Next Gen Consulting

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  • Why SMEs Are Choosing Structured Airline Corporate Travel Programmes

    As Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SME) expand across India and into global markets, business travel is no longer just an operational requirement but has become a key business enabler. With teams travelling more frequently than before, companies are increasingly adopting structured corporate travel programmes that offer greater flexibility, better cost control, and smoother travel experiences for employees on the move.

    Here are five priorities shaping how SMEs approach corporate travel today:

    1. Better Control Over Travel Spend

    For SMEs, managing travel costs can be challenging, especially when travel costs fluctuate constantly. Structured corporate travel programme help businesses gain better visibility and control through preferential fares, and centralised bookings. Rather than managing bookings across multiple platforms, companies can streamline travel through a single system, making it easier to monitor expenses and optimise budgets.

    1. Flexibility When Plans Change

    Business plans can change at the last minute, with meetings getting rescheduled or extended, requiring quick adjustments to travel plans. As a result, SMEs are prioritising airline programmes that offer flexible booking options, and simpler modifications. Greater flexibility helps teams to stay agile without worrying about high modification costs or lengthy processes.

    1. Simplifying Corporate Travel Operations

    Unlike large businesses, many SMEs operate without dedicated travel teams. Structured travel programmes in place reduces the operational burden by streamlining approvals, reporting, and traveller management processes, enabling businesses to manage employee travel more efficiently.

    1. Better Travel Experiences for Employees

    Business travel is no longer solely about reaching a destination. Comfort, convenience and efficiency now play an increasingly important role in employee experience. Travellers value smoother airport experiences, priority services and added rewards that make travel more seamless and less stressful.

    1. More Benefits Beyond the Fare

    Today’s SMEs are looking beyond ticket prices alone and focusing on long-term value. Loyalty rewards, dedicated account support, and added travel benefits are increasingly influencing how business choose corporate travel programmes.

    As demand for structured travel solutions grows among SMEs, airlines are evolving how they support business travellers. For example, Malaysia Airlines’ MHcorporate programme, offers tailored benefits and enhanced privileges designed to simplify and enhance business travel experience for both companies and employees. For growing businesses, the right travel program can help balance cost, flexibility and employee experience more effectively.

  • Veteran GCC leader brings 20-plus years of global operations experience to Barry-Wehmiller

    CHENNAI, India — June 2 — Barry–Wehmiller is pleased to announce the appointment of Sukumar Bhasker as Vice President – Global Competency Center (GCC), based in Chennai, India. In this role, Sukumar will lead the continued growth, capability-building and strategic evolution of Barry–Wehmiller’s GCC, strengthening its role as a critical engine for global innovation, engineering excellence and shared services delivery.

    Sukumar joins Barry–Wehmiller with more than two decades of global experience in building, scaling and transforming Global Business Services (GBS) and GCC operations across geographies, including India, China, Mexico and Romania.

    Most recently, he served as Partner, Technology Consulting (GCC/GBS), at EY, where he advised global organizations on setting up and scaling technology and business service centers. Prior to that, Sukumar spent several years at Flex, where he led global IT GCC operations, overseeing a workforce of more than 1,500 team members and driving enterprise-wide digital transformation, process excellence and talent initiatives.

    Throughout his career, Sukumar has demonstrated a strong ability to align business strategy with technology innovation, leading initiatives in artificial intelligence, machine learning, automation, data platforms and digital transformation. He has also been deeply committed to building high-performing teams, driving team member engagement and championing diversity, equity and inclusion.

    Sukumar Bhasker

    “Sukumar brings a unique blend of global experience, operational depth and a strong people-first mindset,” said Carol O’Neill, Chief Transformation Officer, who leads Barry–Wehmiller’s GCC strategy. “His track record of building and transforming large-scale global centers, combined with his focus on developing people and strengthening culture, makes him the right leader to take our GCC to the next phase of growth.”

    “I am honored to join Barry–Wehmiller, a company renowned for its people-centric culture and commitment to meaningful leadership,” said Sukumar. “As a GCC leader in India, I look forward to driving innovation, fostering collaboration and empowering our teams to create lasting impact together. Here’s to a journey of growth, purpose and shared success.”

    In his new role, Sukumar will focus on expanding the GCC’s capabilities, deepening its integration with Barry–Wehmiller’s global platforms and enabling innovation-led growth while continuing to build a strong, people-focused culture.

