Dr. Silpi Sahoo, Chairperson, SAI International Education Group
The Union Budget 2025-26 is a transformative leap in the education sector with headway on AI-driven learning, skill development, and digital inclusion. The new policy also announces the establishment of the Centre of Excellence for Artificial Intelligence in Education, with an allocation of ₹500 crore, to make India lead the world in AI-enabled education and innovation. This announcement marks the transformative step for integrating leading edge technology into learning, encouraging innovation and access to education.
Government commitment in making broadbands available to each government secondary school, establishment of 50,000 Atal Tinkering Labs to instill scientific temper, and Bharatiya Bhasha Pushtak scheme for the digitization of Indian languages’ books would bring education closer to common citizens.
In addition, the setting up of five National Centres for Excellence in Skilling and the National Institute of Food Technology and Management in Bihar will lead to greater employability and industry readiness. Expansion of five IITs, including IIT Patna, signals renewed efforts at innovation and research. Overall, these moves collectively strengthen the vision of the future-ready education system of India, one which blends technology, inclusivity, and skill building.
The initiative by the government on offering 10000 PM Research fellowship in the next 5 years at IITs and IISc, will empower more students from the lower economic strata to get higher education and pursue their careers in academics within the science and technology departments. It will give talent a scope to flourish beyond the trammel of economic constraints.
Shashank Avadhani, Co-founder, and CEO at Alyve Health
Alyve Health welcomes the Union Budget 2025, which marks a major step towards building a healthier India. The government’s focus on promoting medical tourism and the Heal in India initiative, along with streamlined visa norms, presents a significant growth opportunity for our healthcare sector and aligns with our vision of making India a global health and wellness hub.We are encouraged by the increase in FDI in the insurance sector to 100%, which will foster competition and expand access to essential health services, ensuring that individuals receive necessary care without financial strain.The emphasis on a program for vegetables and fruits reflects growing awareness of nutritional needs, supporting Alyve Health’s core philosophy of promoting healthier lifestyles.The exemption of 36 lifesaving drugs from customs duty is a critical move for those battling cancer and rare diseases, improving access to essential medicines. Additionally, the inclusion of 1 crore gig workers in the PM Jan Arogya Yojana ensures that a crucial segment of the workforce receives vital healthcare.The increased funding for the National Health Mission and mental health initiatives will address healthcare disparities, particularly for the ‘missing middle class. These measures pave the way for a more inclusive and sustainable healthcare system. Alyve Health is eager to collaborate with stakeholders to leverage these advancements and drive better health outcomes for all.Prasad Shejale, Founder and CEO at LS Digital“The Union Budget’s forward-looking approach to Artificial Intelligence, with the establishment of a Center of Excellence (CoE) for AI, aligns with India’s vision of becoming a global digital powerhouse. At LS Digital, we believe AI is not just a tool but a transformative force driving Digital Business Transformation (DBT). With AI at the helm, we are leveraging its capabilities across research, prediction, and generation to unlock new possibilities for businesses, enhance decision-making, and drive intelligent automation.
The push for AI-led innovation, coupled with initiatives to streamline global operations and taxation frameworks, will accelerate enterprise adoption of digital technologies, making India a key hub for advanced AI-driven solutions. As businesses embrace AI to optimize efficiency and fuel innovation, LS Digital remains committed to pioneering cutting-edge solutions that shape the future of digital transformation.”
Mr. Venugopal Ganganna, Co-founder and CIO, LS Digital
“We welcome Budget 2025-26 as a forward-looking and growth-oriented budget that places significant emphasis on human capital development and digital transformation. The announcement of five National Centres of Excellence for Skilling demonstrates the government’s commitment to preparing India’s youth for global opportunities.
