With Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman set to present the Union Budget 2026-27 on February 1, 2026, at 11 AM, industry leaders from AI-driven health-tech, medical apparel manufacturing, construction equipment, senior living, co-working spaces, and fuel delivery are calling for targeted incentives, regulatory clarity, and sustained support to drive innovation, workforce development, affordability, and last-mile infrastructure.
Expectations include direct incentives for AI adoption in health-tech startups, increased investment in medical education and skilling for healthcare professionals, policy continuity for construction equipment and infrastructure, GST rationalisation and reverse-mortgage frameworks for senior living, incentives for Grade-A co-working fit-outs, and expanded doorstep fuel delivery frameworks to enhance efficiency and cleaner energy access.
Neerja Kumar, Co-founder and COO, Enalytix:
“For Budget 2026, we hope to see focused incentives that make it easier for businesses and startups to actually deploy AI on the ground. One key step would be direct support for AI implementation, whether through tax benefits, grants, or pilot programs that help companies adopt solutions like computer vision and automation without high upfront costs. Another important move would be clearer, simpler guidelines around AI and data usage, so startups can scale confidently without regulatory ambiguity. Practical support in these areas can accelerate real AI adoption across industries and help Indian businesses become more efficient and competitive.”
Abhijeet Kaji, Co-founder, Knya:
“The government has taken important steps to strengthen India’s healthcare ecosystem, and Budget 2026 presents an opportunity to build further on this momentum. We hope to see continued focus on treating the healthcare workforce as critical national infrastructure through increased investments in medical education, structured nursing programs, skilling initiatives, and long-term career development pathways for doctors and allied health professionals. A resilient, well-supported frontline workforce is essential for delivering consistent, high-quality healthcare outcomes at scale. In parallel, we look forward to policies that strengthen India’s manufacturing competitiveness in medical apparel, a category that is increasingly technical, performance-driven, and safety-critical. Expanding PLI-style incentives, supporting advanced textile innovation, and rationalising import duties on specialised machinery can help India emerge as a global hub for quality-first medical apparel manufacturing. Such measures will not only enhance healthcare safety standards domestically but also support the government’s vision of self-reliance and export-led growth in healthcare manufacturing.”
Deepak Shetty, CEO & Managing Director, JCB India:
“As the Union Budget approaches, the CE industry looks forward to continued policy support that sustains India’s growth momentum. Infrastructure investment has consistently demonstrated a strong multiplier effect, and its ongoing prioritisation will be critical in enabling economic expansion across sectors. Enhanced funding support for state governments can further accelerate rural infrastructure development, particularly roads and water projects. At a time when global trade conditions remain challenging, there is an opportunity to reinforce export competitiveness through WTO-compliant incentive frameworks and more effective utilisation of India’s Free Trade Agreements. A balanced emphasis on scaling up manufacturing, alongside sustained infrastructure development, will play a pivotal role in positioning India as a resilient and globally competitive economic powerhouse.”
Adarsh Narahari, Founder & Managing Director, Primus Senior Living:
“As India prepares for the Union Budget, it is important that the needs of our rapidly growing senior population receive clear and deliberate policy attention. Longer lifespans, shrinking family support systems, and increasing healthcare needs mean elders require far more than just shelter — they need age-friendly housing, proactive healthcare, and financial dignity. Beyond incentives for senior living infrastructure, this is the moment to introduce a comprehensive, well-designed reverse-mortgage framework that truly works one that unlocks home equity and puts financial power back in the hands of elders. Removing GST on essential services offered to seniors and widening health-insurance access for the 60+ age group will also meaningfully reduce financial stress. A forward-looking budget that recognises ageing as a national priority can help create an ecosystem where seniors live healthier, safer, and far more independent lives with dignity at the center.”
Sijo Jose, Co-founder, SpazeOne:
“As hybrid work is on the path of becoming a permanent feature of India’s corporate landscape, the co-working and flexible workspace industry is looking to the Union Budget 2026 for policies that recognise shared offices as critical urban infrastructure. Industry expectations include GST rationalisation on managed office services, easier access to institutional capital and incentives for Grade-A commercial fit-outs. Such measures would support faster enterprise expansion, enable MSME growth and strengthen India’s position as a global services and innovation hub.”
Adnan Kidwai, CEO, FuelBuddy:
“Budget 2026 represents a meaningful opportunity for the fuel-delivery industry to deepen last-mile energy access while supporting expansion into emerging segments such as CNG and other alternative fuels. The sector is looking for policy measures that encourage digital fuel-delivery platforms, provide greater regulatory clarity, and incentivize the adoption of cleaner and safer fuel-handling technologies across transport, logistics, and industrial use cases. Extending the existing doorstep-delivery framework beyond heavy equipment to additional sectors, and allowing controlled doorstep delivery of petrol in limited quantities, could significantly improve operational efficiency and customer convenience. Together with simplified compliance processes and accelerated technology adoption, these reforms would enhance transparency, curb pilferage, and strengthen the reliability of fuel supply for businesses across the economy.”
These expert voices reflect a unified call for the Union Budget 2026 to deliver AI and R&D incentives for health-tech, skilling and manufacturing support for healthcare and infrastructure, reverse-mortgage and GST relief for senior living, rationalised GST and capital access for co-working, and policy expansion for fuel delivery collectively advancing digital health innovation, workforce resilience, urban infrastructure, senior dignity, flexible workspaces, and last-mile energy access.
Last Updated on: Tuesday, January 27, 2026 12:27 pm by Economic Edge Team | Published by: Economic Edge Team on Tuesday, January 27, 2026 12:27 pm | News Categories: News
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