1, Feb 2026
Budget 2026: Healthcare Industry Welcomes Focus on Research, Trauma Care, and AYUSH-Integrated Medical Hubs
New Delhi, Feb 01: The Union Budget 2026 has been widely welcomed by India’s healthcare industry for its strategic emphasis on long-term preparedness, research, emergency care, and integrated healthcare systems. Industry leaders highlight that the measures announced in the Budget position India as a global hub for advanced, affordable, and holistic healthcare.
Dr. (Prof.) Purshotam Lal, Chairman, Metro Group of Hospitals, said,
“The ₹10,000 crore commitment to establish a national Biopharma Hub and strengthen non-communicable disease control is both timely and visionary. The proposal to set up trauma centres in every district hospital will enhance emergency response, particularly in semi-urban and rural areas. The creation of 1,000 accredited clinical trial sites bridges the gap between innovation and patient access, while regulatory strengthening enhances India’s credibility in global healthcare.”
Echoing this view, Mr. Abhishek Kapoor, CEO, Regency Healthcare, stated,
“Budget 2026 builds a framework for a more balanced healthcare ecosystem by investing in district-level infrastructure, expanding clinical research networks, and addressing the shortage of allied healthcare professionals. This integrated approach ensures that advanced care and innovation are accessible beyond major urban centres, improving patient outcomes and trust in both public and private healthcare systems.”
Dr. Sharan Shivaraj Patil, Chairman, SPARSH Group of Hospitals, added,
“The establishment of five new Medical Hubs integrated with AYUSH centres marks a major boost for medical tourism and the ‘Heal in India’ initiative. By linking infrastructure, research, and system-wide capacity building, the Budget strengthens India’s position as a global destination for high-quality, affordable treatment.”
Dr. Alok Khullar, Group CEO, RJ Corp Healthcare, commented,
“Budget 2026 demonstrates a strategic vision for healthcare as a driver of economic growth. Expanding clinical trial networks and streamlining regulatory processes will accelerate innovation, improve patient access to advanced therapies, and strengthen India’s global healthcare credibility.”
Mr. Baldev Raj, Founder & CEO, Prius Healthcare, and Vice Chairman, Public Relations Council of India (Delhi Chapter), said,
“The integration of AYUSH centres within five Medical Hubs signals a new era where healthcare is not only a social sector but a pillar of economic growth and global competitiveness. The Budget ensures that infrastructure, skilled manpower, and innovation converge to build a trusted, world-class healthcare system that extends beyond metropolitan centres.”
Key Highlights Welcomed by Industry Leaders:
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₹10,000 crore for a national Biopharma Hub and non-communicable disease control
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Trauma centres in every district hospital to enhance emergency care
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1,000 accredited clinical trial sites to accelerate research and innovation
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Integration of AYUSH centres within five new Medical Hubs to boost medical tourism
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Emphasis on allied healthcare professionals and skill development
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Regulatory strengthening to improve compliance, safety, and global credibility
Collectively, these measures are expected to improve healthcare access in Tier-2 and Tier-3 cities, strengthen India’s research and medical tourism capabilities, and reinforce the country’s position as a global healthcare leader.
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- By Neel Achary
1, Feb 2026
Budget 2026 Charts a ‘New Urban India’, Powers Tier-2 and Tier-3 Growth: Santosh Agarwal
Santosh Agarwal, CFO & Executive Director, Alpha Corp Development Limited
“The Union Budget 2026 is a definitive blueprint for a ‘New Urban India.’ By scaling public capital expenditure to ₹12.2 lakh crore, the government isn’t just building roads it’s building the future of our Tier-2 and Tier-3 cities. This ₹5,000 crore annual commitment to emerging urban hubs is a masterstroke for balanced growth. For the real estate sector, this translates to more than just connectivity; it enhances ‘liveability’ as a core asset, turning rising cities into primary economic engines. We are moving away from metro-centricity toward a more inclusive, high-growth urban reality.”
1, Feb 2026
MSME Growth Fund and SRI Fund Boost Equity Support for Scaling Businesses
By:- Snhkumar Purohit, Chief Strategist, EVM India.e
Most MSMEs struggle because cash cycles are tight and balance sheets are stretched. Too much debt leaves little room to absorb shocks or invest in growth. The ₹10,000 crore MSME Growth Fund finally recognises this gap by bringing equity into the picture. The ₹2,000 crore addition to the Self-Reliant India Fund supports businesses that are ready to scale, not just start. This helps MSMEs move from managing liabilities to building capability. This addresses a real structural constraint on the ground.
