By Mr. Maanoj Tomar, Founder, AFC Furniture Solutions
“Union Budget 2026 has the opportunity to strongly back India’s commercial furniture manufacturing ecosystem. As offices, IT parks, and industrial infrastructure expand across the country, there is a growing need for high-quality, durable, and ergonomically designed furniture made in India. Policy support through GST rationalisation, easier access to capital, and incentives for factory modernisation will help Indian brands compete with imports and scale globally. A clear focus on Make in India furniture will not only strengthen manufacturing but also support the future of workspaces being built across the nation.”
Union-Budget Insights
· India adds millions of square feet of commercial office and institutional space annually, yet a notable share of furniture for large projects is still imported due to pricing and tax structure distortions rather than lack of domestic manufacturing capability.
· Rationalisation of GST across furniture components and finished products can significantly improve cost competitiveness for Indian manufacturers and increase domestic value addition.
· Commercial office furniture is a capital- and technology-intensive sector, requiring automated manufacturing, in-house testing labs, and compliance with global durability and ergonomic standards, with typical product life cycles of 8–10 years.
· Policy support for factory modernisation, quality certifications, and testing infrastructure will help Indian brands scale responsibly and meet international benchmarks.
· Infrastructure-led growth across IT parks, industrial corridors, and urban commercial developments should be linked with Make in India sourcing to ensure domestic manufacturers benefit from public and private sector demand.
· Encouraging long-life, ergonomic, and sustainable furniture solutions through policy incentives can reduce replacement cycles, improve workforce wellbeing, and align the sector with India’s broader ESG and sustainability goals.
Union Budget 2026 should ensure this demand benefits Indian manufacturers by linking infrastructure spending with Make in India sourcing, rationalised GST structures, and higher domestic value addition.