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  • SBI General Insurance Reports Powerful Growth of 14.5 in GDP in FY26; grows 1.6x faster than the industry

    Bangalore; April 27: SBI General Insurance, one of India’s leading general insurance companies, delivered a strong performance in FY26, growing significantly ahead of the industry and reinforcing its market position. Continuing its growth trajectory, the Company reported a Gross Direct Premium (GDP) of INR 15,904 crores, registering a YOY growth of 14.5% and crossing the significant milestone of INR 15,000 crores since inception.

    SBI General Insurance continues to focus on maintaining a balance between growth and profitability in a dynamic operating environment. The Company grew at 1.6 times the industry growth rate, further strengthening its market position. Additionally, the Company gained 27 basis points improvement in private & SAHI market share from 6.90% in FY 25 to 7.17% in FY26, reflecting sustained growth momentum and strong execution capabilities. Growth during the year was supported by key segments, with Health 27%, Motor 16%, Personal Accident (PA) 40%, and Fire 10%. The diversified business mix continues to support resilience and consistent performance. SBI General Insurance continued to lead the Personal Accident (PA) segment, maintaining its position as the No. 1 in private and SAHI insurer.

    This year, the Company demonstrated improved underwriting performance, with the loss ratio improving to 78.3% in FY26 from 82.4% in FY25. Profit After Tax (PAT) stood at INR 553 crores, compared to INR 509 crores in FY25. In terms of financial position, the Company’s solvency ratio stood at 1.90 times, well above the regulatory requirement, highlighting its strong capital position.

    Commenting on the Company’s performance, Mr. Naveen Chandra Jha, MD & CEO, SBI General Insurance, said,

    “Our FY26 performance reflects our continued focus on growing faster than the market consistently while strengthening our core business & growing profit responsibly. At SBI General Insurance, we are focused on improving accessibility to insurance solutions and making protection more inclusive and easier to access for customers across segments and geographies. As we move forward, we remain committed to expanding reach, deepening insurance penetration, and building a future-ready organization.”

    Mr. Jitendra Attra, CFO, SBI General Insurance, added,

    “Our financial performance reflects strong underwriting discipline and continued focus on operational efficiency. The improvement in loss ratio demonstrates the effectiveness of our risk selection and claims management practices. We will continue to focus on capital efficiency, prudent risk management, and delivering consistent financial performance in a dynamic operating environment.”

    SBI General Insurance continues to build on its growth trajectory through targeted investments in technology, product innovation, advanced analytics, and customer-centric solutions. The Company is also expanding its presence across India by strengthening distribution networks, deepening reach in Tier 2 and Tier 3 markets, and enhancing accessibility through various channels. Backed by a diversified business mix and disciplined execution, SBI General Insurance is well positioned to sustain profitable growth and further consolidate its standing in the Indian general insurance sector.

    Business News For Profit

  • Deepti Sharma Stars with Bat and Ball as India Register First Win of Series

    Johannesburg, Apr 27 (BNP): India’s star all-rounder Deepti Sharma ended her lean run of form in emphatic style with a superb all-round performance in the fourth Women’s T20I against South Africa, guiding India to their first victory of the series.

    Deepti Sharma Stars with Bat and Ball as India Register First Win of Series

    The 28-year-old first played a vital unbeaten knock of 36 runs, anchoring the Indian innings under pressure and helping the team post a competitive total. She then produced a sensational spell with the ball, returning career-best figures of 5 for 19 to dismantle the South African batting line-up.

    Deepti’s outstanding effort also marked her maiden five-wicket haul in T20 Internationals, making it a memorable all-round display. Her match-winning contribution earned her the Player of the Match award.

    Expressing delight after the game, Deepti said she always backs herself in crucial situations and was grateful to her teammates for their constant support and belief.

    India’s convincing win has revived momentum in the series, with Deepti’s return to top form coming as a major boost for the team ahead of the remaining matches.

  • PM Modi Praises Massive Digitisation Drive, Encourages Public to Explore ‘Abhilekh Patal’

    New Delhi, Apr 27 (BNP): Prime Minister Narendra Modi has praised the large-scale digitisation of historical records by the National Archives of India, noting that over 200 million valuable documents have now been preserved in digital format.

    In a recent message, the Prime Minister described the effort as a significant step towards safeguarding India’s rich historical legacy and making it more accessible to the public. He encouraged citizens, researchers, and history enthusiasts to explore the ‘Abhilekh Patal’ portal, which provides access to these digitised records.

