Union Budget 2025-26 is set to be presented by Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on February 1. The first part of the Budget Session will have nine sittings from January 31 to February 13. The Parliament will meet again on March 10 to discuss the demands for grants of various ministries and complete the budgetary process. The session will conclude on April 4. The entire Budget Session will have 27 sittings.

Ahead of the upcoming Union Budget, the industry leaders from across the sectors have put forward their demand and want the government to act on it.

Narinder Kumar, CEO of TO THE NEW, said, "As we navigate the evolving tech landscape, our expectations from the upcoming IT budget are centered around fostering a conducive ecosystem for innovation and growth. We hope to see significant funding allocations for Generative AI (GenAI) research and development, as well as the establishment of a regulatory sandbox to facilitate experimentation and advancement in AI.

Furthermore, we anticipate increased export incentives for IT exports, particularly in areas like GenAI, to boost our global competitiveness. Skilling missions that facilitate training and collaborations with top colleges will be crucial in addressing the talent gap and preparing our workforce for emerging technologies.

We also expect the integration of AI in governance, enabling data-driven decision-making and efficient public service delivery. Policies that enhance IT exports, simplify regulatory compliance, and promote ease of doing business will be vital in driving growth and positioning India as a global IT leader in the new and evolving paradigm of GenAI-driven everything.

Another key expectation from the budget is a strong push to promote investments in cloud infrastructure, which is vital for accelerating digital transformation and enabling scalability for businesses across industries. With data becoming an increasingly critical asset, we hope to see initiatives that encourage the development of robust data ecosystems and infrastructure, fostering innovation while ensuring security and compliance. Additionally, India's digital public infrastructure, exemplified by its globally acclaimed tech stack, has laid a solid foundation for transformative growth. To deepen the penetration of digital technologies and enhance access across sectors, continued investment and expansion in this area will be pivotal in driving inclusive growth and empowering businesses and citizens alike."

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