Speaking on the expectations from the upcoming Union Budget 2026,
Shivam Budhiraja; an Automotive Content Creator and Co-Founder of Team Car Delight and Detailing Notch says: last year’s move to simplify tax slabs by removing exemptions was a step in the right direction, but we now need that logic applied to green mobility. For 2026, the real game-changer would be reducing GST on Hybrid Cars. Hybrids are often taxed as high as luxury petrol cars despite saving significant fuel. We expect a merit-based tax regime that rewards technologies like Plug-in Hybrids (PHEVs) – cars that use both petrol and EV charging. Lowering this tax will make fuel-efficient, sustainable mobility truly accessible for the Indian middle class.
Shivam Budhiraja; a Finance Content Creator and Entrepreneur says: The Indian middle class has become the ‘patient investor’ that saves our markets when foreign investors pull out, yet they are often penalised with high taxes and the loss of Indexation benefits. For 2026, our biggest expectation is the full restoration of indexation to protect long-term savings from inflation. We also need a rethink on Short-Term Capital Gains (STCG) and an increase in the tax-free limit for FD interest. A good budget for the economy is one that rewards domestic investors for their loyalty to the Indian growth story.
Sarah Sarosh, Founder of Impulse Coffees says: As a bootstrapped D2C founder in the food and beverage space, I hope this budget focuses on easing the everyday realities of building consumer brands in India. Rationalising GST on food products, improving access to working capital, and simplifying compliance for small teams can make a real difference on the ground. For F&B startups, better supply chains, cold storage, and logistics infrastructure would help reduce costs and wastage while allowing brands to scale responsibly. A budget that supports local sourcing, sustainability, and ease of doing business will help homegrown founders build for the long term, not just the next quarter.
Zeba Madni, Co-Founder of Madhouse Media says: The creator economy is increasingly shaping how consumers discover brands and make financial decisions, with finance creators playing a growing role in digital awareness and adoption. Ahead of the Budget, there is an opportunity to recognise creators as micro-entrepreneurs within the digital economy, through clearer monetisation frameworks, structured skilling, and technology-led support. Enabling sustainable growth for finance creators will help strengthen consumer trust while supporting innovation across startups and digital-first businesses.
Supriya Ullengala, Co-Founder of MadHouse Media says: Finance creators have become an important source of financial information for young and first-time investors, making accuracy and accountability central to the ecosystem. The upcoming Budget can support this shift by strengthening digital infrastructure, encouraging financial literacy initiatives, and creating clearer operating frameworks for creator-led businesses. A more structured creator economy will benefit not just creators, but also startups, brands, and consumers navigating an increasingly digital financial landscape.
Krishna, a Brand Manager at Uma by the sea, says: Hospitality today sits at the intersection of food, culture, music, and community, and has evolved far beyond being a transactional service industry. As restaurants increasingly contribute to placemaking, local employment, and the cultural fabric of cities, we’re hopeful the budget recognises this creative economy with meaningful support for experiential venues and small businesses. With rising operational costs and regulatory complexity, policies that encourage innovation while easing everyday pressures would allow the industry to reinvest in quality and growth. A truly future-facing budget should invest in destinations, not just destination marketing, enabling hospitality-led ecosystems to thrive organically and sustainably.
