Union Budget 2026: Industry experts call for targeted reforms to boost growth, jobs, and innovation

As India counts down to Union Budget 2026, business leaders across sectors are sending a clear message: this year’s Budget must combine stability with targeted reforms to revive growth, create jobs, and strengthen India’s global competitiveness. From real estate to startups, fashion, sports, and green tech, experts believe a pragmatic, growth-oriented approach will drive long-term economic confidence.

Real Estate and Urban Infrastructure: Unlocking the Next Growth Frontier

Agadish Prasad Naik, CMD of DN Group, says urban infrastructure investments are key to reigniting India’s growth engine. “Increased spending on roads, metro rail, regional transit, and last-mile connectivity can unlock housing demand in Tier-2 and Tier-3 cities while promoting balanced regional development,” he notes. Naik emphasises that faster regulatory reviews and time-bound approvals will reduce project delays, lower execution risks, and boost buyer confidence. “These reforms can ease pressure on major metros, catalyze new urban corridors, and generate millions of jobs,” he adds.

Markets Want Stability Over Spectacle

Ajay Kumar Yadav, Group CEO & CIO at Wise Finserv, cautions that investors are looking for reassurance, not showy announcements. “Global uncertainty, foreign outflows, and subdued corporate earnings mean stability matters more than spectacle,” he says. Yadav suggests targeted fiscal incentives linked to job creation, incremental investment, and manufacturing to revive private capex while keeping fiscal discipline intact. “A steady, focused approach can quietly rebuild confidence and sustain long-term growth,” he adds.

Retail, Fashion, and Sports: Growth and Sustainability in Focus

Vishal Mehra, Co-founder of Stylox Fashion, sees the Budget as a turning point for homegrown apparel brands. “Simplified GST rates, especially for the mid-price segment, will help structured brands compete with unorganised players and imports,” he explains. Mehra also calls for support for sustainable manufacturing, easier access to working capital for MSMEs, and incentives for local sourcing and Tier-2/Tier-3 expansion.
The sports and activewear sector is another growth hotspot. Arjun Gupta, Founder & CEO of KragBuzz Sports, says India’s sportswear market could reach USD 21.25 billion by 2033, driven by rising fitness awareness. “We expect Budget support for modern sports facilities in smaller cities and incentives for domestic manufacturers to expand responsibly and offer high-quality, affordable products,” he says.

Green Tech and Battery Recycling: From Compliance to Opportunity

Shubham Vishvakarma, Founder of Metastable Materials, sees an opportunity for Budget 2026 to strengthen India’s battery recycling ecosystem. “Recognising high-quality recycling outcomes and supporting downstream industries to produce battery precursors domestically can turn recycling into a dependable source of critical minerals for India’s battery ecosystem,” he explains.

Agri-Tech and Climate-Smart Farming: Securing India’s Food Future

Amit Maheshwari, Founding Investor at KhetiBuddy, urges the Budget to prioritise climate-smart agriculture and farm-level traceability. “Integrating Agri ERP and SaaS platforms with AgriStack can boost productivity, traceability, and access to sustainable finance while reducing post-harvest wastage,” he says, highlighting the strategic importance of data-driven farming.

Startups and Deep-Tech: Clear Policies and Capital Certainty Needed

Startup investors are pressing for procedural clarity to sustain investor confidence. Rathnakar Samavedam of Hyderabad Angels Fund calls for a Legacy Settlement Window to resolve pending Angel Tax disputes and a fast-track loss-booking mechanism. Kalyan Sivalenka, also from haf.vc, stresses that extending tax holidays for startups and doubling down on the ₹10,000-crore Fund of Funds could help India emerge as a “Deep-Tech Powerhouse,” creating high-productivity jobs and reducing dependence on foreign tech.
Iesh Dixit, Co-founder of Powerplay, adds that expanding ESOP tax deferrals for DPIIT-recognised startups and rationalising capital gains tax for foreign investors would help startups attract and retain talent while securing long-term capital.

The Bottom Line

Across sectors, the consensus is clear: Budget 2026 should focus on stability, targeted incentives, and sector-specific reforms. Whether it’s real estate, fashion, sports, green tech, or startups, the emphasis is on sustainable, long-term growth that strengthens India’s economic foundations and aligns with the Viksit Bharat 2047 vision.