1, Feb 2026
Experts Call for Pragmatic Digital Asset Reforms in Union Budget 2026
“With the Union Budget 2026, there is an opportunity to rationalize India’s digital asset framework through targeted, pragmatic refinements. The current 1% TDS and 30% flat tax, without loss set-off provisions, have constrained liquidity and pushed activity offshore. Reducing TDS to a workable range, allowing loss set-off within VDAs, and clarifying cost basis treatment, including transaction costs, would help keep activity onshore while maintaining compliance.
A pragmatic starting point would be to set clear rules for rupee-linked digital instruments, whether that means tokenized bank deposits issued under existing banking oversight or a regulated stablecoin model with strict requirements around reserves, disclosures, audits, redemption rights, and licensed issuers.
Countries across the Middle East, Singapore, and Japan are moving decisively on this front. India’s young, tech-savvy population and strong fintech ecosystem make it naturally positioned to lead, provided the right tax and policy signals are in place.”
“India’s strength has always been its ability to create outsized impact at unprecedented scale—often by scaling within chaos rather than waiting for perfect conditions. From universal suffrage to digital payments and physical infrastructure, the country has built systems that serve 1/5th of the world’s population and unlocked opportunity at a speed few nations have ever matched. This ability to operate, adapt, and compound within complexity is deeply embedded in India’s institutional DNA.
However, there is a natural ceiling to how far scale alone can take us. Over time, other economies matched and surpassed India by relying on rigid, rule-based structures designed for predictable environments. AI now changes that equation. Intent-driven, adaptive systems align far more closely with India’s strength of scaling within chaos than traditional software ever could. Union Budget 2026 can focus on sustained investment in AI research, compute, and deployment across government and industry, enabling India to once again turn its unique approach to scale into a durable global advantage.”
1, Feb 2026
Dubai emerges as wellness real estate hub as wealthy buyers seek quality of life
MENA region outpaces Europe as second-fastest-growing market in global wellness real estate boom
Dubai, UAE, Feb 1: Dubai has become the regional hub in a trend reshaping the luxury real estate market as wealthy global buyers make quality of life their main investment goal.
The global wellness real estate market, which has more than doubled since 2019, is projected to reach $1.1 trillion by 2029, with the Middle East playing its own part in this transformation.
According to the Global Wellness Institute (GWI), the MENA region is the second fastest-growing market worldwide, expanding at just over 22% annually, just behind Latin America–Caribbean (24%), and ahead of Europe (22.4%).
“Over the last few years, there has been a big change in the way luxury real estate is defined and valued,” says Talal M. Al Gaddah, CEO and Founder of the Keturah luxury brand. “No longer is it just driven by well-known names, size, or prestige. Today, buyers seek homes to improve their health and wellbeing.”
“They are now asking, ‘Is this home going to make me healthier? Will it help me sleep better, improve my mood, my family’s well-being? Will it connect me to nature, and give us all the quality of life we need?”
“This was our motivation in developing Keturah Reserve as the first community of its kind in the region where wellness science shapes every architectural decision.”
Interiors across the AED5.7 billion luxury Keturah Reserve development in Meydan feature natural materials and rich greenery to promote daily wellness. Bio-living features include sophisticated air and water purification systems, as well circadian lighting to improve sleep, mood, and energy levels.
Dubai’s luxury market is shifting from volume-driven growth to innovation-led development, with new projects addressing real lifestyle and health needs that challenge conventions, capture global attention, and reinforce the city’s reputation as a forward-thinking destination.
Most luxury buyers are long-term (5+ years) or medium-term (2-4 years) investors, though the distinction is increasingly based on purpose rather than timeframe, with two distinct profiles emerging.
“The lifestyle investor acquires a unit as a primary or secondary residence, considering it as a long-term sanctuary,” says Talal. “They are committed to holding for at least five years because they are investing in their family’s health and happiness, not merely capital appreciation.
