Budget 2025: Industry leaders have largely welcomed the Union Budget 2025, recognizing its focus on sustainable growth, innovation, and economic empowerment. Key areas of praise include the emphasis on infrastructure development, clean energy, MSME support, and education, especially in AI and skill development. Several leaders also highlighted the budget’s potential to boost manufacturing, rural development, and digital inclusion. However, some expressed the need for further attention to specific sectors, such as mental health and children’s healthcare. Overall, the budget is seen as a step toward building a more self-reliant and future-ready economy.
Manufacturing & MSMEs:
- Dr. Pawan Munjal (Hero MotoCorp) praised the budget for strengthening India’s industrial backbone through investments in infrastructure, EV technology, and MSME growth.
- Mr. Niranjan Kirloskar (Fleetguard Filters) highlighted the National Manufacturing Mission and PLI extension as key moves to boost domestic production.
- Vijay Karia (Ravin Group) urged MSMEs to scale up, leveraging investment and turnover limit enhancements.
Tax & Consumer Benefits:
- V.P. Nandakumar (Manappuram Finance) called the income tax exemption up to ₹12 lakh a major relief for the middle class, boosting consumption and savings.
- Ashwani Dhanawat (Shriram General Insurance) emphasized that the new tax slabs would stimulate domestic consumption and savings.
Green Energy & EVs:
- Amey Belorkar (IDBI Capital) noted strong support for clean energy, including ₹20,000 crore for Small Modular Reactors and incentives for nuclear power expansion.
- Dr. Amit Paithankar (Waaree Energies) lauded incentives for lithium-ion battery manufacturing and renewable energy, positioning India as a clean-tech leader.
Infrastructure & PPPs:
- Vivek Lohia (Jupiter Wagons) emphasized how Public-Private Partnerships (PPPs) are accelerating infrastructure growth and industrial capacity.
- Virendra Mhaiskar (IRB Infrastructure) pointed out that the government is encouraging private investment through asset monetization and fiscal prudence.
Budget 2025: Finance & Investment:
- Vinod Francis (South Indian Bank) commended the government’s balance of fiscal stability and consumption-led growth, with MSMEs playing a key role.
- Nirav Jogani (Veloce Fintech) highlighted a ₹10,000 crore Alternative Investment Fund for startups as a crucial step to drive innovation and investment.
Budget 2025: Education & Skilling:
- Rajeev Tiwari (STEMROBO Technologies) appreciated the budget’s focus on expanding broadband in schools, Atal Tinkering Labs, and AI skilling initiatives.
- Dr. Mahesh Gupta (Kent RO) welcomed increased funding for medical and engineering education, emphasizing its role in workforce development.
Budget 2025: Real Estate & Urban Development:
- Ashish Bhutani (Bhutani Infra) said initiatives like the ₹1 lakh crore Urban Challenge Fund and PPP-driven projects would drive real estate growth in cities like Noida.
Rohit Katyal (Capaciti InfraProjects): Welcomed the ₹1 lakh crore Urban Challenge Fund for sustainable urban transformation, emphasizing affordable housing and green building technologies.
Bikesh Ogra (Jakson Green): Praised the focus on clean energy, power sector modernization, and critical minerals for renewable energy, seeing it as a boost for energy security.
Venkatram Mamillapalle (Renault India): Appreciated the focus on agriculture, MSMEs, exports, and policies supporting rural development and clean-tech, boosting consumer spending and vehicle sales.
Arun Rajamani (Cambridge University Press & Assessment): Supported increased funding for education and skill development, especially in AI and innovation, and welcomed initiatives like Atal Tinkering Labs.
Shapath Parikh (White Whale Ventures): Positive about the extended startup incorporation period and regulatory changes, which would benefit startups and angel investors.
Satish Kumar Kalra (North East Small Finance Bank): Welcomed initiatives for financial inclusion, especially for rural development and MSMEs, like the enhanced Kisan Credit Card limit.
Kishor Lodha (UGRO Capital): Highlighted the support for MSMEs, startups, and the increased funding for sectors like AI, green energy, and biotechnology, which will create jobs and boost the startup ecosystem.
Arijeet Talapatra (itel & Tecno): Praised policies promoting mobile manufacturing, tariff reductions, and tax exemptions, leading to higher consumer demand for electronics.
Arpan Ghosh (Gamma Rotors): Welcomed the National Manufacturing Mission and PLI scheme funding, driving innovation in advanced technologies like drones and creating jobs.
Rajat Grover (Elite Marque): Excited about the ₹95,000 crore allocated to startups and AIFs, believing it will drive innovation in renewable energy and deep tech.
Utkarsh Singh (BatX Energies): Praised policies to reduce import dependency and promote domestic recycling of lithium-ion battery scrap, aligning with self-reliance and circular economy initiatives.
Taranpreet Singh (TASS Advisors LLP): Discussed the impact of new income tax legislation simplifying compliance and reducing litigation, particularly for pending tax disputes.
Jyoti Sharma (Nasscom Foundation): Welcomed digital inclusion, skills development, and the focus on AI in education, aligning with the mission of inclusive growth.
Dr. Himani Narula Khanna (Continua Kids): Praised the focus on accessible healthcare and rural development but expressed disappointment over the lack of emphasis on mental health, especially for children.
Dr. Pooja Kapoor (Continua Kids): Appreciated healthcare improvements for women, rural development, and vulnerable populations but hoped for more focus on children’s health, especially autism.
Gyanesh Chaudhary, Chairman and Managing Director, Vikram Solar
“The Union Budget 2025 marks a decisive step towards accelerating India’s clean energy transition and strengthening domestic solar manufacturing. We appreciate the government’s dedication to enhancing investments in the renewable energy sector through the ‘Viksit Bharat vision.
