The second quarter of 2026 brought a distinct shift in India's dealmaking activity as cross-border acquisitions, sector-focused investments and larger transactions shaped market momentum.

Mergers and acquisitions remained the primary driver of deal value, while private equity activity reflected a greater focus on mind-ticket investments. The Q2 2026 edition of Dealtracker analyses trends across mergers and acquisitions, private equity, IPOs and QIPs, examining transaction patterns, sector performance and investment themes that defined the quarter. It also explores the factors driving cross-border activity, mid-market momentum, sector dynamics and capital deployment, helping business leaders and investors understand the direction of India's deal market.

M&A and PE sector trends

Top Sectors Based on Deal Volumes

Top Sectors Based on Deal Values (USD bn)

Key insights from the Q2 Dealtracker 2026

India Inc witnessed 565 M&A and PE transactions worth USD 36.3 billion, a 127% increase in value QoQ, driven largely by a handful of large-ticket deals. While deal volumes declined quarter-on-quarter.

M&A activity saw 240 deals worth USD 27.9 billion, the highest quarterly M&A value since Q2 2022. Growth was led by five billion-dollar outbound transactions, with outbound deals contributing 84% of total M&A value, while domestic M&A remained volume-led (64% of deals) and inbound activity showed a notable increase in both volume and value.

PE activity recorded 325 deals worth USD 8.4 billion, reflecting declines in both volume and value compared to Q1 2026. Despite the decline in activity and the third consecutive quarterly decline in deal values, average deal size increased, indicating a shift toward fewer but larger transactions.

The quarter saw Skyroot Aerospace, Square Yards Consulting, Sarvam AI, and KreditBee achieve unicorn status, highlighting sustained capital interest in scalable ventures, underscoring continued investor confidence in high-growth and innovation-led businesses despite a moderation in overall private equity activity.

Pharma, manufacturing, infrastructure, telecom, energy and BFSI witnessed value growth largely driven by marquee deals, while retail and IT continued to anchor deal volumes. Despite moderation in some sectors, investor interest remained strong in technology, digital infrastructure, healthcare innovation and financial services, with real estate emerging as the only sector to witness broad-based growth.

India’s deal activity in Q2 2026 reflects a clear divergence, while deal volumes moderated, deal values rose significantly. Deal values were driven by strategic outbound M&A which demonstrates growing confidence among Indian companies in pursuing global expansions. In contrast, domestic and private equity activity remained stable or moderated, indicating a more measured investment environment in the context of global uncertainties.
Shanthi Vijetha Partner, Deals Lifecycle, Grant Thornton Bharat
Q2 Dealtracker 2026
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Q2 Dealtracker 2026

Providing M&A and PE deal insights