The Stanton Chase India CEO Confidence Study 2026 surveyed senior business leaders (CEOs, Managing Directors, and Country Heads) at India’s leading organisations between March and April 2026 across seven sectors: Industrial, Life Sciences & Healthcare, Technology & IT, Financial Services, Consumer Products, Professional Services, and Energy & Resources. Indian CEOs enter FY2026-27 with an average organisational confidence score of 8.2/10, and 89% expect to perform better or much better than FY2025-26. Confidence rises as the lens narrows from country to sector to company. Cost inflation has displaced global uncertainty as the single biggest concern for many leaders, while domestic demand remains the bedrock of growth confidence across every sector. Financial Services leads on organisational confidence at 8.6/10, followed by Technology & IT and Energy & Resources at 8.5/10. 50% of leaders are planning CXO or board changes in the year ahead, and 36% recommend forming an Advisory Board alongside the statutory board, with demand highest in Life Sciences & Healthcare and Energy & Resources at 50%.
As India targets sustained high growth, how aligned are sector confidence, leadership readiness, and organisational capability with that ambition?
The Stanton Chase India CEO Confidence Study 2026 captures boardroom sentiment from senior business leaders at India’s leading organisations. The study measures confidence at three levels (India’s macroeconomic trajectory, sector growth, and company performance) and probes the headwinds, tailwinds, talent priorities, board governance practices, and outlook that will define FY2026-27.
Key findings
- Organisational confidence averages 8.2/10, and 89% of leaders expect to perform better or much better than FY2025-26.
- Confidence rises as the lens narrows from country to sector to company.
- Cost inflation has displaced global uncertainty as the single biggest concern for many leaders.
- Domestic demand is the bedrock of growth confidence across all seven sectors.
- 50% of leaders are planning selective or significant CXO or board changes in the year ahead.
- 36% recommend forming an Advisory Board alongside the statutory board, with demand highest in Life Sciences & Healthcare and Energy & Resources.
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