Budget 2026 must focus on cloud, AI deployment, says Vivek Ganesh of OutSystems

As the government prepares for Union Budget 2026, businesses are looking for clearer policy direction on artificial intelligence (AI), digital infrastructure and technology modernisation, particularly in regulated sectors where legacy systems underpin essential services, executives said.

Vivek Ganesh, regional vice president for India, OutSystems, said expectations from the Union Budget 2026 were aligned with the government’s long-term goal of Viksit Bharat 2047, which aims to position India as a developed economy through inclusive and technology-led growth.

Ganesh said wider AI adoption in sectors such as banking and financial services, public administration and legal services would be critical, as these industries run mission-critical systems that directly affect citizens and businesses.

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“To deliver on inclusive growth, it is important that AI adoption extends beyond digital-native companies and reaches established, highly regulated sectors,” he said, adding that trust and reliability remained central concerns in these areas.

Union Budget 2026 must support IndiaAI Mission

He said continued support for the IndiaAI Mission, along with incentives to accelerate cloud adoption and modern application development, would help organisations move from AI pilots to large-scale deployment.

India’s next phase of growth will depend in part on modernising legacy applications across industries, Ganesh said, as well as enabling enterprises to build their own AI-powered systems, including autonomous agents that can streamline operations and support new business models.

He added that secure and well-governed adoption of AI could help translate public and private investment into broader productivity gains, while strengthening India’s competitiveness as a global digital economy.

The Union Budget 2026 is expected to outline the government’s spending and policy priorities for the coming financial year, with technology, digital public infrastructure (DPI) and AI seen as key areas of focus as India seeks to sustain growth and attract investment.