Experts across nutraceutical sectors are calling for regulatory clarity, fiscal incentives, stronger quality frameworks, and targeted MSME support. From clean-label botanical sourcing and advanced testing infrastructure to Make-in-India manufacturing, preventive healthcare investment, and women-led D2C growth, industry leaders outline how the right policy push could transform India into a globally competitive, science-led wellness powerhouse while improving public health outcomes at home.
Shafiulla Hirehal Nuruddin, Founder and MD, Greenspace Herbs:
“The industry that relies on botanical actives has its fingers crossed that the 2026 Budget will bring in regulations that guarantee ingredient quality, essentially ensuring a transparent supply chain. Critically, the sector wants the government to roll out incentives for farmers to improve the medicinal raw materials. This means encouraging pesticide-free cultivation and setting standards for post-harvest handling to keep the quality high.
There is also a need for more accessible advanced testing infrastructure. For high-precision herbal extracts routine checks for adulteration, microbial safety and active-compound levels are essential, yet often expensive and limited geographically. Finally, clearer frameworks for botanical extracts, standardisation, and clean-label formulations would help manufacturers innovate with confidence. Overall, the sector hopes the Budget will reinforce reliability, transparency and scientific rigor across India’s botanical ecosystem.”
Amit Srivastava, Founder and Chief Catalyst of Nutrify Today:
“The upcoming 2026 Budget needs to finally settle the regulations and give the nutraceuticals sector the clarity it desperately needs. The crucial call will be deciding who takes control: most people expect it to be the Ministry of Food Processing Industries, though establishing a separate new regulatory arm is also on the table. This would not only speed up approvals but it would also make sure that safety and quality criteria are always met. Contract manufacturing (CDMO), research and development (R&D) and incentives for producing indigenous ingredients would reduce India’s dependency on imports, boost Make-in-India and establish India as a major global exporter.
Further, fiscal support — such as tax benefits or export-linked incentives — will encourage innovation and help scale home-grown nutraceutical products worldwide. Support for clinical research and evidence-based nutrition will raise consumer trust and global credibility. With the right policy thrust, Budget 2026 can catalyse India’s transition from a largely import-dependent industry to a globally competitive nutraceutical powerhouse — generating jobs, improving public health outcomes, and reinforcing India’s place on the world’s preventive-health map.”
Suresh Garg, Founder & CMD of Zeon Lifesciences:
“I urge the Finance Minister to leverage Budget 2026 for bolstering India’s contract manufacturing prowess. Expanding PLI schemes for nutraceuticals, rationalising GST on raw materials like botanical extracts, and streamlining FSSAI approvals with global standards will drive domestic production and exports. Enhanced credit guarantees akin to ECLGS extensions, plus R&D tax credits for innovations in probiotics and gut health, will empower MSMEs to automate and tap markets in the Middle East and Southeast Asia-positioning nutraceuticals as a cornerstone of Viksit Bharat by 2047.”
Aman Puri, Founder, Steadfast Nutrition:
“Another area the government should prioritise in this year’s Budget is preventive healthcare. Even though life expectancy has gone up, healthy life expectancy in the country remains poor and inequitable. The focus is on curative health, while preventive healthcare needs equal attention. The quieter crisis of non-communicable diseases (NCDs), including diabetes, hypertension, and cardiovascular disease in the country is unfolding. More investment in awareness generation campaigns, nutrition guidance programmes, early detection, disease surveillance, screenings, and management are essential to manage these conditions before they worsen and burden both families and the government.”
Yashna Garg, Founder, Yugap Wellness:
“From a Union Budget 2026 standpoint, MSME-led D2C brands- particularly women-led consumer businesses need targeted fiscal support. Rationalising GST on wellness and nutrition products to the 5–12% bracket, expanding the MSME Credit Guarantee Scheme beyond ₹5 crore, and enabling easier access to affordable working capital through lower-interest, faster-disbursal credit lines for women entrepreneurs would significantly ease cash-flow pressures. Additionally, a 2–3% interest subvention and a dedicated budgetary allocation for digital-first women-led MSMEs- covering marketing, compliance, and scale-up costs can directly accelerate sustainable growth.”
Mithun Majumdar, CEO, 750AD Group:
“As a healthcare-focused organisation, we are hopeful that the Union Budget prioritises preventive healthcare, affordable wellness solutions, and indigenous healthcare systems. Increased investment in Ayurveda, nutraceuticals, and holistic wellness- alongside modern medicine- can strengthen India’s position as a global healthcare hub. We also expect greater budgetary focus on expanding healthcare access in Tier II and Tier III cities, encouraging local manufacturing, and supporting MSMEs in the healthcare and wellness space. Tax incentives for R&D, innovation in preventive care, and digital health platforms would help accelerate product development and affordability. Additionally, policies aimed at reducing GST on essential wellness and healthcare products would benefit both manufacturers and consumers. A forward-looking budget that supports integrated healthcare, innovation, and accessibility will play a crucial role in improving public health outcomes and fostering sustainable growth in the healthcare ecosystem.”
