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The Union Budget 2026–27 has positioned education as a critical driver of India’s economic and workforce transformation, with a strong focus on employability, artificial intelligence (AI) integration and industry-aligned skills, industry leaders said. The budget’s emphasis on directly linking education with jobs, entrepreneurship and services-led growth reflects a clear understanding of how careers and talent requirements are evolving. Commenting on the budget, Arjun Nair, Co-founder of Great Learning, said the push to embed AI across learning systems, expand higher education capacity around industrial corridors, and promote modular, industry-designed programmes would significantly strengthen India’s talent pipeline. He noted that repositioning education…

Reacting to the Union Budget FY27, Pinakin Simaria, Head – Agri Business Group, Kotak Mahindra Bank, said the Budget signals a decisive long-term shift in policy stance by simultaneously prioritising innovation, investment-led growth and climate resilience. Simaria said the Budget ensures continued focus on small and marginal farmers (SMFs) through the “Third–Kartavya Framework”, which emphasises productivity enhancement and entrepreneurship. He noted that agriculture is now being treated as a “credible engine of economic growth”, underpinned by a growth rate of 4.45 per cent between FY16 and FY25—the highest recorded in recent decades. Highlighting key policy measures, Simaria pointed to the…

Reacting to the Union Budget 2026, Shekhar Bhandari, President – SME, Kotak Mahindra Bank, said the Budget strikes a careful balance between growth aspirations and fiscal discipline while laying the foundation for long-term economic expansion. Bhandari noted that the fiscal deficit being contained at 4.4 per cent for the current year and projected to moderate further to 4.3 per cent next year provides much-needed macroeconomic stability as India moves towards its Vision 2047 goals. He said this fiscal clarity would help strengthen investor confidence and support sustained economic momentum. Highlighting the focus on capacity creation, Bhandari welcomed the proposed revival…

Reaction to the Union Budget 2026 from economists remained measured, with a mix of reassurance on fiscal consolidation and caution over borrowing levels. Upasna Bhardwaj, Chief Economist at Kotak Mahindra Bank, said the government has continued to prioritise fiscal discipline, broadly aligning with market expectations. According to Bhardwaj, the fiscal deficit target for FY27 has been set at 4.3 per cent, while net market borrowing also remains in line with estimates. “The government has continued to focus on fiscal consolidation. The FY27 fiscal deficit at 4.3% and net borrowing is in line with our expectations,” she said, indicating continuity in…

Reacting to the Union Budget 2026, Rishi Mehra, Chief Executive Officer, India and Head of Strategy, Human Capital, Asia Pacific at Aon, said the Budget represents a bold move towards building structural resilience while laying the foundation for long-term economic growth. Mehra said a key highlight is the government’s focus on “crowding in” private capital through the proposed Infrastructure Risk Guarantee Fund. He noted that the initiative addresses a critical gap in the risk landscape by providing the credit stability required to support large-scale infrastructure projects and long-gestation investments. He also highlighted strategic measures such as the infrastructure and logistics…

The Union Budget 2026 underlines the government’s intent to build long-term economic resilience through higher public spending, strategic investments and measures aimed at crowding in private capital, according to Sushant Sarin, Managing Director – Strategy & Commercial Risk Solutions, India, Aon. In his response to the Budget, Sarin said the allocation of Rs. 12.2 lakh crore towards capital expenditure reflects India’s determination to invest in future-ready infrastructure, while the Rs. 7.5 lakh crore earmarked for defence reinforces the government’s focus on national security and strategic preparedness. A key announcement highlighted in the Budget is the proposed Infrastructure Risk Guarantee Fund,…