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The Union Budget 2026–27 has repositioned education as a central pillar of India’s economic and workforce strategy, with a sharp focus on employability, artificial intelligence (AI) integration and industry-aligned skills. The budget’s thrust on linking education more closely with jobs, entrepreneurship and services-led growth signals a shift toward outcome-driven learning aligned with evolving talent needs. Commenting on the policy direction, Arjun Nair, Co-founder of Great Learning, said the emphasis on embedding AI across learning systems, expanding higher-education capacity around industrial corridors and encouraging modular, industry-designed programmes would meaningfully strengthen India’s talent pipeline. He noted that aligning education with careers and…

Commenting on the Union Budget FY27, Pinakin Simaria, Head – Agri Business Group, Kotak Mahindra Bank, said the Budget marks a clear long-term shift in policy stance by combining innovation, investment-led growth and climate resilience within a single framework. Simaria said the Budget continues to prioritise small and marginal farmers (SMFs) through the “Third–Kartavya Framework”, with a strong focus on productivity enhancement and entrepreneurship. He noted that agriculture is increasingly being positioned as a “credible engine of economic growth”, supported by a sectoral growth rate of 4.45 per cent during FY16–FY25, the highest witnessed in recent decades. He highlighted the…

Reacting to the Union Budget 2026, Shekhar Bhandari, President – SME, Kotak Mahindra Bank, said the Budget charts a growth-oriented path while remaining firmly anchored in fiscal discipline, offering stability as India advances towards its long-term development goals. Bhandari highlighted that the fiscal deficit being contained at 4.4 per cent in the current year and projected to decline further to 4.3 per cent next year sends a positive signal to markets. He noted that this fiscal prudence provides a stable macroeconomic environment and aligns with Bharat’s broader Vision 2047, supporting sustained economic momentum. He said the Budget places strong emphasis…

Reliance Industries Limited has strengthened its presence in India’s media and entertainment sector with Jio Studios acquiring a majority stake in Sikhya Entertainment Private Limited. The deal, completed on February 2, 2026, involves a 50.1% equity acquisition for a total cash consideration of ₹150 crore. The transaction was carried out through a mix of primary and secondary investments by Reliance Strategic Business Ventures Limited, a wholly owned subsidiary of RIL. Reliance said the acquisition will help Jio Studios deepen its content portfolio by partnering with one of India’s most globally recognized production houses.Founded by Guneet Monga Kapoor and Achin Jain,…

The Union Budget 2026 has reaffirmed the government’s focus on fiscal consolidation, though a sharper-than-expected rise in gross borrowing could dampen market sentiment, according to Upasna Bhardwaj, Chief Economist at Kotak Mahindra Bank. Commenting on the Budget, Bhardwaj said the fiscal deficit target for FY27 has been pegged at 4.3 per cent, a level that broadly aligns with market and institutional expectations. Net market borrowing has also been kept in line with projections, underscoring the government’s intent to stay on a calibrated path of fiscal discipline. “The government has continued to focus on fiscal consolidation. The FY27 fiscal deficit at…

The Union Budget 2026 reflects a decisive policy shift aimed at strengthening structural resilience and accelerating long-term growth, according to Rishi Mehra, Chief Executive Officer, India and Head of Strategy, Human Capital, Asia Pacific at Aon. Mehra said the Budget’s emphasis on “crowding in” private investment through the newly announced Infrastructure Risk Guarantee Fund is a significant step in addressing risk-related constraints that often slow large infrastructure projects. By enhancing credit stability, the initiative is expected to improve investor confidence and unlock private capital for large-scale development. He noted that the government’s focus on infrastructure and logistics, along with initiatives…

The Union Budget 2026 sends a strong signal to markets about India’s long-term growth ambitions, with a clear focus on capital expenditure, national security and industrial self-reliance, according to Sushant Sarin, Managing Director – Strategy & Commercial Risk Solutions, India, Aon. Commenting on the Budget, Sarin said the allocation of Rs. 12.2 lakh crore for capital expenditure underlines the government’s determination to build future-ready infrastructure, while the Rs. 7.5 lakh crore earmarked for defence spending reinforces priorities around national security and strategic preparedness. Together, these measures are expected to have strong multiplier effects across core industries and allied sectors. A…