In this episode of Budget Insights, a podcast series from EY India Insights, Sandeep M Bhatnagar, Associate Partner, Indirect Tax at EY India highlights areas that Budget 2026 could focus on in indirect taxes, customs and trade policy to improve industry’s competitiveness and exports.

Key takeaways

• In Budget 2026, the government may announce measures to boost private investment.
• Regular review of duty rates and exemptions should continue.
• As India aims to be a global player, the focus may be on removing distortions like inverted duties rather than protectionism.
• Customs facilitation, simplification, speedier customs clearances supported by automation can reduce transaction costs.
• More focus is needed to remove revenue bias in adjudication and appeals.

Tune in to explore how Budget 2026 could reshape India’s indirect tax and trade landscape to drive exports and long-term growth.

In this episode of Budget Insights, part of the EY India Insights podcast series, Sonu Iyer, National Leader, People Advisory Services – Tax, EY India, shares her perspectives on how Budget 2026 could impact individuals, employees and employers. She explores potential tax rebates, measures to ease compliance and the role of digitalization in strengthening trust between taxpayers and the tax administration. The discussion also highlights opportunities to improve taxpayer experience, data-driven administration and faster dispute resolution.

Key takeaways

• Enhanced tax rebates could provide relief to low-income earners.
• Simplified return forms and proactive notifications can ease compliance.
• Digital frameworks can improve taxpayer awareness and transparency.
• Faster, tech-enabled dispute resolution and mediation can reduce bottlenecks.

Tune in to understand how Budget 2026 could reshape the individual tax landscape.

In this episode of Budget Insights, part of the EY India Insights podcast series, Raju Kumar, Partner and Tax Leader – Energy sector, EY India, examines how Budget 2026 can accelerate India’s clean energy transition. He discusses policy and fiscal levers to strengthen renewables, green mobility and large-scale energy storage, while highlighting the role of a diversified energy mix—including long-term options such as nuclear—in achieving sustainable growth and energy security.

Key takeaways

• Budget 2026 can balance energy security, affordability and transition through system-level policy support.
• Securing critical minerals is vital for resilient EV and battery ecosystems.
• Grid modernization and energy storage can enhance stability and reduce costs.
• Incentives and subsidies can scale green hydrogen and smart grids.

Tune in to explore how Budget 2026 could shape India’s energy future.

In this episode of the EY India Insights Podcast – Budget Insights, Ravi Mahajan, Partner, Technology, Media & Telecom at EY India, shares his perspectives on expectations from Budget 2026 for the technology sector.

Ravi explores how sharper focus on AI and digital infrastructure, enhanced tax certainty, and simplified compliance could shape the future of the TMT industry. He discusses potential priorities for the government, key challenges businesses may face, and opportunities to accelerate innovation through targeted tax benefits for new technologies, R&D, start-ups and GCCs.

Tune in to understand how Budget 2026 could drive tech-led growth, strengthen India’s innovation ecosystem, and enable businesses to scale with greater confidence.

Discover how the finance function has evolved over the decades in this insightful conversation featuring Sardul Seth, Partner and CHS Consulting leader, EY India, Meghal Sheth, CFO, Mars Wrigley, India and Kumar Gaurav Partner, Finance Transformation, EY India

In this episode, Meghal shares his journey from traditional bookkeeping to becoming a business co-pilot, addressing challenges like dynamic business environments, digitalization, and talent management. Kumar adds depth by outlining the four key building blocks of finance transformation: digital operations, insights, talent upskilling, and governance.

Gain actionable insights into:

• Embracing change and transformation as a leader and team member.

• Leveraging technology and real-time data for business growth.

• Building a future-ready finance function that drives value.

Listen now to shape the future of your finance function!

CFOs at the helm of Finance Transformation | EY - India

Learn more about Finance transformation: https://www.ey.com/en_in/media/podcasts/finance-transformation-series

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Welcome to the EY India Insights podcast. In this episode of our post-Budget 2025 podcast series, we’re joined by Dr. D. K. Srivastava, Chief Policy Advisor at EY India. Together, we’ll explore the key macro-fiscal implications of Budget 2025 and what they mean for the Indian economy.

