As India prepares for Union Budget 2026–27, expectations across industries reflect a clear shift in national priorities. The conversation is no longer limited to growth targets or headline allocations. Instead, leaders across fintech, infrastructure, healthcare, hospitality, creative services, energy, and manufacturing are calling for execution-driven policy, regulatory clarity, and long-term capability building.
At the heart of these expectations lies a shared belief: India’s next phase of development will be defined not by intent, but by how effectively systems are designed, secured, and scaled.
Fintech: From Startup Ecosystem to Financial Backbone
India’s fintech sector has moved decisively beyond its early-stage identity. According to industry leaders, digital payments, verification platforms, and API-led banking now function as essential financial rails, supporting MSMEs, merchants, and last-mile inclusion at population scale.
As India approaches Budget 2026, fintech founders argue that policy thinking must evolve accordingly. Rather than treating fintech as a peripheral startup segment, there is a strong case for recognising it as core financial infrastructure—akin to telecom or power.
A key area of expectation is support for AI-driven compliance, fraud prevention, and verification systems. With transaction volumes rising exponentially, fintech infrastructure providers are increasingly responsible for real-time risk assessment and regulatory adherence. Encouraging explainable, India-first AI for regulated use cases could strengthen trust while allowing the ecosystem to scale responsibly.
Equally critical is regulatory harmonisation. Fintechs often operate across banking, payments, identity, and compliance layers, making predictable and coordinated regulatory guidance essential. Simplified compliance frameworks—especially for startups—can help innovation and accountability grow in tandem.
Infrastructure and Commercial Development: Execution Over Intent
In infrastructure-linked sectors such as commercial interiors, construction, and urban development, the emphasis heading into Budget 2026 is firmly on execution efficiency.
Industry leaders point out that while capital expenditure and urbanisation have driven momentum, real gains will come from reducing friction at the project level. Faster approvals, clearer compliance pathways, and deeper digitisation of regulatory processes can significantly improve delivery timelines and cost certainty.
Continuity in infrastructure spending—particularly in commercial districts and transit-oriented development—is seen as essential due to its multiplier effect across employment, materials, and services. Workforce development is another priority, with structured skilling, safety standards, and certification frameworks needed to improve productivity and quality.
There is also a growing call to move sustainability and technology adoption from policy intent to on-ground implementation. Incentives for green materials, lifecycle-based procurement, and digital project management tools could reshape how India builds its future workplaces and cities.
Hospitality and Alternative Accommodation: Formalising a Growing Segment
India’s travel landscape is changing rapidly. Homestays and alternative accommodation models are emerging as key contributors to tourism, employment, and regional economic growth—particularly in Tier II and Tier III markets.
As Budget 2026–27 approaches, stakeholders in this space are seeking formal recognition and standardisation. Clear classification of homestays, uniform guidelines across states, and simplified licensing could reduce ambiguity and encourage organised expansion.
Tax rationalisation is another major concern. Hospitality businesses operate on thin margins and face high fixed costs. A more balanced GST structure and smoother input credit mechanisms would allow operators to reinvest in quality, safety, and service consistency.
Continued investment in tourism infrastructure, regional connectivity, and destination promotion is seen as critical to unlocking the full potential of experience-driven travel across India.
Healthcare: Prevention as Economic Policy
Healthcare leaders view Budget 2026 as a moment to align spending with outcomes. While public health expenditure has steadily increased, it still falls short of national targets, and out-of-pocket costs remain a major burden for families.
From a disease management perspective—particularly cancer care—late detection continues to drive both human and economic costs. India records over a million new cancer cases annually, many diagnosed at advanced stages. Global evidence consistently shows that early screening and timely intervention significantly improve survival rates while lowering long-term treatment expenses.
Industry experts argue that Budget 2026 should prioritise preventive screening programmes, affordable diagnostics, and patient navigation systems, while expanding access beyond metro cities through tele-health, diagnostics networks, and workforce development. Rationalising tax and regulatory structures for medical devices and diagnostics could further improve affordability and innovation.
HealthTech: From Digital Adoption to National Capability
HealthTech has reached an inflection point in India. Teleconsultations, e-pharmacies, home diagnostics, and digital health records are widely adopted, but progress remains fragmented.
The next phase, according to sector leaders, requires a shift toward interoperable, system-level platforms that function seamlessly across states, providers, and populations. Investment in digital infrastructure—especially in Tier II, Tier III, and rural regions—is essential to ensure technology translates into real health outcomes.
MSMEs drive much of HealthTech innovation but face regulatory complexity, capital constraints, and slow validation processes. Simplified compliance, faster approvals, affordable working capital, and clear GST treatment for digital health solutions could unlock significant growth without relying on subsidies.
Creative Services and the Services Economy: Valuing Intangible Capital
India’s services economy—particularly advertising, marketing, and creative services—is quietly reshaping global competitiveness. Agencies today influence brand trust, pricing power, and export readiness across sectors such as fashion, BFSI, education, and consumer goods.
Yet policy recognition of this role remains limited. Industry leaders argue that predictable taxation, simpler compliance, and smoother cross-border operations are critical for talent- and IP-led firms. As brands invest more in platforms, data, and AI tools, clarity around intellectual property rights becomes increasingly important.
Talent development is another key area. Applied skilling and AI education can strengthen the creative pipeline, while tax rationalisation would free capital for reinvestment in innovation.
IoT and Power: Building Intelligence into Energy Infrastructure
India’s energy transition is entering a new phase—one where scale must be matched with intelligence. While electrification and renewable integration have progressed, the focus is now shifting toward grid resilience, flexibility, and digital control.
With the rollout of smart meters, rooftop solar, EVs, and distributed energy resources, power distribution systems are becoming more complex. Budget support that expands Advanced Metering Infrastructure beyond billing—into grid operations, power quality, and demand-side management—could unlock far greater value.
Standards-based, interoperable IoT connectivity at the grid edge is seen as essential for long-term adaptability. Supporting lifecycle-efficient digital infrastructure can help utilities evolve without repeated asset replacement.
Jewellery and Manufacturing: Sustainability Meets Scale
India’s gems and jewellery sector is undergoing structural change, driven by sustainability, technology, and shifting consumer preferences. Lab-grown diamonds are emerging as a strategic sunrise segment, offering ethical and scalable alternatives.
Industry voices suggest Budget 2026–27 should continue rationalising duties on raw materials and equipment while offering targeted incentives for advanced manufacturing. Simplified GST compliance, faster export refunds, and better access to credit would significantly strengthen MSME participation.
Investment in design-led skilling and technology adoption could help India move up the value chain—from volume-driven exports to high-value branded jewellery.
A Budget for the Next Decade
Across sectors, a common theme emerges: India’s next phase of growth depends on systems that work quietly but reliably—financial rails, healthcare platforms, digital grids, creative IP, and sustainable manufacturing.
Union Budget 2026–27 has the opportunity to reinforce this shift by prioritising infrastructure over experimentation, clarity over complexity, and inclusion over short-term gains. If executed well, it can help India consolidate its position not just as a fast-growing economy, but as a future-ready, systems-driven global leader.