Additionally, the ₹500 crore commitment to an AI Centre of Excellence for Education demonstrates the nation’s serious intent towards technological innovation in learning. At LS Digital, empowering companies with AI-driven skilling solutions has been one of our core commitments, and the initiatives announced today will provide a significant boost to our mission. As a leader in digital business transformation, I am confident that these strategic initiatives will accelerate India’s transition to a knowledge economy, fostering talent development and digital innovation. At the same time, they will empower organizations with the competitive edge needed to thrive in today’s rapidly evolving digital landscape.”
Lalit Ahuja, CEO ANSR
“The proposed framework for expanding Global Capability Centers into tier-2 cities introduced by the Finance Minister marks a strategic pivot in India’s tech evolution and the recognition of the immense potential of GCCs as a force multiplier to our economic growth. With 80% of global firms yet to establish GCCs in India, this initiative unlocks tremendous potential for transforming India’s attractiveness as the global GCC capital, while creating millions of skilled jobs across the country’s emerging urban centers.
As a global market leader in the GCC industry, ANSR is a huge proponent of expansion of GCC markets to emerging Tier-2 cities. ANSR has partnered with organizations such as KDEM, GIFT City and several state governments to amplify the GCC expansion to Tier-2 cities
It’s truly heartening to see the Finance Minister acknowledge the GCC industry in this year’s budget. This recognition marks a pivotal moment for our sector, poised to break through the sound barrier of growth and emerge as a vital component of India’s IT landscape. The proposed national framework will be instrumental in unlocking the potential of tier 2 cities, driving the next wave of growth, and enabling us to build a robust talent supply engine that fuels innovation and excellence.”
Vikram Ahuja, Co-Founder ANSR
“The Union Budget 2025 marks a significant step forward for Global Capability Centers (GCCs) with the expansion of safe harbor rules and a structured approach to determining arm’s length pricing for international transactions. This move is set to create a more predictable and efficient regulatory environment, reducing compliance complexities and minimizing litigation risks. By fostering greater ease of doing business, India strengthens its position as the global hub for GCCs, driving sustained growth and competitiveness in the years ahead.”
Girish Rowjee, Co-founder & CEO, greytHR
“The Union Budget 2025 reinforces India’s commitment to inclusive development, economic acceleration, and technological advancement. It sets a powerful momentum for India’s MSMEs and workforce transformation. With the credit guarantee cover doubling to ₹10 crore and MSME investment and turnover limits expanding (2.5X and 2X), small businesses now have greater financial flexibility to scale and innovate. The ₹10,000 crore Fund of Funds, five National Centres of Excellence for Skilling, and AI-driven education initiatives underscore India’s commitment to building a future-ready workforce.
The government’s move to remove income tax up to ₹12 lakhs is a crucial step in recognizing the middle class’s contribution to India’s economic growth. We also look forward to further tax reforms that support economic relief and financial well-being in the upcoming income tax bill.
Overall, the expectation is that these strategic reforms will accelerate entrepreneurship, enhance employability, and position India as a global hub for talent and innovation. At greytHR, we welcome the focus on MSME reforms, AI development, and tax reforms. We remain committed to driving innovation in HR tech, simplifying compliance, and empowering businesses to navigate this evolving landscape with confidence.”
Pradeep Aggarwal, Chairman, Signature Global (India) Ltd.
“The Union Budget 2025 is a game-changer, reinforcing India’s commitment to inclusive and sustainable urban growth. The SWAMIH Fund 2 with ₹15,000 crore will accelerate the completion of stalled housing projects, bringing relief to over one lakh homebuyers. The ₹1 lakh crore Urban Challenge Fund will play a pivotal role in transforming cities into vibrant growth hubs, ensuring balanced regional development.
The masterstroke of direct tax reform—exempting income up to ₹12 lakh—will significantly boost disposable income, increasing affordability for homebuyers and driving real estate demand. Additionally, the government’s thrust on PPP-driven infrastructure with a structured three-year project pipeline will accelerate urban expansion, unlocking new opportunities for real estate and housing. These progressive reforms align with India’s vision of ‘Sabka Vikas’, fostering a robust ecosystem for homebuyers, developers, and investors alike.”