KPMG 2026 India CEO Outlook: CEOs in India are turning resilience into growth amid AI, cyber and geopolitical shifts
India : In an environment shaped by geopolitical uncertainty, economic volatility, accelerating technological disruption and evolving regulatory expectations, KPMG’s 2026 India CEO Outlook reveals how CEOs in India are converting uncertainty into resilience and resilience into growth through focused investments in technology, talent and trust.
The findings highlight a business leadership community that remains optimistic about the future despite operating in an increasingly complex and interconnected risk environment. As organisations navigate cybersecurity threats, regulatory change, workforce transformation and the rapid advancement of artificial intelligence (AI), CEOs are strengthening cyber resilience, AI governance, workforce readiness and sustainability capabilities to create long-term value.
Based on responses from 125 CEOs in India as part of KPMG’s annual Global CEO Outlook survey, the report underscores how leaders are balancing confidence with preparedness. While growth ambitions remain strong, resilience is no longer viewed solely as a risk-management imperative but as a key enabler of innovation, performance and sustainable competitive advantage.
The findings also reflect India’s continued economic momentum, digital transformation journey and growing influence within the global innovation ecosystem. As AI adoption accelerates, leadership priorities are shifting from experimentation to measurable value creation, supported by trusted data, responsible governance, cyber resilience and workforce capability.
At the same time, sustainability is becoming increasingly embedded in business strategy. Organisations are leveraging AI and digital technologies to strengthen climate-risk management, enhance sustainability reporting and improve operational efficiency, while balancing innovation with evolving regulatory and environmental considerations.
Yezdi Nagporewalla, Chief Executive Officer, KPMG in India, said: “CEOs in India continue to demonstrate confidence and resilience in the face of unprecedented change. As organisations accelerate investments in AI, digital transformation and innovation, success will increasingly depend on their ability to strengthen cyber resilience, build workforce capabilities and embed trust across the enterprise. The leaders that will thrive are those who can translate resilience into sustained growth and convert technology investments into measurable business value.”
Key findings from the survey include:
87 per cent of CEOs in India are confident about their organisation’s growth prospects over the next three years, compared with 84 per cent globally, reflecting strong optimism despite economic and geopolitical uncertainty.
69 per cent expect annual earnings growth of more than 2.5 per cent over the next three years, while 92 per cent anticipate increasing headcount, signalling continued confidence in expansion and talent investment.
78 per cent view AI as a strategic investment priority, while 97 per cent are confident in their ability to manage AI-driven business and workforce transformation.
84 per cent of CEOs in India, compared with 80 per cent globally, believe AI can enable more responsible innovation aligned with climate goals, reinforcing its role in advancing both business performance and sustainability outcomes.
Ethical challenges associated with AI implementation remain the leading barrier to adoption, cited by 64 per cent of CEOs in India compared with 57 per cent globally, highlighting the growing importance of responsible AI governance and trust.
49 per cent of CEOs in India are increasing investment in cybersecurity and digital resilience, making it the leading resilience-building priority amid a rapidly evolving risk landscape.
Attracting and retaining talent (54 per cent) remains the top workforce challenge, followed by skills gaps (53 per cent) and AI upskilling needs (51 per cent), underscoring the importance of preparing today’s workforce for an AI-enabled future.
66 per cent of CEOs in India have integrated sustainability into their core business strategy, while 68 per cent are confident of achieving their net-zero ambitions by 2030, compared with 64 per cent globally.
The findings point to a clear evolution in leadership priorities from managing disruption to building resilience-led growth. As organisations navigate an increasingly dynamic business environment, those that successfully align strategy, technology, risk management, workforce transformation and sustainability will be best positioned to convert confidence into long-term value, strengthen competitive advantage and drive sustainable growth.
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