Mr. Rajat Agarwal, CEO, Barista Coffee-
"Recent changes in GST rates were a much needed breather extended by the government. We would expect the budget for 2026 to review the input credit availability for F&B restaurants, even if it is restricted to a few expenditure heads like Rent & Capital. Further, an incentive structure which is linked to employment generated for freshers to motivate the Industry, as retail being one of the largest employers in India."
“As India advances its clean-energy and e-mobility vision, the upcoming Budget is an opportunity to accelerate momentum in advanced battery manufacturing and energy-storage technologies. Policy measures that promote localisation of critical components, incentivise R&D for next-generation chemistries, and establish a clear framework for battery recycling and second-life deployment will be instrumental in strengthening India’s energy-security roadmap. We also look forward to continued policy encouragement for EV adoption, particularly in the two- and three-wheeler segments, and a stronger integration of storage solutions within the renewable-energy value chain. A stable, long-term policy regime supported by targeted manufacturing incentives under ‘Make in India’ can help position India as a global hub for lithium-ion batteries and sustainable energy solutions” - Mr. Samrath S Kochar, Founder and CEO at Trontek Electronics Ltd.
Inputs attributed to Shafiulla Hirehal Nuruddin, Founder and Managing Director at Greenspace Herbs.
Quote: The industry that relies on botanical actives has its fingers crossed that the 2026 Budget will bring in regulations that guarantee ingredient quality, essentially ensuring a transparent supply chain. Critically, the sector wants the government to roll out incentives for farmers to improve the medicinal raw materials. This means encouraging pesticide-free cultivation and setting standards for post-harvest handling to keep the quality high.
There is also a need for more accessible advanced testing infrastructure. For high-precision herbal extracts routine checks for adulteration, microbial safety and active-compound levels are essential, yet often expensive and limited geographically.
Finally, clearer frameworks for botanical extracts, standardisation, and clean-label formulations would help manufacturers innovate with confidence. Overall, the sector hopes the Budget will reinforce reliability, transparency and scientific rigor across India's botanical ecosystem."
Inputs attributed to Amit Srivastava, Founder and Chief Catalyst of Nutrify Today.
Quote: The upcoming 2026 Budget needs to finally settle the regulations and give the nutraceuticals sector the clarity it desperately needs. The crucial call will be deciding who takes control: most people expect it to be the Ministry of Food Processing Industries, though establishing a separate new regulatory arm is also on the table. This would not only speed up approvals but it would also make sure that safety and quality criteria are always met. Contract manufacturing (CDMO), research and development (R&D) and incentives for producing indigenous ingredients would reduce India's dependency on imports, boost Make-in-India and establish India as a major global exporter.
Further, fiscal support — such as tax benefits or export-linked incentives — will encourage innovation and help scale home-grown nutraceutical products worldwide. Support for clinical research and evidence-based nutrition will raise consumer trust and global credibility.
With the right policy thrust, Budget 2026 can catalyse India's transition from a largely import-dependent industry to a globally competitive nutraceutical powerhouse — generating jobs, improving public health outcomes, and reinforcing India's place on the world's preventive-health map.
Pre-budget quote around Tech & Startup sector: As India prepares the upcoming Union Budget 2026, the technology and startup ecosystem is expecting for strong policy support, and fiscal measures to accelerate innovation, deepen digital infrastructure, and strengthen global competitiveness. An understanding to enhance funding for deep-tech, AI, data, and cybersecurity startups, rationalised tax and ESOP reforms, and simplified compliance will be the key to enabling sustainable growth. Continued focus on AI, data centres, semiconductor design, and R&D incentives will help build long-term digital resilience, while large-scale upskilling initiatives can address the growing tech talent gap. A forward-looking budget that treats technology as a core economic enabler will be critical in positioning India as a global hub for innovation and digital services. - Mr. Raghu Pareddy, CEO & Founder of Wissen Technology.
Dr. Hanuma Prasad Modali, Managing Director & CEO, Deccan Gold Mines Ltd., said:
“If India is serious about building a self-reliant critical minerals ecosystem, this Budget must move decisively from intent to execution. What the sector needs now is policy certainty that enables projects to move faster from exploration to production, without diluting environmental or social safeguards.”
“Allowing the extraction and sale of associated minerals without additional fiscal burdens - beyond royalties, DMF and NMET - is a necessary reform to improve project economics and attract long-term capital. Equally important is wider access to high-resolution geological and geophysical data from GSI and the auctioning of larger, contiguous mineral blocks to build scale and meaningfully reduce import dependence.”
“Land and forest approvals remain the single biggest bottleneck. Time-bound clearances, authenticated digital land banks, joint site inspections, and clearly defined escalation mechanisms where statutory timelines are breached will materially accelerate project implementation while preserving ecological priorities.”
“On the trade side, the recent reduction in import duties for select critical minerals is a positive step. Extending this rationalisation across the entire range of critical mineral concentrates and semi-processed products would significantly improve supply-chain resilience, support domestic processing and refining, and ensure that Indian manufacturers remain globally competitive during the transition phase as domestic mining scales up.”
“Finally, India must look beyond mining alone. Supporting the downstream value chain - through clarity on battery scrap and black mass classifications, rational GST structures, and closer coordination with defence, space and advanced manufacturing - will be critical to building a resilient, end-to-end critical minerals value chain anchored in India.”
