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Budget Breaks-2025: Ultimate Insights from Startup Gurus of India
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Sourabh Deorah, CEO & Co-Founder, AdvantageClub.ai
On AI & Technology
“With India’s AI market poised to reach a remarkable $17 billion by 2027, the upcoming budget has the potential to solidify our position as a global tech challenger. Prioritizing investments in AI research, digital infrastructure, and emerging technologies will be crucial for maintaining this growth trajectory. Simplifying taxes, addressing GST on SaaS platforms, and offering targeted incentives for startups will empower innovation, job creation, and scalability. A balanced focus on infrastructure spending and fiscal discipline will not only sustain economic momentum but also position India as a global hub for AI and technological advancement."
On Employee Tax Simplification
“With Budget 2025 coming up, it’s the perfect time to make taxes easier for salaried employees and better meet their changing needs. Expanding tax benefits under Section 80D to cover things like gym memberships, therapy, and holistic health services would be a great step. Tax rules should fit different lifestyles instead of taking a 'one-size-fits-all' approach. Including exemptions for everyday essentials could also help employees manage rising costs. All in all, simple and thoughtful tax policies can go a long way in supporting financial wellness and creating a better work-life balance.”
On Cyber security:
Srinivas Shekar, CEO and Co-Founder, Pantherun Technologies: "Last year’s Union Budget 2024-25 marked a vital step towards strengthening India’s digital infrastructure, with a significant allocation of over Rs 1,550 crore for cybersecurity initiatives and AI research. The 90% increase in funding for cybersecurity projects, reaching Rs 759 crore, highlighted the government’s commitment to tackling the rising tide of cyber threats. Institutions like CERT-In were empowered with Rs 238 crore to improve incident response capabilities, laying a strong foundation for a secure digital ecosystem.
As we look ahead to the 2025–26 Union Budget, the expectation is for this momentum to continue. Cyber threats are becoming more sophisticated, and there’s a pressing need for sustained investment in AI-driven cybersecurity solutions that can preempt and mitigate these risks effectively. This year, a sharper focus on fostering public-private collaboration and encouraging innovation in indigenous technologies could drive substantial progress in this space.
Also supporting the cybersecurity workforce through targeted skill development programs and providing tax incentives for organizations investing in cutting-edge solutions will help build a robust digital defense framework. Expanding CERT-In’s mandate with additional resources and fostering a cohesive strategy for handling cross-border cyber threats will also be critical. India’s digital economy is evolving rapidly, and the upcoming budget offers an opportunity to align policies with the dual goals of innovation and security."
On Pharmaceutical Industry:
Dr. Saurabh Arora, Managing Director, Auriga Research: “The pharmaceutical sector is in anticipation of the new 2025-26 Budget wishful for a range of actions being taken by the state in terms of reengineering the research, development, and innovation connection. The weighted income tax deductions could again be given to research and development since that was considered to be calculated from the present budget, provided that the scope of R&D included points from new drug development to clinical trials. If the government were to consider aiding technology up-gradation in a big company, it might introduce a performance-linked model along the lines of the PLI scheme. ”