Here’s what you can look forward to in this episode:

1. Personal tax reforms and economic growth Rationalizing personal tax rates is set to boost disposable incomes, paving the way for greater consumer spending and savings. This change is expected to immediately energize economic activity while creating a foundation for long-term financial stability. With increased consumer participation and investment opportunities, the ripple effects of these reforms are likely to contribute to broader economic growth and resilience.

2. Capital expenditure and sustainable growth Government-led investments in infrastructure and new technologies are key drivers of sustainable growth. These initiatives are designed to enhance production efficiency and address diminishing returns, ensuring lasting economic development. By maintaining focus on capital expenditure, India can sustain its growth momentum and better navigate global uncertainties.

3. India’s GDP growth trajectory India has set an ambitious target of over 7% GDP growth, leveraging global opportunities through a mix of government efforts and private sector collaboration. Achieving this goal will require not just proactive fiscal policies but also a stable global economic environment. Flexibility in policy-making will be crucial to addressing both domestic and international challenges.

4. Balancing fiscal prudence and investments While increasing capital expenditure is essential, it must be done with careful fiscal management. Striking the right balance between investment-driven growth and financial stability is critical to avoiding unsustainable public debt levels. Responsible fiscal governance will help build investor confidence and strengthen the foundation for long-term economic resilience.

Tube in now - https://www.ey.com/en_in/media/podcasts/budget-insights/2025/02/season-2-episode-3-insights-on-macro-fiscal-implications

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Budget Insights Podcast Series

Welcome to the EY India Insights podcast, in collaboration with Red FM! In this episode, our host, Dhruv Lau, is joined by Shalini Jain and Divya Bhushan, Tax Partners at EY India, to break down the most pressing expectations and insights for Union Budget 2025.

Episode highlights

Salaried employees and tax regime

Will budget 2025 bring salaried taxpayer relief? Tax professionals analyze proposed raises in exemption limits and Old and New Tax Regimes, comparing and contrasting them for taxpayer benefit.

Startups and MSMEs

Where startups and small and medium companies make up a backbone economy, we review startup employees' tax relief, ESOP taxing, and GST simplifications that can ease compliance and financial burden.

Real estate and housing

As rents rise in Tier 2 cities, will HRA exemptions be revised? Our tax professionals also discuss expectations for higher home loan interest deductions to make housing more affordable.

EVs, sin tax and sector policies

Will Budget 2025 boost EV incentives and expand charging infrastructure? Plus, we investigate heightened sin taxes for cigarettes and alcohol and their impact on both revenue and welfare in general.

What’s next?

As we gear up for February 1, our tax professionals predict what’s in store and share their wish lists for Budget 2025. Will the government meet these expectations? Stay tuned—we’ll be back post-budget with a detailed breakdown!

Listen now and stay ahead of the curve!

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Welcome to the EY India Insights podcast - https://www.ey.com/en_in/media/podcasts, In this episode, the host, Ritik, is conversing with Ajit Krishnan, a Tax Partner at EY India with nearly three decades of experience in strategy, transactions, and tax services. Together, they deep-dive into the Union Budget 2025, focusing on critical highlights for the manufacturing sector driving the Indian economic trajectory.

Episode Highlights

Growth in the Manufacturing Sector

• Gain insight into the government's sustained push for manufacturing through key policy measures like the Production-Linked Incentive scheme.

Tax Incentives for Manufacturing

• Custom Duties and International Trade Possible impact of changes in customs duties on manufacturers dependent on imported raw materials.

MSME Competitiveness

• Other measures include the MSME's relief on capital gains tax and easier access to capital markets besides budgetary allocations to defence and automobile sectors.

Green Manufacturing and Sustainability

• Discuss the promotion of green manufacturing through tax breaks and increased funding for clean technologies.

• Ajit Krishnan provides actionable insights into how Budget 2025 can align with India's long-term growth aspirations while addressing immediate manufacturing, sustainability, and global trade challenges.

Join us

Discover what key strategies and fiscal policies can spell India's shot at ensuring its economic future. Keep an ear on more episodes in the series Budget 2025 by EY India Insights.

Listen now: Budget 2025: Insights on expectations for the manufacturing sector

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• EY India Homepage

• Budget Insights Podcast Series

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