Category: Business

Apr 14 (BNP): India is fast emerging as a global hub for digital micro-payments, with UPI transactions reaching 228 billion in 2025, according to a report by Worldline.

The surge reflects the growing shift toward cashless transactions, especially for small, everyday payments. From local shops to street vendors, UPI has become a preferred mode of payment due to its speed and ease of use.

The report highlights that India’s digital ecosystem is increasingly driven by high-volume, low-value transactions, strengthening financial inclusion and expanding access to formal banking systems.

With rising smartphone usage and improved digital infrastructure, India’s micro-payments economy is expected to grow further in the coming years.

Mumbai, Apr 14:  JACK&JONES unveils its Spring Summer ‘26 collection, marking its biggest season yet. Built around the cultural forces shaping today’s generation, the campaign goes beyond a seasonal drop to present a confident, expressive point of view across three chapters: Music, Rush, and Travel.

Volume 1 : Music is the heartbeat of this season, and it’s live now.

Inspired by India’s independent music scene, this chapter features artists Loka, Wazir Patar, and Aksomaniac – each bringing their own world, sound, and identity to the collection. The pieces mirror that energy: bold graphics that feel like album art, relaxed fits built for movement, and denim that transitions effortlessly from backstage to street. It’s not just about what artists wear – it’s about how music shapes the way an entire generation expresses itself. Raw, unfiltered, and entirely their own.

Denim anchors the chapter at its core – lived-in washes, rip and repair textures, and wide leg silhouettes that carry both attitude and ease. Every piece is designed to feel personal, like it was already yours before you put it on.

As an extension of the Music Campaign, JACK&JONES collaborated with the Music Festival – UN40 hosted in Bangalore on 14th & 15th March. Staying true to its commitment to the music-aficionados, JACK&JONES created a unique brand-experiential pop-up to enrich the overall festival experience with Denim customization, fun photo-ops, games and an exclusive viewing gallery. Since the brand first arrived in India, JACK&JONES has consistently shown up in the spaces where music, youth, and self-expression converge. UN40 was simply the latest chapter in that story.

Volume 2 : Rush speaks to a high-energy mindset – built for those who move fast and dress to match that momentum.

Volume 3 : Travel closes the season with a sun-washed, easy sensibility – lightweight layers and relaxed cuts made for getaways and unplanned journeys.

Denim runs through all three chapters as the common thread, complemented by breathable cottons and lightweight layers ideal for summer without compromising on structure or fit.

The JACK&JONES Spring Summer ‘26 collection is now available across stores nationwide and online at www.jackjones.in.

New Delhi, Apr 14 (BNP): India’s automobile industry has recorded its highest-ever annual sales, with total wholesales reaching about 2.83 crore units in the financial year 2025–26, according to the Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers (Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers).

 The industry grew by around 10.4% compared to the previous year, when total sales stood at approximately 2.56 crore units. All major vehicle categories—including passenger vehicles, commercial vehicles, two-wheelers, and three-wheelers—reported record performances during the fiscal year.

SIAM noted that strong domestic demand, stable economic conditions, and policy support helped drive the overall growth in the automobile sector. Improved consumer confidence and better availability of financing also contributed to higher vehicle purchases across segments.

Passenger vehicles maintained steady momentum throughout the year, while two-wheelers and commercial vehicles saw broad-based demand, reflecting stronger mobility needs and economic activity across regions.

However, the industry body also flagged external risks, stating that prolonged geopolitical tensions in West Asia could affect crude oil prices, disrupt supply chains, and influence production costs in the coming months.

Despite global uncertainties, the overall outlook for India’s automobile sector remains positive, supported by rising incomes, urban expansion, and continued infrastructure development.

Mumbai, April 14: Shringar House of Mangalsutra Limited has unveiled an expansive collection of over 3,000 new designs ahead of Akshaya Tritiya 2026—marking the largest seasonal launch in the company’s history.

The new collection includes more than 2,000 designs in 22K gold and over 1,000 designs in 18K gold, catering to the diverse and evolving needs of India’s jewellery retail landscape.

Akshaya Tritiya continues to be a key growth driver for the gold jewellery industry, supported by strong cultural sentiment and long-term investment appeal. Despite fluctuations in gold prices, consumer demand remains resilient, with a growing inclination towards value-driven and purposeful purchases. Buyers are increasingly opting for lightweight, affordable, and design-led jewellery that offers versatility and everyday wearability, as opposed to heavy, occasion-specific pieces.

This shift is particularly evident among younger consumers, who are gravitating towards contemporary and modular designs, while traditional styles continue to hold relevance in core markets. Retailers are responding by focusing on curated, design-forward collections that balance aesthetics with price sensitivity.

With the wedding season approaching, consumers are also making earlier purchase decisions. While southern India remains a stable market, western and central regions such as Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, and Gujarat are emerging as key growth hubs, driven by organised retail expansion and heightened design awareness.

