The Union Budget 2026–27 has drawn a strong response from voices across the startup, education and skilling ecosystem, with many welcoming its focus on jobs, digital skills, inclusion and education-to-employment pathways. From formal recognition of the gig economy to higher spending on education infrastructure and future-ready skills, industry leaders and educators say the budget signals an effort to align learning with livelihoods, though much will depend on how these plans are carried out on the ground.

Mythri Kumar, Co-Founder, TimBuckDo
“The Union Budget 2026–27 takes a decisive step towards building Viksit Bharat jobs by formally recognising the gig economy as a critical pillar of India’s workforce. Measures such as social security coverage, digital ID cards and access to government services for gig workers bring long-awaited dignity, stability and inclusion to millions of independent professionals. The National Digital Knowledge Grid and education-to-employment focus will unlock new-age opportunities for creators, researchers, local experts, startups and MSMEs, creating a vibrant ecosystem of flexible, skills-driven jobs. Coupled with the ₹10,000 crore fund-of-funds for startups, the Budget strengthens the link between education, entrepreneurship and employability, laying the foundation for a future-ready workforce where gig and digital-first careers play a central role in India’s growth story”

Prateek Shukla, Co-Founder and CEO, Masai
“The Union Budget 2026 is good news for young workforce. Families will save money and more people will be able to get a good education as the TCS on education and medical costs is lowered from 5% to 2%. This is especially important now that everyone needs to learn new skills.

The government’s strong focus on growth driven by technology is what stands out the most. The emphasis on artificial intelligence, emerging technologies, and industry-led research aligns well with the realities of today’s job market, where roles are evolving faster than traditional education systems can keep pace. Initiatives like the proposed ‘Education to Employment and Enterprise’ Standing Committee acknowledge a long-overdue need to bridge the gap between degrees and real-world employability, especially in the services and tech sectors.

Future-ready jobs and India’s ability to compete internationally in high-value digital services will be greatly aided by the ongoing push for structured skilling, training facilities, and innovation-driven ecosystems. The introduction of ISM 2.0 with an outlay of 40,000 crores will enhance India’s long-term aspirations in the semiconductor industry, but this budget’s greater significance comes from its dedication to developing competent personnel, encouraging creativity, and creating long-term job opportunities for the upcoming generations. Viksit Bharat is built when education stops being a credential factory and becomes a talent pipeline. Budget 2026 should fund that shift.”

Aditi Misra, Director, Dharav High School Gurugram
“Dharav Public School welcomes the Union Education Budget as a progressive step toward building an inclusive, skill-oriented, and future-ready education system. The focus on girls’ hostels will improve safety, access, and retention for female students, while initiatives in skilling, digital education, and teacher training reflect a clear vision for preparing students for a rapidly evolving, technology-driven world. We also emphasize the importance of increased investment in school infrastructure, laboratories, and smart classrooms to ensure that these policy measures translate into meaningful learning outcomes. Effective implementation, particularly in rural and underserved areas, will be key to making quality education accessible to every child.”

Akash Sharma, Director Admissions & Outreach, Noida International University
“The Union Budget for the year 2026–27 is a positive step for the education sector in India, as it showcases the emphasis of the Government on improving learning outcomes, accessibility, and the education infrastructure. With an allocation of nearly ₹1.39 lakh crores, as compared to the allocation of ₹1.28 lakh crores in the previous budget, it is evident that education is a priority for the nation. Projects such as girls’ hostels in each district, five university townships around industrial centers, and content labs in 15,000 secondary schools are a clear demonstration of the Government’s commitment to increasing inclusivity and making education more employment oriented.

However, with the rapidly changing scenario of the transition of the Indian economy to a digital economy, the next level of development should be centered on smart infrastructure and AI-based education. The young and technology-friendly middle class in India requires education infrastructure that leverages AI, technology, and future skills. There is a need to give more importance to AI-based platforms, teacher training, and connectivity, especially in the unorganized sectors of the country, to make education more inclusive, technology-driven, and globally competitive.”

