Rising Confidence Among Indian CEOs Defies Global Economic Uncertainty: KPMG Report

Globally, business confidence has experienced a significant decline, dropping from 80 per cent to 63 per cent.

New Delhi:

According to a report published on Wednesday, confidence levels among Indian chief executive officers regarding their companies' growth prospects have surged to 83 per cent, an impressive increase from 68 per cent in 2024. This remarkable growth surpasses the global CEO confidence trend, which increased more modestly from 76 per cent in 2024 to 79 per cent in 2025.

Despite the worldwide decline in economic confidence, falling from 80 per cent in 2024 to 63 per cent in 2025, CEOs in India remain steadfastly committed to innovation, resilience, and long-term growth strategies. Instead of adopting defensive positions, they are prioritizing strategic investments in technology and talent to drive organizational transformation.

KPMG India stated in its report, "CEOs in India are demonstrating renewed confidence in their organisations' growth prospects, reflecting strong resilience and strategic clarity."

Artificial intelligence continues to be a top investment priority, with 57 per cent of Indian CEOs planning to allocate between 10-20 per cent of their budgets to AI initiatives over the next 12 months. A significant majority (73 per cent) anticipate returns on these AI investments within a one to three-year timeframe.

The report noted that 86 per cent of CEOs believe their boards possess adequate capabilities to navigate advanced technology adoption, including leveraging data and AI for sustainable growth.

KPMG in India CEO Yezdi Nagporewalla commented, "In an era of global uncertainty, CEOs in India are demonstrating remarkable resilience and a future-focused mindset. By embracing emerging technologies like AI, prioritising cybersecurity, and advancing ESG goals, they are confident of navigating complexity."

He added that a renewed focus on talent strategy, redesigning roles, embedding innovation, and fostering continuous learning is helping organizations maintain competitiveness and readiness for future challenges.

The integration of AI into organizational processes is identified as the most pressing challenge affecting short-term decision-making.

The report highlighted that technology-related factors such as cybercrime, AI workforce readiness, and successful AI integration consistently rank among the top factors influencing three-year growth projections.

Additionally, 91 per cent of Indian CEOs advocate for investing in skill development and lifelong learning programs to secure future talent needs.

According to the report, "74 per cent recognize that AI workforce readiness will significantly influence organizational prosperity over the next three years."

This comprehensive report was compiled based on inputs from 125 business leaders representing various industries and sectors.