“The strategic investor acknowledges the scarcity value of wellness-focused luxury assets, and recognizes that as the wellness real estate market grows annually in this region, early entrants will appreciate significantly. Generally, they hold for 3-5 years before exiting with substantial returns.”
Both categories of investors are quality-focused and prepared to pay a premium. They also seek assurances that the developer will deliver, that the asset will appreciate, and that they will have viable exit options.
As Dubai’s luxury real estate market continues to flourish, rather than worrying investors, they perceive it as evidence of the market’s vitality and Dubai’s standing as a global luxury destination.
1, Feb 2026
Budget 2026: Industry Looks for Policy Stability, Tax Relief and Growth-Driven Reforms
Chandigarh, Feb 01: As the Union Budget 2026–27 approaches, leaders across sectors have shared their perspectives on policy priorities that can accelerate India’s economic growth, strengthen global competitiveness, and support innovation-led development.
Accounting, Compliance, and Global Business Structuring
Mr. Satya Yeruva, Co-Founder & CEO, FinStackk, highlighted the importance of tax certainty and procedural simplification for startups and global businesses.
“Faster and fully automated GST refunds, clearer guidance on transfer pricing and foreign remittances, and rationalised compliance timelines would significantly ease the burden on businesses. Additional incentives for SaaS and fintech-led service providers, investment in digital public infrastructure for finance, and continued support for MSME formalisation will strengthen India as a preferred base for global entrepreneurship. A stable policy environment enables businesses to scale confidently while maintaining strong governance and financial transparency,” he said.
Digital Marketing and AI Adoption
Mr. Akhil Nair, Founder & CEO, BigTrunk Communications, emphasised the need for the Budget to align with modern marketing realities.
“Marketing is now a core driver of India’s digital economy, and policy support must enable AI-led innovation and advanced analytics. Allocations supporting AI/ML research for marketing, along with incentives for MSMEs to adopt MarTech tools like CRM, automation, and analytics, can accelerate ecosystem maturity. Simpler compliance and clearer taxation for digital service exports will help Indian agencies compete globally, while continued investment in Digital Public Infrastructure will strengthen omnichannel growth and export-readiness,” he said.
Food Processing and Frozen Foods
Mr. Ekansh Garg, Co-founder & CEO, Cravicious Foods, called for stronger policy support for value-added agriculture and food processing.
“With rising demand for hygienic, convenient, and ready-to-cook foods, the Budget should prioritise cold-chain infrastructure, modern processing facilities, and advanced freezing technologies. Incentives for in-house manufacturing, quality certification, and energy-efficient cold storage will help domestic brands scale sustainably and reduce wastage. Simplified compliance, GST rationalisation, and easier access to working capital will accelerate growth for bootstrapped manufacturers, positioning India as a global hub for high-quality frozen foods,” he said.
Gems and Jewellery
Mr. C Vinod Hayagriv, Managing Director & Director, C. Krishniah Chetty Group of Jewellers, stressed pragmatic reforms to restore sector momentum.
“A reduction in gold import duty to 3% would ease cost pressures and revive livelihoods across the value chain. Greater transparency through publication of gold bar numbers on customs portals and more flexible inventory management can help mitigate challenges from high metal prices and lower sales. These steps are critical to sustaining small and medium jewellery businesses in a challenging global environment,” he said.
Electronics and Original Design Manufacturing
Mr. Shishir Gupta, Co-founder & CEO, Oakter, urged the Budget to support India’s journey from assembly-led production to innovation-driven manufacturing.
“Priority areas should include design-linked incentives, deeper component localisation, easier access to working capital, and expansion of PLI support for ODM-led manufacturing. Incentives for batteries, power electronics, IoT hardware, and semiconductor supply chains, coupled with stable GST structures and faster input tax credits, will help Indian manufacturers move up the value chain, create IP-driven products, and emerge as trusted global suppliers,” he said.
Electric Mobility
Mr. Sameer Moidin, Founder & CEO, EVeium Smart Mobility, called for policies that scale domestic EV manufacturing.
“The Union Budget must focus on Make-in-India electric two-wheelers that are designed, manufactured, and scaled domestically. Incentives should support battery localisation, affordable financing, mass production, and robust charging infrastructure, making EVs practical for all users. This will strengthen supply chains, create jobs, and position India as a global EV leader,” he said.
