As India prepares for the Union Budget 2026, experts across sectors highlight its potential to accelerate sustainable development, digital transformation, and clean mobility. The upcoming budget is seen as a key opportunity to strengthen policy frameworks, encourage domestic manufacturing, and support innovations that align with India’s long-term climate, energy, and technological goals.
In the mobility sector, the transition towards electric vehicles (EVs) is gaining momentum, particularly in two-wheelers and last-mile transportation. Observers emphasize that policy continuity and targeted support are essential to sustain this growth. Measures such as incentives for EV fleets, financing support for operators, and the expansion of charging infrastructure are expected to play a critical role in improving adoption rates. Experts also suggest that long-term structural enablers, including localisation of battery cells, controllers, and power electronics, are more effective than short-term subsidies in driving mass adoption. A clear national roadmap for public charging points, including highways and fuel stations, along with low-cost financing options, is considered crucial to building a scalable and resilient EV ecosystem.
Battery recycling and critical mineral recovery are also emerging as pivotal areas of focus. Industry voices recommend that the budget recognise the full recycling chain, incentivise high-quality recycling outcomes, and support the development of a domestic downstream industry for battery precursors. Reducing taxes on recycling, promoting collection networks, and encouraging the use of recycled materials in manufacturing are seen as steps that can transform recycling from a compliance-driven activity into a reliable source of critical minerals, strengthening India’s energy security and circular economy.
In addition to mobility and energy, digital innovation, AI adoption, and geospatial technologies are expected to gain policy support. Experts highlight the importance of applied AI, scalable cloud infrastructure, and sovereign data ecosystems for digital services and AI-driven consumer platforms. Widening the adoption of geospatial analytics, LiDAR, GIS, and AI-enabled planning is expected to enhance project efficiency in infrastructure, disaster management, and urban development. Incentives for domestic technology development, streamlined regulations, and integration with smart infrastructure platforms are seen as essential for positioning India as a global leader in digital and technology-driven solutions.
The Union Budget 2026 can play a transformative role by providing targeted support across EV adoption, battery recycling, and digital innovation. Aligning financial incentives, infrastructure development, and policy clarity can create a sustainable growth trajectory while reducing import dependence and fostering homegrown capabilities.
Shubham Vishvakarma, Founder & Chief of Process Engineering, Metastable Materials:
“India has made progress in battery recycling and critical mineral recovery. Budget 2026 can strengthen this sector by recognising high-quality recycling, incentivising producers, and supporting downstream industries to convert secondary materials into battery precursors, making recycling a reliable source for India’s battery ecosystem.”
Kunal Arya, Co-founder & MD, Zelio E-Mobility:
“Budget 2026 should prioritise EV localisation, PLI support, GST rationalisation, low-cost financing, and a national charging roadmap to accelerate two-wheeler adoption, reduce import dependence, and build a scalable, resilient EV ecosystem in India.”
Shivam Sisodiya, Co-Founder & CEO, Bijliride:
“Budget 2026 should enable scalable electric mobility by supporting rental and subscription models, affordable capital, charging infrastructure, and domestic manufacturing, helping India move from policy intent to widespread execution in EV adoption and sustainable mobility.”
Hari Krishna, Founder & CEO, Green Drive Mobility – EV, Energy:
“Budget 2026 can accelerate EV adoption through fleet incentives, financing, charging infrastructure, and localisation policies, supporting sustainable mobility while ensuring affordability, operational viability, and India’s leadership in green transportation.”
Rahul Mehra, Co-founder, Roadcast:
“Budget 2026 should support logistics modernisation via digital infrastructure, fleet intelligence, real-time visibility, and MSME financing, enhancing efficiency, safety, compliance, and India’s competitiveness in manufacturing and trade.”
Vikram Labhe, Founder & CEO, Melooha:
“Budget 2026 can boost India’s AI-driven digital platforms by supporting scalable cloud infrastructure, applied AI, vernacular computing, responsible data frameworks, AI-led SaaS, digital skilling, and export incentives, positioning India as a global hub for next-generation AI-powered consumer technology.”
Rahul Jain, Managing Director, Matrix Geo Solutions:
“Budget 2026 should strengthen geospatial technologies, drone surveying, LiDAR, GIS, AI analytics, and indigenous tech, integrating geospatial intelligence with smart infrastructure for faster, cost-efficient projects, making India a global leader in technology-driven infrastructure development.”
Avnish Bagaria, Co-Founder, NavPrakriti:
“With rising EV adoption, Budget 2026 should reduce GST on battery recycling, incentivise collection infrastructure, and promote recycled materials, making India’s battery circular economy environmentally and economically sustainable.”
Ajinkya Firodia, Vice Chairman & MD, Kinetic Watts & Volts Ltd:
“Budget 2026 should reward EV consumers via extended incentives, support fleet renewal, promote startups through PLI schemes, encourage exports, and foster skills development, ensuring India remains a leader in EV adoption, clean tech, and deep-tech innovation.”
In conclusion, the upcoming budget represents a strategic opportunity to strengthen India’s position as a global leader in green mobility, circular economy practices, and digital technology. By focusing on long-term structural support, infrastructure readiness, and innovation-driven policies, India can accelerate sustainable development while maintaining operational efficiency, affordability, and competitiveness.
