As the Union Budget 2026 approaches, stakeholders across the digital education and advertising sectors are outlining their expectations for policy support amid the growing adoption of artificial intelligence, which is rapidly reshaping both industries.

AI-DRIVEN LANGUAGE LEARNING AND EDTECH EXPECTATIONS

Arpit Mittal, Founder and CEO of SpeakX.ai, highlighted key shifts in India’s language learning landscape. “In 2025, AI-driven language learning saw strong adoption across India, with millions of learners—particularly from Telugu, Tamil, Marathi and Bengali-speaking regions—using these tools to improve their English skills,” he said.

For many users, Mittal noted, learning English is more than personal development; it opens pathways to better employment and educational opportunities. As Budget 2026 nears, he said the sector is hoping for clear policy support for digital education, including initiatives that promote the creation of high-quality regional content. Such measures, he added, would help AI-powered learning platforms reach even the most remote parts of the country.

There is also an expectation that the government will address connectivity gaps and encourage online skill-building initiatives in underserved regions to improve nationwide employability outcomes.

POLICY SUPPORT FOR EDTECH AND EMPLOYABILITY

Industry leaders believe focused backing for AI-first education platforms can play a crucial role in raising communication standards and narrowing India’s employability gap. Making digital education more accessible through infrastructure investment and targeted policy measures remains a key demand from the sector.

ADTECH SEEKS TAX CLARITY AND CONSUMER BOOST

Alongside edtech, leaders in the digital advertising space are also watching fiscal developments closely. Man Mohit, CEO of AdSocial.ai, said that proposed tax reforms aimed at simplifying taxation and increasing disposable income could have a meaningful impact on consumer behaviour and digital spending.

“For the digital advertising ecosystem, even modest tax refinements that improve take-home pay can translate into stronger demand across e-commerce, local services and emerging online markets,” he said.

Mohit added that AI-powered platforms will be critical in helping brands optimise targeting, measure return on investment more effectively and adapt to changing consumer preferences. “Clear policy direction and tax certainty will not only boost consumer confidence but also support sustained innovation and growth in India’s digital economy,” he said.

CALL FOR FORWARD-LOOKING MEASURES

As policymakers finalise Budget 2026, voices from both edtech and adtech are calling for practical and future-ready reforms. Industry leaders believe that the right combination of digital education support, tax clarity and infrastructure investment can strengthen India’s workforce capabilities while accelerating growth in its digital consumption ecosystem.