Budget 2026 Roundtable: Breaking Down the Budget’s Growth and Spending Priorities | Special Episode
Wed Feb 04 2026
Budget 2026 did not deliver big surprises, and that is exactly where this conversation begins. In this episode of Open Dialogue, the panel discusses why a predictable, “boring” Budget can be a positive signal, reducing uncertainty, lowering the long-term cost of capital, and improving confidence for businesses and investors.In this roundtable, Sameer Shetty, Neelkanth Mishra, and Ashish Gupta examine key themes from Budget 2026, including the end of sharp fiscal consolidation, the improving quality of government spending, and concerns around liquidity as large cash balances remain parked with the RBI. The discussion also explores market reactions, changes to Securities Transaction Tax, and why some headline numbers such as GST collections can be misleading due to accounting shifts rather than economic weakness.The conversation places the Budget in a wider context of global uncertainty, volatile commodity markets, capital flows, and monetary policy, focusing on what actually matters for growth, markets, and long-term economic stability. This episode looks beyond announcements to understand intent, trade-offs, and what to track going forward.Speakers:Sameer Shetty: Group Executive, Digital Banking & Strategic Programs, Axis BankNeelkanth Mishra: Chief Economist, Axis Bank & Head of Global Research, Axis CapitalAshish Gupta: Chief Investment Officer, Axis Mutual Fund🔔 Like, comment, and subscribe for more expert conversations on India’s economy and markets, only on Open Dialogue by Axis Bank.SUBSCRIBE TO US: https://www.youtube.com/@OpenDialogueByAxis Download Axis Bank App: https://play.google.com/store/apps/de...For more informative videos and discussion on important topics related to Banking, finance & economics:LinkedIn - https://in.linkedin.com/company/axis-bank Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/opendialoguebyaxisbankFacebook - https://www.facebook.com/axisbank/Twitter - https://x.com/AxisBankCopyright:©Axis Bank Limited [2025]. All rights reserved. This video and all other videos in this channel are protected by copyright law and may not be used or reproduced without the express written permission of the copyright owner.STATUTORY DISCLAIMER:By accessing this video podcast “Podcast”, I acknowledge that Axis Bank Limited and its subsidiaries ("AXIS BANK") makes no warranty, guarantee, or representation as to the accuracy or sufficiency of the information featured in this Podcast. The information, opinions, and recommendations presented in this Podcast are for general information only and any reliance on the information provided in this Podcast is done at your own risk. This Podcast should not be considered professional advice. Unless specifically stated otherwise, AXIS BANK does not endorse, approve, recommend, or certify any information, product, process, service, or organization presented or mentioned in this Podcast, and information from this Podcast should not be referenced in any way to imply such approval or endorsement. Moreover, AXIS BANK makes no warranty that this Podcast, or the server that makes it available, is free of viruses, worms, or other elements or codes that manifest contaminating or destructive properties.AXIS BANK EXPRESSLY DISCLAIMS ANY AND ALL LIABILITY OR RESPONSIBILITY FOR ANY DIRECT, INDIRECT, INCIDENTAL, SPECIAL, CONSEQUENTIAL OR OTHER DAMAGES ARISING OUT OF ANY INDIVIDUAL'S USE OF, REFERENCE TO, RELIANCE ON, OR INABILITY TO USE, THIS PODCAST INFORMATION PRESENTED IN THIS PODCAST
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Budget 2026 did not deliver big surprises, and that is exactly where this conversation begins. In this episode of Open Dialogue, the panel discusses why a predictable, “boring” Budget can be a positive signal, reducing uncertainty, lowering the long-term cost of capital, and improving confidence for businesses and investors.In this roundtable, Sameer Shetty, Neelkanth Mishra, and Ashish Gupta examine key themes from Budget 2026, including the end of sharp fiscal consolidation, the improving quality of government spending, and concerns around liquidity as large cash balances remain parked with the RBI. The discussion also explores market reactions, changes to Securities Transaction Tax, and why some headline numbers such as GST collections can be misleading due to accounting shifts rather than economic weakness.The conversation places the Budget in a wider context of global uncertainty, volatile commodity markets, capital flows, and monetary policy, focusing on what actually matters for growth, markets, and long-term economic stability. This episode looks beyond announcements to understand intent, trade-offs, and what to track going forward.Speakers:Sameer Shetty: Group Executive, Digital Banking & Strategic Programs, Axis BankNeelkanth Mishra: Chief Economist, Axis Bank & Head of Global Research, Axis CapitalAshish Gupta: Chief Investment Officer, Axis Mutual Fund🔔 Like, comment, and subscribe for more expert conversations on India’s economy and markets, only on Open Dialogue by Axis Bank.SUBSCRIBE TO US: https://www.youtube.com/@OpenDialogueByAxis Download Axis Bank App: https://play.google.com/store/apps/de...For more informative videos and discussion on important topics related to Banking, finance & economics:LinkedIn - https://in.linkedin.com/company/axis-bank Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/opendialoguebyaxisbankFacebook - https://www.facebook.com/axisbank/Twitter - https://x.com/AxisBankCopyright:©Axis Bank Limited [2025]. All rights reserved. This video and all other videos in this channel are protected by copyright law and may not be used or reproduced without the express written permission of the copyright owner.STATUTORY DISCLAIMER:By accessing this video podcast “Podcast”, I acknowledge that Axis Bank Limited and its subsidiaries ("AXIS BANK") makes no warranty, guarantee, or representation as to the accuracy or sufficiency of the information featured in this Podcast. The information, opinions, and recommendations presented in this Podcast are for general information only and any reliance on the information provided in this Podcast is done at your own risk. This Podcast should not be considered professional advice. Unless specifically stated otherwise, AXIS BANK does not endorse, approve, recommend, or certify any information, product, process, service, or organization presented or mentioned in this Podcast, and information from this Podcast should not be referenced in any way to imply such approval or endorsement. Moreover, AXIS BANK makes no warranty that this Podcast, or the server that makes it available, is free of viruses, worms, or other elements or codes that manifest contaminating or destructive properties.AXIS BANK EXPRESSLY DISCLAIMS ANY AND ALL LIABILITY OR RESPONSIBILITY FOR ANY DIRECT, INDIRECT, INCIDENTAL, SPECIAL, CONSEQUENTIAL OR OTHER DAMAGES ARISING OUT OF ANY INDIVIDUAL'S USE OF, REFERENCE TO, RELIANCE ON, OR INABILITY TO USE, THIS PODCAST INFORMATION PRESENTED IN THIS PODCAST