India makes greater 'ease of doing business' push

Initiatives part of Union Budget 2026-2027.

India's Union Minister for Finance and Corporate Affairs Nirmala Sitharaman has presented the Union Budget 2026-2027 in Parliament, outlining the government's comprehensive plan that includes a further push in terms of the ease of doing business (EoDB) in the country.

The Union Budget 2026-2027 is guided by three duties: accelerate and sustain economic growth; fulfil aspirations of  people and build their capacity; and ensure that every family, community, region, and sector has access to resources, amenities, and opportunities.

India's plan includes the creation of "champion" MSMEs (micro, small, and medium enterprises), the rejuvenation of legacy industrial sectors, and the scaling up of manufacturing. For MSMEs, the Indian government is dedicating a ₹10,000 crore SME Growth Fund.

JLL India's Samantak Das noted: "A three-pronged approach that focuses on growth sectors, infrastructure, and the services segment has laid down the blueprint to sustain and accelerate economic growth.

"Specific incentives for biopharma and electronics manufacturing, rare earth mining, setting up education townships & medical value tourism hubs are far-reaching.

"Additionally, the measures to promote tourism will create accretive employment and revenues whilst the tax holiday for foreign data centre service providers is set to make India a global hub for data centres."
  
Commenting on the Budget, Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) Director General Chandrajit Banerjee highlighted the EoDB implications.

"A key aspect of the 2026-27 Budget from the EoDB lens is the simplification of regulatory processes and enhancing dispute avoidance," Banerjee stated whilst citing simpler income tax rules and reformed penalties and prosecutions.

He added: "Customs reform was another important area that saw the Budget's efforts to improve the business environment. The government has set out plans to make customs operations more digital and user-centric.

"Overall, from the lens of ease of doing business, Budget 2026–27 provides a greater momentum to further make India's business environment conducive and industry-friendly."

Hotel groups in the country welcomed the Budget as well, following the Finance Minister's proposal to set up a National Institute of Hospitality, which is aimed at connecting the industry, the academe, and the government.