Budget Expectations 2026 Live: NSE, BSE to Open for Live Trading on Budget 2026 Day

“India’s cosmeceutical sector is evolving rapidly as consumers increasingly choose dermatologist-recommended, clinically validated skincare. The industry expects the Union Budget 2026 to recognise cosmeceuticals as healthcare-adjacent, supported by GST rationalisation, clearer regulations, and stronger backing for domestic manufacturing, R&D and omnichannel retail infrastructure to unlock the sector’s full potential," Sukhbir Singh Chimni, Founder of Ceuticoz, said.

“From the industry’s perspective, the Budget should address everyday bottlenecks, especially the gap between academic learning and workplace readiness. Budget-backed apprenticeships and industry-linked internships can help make entry-level talent job-ready, particularly in smaller towns, Achal Khanna, CEO, SHRM APAC & MENA, said.

“Greater operational stability through simpler compliance, timely GST refunds, continued investment in digital infrastructure and a stronger focus on employee wellbeing will help the industry improve productivity, retention and long-term resilience," she added.

The sector’s expectations for 2026 is to prioritize on comprehensive land digitalization and progressive asset tokenization frameworks. As they're essential catalysts for unlocking institutional capital at scale. y unlocking this liquidity, India can synchronize its development cycle with global standards, ensuring that even new inventory in emerging markets meets the 'quality bar' of ECSBC 2024 and ESG compliance. The coming year will reward developers who can deliver 'metro-grade' compliance and experience in emerging cities, while non-compliant assets risk obsolescence regardless of location.

"As we look toward 2026, Indian real estate is expanding beyond its traditional metro-centric narrative. While top cities face a Grade A seller’s market, a parallel growth engine is igniting in Tier-II hubs like Ahmedabad, Jaipur, Kochi, and Coimbatore, driven by GCC decentralization and retail penetration. These emerging corridors are now critical to solving the nationwide inventory crunch," Umesh Uttamchandani, managing director, DevX, said.

The Union Budget 2026 offers a crucial opportunity to strengthen India’s position as a global hub for artificial intelligence and digital talent. Industry stakeholders are calling for a clear policy roadmap covering AI skilling initiatives, incentives to encourage enterprise-wide reskilling, R&D tax credits for homegrown AI and SaaS innovations, and targeted support for MSMEs through affordable cloud access and digital vouchers.

"India’s technology sector is poised to hit USD 300 billion in FY 2025–26, contributing over 7% to GDP, with the digital economy set to reach one-fifth by 2030," Sameer Nigam, co-founder & CEO, Stratbeans, said.

India’s defence manufacturing sector has built strong intent, capabilities, and talent over the years, but sustaining this ecosystem as it scales now requires policy attention. The most vulnerable phase lies in moving from early production to large-scale deployment, where costs rise, timelines stretch, and momentum often weakens.

Long-term capital investments, uneven budget cycles, and the demands of quality, compliance, and after-sales support add to the strain. While global interest in Indian defence exports is growing, success in international markets will require upfront investment in certifications, regulatory compliance, documentation, and lifecycle support.

Ahead of the Union Budget 2026-27, farmers have once again reiterated their demand to cover all agricultural crops under the minimum support price (MSP). Bhartiya Kisan Union (BKU) National General Secretary Chaudhary Yudhvir Singh said this has always been a key demand of farmers.

Currently, the government sets MSPs for about 22 crops, including 14 Kharif crops, six Rabi crops, and two commercial crops, to support farmer incomes. Sugarcane is covered under a separate mechanism called the Fair and Remunerative Price (FRP).