myHQ by ANAROCK (Commercial Real Estate, Flexible Office)
Utkarsh Kawatra, CEO and Co-Founder, myHQ by ANAROCK "The Union Budget this year is unlikely to bring dramatic announcements for commercial real estate, and that is not necessarily a negative. For offices, stability and predictability matter far more than incentives, because companies plan expansions based on confidence in policy and clarity on the economy's direction rather than short-term tax benefits. This Budget is expected to signal continuity, which helps keep the office market moving steadily.
This stability will be reinforced by infrastructure investment, which is quietly shaping where office demand is heading. Improved metros, roads, and urban connectivity are creating new micro-markets along transit corridors, and Tier-2 cities are increasingly becoming first-office destinations rather than fallback options. As companies assess these evolving locations, they are approaching long-term commitments cautiously, expanding in phases and testing teams and markets before signing large leases. This cautious approach is widening the gap between intent and commitment, and it is in this space that flexible and managed offices are increasingly valuable.
Flexible spaces allow businesses to grow in a measured and reversible way. CFOs prefer opex over capex, founders value speed, and HR teams need offices that are ready from day one. The model is particularly suited for global capability centres and startups, which want to start fast, remain flexible, and scale without friction in an environment of global uncertainty and currency volatility. Combined with hybrid work trends, this is driving a more distributed office footprint, with smaller offices across multiple locations instead of a single large headquarters.
Despite strong momentum, over 30% YOY growth and over 10000Cr of overall revenue, the flex office sector continues to operate without a formal definition or regulatory recognition. It is time for the government to acknowledge flexible workspaces as a distinct real estate asset class and essential component of India's real estate ecosystem. Clear definition of flex and the industry with the help of the government can unlock further financial efficiencies, improve ease of doing business, and support startups, MSMEs, and enterprises that increasingly rely on flexible work models.
Overall, commercial real estate remains resilient, but flexible offices are growing faster because they align with how companies actually grow today — testing, scaling, and stabilising without locking themselves into irreversible decisions. Budget 2026 does not push companies to grow faster; it pushes them to grow smarter."
1. Ajay Kumar Yadav CFPCM, Group CEO & CIO, Wise Finserv
As the Union Budget approaches, markets are not seeking dramatic announcements. They are looking for reassurance. After months of global uncertainty, sustained foreign outflows, and subdued earnings growth, stability has become more important than spectacle.
India remains one of the fastest-growing major economies, but growth has moderated. Corporate earnings have stayed in single digits for several quarters, reflecting uneven demand and margin pressure. With the RBI having already eased monetary policy, expectations from this Budget are firmly centred on fiscal direction.
India's reform base is strong. The new tax regime has simplified personal taxation, while GST reforms have improved compliance. The next step should focus on targeted fiscal support. Incentives linked to job creation, incremental investment, and manufacturing capacity can revive private capex without stretching fiscal discipline. Continued thrust on infrastructure spending would also help crowd in private investment and support employment. This Budget does not need to be loud. It needs to be clear. A steady, focused approach can quietly rebuild confidence and sustain long-term growth.
2. Vishal Mehra, Co-Founder , Stylox Fashion
As a manufacturer of an apparel brand operating in the retail industry, the Union Budget 2026 and 2027 stands at a crucial crossroad to help homegrown fashion brands scale and grow.
With this budget, one of my key expectations is the adjustment of GST rates on clothing, mainly on the mid-price segment. A less complicated and more consistent GST framework would allow the well-structured brands to price their goods competitively and hence, to fight better against the unorganised sector and imports.
Apart from that, we expect the support for sustainable manufacturing to be more powerful than ever. As more brands aim to transition to eco-friendly models, the schemes would promote and motivate these brands through tax advantages or subsidies. We expect sustainability to be supported, not penalised by higher costs.
Another important focus area is easier access to working capital for apparel manufacturers and retailers. Affordable and timely credit for MSMEs will help businesses plan inventory better, expand operations, and generate employment. At last, the government backing for local material sourcing, skill enhancement, and retail expansion in Tier II and Tier III towns will open up the next growth phase for Indian fashion brands. A realistic and growth-oriented budget will enable brands like ours to offer high-quality clothing experiences to Indian consumers at competitive prices, all the while developing their own sustainable and responsible businesses.
3.Arjun Gupta , Founder & CEO, KragBuzz Sports
The coming Union Budget 2026 is a crucial moment for the sports and fitness ecosystem of India to be accelerated in terms of growth. The projected growth of the sports and activewear market to USD 21.25 billion by 2033 at a nearly 5.5% CAGR indicates that the sector is turning into an important brick in the wall of India's fashion and lifestyle economy.
By 2030, sportswear is likely to form a major portion of the overall fashion retail landscape, driven by rising fitness awareness and youth participation. With the budget for FY 26-27 we expect an emphasis on the construction of new, modern sports facilities mainly in Tier II and Tier III cities which already have a large number of people interested in sports. National initiatives such as Fit India and Khelo India can still attract young talents from the very beginning and will also be instrumental in the formation of a strong fitness culture. We additionally expect incentives to be given to the manufacturers who are operating within the country, in the form of tax allowances and reduced regulation, initiating a process through which Indian companies could responsibly expand their business operations and deliver high-quality sportswear products at low prices.
Mr. Aditya Kale, Founder & CEO, Airattix
"Over the past year, infrastructure-led growth has played a crucial role in strengthening India's warehousing and storage ecosystem, improving connectivity and laying the groundwork for more efficient supply chains. As we approach Budget 2026, building capacity must now give way to enabling more intelligent, adaptable, and technologically advanced storage options. Policy support for digitally linked warehousing, shared and distributed storage models, and AI-led space management can greatly increase utilisation and enable companies to react more quickly to shifting demand.
While more focus on automation, energy efficiency, and digital operations can unlock underutilised storage space, especially in dense urban and rapidly expanding semi-urban markets, ongoing investment in logistical corridors and multimodal infrastructure will still be crucial. Additionally, through targeted skilling efforts, tax rationalisation, and better access to financing, Budget 2026 offers an opportunity to boost MSME involvement. Together, these actions can help the sector transition from infrastructure-driven growth to a fulfilment and warehousing ecosystem that is prepared for the future and fosters long-term economic progress and job creation.
"2025 has been a year of steady progress and purposeful engagement for India's medical devices sector. We commend the Government of India for its continued focus on strengthening the MedTech ecosystem through sustained policy dialogue and the growing recognition of medical devices as a strategic pillar of healthcare delivery and economic resilience. This year witnessed deeper engagement on the Medical Devices Policy 2023, alongside constructive discussions on regulatory predictability, domestic manufacturing capacity, and the urgent need to reduce import dependence in critical device segments.
For Indian manufacturers, particularly MSMEs, 2025 has laid the groundwork for a more balanced and enabling operating environment—one that prioritises quality, affordability, and trust while encouraging innovation and global competitiveness. At AiMeD, our efforts have remained centred on advocating a level playing field, ethical procurement practices, and policy frameworks that support sustainable growth across the value chain.
As we step into 2026, the focus must shift decisively towards consistent policy execution and deeper industry–government collaboration. Key steps include raising tariffs to 10–15% from the current 7.5% to support domestic manufacturing, adopting quality‑based criteria in public procurement with preference for ICMED certification over foreign approvals, updating labelling norms to disclose domestic content percentages, and incentivising suppliers with over 50% local value addition. These reforms, coupled with measures to enhance global competitiveness, can help India translate its capability, capacity, and credibility into lasting outcomes—positioning our nation as a leading global MedTech hub."
— Rajiv Nath, Forum Coordinator, Association Of Indian Medical Devices.