Healthcare
As India’s healthcare sector evolves, industry leaders emphasised that the Budget should strategically support digital health, medical infrastructure, skill development, and research-led innovation to improve access, quality, and affordability for all citizens.
1, Feb 2026
L&T Secures Contract for Heavy Civil Infrastructure Business
Chandigarh, Feb 01: The Heavy Civil Infrastructure business vertical of L&T has won a contract from the Royal Commission of Riyadh City in Saudi Arabia for works pertaining to the extension of the Riyadh Metro. The order is a part of an ultra-mega project won by a consortium of Webuild S.p.A, L&T, Nesma & Partners Contracting, Alstom and IDOM.
The order pertains to the extension of Red Line of Riyadh Metro Network. The scope of work includes design and turnkey construction of 8.4 km long metro line comprising both elevated and underground sections, and five stations.
L&T has a proven capability in constructing fast and reliable mass transit systems across the globe, and this latest order stands as a testament to the trust customers place in the company.
Background:
Larsen & Toubro is a USD 30 billion Indian multinational engaged in EPC Projects, Hi-Tech Manufacturing, and Services, operating across multiple geographies. A strong, customer–focused approach and the constant quest for top-class quality have enabled L&T to attain and sustain leadership in its major lines of business for over eight decades.
1, Feb 2026
Poonawalla Fincorp Deepens AI-First Transformation with Five New Enterprise AI Solutions
Chandigarh, Feb 01: Poonawalla Fincorp Limited (PFL) today announced the rollout of five new AI-powered enterprise solutions. The new deployments extend the use of artificial intelligence across strategic decision-making, customer onboarding, data quality management, customer experience analytics and application development.
These initiatives reflect PFL’s long-term vision to become a digitally fluent, data-driven, and highly scalable financial organization, with AI-first approach being adopted across functions.
Aligned with this direction, PFL has introduced the following five AI-led solutions:
- AI-powered Competition Benchmarking Engine: This capability embeds market intelligence directly into how PFL prices, positions and competes. AI autonomously searches for market changes, analysing competitor pricing moves, product shifts and engagement patterns across portfolios, and converts them into timely, decision-ready insights. Built as an extension of the organisation’s AI-enabled risk hindsight framework, the system enables faster responses to market shifts.
- Central KYC (CKYC) AI Platform: As customer onboarding scales, consistency and control become critical. The CKYC AI platform reframes compliance as a source of strength by applying AI-driven validation at the entry point, ensuring KYC data is assessed for accuracy and material relevance before it flows through the system. This reduces manual intervention by ~15 percent, and materially strengthens both accuracy and turnaround performance.
- Agentic Data Quality Intelligence (DQI): As data flows across multiple systems and teams, maintaining consistency becomes critical. This solution automatically monitors data against defined quality standards, flags anomalies, and updates validation rules as requirements evolve. It ensures data used for reporting, risk and business decisions remains accurate, traceable and audit-ready.
- AI-led Voice of Customer (VOC) Categorisation: Customer feedback is often rich but difficult to act on, at scale. This system organises free-text responses into clear issue themes and directly links them to accountable functions. Issues move faster, ownership is clearer, and recurring problems are addressed systematically rather than case by case.
- Build Buddy for Accelerated Application Development: An AI-powered development assistant integrated into PFL’s existing technology stack. Acting as a “development buddy,” it supports engineers by assisting with code writing, suggesting fixes before code is committed, and providing contextual feedback on logic, performance and readability. The solution also enables automated refactoring, improving reuse, reducing development costs and significantly accelerating application delivery while ensuring adherence to development and deployment standards.
Commenting on the new developments, Arvind Kapil, Managing Director & CEO, Poonawalla Fincorp, said,
“AI is more than a tool – it is reshaping how organisations think, decide, and compete. Our focus is on using it responsibly by combining machine precision with human judgment to strengthen trust and sharpen decision-making. By embedding AI across pricing, customer onboarding, data quality, feedback and technology development, we are turning insight into action and building a competitive advantage thereby laying the foundation for sustainable growth.”
At PFL, AI is continuing to emerge as a strategic differentiator and game-changer across core areas, right from risk calibration and fraud detection to marketing, compliance, HR, governance, audit, and underwriting quality assessment.