    He holds a Bachelor of Engineering in electronics and communication engineering and a Master of Business Administration with an emphasis in operations management. He has completed multiple professional certifications, including an Advanced Diploma in GBS (CIMA) and a Certified Corporate Director (IOD) designation.

  • Aries Agro Limited Reports Strong FY26 Performance with Robust Growth Across Revenue, Profitability and Operational Efficiency

    Mumbai, June 02: Aries Agro Limited, one of India’s  plant nutrition and specialty agri-input companies, announced its consolidated financial results for the financial year ended March 31, 2026, reporting strong growth across revenue, profitability, and operational efficiency metrics.

    Gross revenue from operations for FY26 stood at ₹956.88 crore, reflecting an 18.93% increase over ₹804.59 crore reported in FY25. The growth was driven by sustained demand across key product categories, expanding market reach, and continued focus on innovation-led agricultural solutions

    Profit Before Tax (PBT) for FY26 increased significantly to ₹60.29 crore compared to ₹44.39 crore in FY25, registering a growth of 35.82%. Profit After Tax (PAT) rose to ₹42.37 crore from ₹33.49 crore in the previous financial year, reflecting a 26.50% increase despite challenging and volatile market conditions.

    The company also reported strong EBITDA growth during the year. EBITDA increased to ₹88.86 crore in FY26 from ₹72.28 crore in FY25, registering a growth of 22.93%. EBITDA margin improved from 8.98% in FY25 to 9.29% in FY26, highlighting enhanced operational performance, improved cost optimization, and better execution efficiencies.

    Aries Agro Limited further strengthened its operational discipline and working capital management during FY26. Inventory holding days reduced from 60 days to 55 days, while trade receivable days improved significantly from 53 days to 35 days. As a result, the company successfully reduced its overall working capital cycle from 89 days in FY25 to 64 days in FY26, reflecting stronger cash flow efficiency and improved balance sheet management.

    The company’s strong FY26 performance reflects its continued focus on innovation, sustainable agriculture, farmer-centric growth, and research-driven plant nutrition solutions. With rising awareness around balanced crop nutrition, specialty agri-inputs, and scientific farming practices, Aries Agro Limited remains well-positioned to capitalize on emerging opportunities across domestic and international markets.

    Backed by a legacy of over 57 years, diversified product portfolio, expanding distribution reach, and deep farmer engagement, the company continues to strengthen its long-term growth trajectory while building a future-ready and globally competitive agri-nutrition business focused on sustainable agriculture and farmer prosperity.

  • BCSSL Crosses INR 1,000 Crore Revenue Milestone in FY26; Profit After Tax Grows 37 percentage to INR 60.50 Crore

    Hyderabad, June 2 : Blue Cloud Softech Solutions Ltd. , a provider of AI-driven enterprise and cybersecurity solutions, has announced its financial results for the fourth quarter and the financial year ended 31 March 2026. The Company crossed the INR 1,000 crore annual revenue mark for the first time, recording revenue from operations of INR 1,002 crore for FY26, a growth of 26 percent over the previous year, with profit after tax rising 37 percent to  INR 60.50 crore.

    Q4 FY26 Compared with Q3 FY26

    • Revenue from operations stood at ₹277.52 crore in Q4 FY26, as against ₹265.41 crore in Q3 FY26.

    • EBITDA stood at ₹47.82 crore in Q4 FY26, as against ₹32.55 crore in Q3 FY26.

    • Profit before exceptional item and tax stood at ₹23 crore in Q4 FY26, as against ₹25 crore in

    Q3 FY26.

    • Profit before tax stood at ₹22.75 crore in Q4 FY26, as against ₹25.10 crore in Q3 FY26.

    • Profit after tax stood at ₹12.11 crore in Q4 FY26, as against ₹18.58 crore in Q3 FY26.

    • Earnings per share stood at ₹0.16 for Q4 FY26.

    FY26 Compared with FY25

    • Revenue from operations stood at ₹1,002 crore in FY26, as against ₹796.86 crore in FY25.

    • EBITDA stood at ₹126.13 crore in FY26, as against ₹71.05 crore in FY25.

    • Profit before exceptional item and tax stood at ₹89.54 crore in FY26, as against ₹59.13 crore in FY25.

    • Profit after tax stood at ₹60.50 crore in FY26, as against ₹44.27 crore in FY25.

    • Earnings per share stood at ₹1.13 for FY26.

    Quarterly Business Highlights

    • Secured orders from Telangana Police for the deployment of AI-enabled computing infrastructure and the Blura Saga social media intelligence platform.

