Indian CEOs focus on resilience amid AI disruption: KPMG Report
KPMG’s 2026 India CEO Outlook finds that CEOs in India remain optimistic about growth despite geopolitical uncertainty, economic volatility, technological disruption and evolving regulatory requirements. Based on responses from 125 CEOs in India as part of KPMG’s annual Global CEO Outlook survey, the report examines how business leaders are investing in technology, talent and trust to strengthen resilience and sustain growth.
The survey found that 87% of CEOs in India are confident about their organisations’ growth prospects over the next three years, compared with 84% globally. Meanwhile, 69% expect annual earnings growth of more than 2.5% over the same period and 92% anticipate increasing headcount, indicating continued confidence in business expansion and talent investment.
Artificial intelligence (AI) remains a strategic priority, with 78% of respondents identifying it as an area for investment. Additionally, 97% are confident in their ability to manage AI-driven business and workforce transformation. However, ethical challenges remain a significant barrier to adoption, cited by 64% of CEOs in India, compared with 57% globally. The findings point to the importance of responsible AI governance, trusted data and workforce readiness as organisations move from experimentation towards measurable business outcomes.
Cybersecurity and digital resilience are also prominent priorities, with 49% of CEOs in India increasing investment in these areas. Workforce challenges remain closely linked to the adoption of new technologies: 54% of respondents cited attracting and retaining talent as a key challenge, followed by skills gaps at 53% and AI upskilling needs at 51%.
Sustainability is increasingly being integrated into business strategy. The survey found that 66% of CEOs in India have incorporated sustainability into their core business strategies, while 68% are confident of achieving their net-zero ambitions by 2030, compared with 64% globally. Additionally, 84% believe AI can enable more responsible innovation aligned with climate goals, compared with 80% of CEOs globally. Organisations are also using AI and digital technologies to support climate-risk management, sustainability reporting and operational efficiency.
“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,” said Yezdi Nagporewalla, Chief Executive Officer of KPMG in India. He added that translating technology investments into measurable business value would be critical to sustained growth.
The findings suggest that Indian business leaders are increasingly treating resilience as part of their growth strategies, with cybersecurity, responsible AI adoption, workforce development and sustainability shaping their long-term priorities.