The company in this quarter alone has initiated 12 AI projects bringing the company wide total to 57 projects, of which 30 have been successfully completed. PFL continues to deepen its commitment to its AI-first approach, driving intelligent automation, accuracy, and future-ready innovation.
1, Feb 2026
Economic Survey 2025–’26 emphasises revival of village Commons; calls for creation of distinct land-use category
Bhubaneswar, Feb 01 :The Union government’s Economic Survey 2025-’26 places renewed emphasis on the revival of village Commons as a foundation for sustainable rural growth, stronger livelihoods, and more resilient communities. The Survey was released on Thursday ahead of Sunday’s Budget presentation. “Reviving and protecting village commons…requires a collaborative approach that involves both the government and local communities actively participating,” the document notes. “To achieve this, first, ‘village commons’ as a distinct land-use category may need official incorporation with sub-categories, so that accurate estimation, monitoring, and informed policy intervention can be undertaken.”
In a chapter titled Rural Development and Social Progress: From Participation to Partnership_ , the survey describes village Commons, also known as Common Property Resources (CPRs), as a “crucial yet underutilised asset” where community institutions, technology, and livelihood generation intersect to support long-term rural transformation. These commons include grazing lands, ponds, water bodies, and shared spaces traditionally managed by local communities.
According to the Survey, around 15% of India’s geographical area comprises village Commons. The 2011 Census estimates common land at 6.6 crore hectares, forming biodiversity-rich ecosystems that support the livelihoods of approximately 35 crore rural people. These ecosystems provide 34 ecosystem services including food, fodder, fuelwood, water and income, and facilitate water purification, soil protection, carbon sequestration, and flood control.
The Survey notes that these ecosystems generate an economic dividend of USD 9.05 crore per year, while contributing directly to the Sustainable Development Goals, including poverty reduction and sustainable livelihoods. Yet, it cautions that “their value is often underestimated”, and that commons have deteriorated due to encroachment, misuse, and rising environmental pressures.
Mr. Sisir K Pradhan, PhD, University of Waterloo said,
“Village commons have always been central to rural livelihoods, but have traditionally been viewed through cultural identity or subsistence economic lenses. The recent economic survey has, for the first time, emphasised village commons as an economic resource essential for rural communities to thrive. It has also highlighted the need for restoration of such commons to improve life and livelihoods and to address the climate crisis that affects social, ecological, and economic foundations every day. “
Mr. Pravas Mishra, economist, budget analyst and NRM expert Said,
“The Survey rightly highlights the need to move away from neglect and encroachment towards a framework of deliberate governance — through formal recognition of commons as a distinct land-use category, strengthening local institutions, and integrating community stewardship with modern tools such as GIS mapping and capacity building. Following the economy survey, Union Budget 2026-27 should take adequate actions on optimal use of commons for making the panchayats self sufficient. Developing panchayat wise inventory of commons is the need of the hour to plan for its sustainable use.“
Mr. Kanchi Kohli, researcher and educator said, idea of commons which includes but is not limited to its economic value. There is a need to future proof the shared and integrated social, cultural and ecological
1, Feb 2026
Jayant Chaudhary Highlights AI Vision for Education and Skilling at Google Forum
Shri Jayant Chaudhary Unveils Vision for AI-Driven Education and Skilling at Google’s AI for Learning Forum
Chandigarh, Feb 01: Shri Jayant Chaudhary, Hon’ble Union Minister of State (Independent Charge), Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (MSDE), and Minister of State, Ministry of Education (MoE), Government of India, today outlined the Government’s vision for integrating Artificial Intelligence across India’s education and skilling ecosystem at Google’s AI for Learning Forum held in New Delhi.
At the forum, the Minister announced a landmark collaboration between MSDE, Google Cloud, and Chaudhary Charan Singh University (CCSU), Meerut, under which CCSU will be developed as India’s first AI-enabled state university pilot. The initiative marks a strategic step towards operationalising the Prime Minister’s vision of a technology-powered Viksit Bharat 2047.
The event was attended by senior Google leadership, including Ms Preeti Lobana, Vice President & Country Manager, Google India; Mr Chris Phillips, Vice President & Global Lead for Education, Google; Mr Wilson White, Vice President, Government Affairs & Public Policy, Google APAC; and Ms Yolynd Lobo, Director, Government Affairs & Public Policy, Google Cloud, along with senior officials from the Government and academia.
