by Mahesh Ravaria, CEO and Co-founder, Beauty Garage Professional
The Union Budget 2025-26 brings a transformative push for startups, retail, and e-commerce, reinforcing India’s vision for innovation and self-reliance. The enhanced credit guarantee cover for startups—doubling from ₹10 crore to ₹20 crore with a moderated 1% guarantee fee for 27 focus sectors—will significantly improve access to capital and fuel entrepreneurial growth. The extension of tax benefits under Section 80-IAC for another five years provides much-needed financial relief, enabling startups to reinvest and scale efficiently.
Additionally, the expansion of the Fund of Funds with a fresh ₹10,000 crore contribution signals strong government backing for venture capital investment in high-growth startups. For the retail and e-commerce sectors, streamlined trade facilitation through BharatTradeNet and improved logistics infrastructure will enhance efficiency and global competitiveness. With increased disposable incomes driving consumer demand and continued support for digital infrastructure, this budget is a decisive step toward making India a global leader in retail and e-commerce.