    • Scope includes the supply, installation and commissioning of high-performance rack servers, GPU-powered systems and AI-driven analytics solutions.

    • The deployment is aimed at enhancing data processing, intelligence gathering and mission- critical operations for Telangana Police.

    • The engagement further strengthens BCSSL’s position as a provider of AI-powered infrastructure and digital intelligence solutions for government and public safety organisations

    Product and Platform Portfolio

    BCSSL’s growth is anchored in a portfolio of proprietary, AI-led platforms deployed across enterprise, government and public-safety markets:

    • Blura SAGA: an AI-driven intelligence and analytics platform for social media monitoring, sentiment analysis and public-safety applications.

    • AccessGenie: an AIoT security and identity platform offering multi-modal biometric authentication, surveillance analytics and identity and access management.

    • AI Cybersecurity Suite: managed security operations, threat detection, vulnerability assessment and secure communications, including the BluTACT encrypted device.

    • BluGenie: an AI-powered education and learning management platform for institutions and government programmes.

    • BluHealth: a healthcare information technology and connected diagnostics platform spanning hospital management, screening and predictive health analytics.

    • BECI (Bharat Edge-Cloud Initiative): AI-native data centre and sovereign cloud infrastructure with edge computing capabilities.

    • 5G Fixed Wireless Access: secure, high-speed connectivity solutions for railways, public infrastructure and enterprise networks.

    Commenting on the results, Mr. Vinod Babu Bollikonda, Managing Director and Group CEO, Blue Cloud Softech Solutions Ltd, said:

    “FY26 has been a landmark year for Blue Cloud Softech Solutions. Crossing the ₹1,000 crore revenue milestone, with profit after tax growing 37 percent, reflects the strength of our AI-driven enterprise and cybersecurity portfolio and the trust our clients place in us. Our engagement with Telangana Police for AI-enabled computing infrastructure and the Blura Saga intelligence platform underscores our growing role in public safety and mission-critical government deployments. We enter FY27 with strong momentum, a healthy order pipeline and a clear focus on profitable and sustainable growth across our key markets.”

  • Odisha Among Four States Chosen for Critical Mineral Processing Plants Under National Mission

    Bhubaneswar, June 2 (BNP): In a major boost to India’s push for self-reliance in strategic resources, the Centre has selected Odisha among four states for the establishment of critical mineral value processing plants under the National Critical Mineral Mission (NCMM).

    Odisha Among Four States Chosen for Critical Mineral Processing Plants Under National Mission

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    The proposed facilities, also planned in Gujarat, Telangana and Maharashtra, are aimed at strengthening India’s domestic capabilities in processing and refining critical minerals that are essential for sectors such as electric vehicles, renewable energy, semiconductors, defence and advanced manufacturing.

    Union Coal and Mines Minister G. Kishan Reddy said the initiative forms part of the Centre’s long-term strategy to reduce import dependence and build a robust domestic supply chain for minerals considered strategically important for economic growth and technological advancement.

    Under the National Critical Mineral Mission, the government has already undertaken large-scale auctions of critical mineral blocks and, for the first time since Independence, created separate mining blocks dedicated to strategic minerals. Officials said several mineral blocks have already been successfully auctioned, marking significant progress in securing domestic access to key resources.

    As part of the next phase of the mission, the Centre is moving ahead with the establishment of value processing plants in the four selected states. Land for the proposed facilities has reportedly been allotted by respective state governments, while local administrations are preparing action plans to support project implementation.

    The government has also signed multiple memorandums of understanding with several countries to strengthen international cooperation and secure global supply chains for critical minerals.

    The upcoming plants are expected to significantly enhance India’s mineral processing and refining capacity — an area where the country has traditionally relied heavily on imports and overseas facilities. Odisha’s inclusion is seen as particularly significant given the state’s vast mineral reserves and strong industrial ecosystem, with the project expected to boost investment, industrial growth and employment opportunities.

  • CBSE Opens Class 12 Answer Sheet Verification and Re-Evaluation Portal After Technical Delay

    New Delhi, June 2 (BNP): The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) has officially launched the online portal for Class 12 students to apply for answer sheet verification and re-evaluation, following delays linked to technical upgrades and system improvements.

    CBSE Opens Class 12 Answer Sheet Verification and Re-Evaluation Portal After Technical Delay

    The portal became operational on June 2, 2026, allowing eligible students who have already accessed scanned copies of their evaluated answer sheets to report discrepancies, seek clarification on marking issues, or request re-evaluation of specific answers. The application process will remain open until midnight on June 6, 2026.

