Ashneer Grover Reaction on Budget: Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman has presented the Union Budget 2026-27 today, on which people are getting different reactions. In this sequence, former founder of BharatPe, Ashneer Grover has also given his reaction on the budget. Commenting on the budget on social media platform

This budget reminded of my rebuke on Shark Tank to one of the pitchers:

“You absolutely wasted your time – both yours and ours!”

— Ashneer Grover (@Ashneer_Grover) February 1, 2026

Ashneer disappointed with the budget

Ashneer Grover, one of the judges on Shark Tank India, compared the Finance Minister’s presentation to a weak entrepreneurial pitch, which was long in tone but had little impact. His comment on the budget is becoming increasingly viral on social media. People are getting mixed reactions on this.

Users’ comments on Ashneer’s post

Commenting on Ashneer’s post, a user wrote, “It seems you want to get interrogated by IT/ED.” Another user agreed with Grover and commented, “I agree with you. The entire time was wasted in the budget.” Another user jokingly said, “Haha, what a waste of time.”

It is clear from the announcements made in the budget this year that the government is focusing more on long-term growth instead of providing immediate relief. In this budget, along with increasing expenditure on infrastructure, there was talk of strategic technological mission and tax relief to the middle class.

Also read:

Budget 2026: From She Marts to Girls Hostels… What’s special for women in this budget?

Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman presented the Union Budget 2026-27 in Parliament. He started his budget speech by paying tribute to Saint Ravidas. This budget has been presented at a time when the government has completed 12 years of its tenure and India has emerged as a fast growing economy globally. The Finance Minister said that India’s economic journey in the last 12 years has been defined by stability, fiscal discipline, sustained growth and controlled inflation. According to him, this achievement is the result of thoughtful decisions taken by the government despite difficult global circumstances and uncertainties.

The Finance Minister said that more than 350 reforms have been implemented in recent years and the Central Government is working with the State Governments on de-regulation. He proposed enhancing six areas to accelerate economic growth, including expansion of manufacturing in strategic areas, revival of old industrial areas, creating strong MSMIs, boosting infrastructure, ensuring long-term sustainability and development of city economic regions. He announced the launch of India Semiconductor Mission 2.0 and said that under this, special focus will be given to industry-led research and training centers so that a skilled technical workforce can be created.

Promotion of biopharma and chemical sector

To make India a global bio-pharma hub, the Finance Minister proposed ‘Biopharma Shakti’ scheme. Under this, an investment of Rs 10,000 crore will be made in the next five years. Along with this, there was talk of developing rare earth corridors in the mineral rich states of Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Odisha and Andhra Pradesh, which will be converted into Special Economic Zones. Apart from this, he has also proposed to launch a new scheme to assist states in setting up three dedicated chemical parks.

Where are the Special Economic Zones in India?

Special Economic Zones (SEZ) have played an important role in economic development, increasing exports and attracting foreign investment in India. These economic zones have been established in many big and emerging cities of the country, where industries get special facilities, better infrastructure and policy facilities. The objective of these zones is to strengthen India as a global investment and manufacturing hub. These Special Economic Zones include Gujarat, Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Kerala, Karnataka, Noida and Raipur.

Also read: Budget 2026 LIVE Updates: Parliament proceedings begin, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman started her speech by taking the name of Saint Ravidas.

Union Budget 2026-27: Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman will present the Union Budget for the financial year 2026-27 on 1 February. This time, there will be many important challenges before him in the budget, in which expansion of medical infrastructure and providing treatment to the common people at concessional rates can be the main issues. Government expenditure on health is still very low in most developing countries, including India, compared to developed countries, even though better health services are the foundation of any strong economy.

It is clear from the World Bank’s 2022 report that there is a big difference between countries in terms of expenditure on health. America spends about 17 to 18 percent of its GDP on health services, which comes to about 12 to 13 thousand dollars per person. However, the public health system there is weak and dependence on the private sector is high. Japan spends 10 to 11 percent of its GDP on the medical sector, where per capita spending ranges from $4,500 to $5,000 and public health services are considered very strong.

How much is spent on medical treatment in which country in the world?

Russia spends about 5 to 6 percent of its GDP on health, with per capita spending between $800 and $1,000, but there is inequality in the quality of services. China has rapidly increased investment in health infrastructure in the last decade and spends 6 to 7 percent of GDP on the medical sector, bringing per capita spending to $700 to $900.

In comparison, India spends only 3 to 4 percent of GDP on health and the per capita expenditure is only between 100 to 200 dollars. However, efforts are being made to gradually improve the situation through schemes like Ayushman Bharat.

Country	GDP expenditure on health (%)	Per Capita Health Expenditures (USD)
America	16.8%	12,000
Japan	11	4,150
Russia	5.3	1,474
China	5.0	731
India	3.6	209

How was India’s last medical budget?