    The initiative aims to modernise archival systems and allow easier access to rare documents, manuscripts, and official records that were previously difficult to obtain.

    The National Archives’ digitisation drive is seen as a major move in preserving cultural heritage while leveraging technology to connect people with India’s past.

     

  • LPG Supply Remains Stable as Over 51.8 Lakh Cylinders Delivered in a Day

    New Delhi, Apr 27 (BNP): Domestic LPG supply across the country remains stable, with over 51.8 lakh cylinders delivered in a single day, according to official sources.

    Authorities have confirmed that there are no reports of shortages at distribution centres, indicating that the supply chain is functioning smoothly. Steps have been taken to ensure timely delivery and maintain adequate stock levels to meet household demand.

    Officials also noted that improved booking systems and monitoring mechanisms have helped streamline distribution and prevent disruptions.

    The government has reassured citizens that LPG availability is sufficient nationwide and has urged consumers to avoid panic booking, as supplies continue to remain normal.

     

  • PM Modi Hails Indian Girls’ Strong Performance at European Mathematics Olympiad

    New Delhi, Apr 27 (BNP): Prime Minister Narendra Modi has congratulated Indian schoolgirls for their strong performance at the European Girls’ Mathematical Olympiad (EGMO), praising their achievement on the global stage.

    In a message shared on social media platform X, the Prime Minister said he was proud of the students, noting that they had performed exceptionally well and made the country proud through their success in the prestigious competition.

    The European Girls’ Mathematical Olympiad is an international mathematics contest that brings together talented young female students from various countries to compete in problem-solving and analytical skills.

    India’s participation and success in the event highlight the growing capabilities of young students in mathematics and STEM disciplines. The recognition from the Prime Minister further underscores the importance being given to nurturing academic talent and encouraging excellence among school students.

  • Swiggy opens its AI commerce stack for external developers with Builders Club

    April 27 : Swiggy, India’s pioneering on-demand convenience platform, today announced the upcoming launch of Swiggy Builders Club, a community, partnership, and builder enablement program designed for developers, startups, and enterprises building AI-native commerce experiences on top of its platforms.

    While Swiggy’s earlier MCP launch opened up the core commerce infrastructure, Builders Club is a distinct next step. It is the ecosystem layer around that infrastructure, designed to define who builds on it, how they engage with Swiggy, what capabilities they bring, and how promising integrations are recognised and scaled into deeper partnerships.

    At launch, Builders Club will open access to 3 MCP servers and 18+ API tools across Food, Instamart, and Dineout, enabling approved builders to create AI agents, copilots, assistants, and integrations that can take real-world actions such as ordering food, shopping groceries, or booking dining experiences.

    What is Swiggy Builders Club

    Builders Club brings external builders into the Swiggy AI ecosystem, not just as API consumers, but as contributors, partners, and early ecosystem participants. It is structured around community, partnerships, skills, and an invite-led access model designed for developers, founders, and enterprise teams who want to build with Swiggy in an AI-first world.

    Swiggy Builders Club runs on AWS’s enterprise-grade AI stack:

    • Amazon Bedrock: Unified API access to foundation models from Anthropic, Meta, Mistral AI, and others
    • AWS Trainium: Purpose-built AI chips delivering up to 50% training cost savings and 30-40% better inference performance
    • Amazon Bedrock AgentCore: Framework-agnostic Agentic AI service enabling builders to use any agentic framework or model

    Madhusudhan Rao, CTO, Swiggy, said,

    “The past few months have marked a fundamental shift in Swiggy’s trajectory. With MCP, we opened our commerce infrastructure to AI systems. Builders Club is the next bold step- extending that access to developers and enterprises so they can build AI commerce applications at scale on top of Swiggy. We are moving from platform to ecosystem orchestrator, providing the foundational layer for AI-native commerce innovation. Built on AWS, with Amazon Bedrock and AgentCore, this gives our builder community enterprise-grade infrastructure from day one.”

    Sandeep Dutta, President, AWS India and South Asia, said,

     “Swiggy Builders Club represents the next evolution of AI-powered commerce, and we’re proud that AWS AI services are enabling this developer community. By combining Amazon Bedrock, AWS Trainium, and Amazon Bedrock AgentCore, we’re giving

    builders the infrastructure to innovate without limits—whether they’re startups experimenting with new ideas or enterprises scaling production AI agents. This partnership demonstrates how open, flexible AI infrastructure can accelerate innovation across India’s digital economy.”

