Nemin Vora, Chief Executive Officer, Odysse Electric: “We laud 6 steps government’s focus on the local manufacturing ecosystem for assisting the mobility ecosystem and empowering the middle-class purchasing power. It's encouraging to see the government’s effort in promoting green mobility by incentivizing local EV component manufacturing. With more disposable income in the hands of consumers—particularly the middle class—purchasing power is set to rise, which will naturally accelerate the shift toward sustainable mobility. With enhanced credit guarantee cover for MSMEs and startups, particularly in focus sectors crucial for Atmanirbhar Bharat, the budget lays a strong foundation for sustained growth and economic resilience.”
Madhumita Agrawal, Founder & CEO, Oben Electric: “The Union Budget’s focus on expanding the Rare Earth Permanent Magnet Scheme and building dedicated rare earth corridors is a positive step towards reducing import dependence for critical materials used in EV manufacturing. Rare earth magnets, which are key components in electric motors, benefit directly from this initiative, and strengthening capabilities across mining, processing and advanced manufacturing will create a more reliable domestic supply base. The India Semiconductor Mission 2.0 and the Electronics Components Manufacturing Scheme will help build domestic capabilities in semiconductors and other electronic components, strengthening the supply chain for critical EV systems and reducing dependence on imports. As electric motorcycle manufacturing scales in India, such measures are particularly relevant for manufacturers with end-to-end, in-house development and manufacturing capabilities, supporting localisation and long-term supply stability.”
Kunal Arya, Co-founder & MD at Zelio E Mobility: “India’s electric two-wheeler segment has gained strong momentum, and the Union Budget 2026–27 takes a step toward scaling it into a full industrial ecosystem. Focusing on rare earth magnets and dedicated corridors in mineral-rich states is crucial to secure the materials that power electric drivetrains. Reducing customs duty on capital goods for lithium-ion batteries will help lower costs and support local manufacturing. India Semiconductor Mission 2.0 and the enhanced Electronics Component Manufacturing Scheme will strengthen supply chains, promote full-stack Indian IP, and accelerate battery and component localisation. This is pleasing to see how the government focuses on MSMEs—through credit guarantee support of ?10,000-crore SME Growth Fund, it will further empower companies like ours to expand capacity, innovate faster, and compete globally. For Zelio, these measures provide a clear and stable pathway to scale Make in India electric two-wheelers that are affordable, reliable, and designed for mass adoption across Tier II, Tier III, and emerging markets. As the ecosystem matures, further momentum can be unlocked through targeted PLI support for battery cells and motor controllers, along with rationalisation of GST on electric two-wheelers to enhance affordability and widen consumer access."
Sameer Moidin, Founder & CEO of EVeium Smart Mobility: "Electric two-wheelers today need far more semiconductor and electronic content than ICE vehicles, but the sector is still largely dependent on imports for chips and key components. Steps like the India Semiconductor Mission 2.0 and the enhanced ?40,000 crore outlay for electronics component manufacturing are encouraging and move us in the right direction. The government’s focus on rare earth permanent magnets and dedicated corridors in mineral-rich states, alongside the creation of high-tech tool rooms and chemical parks, will strengthen domestic mining, processing, and component manufacturing while reducing import dependence. The reduction of basic customs duty on capital goods for lithium-ion batteries is another significant measure that can lower production costs and support local manufacturing at scale. That said, the inverted GST structure remains a real challenge, with inputs taxed higher than finished EVs. Fixing this imbalance will be critical to truly strengthen India’s EV manufacturing ecosystem and make electric two-wheelers more affordable and scalable for mass adoption."