Prior to the formal session, Shri Jayant Chaudhary interacted with CCSU students and faculty, engaging in an open dialogue on how AI can expand learning pathways, enhance employability, and unlock opportunities for youth in Tier-2 and Tier-3 cities.
Bridging Education and Skills through AI
Delivering his keynote perspective during a fireside chat moderated by Ms Yolynd Lobo, the Minister emphasised the need to break silos between education and skilling, highlighting AI as the critical bridge between classroom learning and industry demand.
“The vision of Viksit Bharat relies on converting our demographic dividend into demographic dynamism. For too long, degrees and skills were treated as separate tracks. AI enables us to finally connect them. Through partnerships like this, we are not merely deploying technology—we are building an employability engine that democratises access to world-class skills, irrespective of geography,” Shri Jayant Chaudhary said.
CCSU to Serve as a National Living Laboratory for AI-First Education
Under the pilot, CCSU Meerut will function as a living laboratory for AI-led institutional transformation. The university will deploy personalised AI tutors, AI-driven skill-gap analysis, and intelligent document processing to streamline academic and administrative processes. The initiative is designed to generate a scalable and replicable framework for India’s higher education ecosystem.
The Minister noted that CCSU’s affiliated colleges will immediately benefit from the pilot, with learnings intended to scale across 45,000+ colleges and 1,200+ universities nationwide. He also highlighted alignment with the Government’s ₹60,000-crore Model ITI Scheme, enabling vocational institutions to integrate AI-enabled curricula alongside upgraded infrastructure.
“This partnership sets a gold standard for the future of Indian education. CCSU is not just a university—it is a blueprint for institutional transformation, ensuring students in Meerut have access to the same AI capabilities as those in global technology hubs,” he added.
Strengthening Digital Public Infrastructure and Teacher Enablement
As part of commitments announced at the forum, a ₹85-crore (approximately $10 million) Google.org grant to Wadhwani AI will support the integration of AI tools into national digital platforms such as SWAYAM and Poshan Tracker, with a potential outreach to nearly 75 million learners.
Calling for deeper grassroots engagement, Shri Jayant Chaudhary urged Google to expand AI support to Kendriya Vidyalayas and Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalayas, emphasising that teacher enablement is critical to unlocking digital opportunities in remote and underserved regions.
India as the Global South’s Testbed for Inclusive AI
Highlighting India’s leadership role, the Minister stated that AI solutions co-created for India’s diverse linguistic and geographic context can serve as models for the Global South.
“When we solve for India, we solve for the world. AI tools built for low-cost devices and vernacular users are global public goods. India stands ready to share these ‘Made in India’ education models with partner nations across Africa, Southeast Asia, and Latin America,” he said, reaffirming India’s commitment to Vishwa Bandhu—friendship with the world.
Google Reiterates Commitment to Population-Scale Impact
Ms Preeti Lobana, VP & Country Manager, Google India, said,
“Google is deeply committed to supporting India’s ambition to become a global AI hub. Through this collaboration, CCSU will leverage Google Cloud and Gemini to enable personalised learning, AI-driven career guidance, and institutional transformation. Our goal is to demonstrate how technology can unlock human potential at population scale and ensure every learner, regardless of geography, has access to world-class tools.”
Mr Chris Phillips outlined Google’s approach to responsible AI in education, emphasising learning science, productive struggle, and tools such as Gemini, Search, and NotebookLM, which were showcased during live demonstrations at the forum.
Building a National Blueprint for AI-Ready Institutions
Drawing from CCSU’s implementation, MSDE will develop a National Best Practices Framework enabling colleges and universities to self-credential as “AI-enabled institutions.” CCSU will also function as a Centre of Excellence, hosting structured knowledge-sharing sessions across the Ministry’s institutional network.
The forum concluded with a joint photo opportunity featuring Shri Jayant Chaudhary and Google leadership, marking a significant milestone in India’s journey toward AI-integrated education and skilling systems.
The collaboration reinforces the Government’s commitment to ensuring that every learner—regardless of background or location—graduates not only with a degree, but with future-ready skills aligned to the demands of an AI-driven economy.