    The move comes after concerns were raised over the rollout of CBSE’s new On-Screen Marking system, which reportedly faced technical glitches and delayed the reopening of post-result activities. CBSE is understood to have worked with technical experts to strengthen the system and address operational issues before reopening the portal.

    According to board guidelines, students can apply for verification of answer book-related concerns, including issues such as blurred or incomplete scanned pages, by paying a fee of ₹100 per answer book. Re-evaluation of individual questions can be requested at ₹25 per question.

    To access the facility, students must log in through the CBSE portal using their Roll Number, School Number, and Admit Card ID. Aadhaar-based verification has been made mandatory for authentication. In cases where a student does not possess an Aadhaar number, details of a parent or guardian may be used, subject to identity matching requirements.

    CBSE has clarified that only students who have already downloaded and reviewed their scanned answer sheets are eligible to apply. No offline applications or requests submitted after the deadline will be entertained.

    Education experts have advised students to carefully review answer sheets and act within the limited application window to avoid missing the opportunity for corrections or reassessment.

  • Hinduja Renewables advances industrial decarbonisation with new solar power agreements

    Mumbai, June 02: Hinduja Renewables Energy Private Limited  the renewable energy Company of the Hinduja Group, has signed solar Power Delivery Agreements with Höganäs India Private Limited and Hirschvogel Components India Private Limited. The agreements will support industrial decarbonisation by scaling integrated renewable solutions across India’s manufacturing clusters.

    The two PPAs with a combined 14 MWp will be sourced from HREPL’s 35 MWp solar park in Nanded, Maharashtra.

    HREPL currently has a diversified 3 GW portfolio across solar, wind, hybrid and storage solutions. The company is executing a roadmap to expand this capacity to 10 GW by 2030 through targeted investments in storage and dispatchable renewable infrastructure. The company is prioritising cluster‑based projects that deliver bankable, long‑tenured energy partnerships designed for manufacturers seeking sustainability, energy resilience and cost predictability.

    HREPL has signed solar Power Delivery Agreements with Höganäs India Private Limited, a world leader in metal powder manufacturing and Hirschvogel Components India Private Limited, a global leader in steel and aluminium forging and machining. These projects are expected to offset of approximately 0.53 million metric tonnes of CO₂e over their operational lifetime. The agreements illustrate HREPL’s strategic focus on building integrated, multi‑year industrial partnerships.

    Deepak Thakur, MD & CEO, Hinduja Renewables said,

     “India’s manufacturing trajectory will be defined by the energy choices companies make. At HREPL we are building a 10 GW platform that pairs utility‑scale renewable generation with planned 2–4 GWh of battery storage and hybrid solutions to deliver firm, long‑tenured supply to industrial customers. By aggregating demand across manufacturing clusters we can cut delivered energy costs by up to 15–20%, improve energy resilience and drive measurable emissions reductions in the order of millions of tonnes of CO₂e over the next decade.”

    HREPL has also signed significant industrial renewable partnerships in the past, including a 86 MWp agreement with Lloyds Metals & Energy and a 10 MWp agreement with LG Electronics. These partnerships further reinforce the company’s commitment to enabling large scale industrial decarbonisation through customised renewable energy solutions.

    HREPL’s industrial strategy is focused on delivering firm, dispatchable power through a multi‑technology platform spanning solar, wind, hybrid and storage solutions. The company aggregates demand across manufacturing micro‑clusters to cut costs and accelerate delivery while offering long‑tenured partnerships aligned with ESG and operational needs.

  • No Facebook, Instagram for Under-16s: Malaysia Begins Social Media Crackdown

    Kuala Lumpur, June 2 (BNP): Malaysia on Monday began enforcing new regulations prohibiting children under the age of 16 from creating or maintaining social media accounts, marking a major step in the country’s effort to strengthen online safety for minors.

    No Facebook, Instagram for Under-16s: Malaysia Begins Social Media Crackdown

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    Under the new rules, major platforms with at least eight million users in Malaysia — including Facebook, Instagram, TikTok and YouTube — are required to implement age-verification systems and prevent underage users from opening accounts. Authorities said existing users identified as younger than 16 will be given a one-month period to download or transfer personal data, including photos and videos, before restrictions take effect.

    The Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) said the age-verification mechanism for current users will be introduced in phases over the next six months. Companies that fail to comply with the regulations could face fines of up to 10 million ringgit (approximately $2.5 million).