Arvind Chandra, Whole Time Director & CEO Tenneco India: “The Union Budget 2026–27 provides a strong growth-oriented platform for India’s auto components and manufacturing sectors, with a clear emphasis on competitiveness, infrastructure investment, and resilient supply chains. The allocation of ?12.2 lakh crore towards infrastructure development, including highways, logistics, and urban infrastructure, will create a significant multiplier effect on vehicle demand, directly benefiting the auto components ecosystem. A strategic focus on policy stability and export competitiveness will further strengthen supply chains and generate employment across the value chain. Measures supporting clean mobility and sustainable technologies, including incentives for EV supply chains and battery manufacturing, are welcome steps toward a balanced transition. We believe this Budget will catalyse long-term investments in technology, localisation, and clean mobility solutions, reinforcing India’s position in advanced automotive engineering and emission control.”
Neeti Sharma, CEO, TeamLease Digital: "For the auto components and engineering sector, Budget 2026–27’s push on semiconductors and advanced manufacturing is not just an industrial policy move, it’s a competitiveness play. As vehicles become increasingly electronics-led — with EVs using 2–3x more chips than ICE vehicles — India’s heavy dependence on imported semiconductors has become a structural risk. Semiconductor Mission 2.0 and related incentives can start localising high-value components like power electronics, sensors and control systems, lowering costs and improving supply resilience. From a workforce perspective, this shifts demand from mechanical-heavy roles to embedded systems, electronics, mechatronics and automation, fundamentally changing the skill profile of India’s auto engineering workforce."
Jeenendra Bhandari, Chairman, JITO Incubation and Innovation Foundation:"From an investor’s perspective, the Union Budget 2026 sends a strong and reassuring signal about India’s long-term growth fundamentals. The clear focus on strengthening MSMEs through improved credit access and structural support will deepen the base of the economy and create scalable investment opportunities. The continued push towards AI, deep-tech and digital infrastructure, combined with incentives for startups and collaborative innovation between industry, academia and global technology partners, positions India as a serious contender in next-generation technologies. Equally encouraging is the emphasis on women entrepreneurs and first-time founders, which expands the entrepreneurial pipeline and brings diversity into capital formation. Together, these measures create a more resilient, innovation-driven ecosystem that investors can back with confidence for sustainable, future-ready growth.”
Sidhartha Bhushan Khurana, Managing Director, STUDDS Accessories : The Union Budget 2026 provides a steady and pragmatic framework for India’s manufacturing transition. By scaling capital expenditure to ?12.2 lakh crore and focusing on City Economic Regions, the government is effectively strengthening the infrastructure that drives consumption in Tier II and III cities—the primary growth engines for the two-wheeler industry. The Rs 10,000 crore SME Growth Fund and the mandatory adoption of TReDS are critical structural shifts that will address long-standing liquidity and scaling hurdles within the MSME ecosystem. Similarly, the High-Powered ‘Education to Employment and Enterprise’ standing committee is a necessary step to align our talent pool with the evolving needs of high-tech manufacturing as we aim for a 10% global share by 2047. As an organization deeply committed to Road Safety, we see the government’s focus on ‘National Kartavya’ as a shared responsibility. This budget balances the need for resilience with a clear roadmap for capacity building, creating a constructive environment for Indian manufacturers to expand their footprint both domestically and globally.”
Pavan Guntupalli, Co-Founder, Rapido: “The Union Budget’s focus on skilling, tourism and the development of Tier II and Tier III cities strongly aligns with Rapido’s mission of enabling dignified livelihoods at scale. As India’s growth increasingly shifts beyond metros, platforms like ours play a critical role in connecting people to work, markets and opportunities. By empowering local youth with flexible earning options and supporting last-mile mobility in emerging tourism and economic hubs, we are helping translate infrastructure and skilling investments into real, on-ground impact.”