    The Role of Skills

    A core part of Builders Club is its connection to Skills, reusable capabilities that help AI agents handle real-world tasks more effectively. Builders Club is where MCP integrations, Real World Skills, and the upcoming Builders Platform come together for external developers.

    Who Can Apply

    Builders Club is open to developers, startups, and enterprises. Participants apply, are reviewed, granted access, and can then build and share a demo. An invite-led motion will manage quality and build early community momentum.

    Benefits for Builders and Partners

    Beyond endpoint access, Builders Club offers:

    • ·Live API access and generous rate limits
    • ·Direct engineering support and builder enablement
    • ·Co-branding opportunities for standout projects
    • ·Growth partnership support for successful use cases
    • ·A path to participate in a growing ecosystem around agentic commerce, skills, and future platform distribution
    Business News For Profit

  • Pixel Doors and Beyond The Pixels® Launch ‘Astro Burn’ into Early Access Following a Triumphant London Games Festival Showcase

    Riding a massive surge in Steam wishlists, the hyper-vibrant retro cute-em-up brings its “awesomely bonkers” arcade chaos to PC and Mac today.

    AMSTERDAM, NETHERLANDS & LONDON, UNITED KINGDOM, April 27, 2026: Indie publisher Pixel Doors and London-based developer Beyond The Pixels® have officially launched Astro Burn into Early Access on Steam today. The fast-paced sidescroller invites players back to the golden era of arcade cute-em-ups, fueled by a delightfully bizarre, internet-era aesthetic.

    The launch follows an incredibly successful week for Beyond The Pixels® at the London Games Festival 2026. Selected as an Official Selection for the New Game Plus showcase, Astro Burn drew massive in-person crowds and glowing feedback. The event triggered a glorious surge in Steam wishlists, driven heavily by players who don’t traditionally play the bullet-hell genre, proving the game’s unique blend of chaotic action and approachability.

    Pixel Doors and Beyond The Pixels® Launch ‘Astro Burn’ into Early Access Following a Triumphant London Games Festival Showcase

    In Astro Burn, players control Astro, a sassy space cat armed to the teeth. Aided by her robot companion, Astro blasts through waves of cute enemies across 10 diverse levels, from deep space and mechanical worlds to underwater realms and sprawling cities. By unleashing over-the-top, stackable anime-style power-ups, players must annihilate screen-filling waves of adorable enemies in a chaotic bid to find her way home.

    Developed by film, tv and games industry veteran HaZ Dulull, the retro-inspired title features both solo and local couch co-op modes, designed to be deeply satisfying for hardcore shmup fans while remaining highly accessible for newcomers.

    HaZ Dulull, Founder and Game Director at Beyond The Pixels®, said: “We are coming off an absolutely unreal high from the London Games Festival. Hearing players call the game ‘awesomely bonkers’ and ‘insanely original’ was amazing, but my absolute favorite moments were the hesitant players who said they were terrible at shmups, only to give it a try and realize how accessible and fun it actually is. Launching into Early Access today means taking that incredible in-person energy and expanding it globally. We want the community right here in the heart of the game with us, helping shape, tune, and push Astro Burn to its final, most meowtastic form.”

    Jacek Pudlik, Co-Founder of Pixel Doors, said: “What HaZ and the team experienced at the London Games Festival is exactly why we do this. They proved that Astro Burn has that rare, universal appeal! It captures the addictive chaos of classic arcade shooters but welcomes everyone to the party. We are thrilled to see that momentum translate into a massive surge of wishlists, and even more excited to officially open the doors to Early Access today so players everywhere can finally get their hands on it.”

    Astro Burn is available NOW in Early Access for PC and Mac via Steam.

  • Sabarmati Bridge Construction for Bullet Train Project Progresses in Ahmedabad

    Ahmedabad, Apr 27 (BNP): Work on the Sabarmati bridge, part of the Mumbai–Ahmedabad bullet train corridor, is moving ahead steadily, officials said.

    The bridge is a crucial segment of the high-speed rail project and is being constructed to meet advanced technical and safety standards required for high-speed train operations.

