At roughly $58.56 billion in 2023, the Indian religious and spiritual industry is expected to grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 10% until 2032. About 951

faith-tech

startups have emerged in this expanding industry.
With significant investments flowing into these projects, investors are increasingly recognizing the potential of this sector. Stakeholders in the faith-tech industry are hoping for supportive policies that further integrate technology with spirituality, enhancing accessibility and engagement for a tech-savvy population as the Union Budget 2024-25 approaches.
As India prepares for the Union Budget 2024-25, the spirituality and faith-tech sector has high expectations from the government to help accelerate its

digital transformation

. The growing demand for online rituals, AI-driven astrology, wellness apps, and Vedic education systems is pushing stakeholders to seek tax breaks, funding for innovation, and policies that acknowledge the sector’s role in mental health and cultural preservation.

We spoke to startup founders and other experts in the faith-tech ecosystem to understand their expectations from this budget:

“As India embarks on its journey to become a global leader in artificial intelligence, the Union Budget 2024-25 is likely to emphasize AI, particularly in sectors that impact the collective well-being of the nation. With an allocation of over ₹10,300 crore for the India AI Mission, the momentum is set for AI to revolutionize various industries, including healthcare, education, and mental wellness.
At Astrosure.ai, we believe AI can be a powerful tool for enhancing

mental health and wellness

through astrotech, helping individuals navigate modern life while staying connected to ancient wisdom.
With mental health challenges on the rise, there is an increasing demand for homegrown, made-in-India solutions that are both culturally relevant and technologically advanced. The Union Budget should recognize this growing need by not only supporting AI innovation but also fostering solutions that prioritize emotional, psychological, and spiritual well-being.
We are at a unique intersection where technology and tradition can coexist to offer personalized, impactful, and scalable mental wellness solutions. I firmly believe the future of mental health in India, especially for Gen Z, lies in the convergence of these forces—empowered by AI and rooted in the wisdom of our ancestors.” — Vanya Mishra, Founder and CEO of Astrosure.ai

“Budget 2025 is not just about meeting expectations; the Finance Minister has multiple tasks at hand—balancing economic aspirations with the vision of Vikshit Bharat. To move forward on this path, I strongly believe that our Intellectual Heritage of Bharat holds immense potential.
Recent efforts to promote spiritual tourism have shown positive results. Now is the time for the government to introduce special tax incentives, similar to Production-Linked Incentives (PLIs), to support meditation, aromatherapy, yoga, and Ayurveda-based wellness centers across India, tapping into the global wellness market.
Supporting startups in this space—particularly spiritual and astrology-tech companies—with dedicated startup fund incentives can drive deep-tech and AI-driven research into Bharat’s intellectual heritage. This will help decentralize growth across India.” — Sidhharrth S Kumaar, Founder, NumroVani

“We are witnessing exciting times as astrology and faith-tech evolve with technology, though they are still in their early stages. Now is the right time for the government to regulate this industry to ensure consumer protection while also fueling the growth of startups in this space through streamlined processes and incentives.
It may also be the right time to create a new central government ministry—similar to the AYUSH Ministry—that caters specifically to spirituality, faith-tech, and holistic wellness.
The formation of such a ministry would usher in a new era of growth powered by Vedic wisdom, which has the potential to unlock new sources of GDP growth—especially amid global recession concerns.” — Gautham AZAD, Celebrity Numerologist

Will faith-tech remain an untapped potential in India's digital economy, or will this budget pave the way for merging ancient wisdom with modern technology? The answer lies in how the government responds to the aspirations of this rapidly growing sector.