“The Union Budget 2026-27 recognises that artificial intelligence is no longer an experimental technology but a strategic lever for governance, productivity and economic growth. It has specifically highlighted AI applications to enhance governance and introduced measures such as the AI Mission, National Quantum Mission and significant new funding through the Anusandhan National Research Foundation and the Research and Development and Innovation Fund. At Fulcrum Digital, we believe the 21st century’s true potential lies in shifting from simple automation to Intelligence Amplification (IA). By backing R&D and innovation funds, the government is providing the essential fuel for enterprises to move beyond experimentation to real-world, scalable impact.
Equally important is the decision to substantially enhance the safe harbour threshold for IT services from ₹300 crore to ₹2,000 crore, which will significantly reduce compliance friction and improve operating certainty for a much broader set of technology firms. This move aims to strengthen India’s technology ecosystem by expanding research capacity, supporting translational innovation and building future capabilities in sectors such as agriculture, healthcare, education and public services. For this framework to create measurable impact we need coordinated implementation with industry and academia, greater focus on data and compute infrastructure, and skilling pathways that align with the evolving demand for specialised AI talent.” – Sachin Panicker, Chief AI Officer, Fulcrum Digital.