    According to project updates, construction activities are progressing as planned, with key structural works underway at the site. The development forms part of the larger effort to build India’s first high-speed rail corridor.

    The Mumbai–Ahmedabad bullet train project is one of the country’s flagship infrastructure initiatives aimed at significantly reducing travel time and enhancing rail connectivity between the two major cities.

  • Johnson Controls launches Balanced Cooling to resolve low Delta T performance and cut energy waste in mission critical UAE campuses

    DUBAI, United Arab Emirates, April,27, 2026– Johnson Controls (NYSE: JCI), a global technology leader energy efficiency, decarbonization, thermal management and mission-critical performance, today in announced the launch of Balanced Cooling, a purpose-built solution forbuildings connected to centralized cooling systems in the UAE, designed to resolve low Delta Tand improve cooling performance through a more integrated, solution driven approach.

    Delta Tis the difference between the temperature of chilled water entering and leaving a building cooling system. When that temperature difference falls below intended levels, the system can’t transfer heat as efficiently as it should. This can happen because of over-pumping, poor hydronic balance or valve misalignment. As a result, more water must be circulated to deliver the same cooling, which can increase pumping energy, affect system balance and expose building owners to surcharges. Balanced Cooling helps identify and correct this through smart valve retrofits, real-time monitoring, AI diagnostics and intelligent control.

    Johnson Controls launches Balanced Cooling to resolve low Delta T performance and cut energy waste in mission critical UAE campuses

    Balanced Cooling addresses low Delta T at scale. Based on initial customer testing Balanced Cooling delivers outcomes including eliminating related surcharges by up to 100%, reducing pumping energy by up to 40%, and significantly lowering comfort complaints in continuously operating facilities.

    “Low Delta T remains one of the most persistent and costly inefficiencies affecting buildings connected to centralized cooling systems in the UAE,” said Tarek Hassan, associate director, Sustainability, MEA, Johnson Controls. “Balanced Cooling was developed to move beyond isolated fixes by combining system visibility, intelligent diagnostics and targeted corrective action in one integrated solution. The result is a more effective way to reduce pumping energy, manage surcharges and improve cooling performance using existing building infrastructure.”

    A timely solution for UAE buildings connected to centralized cooling systems

    Low Delta T can create avoidable cost exposure, system inefficiencies and occupant discomfort for buildings connected to centralized cooling systems in the UAE. This is particularly relevant as the Dubai Supreme Council of Energy identifies district cooling retrofits as a key part of its Efficient Cooling programme, and DEWA expects district cooling penetration in Dubaito reach 40% by 2030.

    Balanced Cooling is purpose-built to help building owners and operators address low Delta T more effectively while improving system balance, thermal management and overall operating performance.Its retrofit-friendly, plug-and-play design supports integration with existing HVAC and BMS systems, making it particularly relevant for occupied residential, hospitality and office buildings where cooling performance must be improved efficiently, precisely and with minimal disruption.

    From point fixes to measurable correction

    Balanced Cooling helps building owners move beyond reactive adjustments by providing better visibility into system performance and a more targeted path to correction. This supports more stable cooling performance, improved system balance and more efficient operation over time.

    Balanced Cooling adds to Johnson Controls’ broader cooling portfolio in the UAE, complementing its advanced chiller solutions, Cooling as a Service (CaaS) offering and digital building controls. Together, these capabilities reinforce Johnson Controls’ leadership in cooling across the region and its ability to help customers improve efficiency, optimize performance and build more resilient, future-ready environments.

  • Akshay Kumar Joins Crystal Crop Protection as Brand Ambassador

    New Delhi, Apr 27 (BNP): Crystal Crop Protection Limited, a research-led agri-input company, has appointed actor Akshay Kumar as its brand ambassador. The company made the announcement on Sunday, highlighting its focus on strengthening engagement with India’s farming community.

    Alongside the announcement, the company also launched its new national campaign titled “Desh Ka Kisan, Desh Ka Asli Hero”, aimed at recognising the contribution and resilience of Indian farmers.

    The campaign seeks to highlight the role of farmers in nation-building while promoting awareness about modern agricultural solutions and improved farming practices.

    Company representatives said the collaboration aligns with Crystal Crop Protection’s long-standing commitment of over three decades to supporting Indian agriculture and enhancing farm productivity.

    The partnership is expected to further strengthen the company’s outreach among farmers and encourage the adoption of advanced agri-input solutions.