Delhi, India | 2nd February 2026: India’s Union Budget 2026-27 has drawn strong reactions from leaders across the services, technology, real estate and advisory sectors, with a broad consensus that the Government has prioritised long-term structural growth over short-term fiscal relief. Industry experts say the Budget strengthens digital infrastructure, enhances the competitiveness of the services sector and provides greater clarity on tax and regulatory frameworks, positioning India for sustained economic expansion.
A major highlight for technology and services companies is the Government’s focus on the services sector as a primary driver of national growth. Ankit Agarwal, Vice-Chairman and Non-Executive Director, Invenia-STL Networks, said, “The Union Budget 2026 firmly positions the services sector as a core growth engine of Viksit Bharat, reinforcing its role in driving economic growth, employment and exports.” According to industry leaders, this signals a shift toward structural reforms rather than short-term stimulus measures.
Digital infrastructure has emerged as a key pillar of the Budget’s growth strategy. Agarwal noted that the emphasis on data centres recognises them as critical enablers of India’s ambitions in artificial intelligence, cloud computing and digital public infrastructure. He added that targeted incentives for this sector will help attract foreign investment, encourage domestic innovation and create a strong foundation for next-generation technologies.
From a broader technology policy perspective, CP Gurnani, Co-Founder and Vice Chairman of AIONOS, said the Budget marks a shift from technology adoption to strategic capability building. “Union Budget 2026 signals a decisive shift in how India is approaching technology, from adoption to strategic capability building,” he said. Highlighting the focus on AI, semiconductors, cloud and data infrastructure, Gurnani observed that “Leadership in the digital economy is built bottom-up, starting with strong foundations.”
Gurnani further emphasised that technological growth must align with workforce development and MSME participation. He pointed to initiatives such as Bharat Vistar, which offers farmers local-language, data-driven crop guidance, and the Centre of Excellence in AI for Education, which promotes research into AI-driven learning tools. These initiatives demonstrate how technology policy is being linked to inclusion, productivity and regional development.
The mobility and operations segment also welcomed the Budget’s strategic direction. Sriram Kannan, Founder and CEO, Routematic, said, “Budget 2026 sends a strong signal on where India’s next phase of growth will come from, through sustained public capex, the creation of rare-earth magnet corridors to support EV and advanced manufacturing, and the proposed MSME Growth Fund to help smaller enterprises scale.” He added that as industrial activity expands in Tier-2 and Tier-3 cities, organised and technology-enabled workforce mobility will be essential to improve productivity and labour force participation.
The real estate sector responded positively to reforms aimed at unlocking value and broadening investment avenues. Hardeep Dayal, President – Commercial, Bhartiya Urban, described the introduction of dedicated REITs for CPSE assets as “an innovative step for India’s real estate and capital markets.” He said that monetising under-utilised government properties and recycling capital into infrastructure projects would create a transparent, market-driven investment pathway, deepen liquidity and strengthen commercial real estate markets.
Tax and advisory professionals highlighted reforms that support India’s global services ambitions. CA Nidhi Goyal, Managing Director, Avinav Consulting and Partner, Nivesa Advisors LLP, said the Budget is “setting a long-term vision for India’s services sector; expanding its global market share; creating employment, analysing the impact of artificial intelligence and introducing tax reforms such as certainty for BPOs and a common safe harbour margin of 15.5% for IT services.” She noted that these measures enhance India’s attractiveness as a services destination for both domestic and international firms.
Overall, industry reactions indicate that Union Budget 2026-27 is being viewed as a strategic blueprint for long-term competitiveness, capability building and inclusive growth. By combining digital infrastructure incentives, services sector tax clarity and capital market reforms, the Budget sends a clear signal that India aims to strengthen its position as a global hub for services, digital innovation and investment.
