FICCI–EY Risk Survey 2026: Risk Outlook: A Compass to India’s Risk Landscape

The FICCI-EY Risk Survey 2026 arrives at a pivotal moment in India’s economic journey, with the nation’s economy projected to grow at 7.4%. Despite this robust momentum, businesses are navigating a landscape defined by perpetual uncertainty, where the boundaries between strategic, operational, financial and technological risks have largely dissolved. The report emphasizes that Indian organizations must transition from periodic assessments to continuous sensing and analytical foresight to maintain their competitive advantage and ensure long-term sustainability amidst rapid technological shifts, geopolitical volatility, and climate-related disruptions.

Key Insights

The survey gathered insights from 137 senior decision-makers across various industries, revealing the following critical findings regarding organizational exposure and preparedness:

• Cybersecurity and Digital Risks: 61% of respondents identify cyber-attacks and data breaches as major financial and reputational threats.
  • 61% agree that rapid technological advancement and digital disruption significantly impact their competitive position.
  • 59% indicate that limited adoption of emerging technologies, including AI, hinders operational effectiveness.
  • 57% highlight the significant impact of data theft, insider fraud, and business espionage.
  • The average global cost of a data breach is cited at US$4.4 million, while ransomware incidents have increased 50% in 2025.
• Workforce and Talent Challenges:
  • 64% of businesses report that talent shortages and skill gaps adversely affect organizational performance.
  • 59% cite inadequate succession planning and leadership development as threats to organizational stability.
  • 45% believe remote or hybrid work models pose risks to corporate culture and employee engagement.
• Economic and Geopolitical Pressures:
  • 68% of respondents view economic slowdowns and market disruptions as significant impacts on their business.
  • 67% agree that sustained inflation and economic volatility affect business planning.
  • 64% acknowledge that geopolitical tensions have a noticeable impact on their operations.
• Governance, Regulatory and ESG Risks:
  • 67% agree that frequent and complex regulatory changes must be addressed.
  • 56% highlight increasing regulatory scrutiny around data privacy as a substantial risk.
  • 45% indicate that non-compliance with ESG disclosure requirements directly impacts their organization.
  • 44% express concern over the financial impact of climate change.
• Operational Resilience:
  • 56% of organizations feel significantly vulnerable to disruptive events.
  • 54% cite supply chain disruptions as a growing concern.
  • Climate-induced mismanagement of water resources could lead to an 8% GDP loss by 2050.

Conclusion

The 2026 survey underscores that resilience has moved from being a defensive discipline to a strategic imperative for Indian enterprises. As risks across technology, governance and talent become increasingly interconnected, businesses must adopt integrated, technology-enabled safeguards and embed risk intelligence into their core capital allocation and growth decisions. Ultimately, the report concludes that while the nation’s growth trajectory is promising, future success will depend on an organization’s capacity to proactively anticipate and respond to these converging challenges.

You can check out the full report here.