Pranav Bansal, CEO, Bansal Wire Industries: “The Union Budget’s Rs 20,000-crore Carbon Capture and Utilisation (CCUS) scheme is a timely and pragmatic intervention for India’s steel sector, where a large share of emissions are structurally hard to abate. Enabling CCUS deployment across power, steel, cement and refining can create immediate and measurable impact, allowing existing assets to align with climate goals while sustaining industrial growth. Equally significant is the Budget’s clear thrust on strengthening domestic manufacturing, particularly through support for construction and infrastructure equipment and the proposed infrastructure risk guarantee fund, which together can improve project viability and crowd in private capital. For us, the real opportunity lies in integrating CCUS pathways, energy-efficient processes and cleaner material inputs into our operations, while continuing to serve India’s expanding infrastructure needs. The way forward must now focus on rapid technology deployment, bankable demonstration projects and close industry-government collaboration, so that India’s steel value chain can emerge as a globally competitive, low-carbon engine of growth for Viksit Bharat.”
Dr. Sanjeev Srivastava, Head of Industrial Automation, Delta Electronics India: What this Budget makes very clear is that the focus is no longer only on adding capacity, but on improving how manufacturing actually performs on the ground. Initiatives like the Semiconductor Mission and the plan to rejuvenate 200 legacy industrial clusters show a clear intent to raise quality, precision, and reliability across factories. The proposed Rs 10,000 crore MSME growth fund is also an important step, as stronger and more capable MSMEs directly strengthen the manufacturing ecosystem as a whole. As manufacturing becomes more complex and technology-intensive, automation and digital systems will increasingly be at the centre of day-to-day operations—helping plants improve consistency, manage scale, and meet global benchmarks. From a factory perspective, this Budget sets the direction for a more modern, efficient, and performance-driven manufacturing environment in India.
Benjamin Lin, President, Delta Electronics India: This Budget brings together multiple strands of India’s manufacturing and technology growth story in a balanced and forward-looking manner. The Rs 40,000 crore allocation for India Semiconductor Mission 2.0 and the enhanced outlay for electronics components manufacturing point to a clear focus on scale, depth, and ecosystem development. When seen alongside targeted support for MSMEs through a ?10,000 crore growth fund, the policy framework addresses both large-scale manufacturing and the strength of the supplier base. By aligning capital support with capability building and innovation, the Budget creates a solid foundation for sustainable, technology-led growth and reinforces India’s ambition to emerge as a globally competitive electronics manufacturing hub.
Niranjan Nayak, MD, Delta Electronics India: What stands out in the Union Budget 2026 is the scale, consistency, and seriousness with which the government is approaching electronics and advanced manufacturing. The launch of India Semiconductor Mission 2.0 with an outlay of ?40,000 crore, along with the expansion of the electronics components manufacturing scheme to a similar level, clearly signals a long-term commitment to building strong domestic capabilities. Importantly, the focus goes beyond manufacturing capacity to include full-stack design, development of Indian intellectual property, skill creation, and stronger supply-chain resilience. This reflects a practical understanding of how globally competitive technology ecosystems are built. Such clarity and continuity in policy direction give industry the confidence to plan long-term investments, deepen local value addition, and steadily move India up the electronics manufacturing value chain.
Harry Bajaj, Founder & CEO, Mobec Innovation: The Union Budget 2026 deepens India’s commitment to energy transition by extending customs duty exemptions to capital goods for lithium-ion cell manufacturing across battery energy storage systems. This will significantly strengthen domestic capabilities in large-scale storage—an essential backbone for EV charging infrastructure and grid stability. The exemption on capital goods for critical mineral processing further accelerates India’s move from resource dependence to value-added clean-tech manufacturing. Together, these measures reinforce India’s ambition to build a resilient, end-to-end battery and storage ecosystem, enabling scalable, smart, and sustainable mobility solutions
Akshay Chhabra, CMD, 1Point1 Solutions Limited: The Union Budget 2026–27 signals that India is moving beyond AI adoption to making AI a core engine of economic growth. A key highlight is the recognition of data centres as critical national infrastructure—a timely move that underscores the foundational role of digital infrastructure in an AI-led economy. The proposed tax holiday until 2047 for global cloud service providers operating data centres in India sends a strong signal to long-term investors and hyperscalers. It encourages sustained capital commitment, accelerates large-scale infrastructure build-out, and strengthens India’s position in the global cloud, AI, and digital services value chain. For AI-first services companies like 1Point1 Solutions, with operations across global markets and expertise in technology-led BPM and CX transformation, these measures create a powerful enabling environment. Incentives for cloud and hyperscale providers not only expand infrastructure capacity but also enhance institutional capability, talent readiness, and ecosystem maturity. Together, these steps reinforce India’s readiness to lead responsibly in a digital- and intelligence-driven global economy. For companies with deep AI integration and global operations, this Budget highlights a clear reality: AI is no longer a future roadmap it is today’s operating reality, and India is ready to lead from the front.
