Economist Arvind Virmani has called for a customs duty overhaul before the Union Budget 2026-27, emphasizing the need to resolve inverted duty structures and supply chain inefficiencies. He noted India's average customs duty is significantly higher than global averages, disadvantaging domestic manufacturers. Virmani advocates for rationalizing tariffs to support production and exports, suggesting free trade agreements as a strategy to lower effective rates. The reform should also focus on improving quality, productivity, and logistics to enhance economic competitiveness.