As the Union Budget for the financial year 2026–27 is fast approaching, India’s healthcare and allied sectors are articulating clear expectations from policymakers ranging from accelerating preventive and digital health solutions to strengthening pharmaceutical manufacturing, exports and sustainable infrastructure.
With healthcare moving beyond treatment to encompass wellness, innovation, data-driven care and quality-led ecosystems, industry leaders are calling for targeted fiscal support, stable regulatory frameworks and long-term policy clarity.
Together, these perspectives reflect the sector’s growing strategic importance to India’s economy, public health outcomes and global standing.
Dr Sajeev Nair, Founder and Chairman, Vieroots
"As India moves from reactive healthcare to preventive and predictive wellness, the Union Budget presents a critical opportunity to accelerate this shift. We hope to see stronger policy and fiscal support for AI-driven health platforms, digital diagnostics, and personalised wellness solutions that leverage genomics, biomarker intelligence, and real-time health data. Incentives for health-tech startups working at the intersection of AI, data science, and preventive care can significantly improve early risk detection and reduce long-term healthcare costs. Additionally, integrating wearables, remote monitoring, and digital therapeutics into insurance frameworks and public–private partnerships will be critical to driving large-scale adoption. A focused push on data infrastructure, ethical AI frameworks, and innovation-led healthcare can help India build a scalable, accessible wellness ecosystem that empowers individuals to take charge of their health before illness sets in."
Priyanka Chigurupati, Executive Director, Granules India Limited
“As India’s role in global pharmaceutical supply chains continues to expand, this is a critical moment to strengthen our manufacturing and innovation ecosystem. In a global environment driven by supply chain de-risking and diversification, the right policy support can help India emerge as the preferred long-term alternative. A forward-looking Union Budget that improves ease of doing business, enhances manufacturing competitiveness, supports an innovation ecosystem, and sharpens export-oriented policies will reinforce India’s credibility as a reliable source of affordable medicines.”
For your daily dose of medical news and updates, visit: HEALTH
Sheetal Arora, Promoter & CEO, Mankind Pharma
“As India finalises the Union Budget 2026–27, the pharmaceutical sector stands at a pivotal juncture, expanding healthcare access at home while strengthening India’s position as a global supplier of affordable medicines. With pharma exports crossing US$30 billion in FY25 and India contributing nearly 20% of global generic medicine volumes, the industry’s scale and strategic importance are well established.
As government health allocations, digital health initiatives and public healthcare schemes continue to drive demand for affordable therapies, this budget presents a timely opportunity to deepen support through enhanced R&D tax incentives, including the restoration of globally competitive weighted R&D deductions, expanded PLI-style measures and targeted duty rationalisation to strengthen API self-reliance.
Building on the GST rationalisation measures introduced in 2025, we also look forward to a stable and predictable GST framework that addresses inverted duty structures, recognises the unavoidable nature of medicine expiry, quality and safety requirements, and enables smoother cost pass-through across the pharma value chain.
Fast-tracking capacity creation for regulated markets such as the US and EU, supported by customs duty rationalisation for advanced manufacturing and quality compliance infrastructure, will further unlock export growth and high-quality employment, while collectively helping secure supply chains, drive innovation and reduce the cost of medicines for millions of patients across India.”
Abdulkader Bengali, Managing Director, Hansgrohe India
“As India prepares for Budget 2026-27, the macroeconomic outlook remains resilient, with strong growth fundamentals and rising aspirations across Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities. A growing middle class is increasingly seeking luxury residential and hospitality experiences—spaces that are not only premium and well-designed but also efficient and sustainable, reflecting evolving lifestyles and global exposure.
This shift calls for policy frameworks that strengthen infrastructure, urban planning, and housing ecosystems, ensuring access to high-quality living while maintaining affordability and long-term value. Encouraging responsible construction practices, skill development, and quality-led execution can elevate standards across both luxury residential and hospitality segments.
With consistent policy support, a sharper focus on durability, sustainability, and user experience will enhance India’s living environments and hospitality offerings, driving inclusive growth while reinforcing the country’s building ecosystem for the future.”