Talking about previous budgets, the government has increased focus on digital health, medical infrastructure, domestic production and affordable medicines. In the budget for the financial year 2025-26, about Rs 1 lakh crore was allocated for the Health Ministry, which was about 11 percent more than the previous year. In this, expansion of Ayushman Bharat, exemption in custom duty on cancer medicines, establishment of new medical colleges and additional funds for institutions like National Health Mission and AIIMS were announced.

When and how much is spent on the budget in India?

Year	Health Budget (Rs crore)
2022-23	86,606
2023-24	88,956
2024-25	90 thousand crores
2025-26	99,858.56

What do experts say

Regarding the Medical Budget 2026-27, experts believe that the share of GDP on health should be further increased. According to Dr. Sharad Aggarwal, former president of the Indian Medical Association (IMA), health expenditure should be clearly shown under different heads in the budget, so that it can be known how much is being spent on infrastructure development and how much is going on salaries and other administrative items. He says that it is very important to pay special attention to infrastructure development.

Dr. Aggarwal also suggested that medicines, medical equipment and surgical products should be taken out of the purview of GST, so that the cost of treatment can be reduced. Along with this, relief should also be given in the customs duty imposed on medical equipment. He said that just as tax exemption is given on life insurance, similarly health insurance should also be promoted by giving additional tax exemption.

He believes that after Covid-19, there has been improvement in the medical infrastructure in the country, but a lot of work still remains to be done in remote areas. There is a need to focus on the quality and availability of ambulance services, oxygen plants, solar panels, generators, operation theatres, ventilators and other essential equipment. Many ventilators installed during the Covid period are lying defective today because their quality was not good. Therefore, it is important that there is strict monitoring of expenditure under the health budget and an independent, impartial body can check its implementation and quality.

Also read: Gold is shining brighter due to Trump’s threats, know the latest price of your city today on January 19

Union Budget 2026-27: Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman will present the Union Budget for the financial year 2026-27 on 1 February. This time, there will be many important challenges before him in the budget, in which expansion of medical infrastructure and providing treatment to the common people at concessional rates can be the main issues. Government expenditure on health is still very low in most developing countries, including India, compared to developed countries, even though better health services are the foundation of any strong economy.

It is clear from the World Bank’s 2022 report that there is a big difference between countries in terms of expenditure on health. America spends about 17 to 18 percent of its GDP on health services, which comes to about 12 to 13 thousand dollars per person. However, the public health system there is weak and dependence on the private sector is high. Japan spends 10 to 11 percent of its GDP on the medical sector, where per capita spending ranges from $4,500 to $5,000 and public health services are considered very strong.

How much is spent on medical treatment in which country in the world?

Russia spends about 5 to 6 percent of its GDP on health, with per capita spending between $800 and $1,000, but there is inequality in the quality of services. China has rapidly increased investment in health infrastructure in the last decade and spends 6 to 7 percent of GDP on the medical sector, bringing per capita spending to $700 to $900.

In comparison, India spends only 3 to 4 percent of GDP on health and the per capita expenditure is only between 100 to 200 dollars. However, efforts are being made to gradually improve the situation through schemes like Ayushman Bharat.

Country	GDP expenditure on health (%)	Per Capita Health Expenditures (USD)
America	16.8%	12,000
Japan	11	4,150
Russia	5.3	1,474
China	5.0	731
India	3.6	209

How was India’s last medical budget?

Talking about previous budgets, the government has increased focus on digital health, medical infrastructure, domestic production and affordable medicines. In the budget for the financial year 2025-26, about Rs 1 lakh crore was allocated for the Health Ministry, which was about 11 percent more than the previous year. In this, expansion of Ayushman Bharat, exemption in custom duty on cancer medicines, establishment of new medical colleges and additional funds for institutions like National Health Mission and AIIMS were announced.

When and how much is spent on the budget in India?

Year	Health Budget (Rs crore)
2022-23	86,606
2023-24	88,956
2024-25	90 thousand crores
2025-26	99,858.56

What do experts say

Regarding the Medical Budget 2026-27, experts believe that the share of GDP on health should be further increased. According to Dr. Sharad Aggarwal, former president of the Indian Medical Association (IMA), health expenditure should be clearly shown under different heads in the budget, so that it can be known how much is being spent on infrastructure development and how much is going on salaries and other administrative items. He says that it is very important to pay special attention to infrastructure development.

Dr. Aggarwal also suggested that medicines, medical equipment and surgical products should be taken out of the purview of GST, so that the cost of treatment can be reduced. Along with this, relief should also be given in the customs duty imposed on medical equipment. He said that just as tax exemption is given on life insurance, similarly health insurance should also be promoted by giving additional tax exemption.

He believes that after Covid-19, there has been improvement in the medical infrastructure in the country, but a lot of work still remains to be done in remote areas. There is a need to focus on the quality and availability of ambulance services, oxygen plants, solar panels, generators, operation theatres, ventilators and other essential equipment. Many ventilators installed during the Covid period are lying defective today because their quality was not good. Therefore, it is important that there is strict monitoring of expenditure under the health budget and an independent, impartial body can check its implementation and quality.

Also read: Gold is shining brighter due to Trump’s threats, know the latest price of your city today on January 19