Vishwajeet Rana, Group CEO, GEDU Global Education
“The Union Budget 2026 demonstrates the Government’s commitment to creating an educational system that meets future needs, supporting India’s goals of increasing productivity and driving innovation and achieving inclusive economic development. The combination of university townships with improved STEM facilities, vocational training programs and targeted funding for research, design and emerging technologies will strengthen institutional capabilities and will help prepare Indian youth to compete in international job markets. At GEDU, we see this as another important step in realising India’s ambition to become a global education hub.

Our planned £200 million investment over the next three years, along with the establishment of the first Queen Elizabeth’s Global School campus in India in Gurugram, underscores our long-term commitment to bringing world leading education to the country. With the policy direction outlined in this Budget, we are even more strongly positioned to partner in shaping a capable, confident and globally competitive generation.”

Vishnu Manchu, Pro Chancellor – Mohan Babu University
“Budget 2026 marks a positive step towards preparing students for the future by enhancing access, skills, and technology awareness in higher education. The proposal to set up a high-level committee to assess the impact of emerging technologies like AI on jobs and skills, along with initiatives such as expanded content labs, provides a foundation for more AI-enabled learning and skill-building aligned with evolving employment needs. The plan to establish girls’ hostels in every district addresses a critical access gap, enabling more women to pursue higher education and long-term academic pathways. Together, these measures create an environment where students are better equipped with practical skills and adaptability as they contribute to India’s future workforce.”

Dr. Ramya Chatterjee, Chief of Solitaire
“India’s electronics and technology manufacturing sector needed a policy push that goes beyond assembly and scale and the Union Budget 2026 begins to address that gap with intent. The focused emphasis on electronic components manufacturing is especially significant as it strengthens domestic value addition, reduces import dependence and enables more resilient supply chains. Equally relevant for the sector is the proposal to establish a High Powered Education to Employment and Enterprise Standing Committee, recognising that advanced manufacturing and design capabilities are ultimately powered by skilled talent and applied research. As electronics and digital technologies become more complex, future competitiveness will depend on the depth of industry academia collaboration and the availability of future ready skills. By aligning emerging technologies with workforce development, this budget lays the foundation for India to lead in advanced manufacturing, design and technology driven services, while positioning the country as a trusted hub for high value electronics and global technology partnerships.”

P. G Babu, Vice-Chancellor, Vidyashilp University
“The focus on Orange Economy with emphasis on art, design and innovation will promote digital content creation capacity in the country. A much needed focus on applied psychology, behavioral science, mental health, wellness and yoga has found voice in the budget. Given the rise in mental health issues, more open discussions about such traumas, and autoimmune diseases, one wishes for at least one NIMHANS in each of the four zones.”

Sundeep Talwar, CEO , IGF India
“At India Global Forum, we believe that progress is not singular — it must be holistic. True national development is achieved when healthcare, education, skills, and environmental stewardship advance together. Through our integrated programmes across these sectors, IGF is committed to building solutions that create lasting and measurable impact.”

Bipin Sony , Assistant Professor of Economics and Finance, School of Liberal Arts and Sciences, Vidyashilp University
“A fiscaly prudent budget with focus on emerging areas in AI, data centers, rare earths, bio-pharma, transportation, defence modernization and employment generation. This is consistent with the policy followed by government in the previous years. However, the budget misses any big reforms”

Rakhi Pal, Co-Founder & COO at EventBeep
“The gap between higher education and the job market has long been a concern, and it is encouraging to see the government taking note. The Union Budget 2026–27 addresses this challenge through the proposal of a high-powered education-to-employment standing committee, aimed at focusing on employment generation, export of services and technologies, and integrating AI-linked skills with evolving job requirements. This demonstrates a clear intent to align higher education with the needs of the modern labour market. Additionally, the allocation of a Rs. 10,000 crore growth fund for MSMEs will help build stronger organizations, which in turn will create more employment opportunities. These measures address both the supply and demand sides of the system, providing a meaningful boost to the career prospects of India’s young workforce and strengthening the broader economic ecosystem.”

CEO of Radcliffe schools Himanshu Yagnik
“The Union Budget 2026 recognises that school education must evolve with a changing world. By encouraging stronger support for learning environments and future-focused exposure, it will make classrooms more relevant and engaging. We welcome the strengthening focus on expansion of digital & AI enabled ecosystems. This approach will nurture confidence, curiosity, and problem-solving skills, shaping a generation ready for a creative, digitally driven India.”