  Modern retail, e-commerce, and quick commerce have opened powerful new channels, allowing young brands to reach consumers faster and more transparently than ever before. With advancements in food science and supply chain tech, Indian startups are now building scalable, clean-label products that meet global standards while staying rooted in local preferences. At Prov Foods, we truly believe that the demand for healthy snacking is becoming mainstream and is an everyday part of consumers' lives today. Sustainable innovation in better-for-you products will drive growth within India and that there is no limit to what we can offer as a result.”
Deepak Agrawal, Co-founder and CBO, Proventus Agrocom Limited (ProV)
 

"The importance of MSMEs is growing at a fast pace in the economy. The industry is infact emerging as a key pillar supporting India’s manufacturing renaissance in the defence sector and beyond. In areas such as drone manufacturing and unmanned systems, targeted capex incentives, output-linked support, rationalised taxation and R&D enablement can help MSMEs scale indigenous technologies and accelerate adoption. From a policy standpoint, the upcoming Budget must focus on execution and scale by lowering entry barriers for high-tech MSMEs, speeding up procurement cycles and creating stable demand visibility in defence manufacturing. Strengthening access to financing, encouraging advanced manufacturing investments and deepening domestic value addition will help MSMEs move up the value chain and advance India’s self-reliance goals while positioning the country as a global hub for defence and drone technologies." 
Hiren Shah, Managing Director at Jyoti Global Plast

“The real estate sector eagerly anticipates policies that bolster long-term capital formation and reinforce housing’s pivotal role in economic growth. For developers like us in the luxury and branded residential segments, consistent taxation, expanded institutional financing, and streamlined regulations are vital to sustaining investor confidence and end-user demand. Continued investment in urban infrastructure, mass mobility, and integrated city planning is essential, as superior connectivity and robust civic amenities greatly enhance the appeal of premium developments. Measures that promote formalization, reduce compliance burdens, and maintain market balance will further drive the sector’s maturity. A well-calibrated, growth-focused Budget can empower real estate to contribute more significantly to employment, capital inflows, and India’s urban future,” said Anil Mittal, Chief Financial Officer, Smartworld Developers.