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Mumbai: The Union Budget 2026 has received a largely positive response from industry leaders across sectors such as manufacturing, real estate, consumer goods, banking and healthcare. Most experts believe the Budget sends a strong signal towards economic growth, job creation and long-term development, especially by supporting MSMEs, infrastructure and domestic manufacturing.

Mr Vinod Kumar Gupta, Managing Director of Dollar Industries Limited, said the Rs 10,000 crore credit boost for MSMEs will directly benefit labour-intensive sectors like hosiery. He also welcomed the introduction of the National Fibre Scheme, which aims to strengthen the supply of both natural and man-made fibres. According to him, this will reduce dependence on imports, improve raw material availability and make Indian manufacturers more competitive.

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Real estate leaders also expressed confidence in the Budget. Mr Sahil Saharia, CEO of Bengal Shristi Infrastructure Development Ltd, said the focus on affordable housing and urban infrastructure in Tier 1 and Tier 2 cities will improve access to quality housing. He added that the Infrastructure Risk Guarantee Fund is a timely step, as it can reduce financial risks for developers and speed up project execution.

Echoing similar views, Mr Arya Sumant, Managing Director of Eden Realty, said the government’s emphasis on infrastructure-backed housing growth will boost buyer confidence and help the sector recover faster.

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Consumer And MSME Sectors Find Support

Mr Shivam Agarwal, Head of Marketing & Strategy at Doctors’ Choice, said the Budget’s steady focus on infrastructure, rural spending and supply chain resilience will help stabilise demand for consumer products. Better logistics and policy clarity, he said, will support long-term business planning.

Mr Chandra Sekhar Ghosh, President of Bengal Business Council and Chairman of Bandhan Group, highlighted the importance of MSME reforms. He said initiatives like Compliance Mitra will reduce regulatory burdens, making it easier for small businesses to access credit and grow.

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Healthcare Sector Calls For More Focus On Accessibility

While welcoming the Budget, Dr Debasish Bhattacharya, CMD of Disha Eye Hospitals, said initiatives like ‘Biopharma Shakti’ are a positive step towards reducing non-communicable diseases. However, he pointed out that preventive eye care still needs more attention. He stressed the need for better screening programmes and incentives for eye hospitals in rural and Tier 2 and 3 cities, where affordability remains a major challenge.

Overall, industry leaders see Budget 2026 as a growth-oriented roadmap that supports manufacturing, housing, MSMEs and healthcare, while also encouraging self-reliance and employment generation.

Dr Akshay Kulkarni, Founder and Principal Advisor, Bulls N Bucks, Mumbai, commented on the Union Budget from a market and investor perspective:

“A Budget pitched as reform has ended up as restraint. The Street had hoped for an honourable cremation of STT; instead, it has received a steeper levy dressed up as responsibility. The message is blunt: to hold the fiscal deficit line at 4.3%, sentiment is expendable but spreadsheet sanctity is not. This is not a populist spectacle of giveaways, nor an event that will send indices into a celebratory sprint. It is a Budget that chooses to please ratings agencies and economists rather than traders and brokers. In that sense, it reflects a government more worried about its bond yields than its television sound bites. Markets may sulk in the short term, but the subtext is clear — fiscal prudence, not political indulgence, will frame this year’s playbook, at least on paper.”

Sunil Walavalkar, pioneer of pickleball in India, shared his views on the sports-related aspects of the Union Budget:

“The Union Budget clearly reflects that the Central Government has begun preparations in view of two major upcoming global sporting events — the Commonwealth Games in 2030 and the possibility of India hosting the Olympics in 2036. Like every year, new incentive schemes have been announced for players and sports organisations. However, this year, special priority has been given to entrepreneurs involved in manufacturing sports equipment, which is a very welcome step.”

Sunil Walavalkar