India Inc. bullish on growth, ease of doing business remains a challenge, finds PRCAI CEO Survey

New Delhi, Thursday, September 11, 2025: Former cabinet minister Smriti Irani unveiled the  Survey Report, ‘India’s Place in the New World Order’. The report was conducted by Astrum Advisory especially for #PRana25, the annual PRCAI event.

Based on feedback from 123 CEOs across six cities,  the report finds that 84% of CEOs believe India’s best days lie ahead, and 89% are confident in India’s growth story.

However, the report also identifies critical challenges, including the need for continued structural reforms, improved ease of doing business, and a more sophisticated global storytelling strategy to fully realise its “Viksit Bharat 2047” vision.

What is the role of progress for women in economic growth: Smriti Irani

Former cabinet minister Smriti Irani positioned women as central to India’s reputation-building, highlighting how their leadership across politics, business, and culture reinforces values of resilience, ambition, and inclusivity. In doing so, she added, “Issues like sanitation, menstrual health, and women’s safety were once taboo. Addressing them openly, through governance and leadership, is what truly reshapes reputation. Women are not just participants in India’s rise; they are central to building its credibility.”

PRCAI’s ‘India’s Place in the New World Order’ report

As per a release shared by PRCAI, 54% of the 123 CEO respondents believe India is using strategic communications to shape its global image very effectively, recognising communication and reputation management as essential tools in translating progress into global influence.

Cassio Simoes, managing director of Tetra Pak South Asia, notes, “Reputation management and strategic communication are no longer optional – they are nation-building tools, turning progress into influence and trust into leadership. The world is watching. India is ready to lead.”

What are the areas for improvement for economic growth in India?

Despite optimism, CEOs acknowledge the path to “Viksit Bharat 2047” is challenging, highlighting “dissonance between India’s potential and its on-ground realities. These are:

• Economic Growth Concentration: Growth is largely concentrated in the top 8 urban centres, suggesting a need for broader distribution.
• Ease of Doing Business: While progress has been made, 46% of CEOs feel India could have done better in this area, indicating a need for further reforms.
• Socio-Economic Issues: Reducing Inequality: 42% believe India needs to improve in this aspect.
• Education and Skills: 39% identify this as an area for improvement.
• Job Creation: 36% point to job creation as a concern.
• Healthcare: 23% suggest better performance in healthcare.
• Environmental Sustainability: 15% highlights environmental concerns.
• MSME Support: Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) are “struggling for access to finance.”
• Demographic Dividend Utilisation: There’s a question about “how many have spending power” despite the demographic advantage.
• Brand Global Recognition: Despite being the 4th largest economy, few Indian consumer brands command global recognition, requiring a support system for “our brands to go global.”

What are Indian CEOs’ top concerns and priorities?

CEOs are concerned about:

• Global Economic Slowdown (37%)
• Data Security Threats (35%)
• Policy Unpredictability (35%)
• Talent Availability & Skills Gap (33%)
• Geopolitical Risks (29%)
• AI Related Risks (28%)
• ESG Compliance & Sustainability Demands (25%)
• Competitive Pressures (20%)

Over the next two years, their priorities include:

• Digital Transformation (50%)
• AI Integration into Business (42%)
• Talent Acquisition & Retention (33%)
• Domestic Market Expansion (29%)
• Supply Chain Resilience (29%)
• Sustainability & ESG Integration (26%)
• Cost Optimisation & Efficiency (23%)
• New Product/Service Development (20%)

25 years of PRCAI

Unveiling the logo for PRCAI at 2025, Kunal Kishore, President, PRCAI, said, “PRana 2025 and the launch of our ‘Brand India Reputation Report’ demonstrate the power of leadership in shaping narratives. Reputation today is not just communication; it is strategy — it determines trust in boardrooms, credibility in markets, and influence on the world stage. At PRCAI, we see it as our responsibility to build platforms like PRana that help leaders, entrepreneurs, and policymakers recognise reputation as the capital that drives India’s rise”.

“We are entering a new era of ‘Reputation Capital’ that will drive brand value and national impact in the years to come, much like financial capital drives economies. We are bringing that shift to light at the PRana platform, converging India’s icons, key voices and reputation architects,” said Deeptie Sethi, CEO, PRCAI.

The article is originally published on PR Moment

You can download the full report here