    The government said the move is aimed at shielding children from cyberbullying, harmful online content and addictive platform features that encourage excessive screen time. Officials clarified that the restrictions are not intended to cut children off from digital technology but to create safer online environments and hold platforms accountable for protecting younger users.

    Malaysia joins a growing list of countries, including Australia, Brazil and Indonesia, that are imposing age-based restrictions on children’s social media access. Nations such as Britain, France, Spain, Denmark, Thailand and South Korea are also exploring similar regulatory measures.

    However, the move has triggered mixed reactions among families and digital rights experts. Some parents welcomed the decision, arguing that children lack the emotional maturity to safely navigate social media and benefit more from offline activities and supervised screen time.

    Others expressed concern that the restrictions may be too rigid and could push teenagers toward unregulated digital spaces. Critics also raised questions about privacy, warning that mandatory age verification may require sensitive personal information and increase risks related to data protection and surveillance.

    Technology companies are yet to clarify how they will implement the regulations, while experts say the effectiveness of the law may depend on enforcement mechanisms and whether families can bypass restrictions through parental accounts or alternative access methods.

  • SKF to highlight technologies that help close the energy efficiency gap at the Tech & Innovation Summit 2026

    Mumbai, June 2 : SKF is hosting its yearly virtual Tech & Innovation Summit, bringing together industry leaders and experts to showcase technologies, products and solutions designed to help close the energy efficiency gap in industrial operations.

    Under the theme ‘Closing the energy efficiency gap’, SKF will present tailored solutions that improve energy efficiency, reliability and uptime across various applications including data centres, industrial electric motors, heavy industries like mining and pulp & paper and digitally enabled operations.

    SKF to highlight technologies that help close the energy efficiency gap at the Tech & Innovation Summit 2026 “  Electrification, digitalization and the rapid growth of energy intensive infrastructure are transforming industries. Customers are under increasing pressure to improve performance while reducing energy use.Closing the energy efficiency gap by moving from energy-efficiency ambition to measurable operational impact is crucial for sustainable growth. 

      We remain committed to helping customers minimize friction and transform their operations to strengthen competitiveness and sustainability”, says Rickard Gustafson, President and CEO, SKF.

     

    The Tech & Innovation Summit highlights SKF’s commitment to addressing real-world challenges through deep application expertise and proven customer-centric innovation.

    SKF to highlight technologies that help close the energy efficiency gap at the Tech & Innovation Summit 2026

     “Our products and solutions are developed to address the operational challenges customers face every day – from thermal management in data        centers to reliable performance under variable loads in motors and mills. By combining deep application knowledge with advanced product   development and digital technologies, we help customers reduce energy losses, improve reliability, simplify maintenance and unlock measurable   efficiency gains in their day‑to‑day operations”, says Annika Ölme, Chief Technology Officer and Senior Vice President, Technology     Development, SKF. 

     

  • ITR-2 Filing Begins for AY 2026–27; Taxpayers Urged to Meet July 31 Deadline

    New Delhi, June 2 (BNP): The Income Tax Department has enabled online filing of ITR-2 for Assessment Year (AY) 2026–27 on the e-filing portal, allowing eligible taxpayers to begin submitting returns for income earned during Financial Year (FY) 2025–26. The deadline for filing ITR-2 for individual taxpayers remains July 31, 2026.

    ITR-2 Filing Begins for AY 2026–27; Taxpayers Urged to Meet July 31 Deadline

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    ITR-2 is applicable to individuals and Hindu Undivided Families (HUFs) who do not earn income from business or profession but have more complex income sources, including capital gains from stocks or mutual funds, rental income from multiple properties, foreign assets or overseas income, and income exceeding prescribed eligibility for simpler tax forms. Tax experts say taxpayers with capital market transactions or additional properties should carefully verify whether ITR-2 applies to them instead of ITR-1.

    Experts have cautioned taxpayers against common filing mistakes that frequently trigger notices or delays in processing. Mismatches between income disclosures and records available in the Annual Information Statement (AIS), Form 26AS, bank account details, tax deductions, and capital gains reporting are among the most common reasons for scrutiny. Reviewing pre-filled information before submission is considered essential for error-free filing.

    Missing the July 31 deadline may result in late filing fees of up to ₹5,000 and could impact a taxpayer’s ability to carry forward eligible capital losses for future tax adjustments. Tax professionals are advising individuals to gather relevant financial documents, reconcile statements, and complete filing well ahead of the deadline to avoid last-minute complications.