Union Budget 2026 Expectations: Industry Leaders Push for Big Reforms in Digital, Energy, Defence and Real Estate

As India prepares for the Union Budget 2026, industry leaders across digital platforms, renewable energy, defence, real estate, water management, and MSMEs are calling for bold, targeted policy interventions.

From formalising the creator economy to accelerating clean energy adoption and strengthening indigenous defence technology, stakeholders believe Budget 2026 could be a turning point in positioning India as a global economic and innovation powerhouse.

Union Budget 2026: Industry Seeks Strategic Policy Push Across Sectors

With economic momentum building and global uncertainty persisting, industry voices are urging the government to use Budget 2026 as a tool to unlock growth, formalise emerging sectors, and improve ease of doing business. Key demands centre on tax clarity, infrastructure investment, long-term capital support, and regulatory reforms.

Creator Economy: From Recognition to Monetisation

A Structural Force in India’s Digital Growth

India’s creator economy is rapidly evolving into a core pillar of the digital ecosystem. According to Vaibhav Gupta, Co-founder and CPO of KlugKlug, India’s 2 million active creators influence over $350 billion in consumer spending annually, a figure projected to cross $1 trillion by 2030.

Yet, despite its scale, only a small percentage of creators earn a stable income. Gupta believes Budget 2026 can unlock sustainable growth.

“Budget 2026 can catalyse sustainable growth through clear taxation norms, incentives for creator-tech platforms, and easier compliance for creator-led enterprises,” he says.

Tax Clarity and Social Security for Creators

Gautam Madhavan, CEO of Xley by Mad Influence, stresses the need for formal recognition of the creator economy. He calls for:

• Clear GST treatment for digital content services

• Tax incentives for content-to-commerce monetisation

• Social security frameworks for gig-based creators

With creator-led revenues expected to grow from $20–25 billion today to nearly $125 billion by 2030, Madhavan believes policy clarity could dramatically expand participation.

Global Exports and Digital Professionals

Zaheer Travadi, Head of Brand Partnerships at TikTok Indonesia, suggests India adopt a “Digital Professional” registry, inspired by France’s Influencer Law and Indonesia’s creative IP financing models. He also highlights export opportunities, proposing tax incentives for creators producing content for global audiences, including India’s 35-million-strong diaspora.

Defence and Internal Security: Scaling Indigenous Technology

Long-Term Capital for Strategic Capabilities

Ankush Tiwari, CEO of pi-labs, says the defence and internal security sector is seeking multi-year capital allocations to scale advanced technologies such as:

• AI-driven intelligence systems

• Cyber defence platforms

• Robotics and autonomous systems

• Quantum-safe communications

• Secure software infrastructure

He recommends PLI-style incentives for sovereign security technologies to promote indigenous IP creation and enable Indian firms to move from pilots to large-scale deployments.

Water and Climate: Turning Scarcity Into Opportunity

Strategic Water Infrastructure

Water scarcity is emerging as a national challenge. Amit Banka, CEO of WeNaturalists, points out that around 40% of India’s renewable water resources remain underutilised, with large volumes flowing into the sea.

“We need ‘water highways’ to move surplus water to drought-hit regions,” he says.

He argues that strategic water infrastructure could reduce climate migration, ease urban pressure, and lower emissions by addressing scarcity at the source.

Circular Economy and Recycling

On sustainability, Anirudha Jalan, Co-Founder of Recykal, calls for:

• A dedicated fund for recycling and processing infrastructure

• Lower GST on waste management services

• Financial and R&D support for battery and e-waste recycling

These measures could reduce dependence on imported critical minerals while accelerating decarbonisation.

Real Estate: Infrastructure, Housing and Inclusivity

Urban Infrastructure and Faster Approvals

In real estate, Aman Sharma of Aarize Group highlights the need for:

• Faster project approvals

• Infrastructure upgrades

• Stamp duty reductions, especially in NCR

Senior Living and Luxury Housing

Anil Godara of J Estates urges formal recognition of senior living as a growth segment, noting that India’s elderly population is projected to grow 300% by 2030. He calls for incentives for both developers and buyers.

Luxury housing remains another focus area. Ashish Agarwal of AU Real Estate seeks tax incentives and streamlined environmental clearances to sustain momentum in premium NCR markets.

Tier-2 Cities as Growth Engines

Parvinder Singh of Trident Realty points to Tier-2 cities as emerging premium markets. Improved urban infrastructure and incentive-linked funding could boost demand, create jobs, and attract long-term investment.

Renewable Energy: Scaling Innovation and Capacity

Supporting the Next Phase of Clean Energy

India’s renewable energy sector is moving into a phase of scale and innovation. Faruk G. Patel, Founder of KPI Green Energy, notes that nearly 50 GW of renewable capacity was added in 2025, taking total non-fossil fuel capacity to 262–263 GW.

For Budget 2026, he calls for:

• Support for hybrid renewable systems

• Energy storage solutions

• Green hydrogen incentives

• Domestic manufacturing support

• Viability gap funding to maintain investor confidence

Finance, Trade and MSMEs: Cutting Red Tape

Banking, Fintech and Global Trade

L Viswanathan of Cyril Amarchand Mangaldas highlights reforms needed across banking, fintech, cross-border insolvency, GIFT City, and capital access.

Haresh Calcuttawala, CEO of Trezix, points out tariff distortions and compliance challenges faced by exporters. He proposes a “Product Passport” system to digitise customs processes and improve global trade efficiency.

Consumer and MSME Sectors: Formalising Beauty and Wellness

Ankit Virmani of Esskay Beauty Resources calls for:

• GST rationalisation

• Lower import duties

• Linking Skill Council certifications to MSME incentives

He believes these steps can help formalise India’s largely unorganised beauty and wellness sector, benefiting millions of professionals and improving consumer standards.

The Big Picture: Why Budget 2026 Matters

From digital creators and defence technologies to renewable energy, water security, and inclusive urban growth, stakeholders see Union Budget 2026 as a defining policy moment. With targeted incentives, tax clarity, long-term capital support, and regulatory reforms, the budget has the potential to transform recognition into formalisation—strengthening India’s role as a global hub for innovation, sustainability, and economic growth.