Prashant Kumar, Co-founder and CEO of zingbus: “The Union Budget’s renewed focus on tourism and hospitality presents a significant opportunity for the intercity mobility sector. Investments in a National Institute of Hospitality, upskilling local guides, and the development of sustainable trekking and heritage circuits will drive higher tourist footfall across emerging and iconic destinations. For zingbus, this translates into enabling safer, reliable, and technology-led travel that seamlessly connects travellers to these locations. As tourism expands beyond metros, efficient bus networks will play a critical role in improving accessibility, supporting local economies, and powering India’s next phase of travel-led growth.”
Kunal Mundra, Founder and CEO, Astranova Mobility: "This budget has highlighted the government's emphasis on enabling financing for India's future and the critical role specialised NBFCs play in the ecosystem. The Budget acknowledges that banks are not the only answer to India’s financing needs and that complex, niche industries require specialised financing institutions that offer more than simply credit, by truly comprehending the asset lifecycle. This shift moves financing away from one-size-fits-all lending towards more focused, developmental support. For companies working in clean mobility, this is a very encouraging signal and reinforces the fact that enabling India’s energy transition will require specialised financing institutions like Astranova Mobility with the required capabilities to enable deep financing penetration and hence faster adoption.”
Rahul Garg, Founder & CEO, Moglix: “The launch of India Semiconductor Mission 2.0 with an outlay of Rs 40,000 crore represents a major milestone for India’s technology manufacturing ambitions. By focusing on equipment manufacturing, materials, full-stack chip design and domestic intellectual property, the programme addresses critical capability gaps. The additional Rs 10,000 crore Shakti initiative and industry-led training centres will further strengthen the talent pipeline and supply chain resilience, accelerating India’s semiconductor self-reliance.”
Saket Mehra, Partner, Grant Thornton Bharat: The Honourable Finance Minister’s announcement to develop industrial corridors across Odisha, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, and Tamil Nadu reinforces the Government’s vision to reduce import dependency for manufacturing components critical to the EV ecosystem. This development will accelerate the rollout of the INR 7,280-crore scheme announced in 2025, which aims to expand India’s capabilities from mining to the entire value-chain system, strengthening domestic manufacturing and enabling end-to-end value creation.
Ravi Krishnamoorthi, Group President – Strategic Initiatives, Rosmerta Technologies: “The Government’s infrastructure-led growth strategy sends a strong and unambiguous signal. At a time when private investment is re-engaging, the nearly 20 percent increase in capital expenditure to INR 12.2 lakh crore provides both scale and certainty to the growth agenda. This push is underpinned by disciplined fiscal management. The ability to invest decisively while keeping the fiscal deficit on a stable path, projected at 4.3 percent through FY27, reinforces macroeconomic stability and investor confidence. The focus on infrastructure is structural and long term. The INR 40,000 crore ECMS allocation, seven new Dedicated Freight Corridors, upgrades to coastal infrastructure, and a sharper emphasis on domestic tooling and component manufacturing directly address efficiency gaps and strengthen national capabilities. These initiatives improve logistics, deepen supply chains, and enhance India’s competitiveness in global markets. Alongside this, the rationalisation of income tax and Basic Customs Duty improves ease of doing business and supports capital formation. Combined with the cumulative impact of GST and income tax reforms, these measures are expected to sustain consumer demand and economic momentum. The direction is clear. India is investing with intent, executing with discipline, and building durable foundations for long-term growth. As business leaders, this is the kind of clarity and consistency that allows us to plan, invest, and build with confidence.
