Post-Budget 2025: Experts Share Their Reactions and Insights
Dilip Sawhney, Managing Director, Rockwell Automation India
“We commend the Union Budget 2025 for its strategic focus on empowering Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs), which are crucial to India’s growth narrative. With more than 5.7 crore MSMEs contributing 36% of the nation’s manufacturing output and 45% of exports, these businesses play a vital role in enhancing India’s status as a global manufacturing hub. The budget paves the way for a significant overhaul of India’s industrial and logistics landscape. This bold initiative will significantly benefit manufacturing, warehousing, and supply chain sectors. Furthermore, the National Manufacturing Mission’s emphasis on clean technology manufacturing, including the domestic production of electric vehicle (EV) batteries and solar panels, is a progressive initiative.
Supporting domestic manufacturing and focusing on Industry 4.0 can have a transformative impact on India’s manufacturing landscape. The decision to establish five National Centres of Excellence will enhance AI-based research and development while addressing the growing need for skills in technology-driven manufacturing. The announcement of global skilling partnerships is also a welcome step, ensuring that India cultivates a highly skilled workforce that strengthens its role in the global manufacturing ecosystem. The establishment of a national guidance framework to assist states in supporting Global Capability Centers (GCCs) further demonstrates the government’s commitment to promoting innovation and enhancing global competitiveness. The allocation of ₹20,000 crore to implement a private sector-driven Research, Development, and Innovation initiative is a significant move that will stimulate technological advancements and drive industrial transformation.
These initiatives will undoubtedly accelerate India’s journey toward becoming a sustainable, digitally enabled, and globally competitive manufacturing powerhouse.”
V. Ramgopal Rao, Group Vice Chancellor, BITS Pilani, and former Director, IIT Delhi
“The Budget 2025-26 reflects the Government’s growing commitment to higher education and R&D, with allocations for expanding IIT infrastructure, establishing AI Centres of Excellence, and increasing medical education seats. The emphasis on skilling through National Centres of Excellence and the proposed Deep Tech Fund of Funds will spur innovation and equip youth for global opportunities. The initiative to scale up the PM Research Fellowship is a welcome move. These measures align with the vision of fostering a knowledge-driven economy poised for the future.”
Arun Rajamani, MD Cambridge University Press and Assessment, South Asia
“We welcome the Budget as it has laid special emphasis on the role of education in our journey towards a viksit Bharat. We congratulate the FM for focussing on building a strong talent pool of young workforce which comes with an increased allocation towards education, employment, and skill development. Skill development is a critical cog in the wheel that will help us achieve our economic aspirations.
Establishing 50,000 Atal Tinkering Labs (ATLs) in schools marks a transformative leap towards making learners future-ready with creativity and innovation at the heart of it.
The allocation of Rs 10,000 Cr is proposed for the Urban Challenge Fund in the financial year 2025-26 and this aims at supporting cities to be growth hubs and can be a boost for edtech companies to solve challenges.
Additionally, the introduction of Bharatiya Bhasha Pustak Scheme, coupled with improved broadband connectivity will be pivotal to bridging the digital divide in rural areas and making learning more inclusive.
Investing in higher education infrastructure along with the introduction of Centres of Excellence in AI for Education will help address the growing need for technically skilled professionals in the GenAI era. Lastly, improved access to student loans is another great initiative.”
Sanjiv Kanwar, Managing Director, Yara South Asia
“The Union Budget 2025’s strong emphasis on the agriculture sector is a transformative step towards a brighter future for Indian farmers.
This strategic focus on crop diversification, improved irrigation, and better credit availability is essential for the sustainable growth of our agriculture sector.
Furthermore, the comprehensive programme for fruits and vegetables, aimed at promoting production, supplies, processing, and better remunerative prices, is a forward-thinking move that will benefit both farmers and consumers, while taking the country towards a better nutritional future.
Special focus on targeting 100 districts with low productivity, is a radical initiative that will significantly enhance agricultural productivity and support 1.7 crore farmers. The emphasis on empowering rural women, young farmers, and marginal farmers underscores the government’s dedication to inclusive growth and sustainable development in agriculture. By focusing on empowering farmers through these initiatives, the government is laying the foundation for a resilient and prosperous agricultural sector.
Overall, the budget’s focus on innovation, investment, and sustainability in agriculture is a bold move that will undoubtedly lead to a thriving and self-reliant agricultural future for India.”