2026 India CEO Outlook (KPMG Switzerland)

Summary

• 87 per cent of CEOs in India are confident in their organisations' growth prospects over the next three years, compared with 84 per cent globally.p.2
• Cybersecurity and data security top the risk agenda for 38 per cent of CEOs in India.p.3
• 49 per cent of CEOs in India are increasing investment in cybersecurity and digital risk resilience.p.3
• AI is a top investment priority for 78 per cent of CEOs in India, broadly in line with 79 per cent globally.p.3
• 69 per cent of CEOs in India expect annual earnings growth above 2.5 per cent, compared with 68 per cent globally.p.6
• 92 per cent of CEOs in India and 89 per cent globally expect to increase headcount.p.6

Key insights

1. CEO confidence in company growth prospects rose to 87 per cent in India and 84 per cent globally, up from 83 per cent and 79 per cent in 2025.p.3
2. Leading workforce challenges in India are attracting and retaining talent (54 per cent) and skills gaps (53 per cent).p.4
3. 84 per cent of CEOs in India and globally are redesigning roles, career paths and team structures for human-AI collaboration.p.4
4. 68 per cent of CEOs in India are confident of achieving net-zero ambitions by 2030, compared with 64 per cent globally.p.4
5. Confidence in India's growth prospects stands at 73 per cent, compared with 71 per cent last year.p.6