Dr. Sudhir Mehta, Founder and Chairman, EKA Mobility: The Union Budget 2026 reinforces India’s resolute commitment to building a sustainable, future-ready mobility ecosystem, and places clean transportation firmly at the centre of the country’s development agenda. The Government’s plan to deploy 4,000 electric buses across multiple regions is a clear endorsement of public transport electrification as a scalable solution to rising urban congestion, emissions and mobility demand. Large public fleet adoption is often the tipping point for wider EV acceptance, and this move strengthens confidence across the electric mobility value chain. While these buses are part of mainstream public transport, their deployment across emerging connectivity and tourism circuits will also play a critical role in improving access to key destinations and regional hubs. The Budget’s emphasis on transport-led growth through seven high-speed rail corridors, including key routes such as Hyderabad–Bengaluru and the strategically significant Mumbai–Pune railway corridor, along with dedicated freight corridors like Dankuni–Surat, reflects a broader shift towards cleaner and more efficient intercity and regional connectivity. Public capital expenditure rising to Rs 12.2 lakh crore, complemented by the proposed Infrastructure Risk Guarantee Fund, further strengthens the investment environment for large-scale transport and EV infrastructure projects. Risk-mitigated financing is critical for accelerating deployment across commercial and mass mobility segments. For EKA Mobility, this Budget provides a strong strategic foundation to expand electric vehicle offerings, integrate mass transit and smart mobility solutions, and support low-carbon transport networks across cities, industrial corridors and tourism hubs. Overall, the Budget presents a cohesive vision for inclusive, sustainable and future-ready mobility, aligned with India’s broader aspiration of a Viksit Bharat.
Saugata Basuray, Interim CEO, Castrol India on the Union Budget: “The Budget keeps the focus on building a Viksit Bharat, with clear attention on strengthening rural India. Measures around agriculture, rural enterprises, women and youth, and better connectivity stand out and should help improve incomes beyond the metros. For Castrol, this matters because a bulk of everyday mobility still comes from rural and semi-urban India. Overall, it feels like a balanced Budget that supports growth while keeping fiscal discipline in mind.”
Vaibhav Kaushik, co-founder & CEO of Nawgati: “For the mobility ecosystem, viewing fuel and charging access as an integrated national network aligns well with the Budget’s emphasis on sustainable and efficient infrastructure. Continued support for EV expansion, digital payments, and logistics modernisation can improve utilisation across fuel stations and charging points in cities and along highways. From an industry perspective, the next phase will depend on execution clarity, common standards, and interoperable data systems that enable real-time visibility. If implemented effectively, these measures can reduce congestion and downtime, optimise fleet operations, and ensure that existing infrastructure delivers stronger economic and environmental outcomes.”
Deepali DeV, COO of ECOS (India) Mobility and Hospitality Limited: “The Union Budget 2026–27 presents a balanced and forward-looking roadmap for strengthening India’s infrastructure-led growth while boosting mobility, tourism potential and service-sector employment. The continued emphasis on public capital investment, with effective capex rising to ?17.14 lakh crore, alongside improved transport networks and last-mile connectivity, will enhance the efficiency and reliability of travel and mobility ecosystems nationwide. The Budget’s focus on logistics improvements, multimodal transport integration and urban infrastructure aligns well with the evolving needs of India’s corporate mobility and hospitality sectors. Enhanced allocations for transport, urban renewal and centrally supported schemes will support smoother movement of people and goods, reduce congestion and promote more sustainable mobility outcomes. Equally important are measures to simplify compliance, encourage formalization and strengthen MSMEs, fostering a more trust-based regulatory environment that enables service-oriented enterprises to scale with confidence. Overall, the Budget reinforces India’s journey towards a globally competitive, service-driven economy and opens new avenues for organized mobility and hospitality providers.”