Indian chief executives exhibit a markedly higher level of optimism regarding domestic growth and revenue prospects compared to their global peers, despite increasing worries about artificial intelligence readiness, cybersecurity, and macroeconomic fluctuations, as revealed in PwC’s 29th Annual Global CEO Survey – India perspective.
The survey, which includes insights from nearly 50 Indian CEOs among a global total of 4,454 leaders, shows that 77% of Indian CEOs anticipate economic growth in their region to improve within the next year, in contrast to 55% globally. Additionally, confidence in revenue growth for the near term is considerably elevated, with 57% of Indian CEOs expressing strong or extreme confidence regarding revenues over the next year, almost double the global average of 30%.
This optimism is notable even amid a muted global outlook. Just 45% of Indian CEOs expect global economic growth to improve in the upcoming year, highlighting a distinct gap between domestic confidence and global caution.
PwC highlights that India’s relative stability is underpinned by solid macroeconomic fundamentals, ongoing government reforms, and the extensive domestic market, which enables firms to establish operations at a global scale without excessive reliance on exports. India has also climbed the global investment hierarchy, becoming one of the favored locations for cross-border investments alongside the US, Germany, and the UK.
Nonetheless, the report indicates a growing concern beneath this optimism. Macroeconomic instability and cyber threats rank as the leading dangers for Indian CEOs in the next year, cited by 30% and 23%, respectively. Notably, cybersecurity has overtaken inflation as a primary concern, reflecting the increasing frequency and sophistication of cyberattacks. Nearly 50% of Indian CEOs express intentions to enhance enterprise-wide cybersecurity measures substantially.
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Technology readiness and AI adoption are emerging as the most pressing strategic challenges. A significant 66% of Indian CEOs express worries about whether they are evolving quickly enough to keep up with AI advancements, compared to 42% globally. Although AI integration is progressing, it is not uniformly distributed. Only about one-third of Indian CEOs report utilizing AI at a moderate or large scale across products, services, and demand generation, trailing behind global counterparts.
Where AI has been effectively implemented, early benefits are apparent. Among Indian CEOs who have adopted AI to at least a moderate degree, 32% have reported revenue increases and 27% have seen cost reductions. Analysis from PwC indicates that companies with solid, extensive AI foundations are significantly more likely to achieve both revenue growth and cost efficiencies.
Despite this, 41% of Indian CEOs feel their current AI investments fall short of meeting their corporate objectives, revealing deficiencies in data readiness, talent availability, integration, and change management. Less than two-thirds assert that their organizational culture fully supports AI adoption, while fewer than half claim success in attracting top-tier AI talent.
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Beyond technological considerations, innovation-driven diversification is altering strategies across Indian enterprises. The survey indicates that 57% of Indian CEOs have ventured into new sectors in the past five years, compared to 42% globally. Technology, industrial manufacturing, and aerospace and defense are the top sectors identified for expansion over the next three years.
However, execution continues to pose challenges. Over one-third of Indian CEOs acknowledge that their speed to market for new offerings lags behind that of their global peers, and half report lacking a defined innovation or venturing division. PwC warns that without stronger co-innovation partnerships and increased risk tolerance, companies may fall short of their growth aspirations.
The survey underscores a key message: Indian CEOs are entering 2026 with robust confidence in domestic prospects, but with a heightened awareness that addressing AI gaps, managing cybersecurity risks, and accelerating innovation will be crucial in maintaining that advantage in an increasingly unpredictable global landscape.
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(Edited by : Shoma Bhattacharjee)
