The CFO's New Battleground

As uncertainty deepens, CFOs evolve from controllers to strategic navigators, balancing risk, technology and ambition to architect India's growth in 2026

- By Savi Khanna

As 2026 begins, one message is unmistakable for finance leaders across India and the world: the era of incremental change is over. The past few years have tested the chief financial officer (CFO) mandate through pandemic aftershocks, supply-chain realignments, inflationary pressures, geopolitical volatility and rapid digital acceleration. What has emerged is not a retreat into caution, but a more deliberate, disciplined ambition.

India continues to outpace most major economies. The Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) projects India's GDP growth at around 6.3 per cent in FY26 and 6.4 per cent in FY27, even as global growth slows. Fitch Ratings has reaffirmed India's sovereign credit rating with a stable outlook, citing strong domestic demand supported by government capital spending and consumption. While these indicators inspire confidence, private investment remains measured and external risks persist, signalling the need for a strategic rethink of finance priorities in 2026 and beyond.

Driver of Growth Strategies

The finance function's evolution in 2025 reflects a broader realignment in business expectations. CFOs are no longer confined to reporting and control; they are expected to drive growth strategies, manage enterprise-wide risk and partner with leadership teams to navigate uncertainty.