Breaking News: Union Budget 2026-27 Launches ₹10,000 Cr SME Growth Fund and Infrastructure Boost

The Union Budget 2026‑27 aims to empower India’s SMEs (Small and Medium Enterprises), positioning them as “champions” of economic growth. Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman announced the creation of a ₹10,000 crore SME Growth Fund, designed to provide capital and support to enterprises with high growth potential. This initiative complements the Self-Reliant India Fund, first launched in 2021 with ₹2,000 crore, to support micro and small businesses in accessing necessary capital. The budget also proposes four strategic measures to strengthen SME operations: simplifying compliance through the CPSC (Central Public Sector Compliance) framework, establishing benchmarking standards for corporates, facilitating invoice discounting, and integrating SMEs into government procurement for easier access to capital at competitive costs. Additionally, professional support will be expanded via ICAI, ICSI, and ICMAI, offering model courses and short-term programs to streamline compliance, particularly in Tier-2 and Tier-3 cities, which are emerging as growth hubs. On the infrastructure front, the government highlighted the decade-long efforts in strengthening public infrastructure and financial tools like NIIF and NEFID, ensuring capital availability at lower costs. Public capital expenditure has grown from ₹2 lakh crore in 2014‑15 to an estimated ₹12.2 lakh crore in 2025‑26, with continued focus next year to sustain momentum. The budget also emphasizes incentives for private developers to boost investment in infrastructure and economic growth.