Budget 2026 Sets AI-Led Blueprint for India’s Future

• Budget 2026–27 pushes AI-integrated structural reforms
• Big focus on healthcare, biopharma and chronic disease relief
• AI deployment planned in agriculture with farmer safeguards
• Mega science infrastructure to boost India’s global standing

GG News Bureau
New Delhi, 3rd Feb: Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Science & Technology and Earth Sciences Jitendra Singh said that the Union Budget 2026–27 lays down a technology-driven, AI-integrated roadmap to shape India’s future over the next 25 years, marking a decisive shift towards generational structural reforms.

Addressing the media at a post-Budget interaction organised by the Ministry of Science and Technology, the Minister said the Budget is not merely a one-year financial exercise but a long-term vision document where structural reforms are powered by cutting-edge technologies, increasingly driven by Artificial Intelligence.

Dr Singh said concerns around middle-class benefits must be viewed beyond immediate tax calculations, as the Budget’s real impact lies in long-term relief from rising healthcare and living costs. He pointed to large investments in biopharma, diagnostics, vaccines and gene-based therapies that will reduce the financial burden of chronic diseases such as cancer, diabetes and metabolic disorders.

Highlighting India’s health challenges, the Minister said the country currently has over 11–12 crore diabetics and nearly 14 crore pre-diabetics, with cancer cases projected to reach two million annually by 2030. Affordable drugs, vaccines and diagnostics backed by domestic manufacturing would provide major economic relief to families, especially the middle class and vulnerable sections.

Referring to the ₹10,000 crore Biopharma Shakti initiative, Dr Singh said India has already emerged as a global bio-manufacturing hub and the fresh outlay will strengthen capabilities in biologics, biosimilars, vaccines, medical devices and gene-based technologies. He described biotechnology as the next industrial engine, comparable to the IT revolution of earlier decades.

The Minister said the Budget also addresses non-communicable diseases and mental health, announcing new super-speciality academic and clinical institutes for mental health in North India. He added that new institutes of Ayurveda and pharmaceutical education will strengthen traditional medicine systems while integrating them with modern research.

Dr Singh highlighted the extension of customs duty exemptions on imported components for nuclear power plants till 2035, saying it will enhance efficiency and attract investment, in line with reforms to expand private sector participation in the nuclear ecosystem. He also referred to initiatives on rare earth corridors and critical minerals to support clean energy, electronics and strategic industries.

Calling the National Geospatial Mission a foundational reform, he said it will enable evidence-based urban planning and infrastructure design through satellites, drones and advanced mapping, implemented via the PM Gati Shakti platform.

The Budget’s ₹20,000 crore allocation for Carbon Capture, Utilisation and Storage (CCUS) was described as a major step towards industrial decarbonisation and environmental sustainability. Dr Singh also announced structured deployment of AI in agriculture to empower farmers while safeguarding them from unintended technological risks.

Secretary, Department of Science & Technology Abhay Karandikar said the Budget places strong emphasis on technology and innovation, announcing two mega R&D facilities—a 30-metre National Large Optical Telescope and a National Large Solar Telescope near Pangong Lake—to enhance global scientific collaboration.

Secretary, Department of Biotechnology Rajesh S. Gokhale said the Biopharma Shakti programme will accelerate translation of research into manufacturing, strengthening industry-academia partnerships and vaccine development.

Secretary, Ministry of Earth Sciences M. Ravichandran outlined Blue Economy initiatives, including expansion of waterways, offshore fisheries and sustainable shipping.

Director General, Council of Scientific and Industrial Research N. Kalaiselvi said CSIR will anchor key initiatives across CCUS, semiconductors, critical minerals and clean energy.

Concluding, Dr Jitendra Singh said Budget 2026 reflects a mission-oriented approach where research, manufacturing and deployment move together, positioning India to compete globally while ensuring inclusive and citizen-centric growth.