The mangalsutra category itself is undergoing a transformation—from a traditional bridal ornament to a lifestyle-led, daily wear essential. Consumers are increasingly choosing minimal, modular, and contemporary designs that seamlessly blend tradition with modern aesthetics.

Commenting on the launch, Chetan Thadeshwar, Chairman & Managing Director, Shringar House of Mangalsutra Ltd., said,

“The Indian jewellery industry is at a pivotal inflection point, and we are committed to leading from the front. Our latest curation is not merely about scale, but about defining the future direction of the category. We are witnessing a clear shift in consumer preferences towards design-led, versatile jewellery, particularly within the mangalsutra segment, which is increasingly evolving into an everyday essential. At Shringar, we have consistently focused on staying ahead of market trends—not just responding to them, but actively shaping them through innovation and design leadership.”

As a trusted manufacturing partner to leading jewellery retailers across India, Shringar continues to benefit from the shift towards organised and certified players, driven by increasing consumer preference for quality, transparency, and assured gold standards.

New Delhi, Apr 14 (BNP): India is expected to become the world’s second-largest solar market in terms of annual installations by 2026, according to the National Solar Energy Federation of India (National Solar Energy Federation of India).

The industry body said India has witnessed its fastest-ever expansion in solar capacity, adding around 50 GW in just 14 months and taking total installed solar capacity to about 150 GW.

This sharp rise highlights a significant acceleration in the country’s renewable energy journey compared to earlier years, when capacity additions were much slower.

NSEFI attributed the strong growth to supportive policy measures, rising investment activity, and wider adoption of solar energy across both large-scale projects and distributed installations.

The trend places India among the fastest-growing solar markets globally and reflects its increasing role in the global clean energy transition.

Officials added that the continued expansion of solar power is expected to improve energy security, reduce dependence on conventional fuels, and support long-term sustainability goals.

New Delhi, Apr 14 (BNP): Despite a sharp rise in global energy prices driven by the ongoing West Asia conflict, India’s retail inflation has so far remained largely stable, according to Crisil Intelligence.

The report noted that even a month after the escalation in tensions, the transmission of higher global fuel costs into domestic retail inflation has been limited.

It pointed out that Brent crude prices jumped around 45 per cent in March, while international natural gas prices surged nearly 69 per cent compared to the previous month. However, this steep increase in global energy markets has not yet significantly affected consumer prices in India.

Crisil said the muted impact so far reflects limited pass-through of global energy shocks into domestic inflation in the short term.

However, it warned that inflationary pressures could increase if geopolitical tensions persist and energy prices remain elevated for a longer period, potentially affecting price stability in the coming months.

New Delhi, Apr 14 (BNP): Domestic automobile dispatches posted strong growth in March, reflecting sustained demand momentum across both passenger vehicles and two-wheelers, according to industry data released by the Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers (SIAM).

Passenger vehicle dispatches from companies to dealers rose 16 per cent year-on-year to 4,42,460 units in March, compared to 3,81,358 units in the same month last year.

The two-wheeler segment also recorded robust growth, increasing 19.3 per cent to 19,76,128 units in March, up from 16,56,939 units a year earlier.

The strong performance across segments indicates improving consumer sentiment and steady demand in the domestic automobile market, which is a key driver of industrial activity and employment.

Industry experts note that higher vehicle sales typically boost manufacturing output, supply chain activity, and dealership revenues, while also contributing significantly to government tax collections through GST, road tax, and registration fees.

The automobile sector, one of India’s largest employment generators, also supports a wide ecosystem of component makers, logistics providers, and financial services linked to vehicle financing.

Chandigarh, April 14: SWITCH Mobility, a global manufacturer in electric buses and light commercial vehicles and part of the Hinduja Group, today flagged off first batch of 10 units of its EiV12mt intercity electric coaches for Prasanna Purple Mobility Solutions (Purple Bus), in the presence of Hon’ble Minister Madhuri Misal, Minister of State, Government of Maharashtra.

 This deployment marks SWITCH Mobility’s first intercity coach deployment for the private sector, while also enabling Prasanna Purple Mobility Solutions’ entry into the intercity electric mobility segment. In a strategic partnership with Vertelo, the buses are being deployed by Prasanna Purple Mobility Solutions on the Mumbai–Pune route, one of India’s busiest travel corridors. The order comprises 25 electric buses, with the remaining units to be delivered over the course of the year. This development represents a significant step towards mainstreaming electric mobility in intercity travel, as operators increasingly transition towards sustainable, efficient, and future-ready transport solutions.

The SWITCH EiV12mt intercity coach combines performance, efficiency, and passenger comfort, and is purpose-built for long-distance travel. It features 45 pushback seats, a range of over 300 km per charge, and fast-charging capability, enabling efficient operations for long-haul intercity journeys. With advanced safety systems, a quiet ride experience, and SWITCH iON connected technology for real-time monitoring, the coach is designed to deliver a reliable and comfortable intercity travel experience.

Mr. Ganesh Mani, CEO, SWITCH Mobility said,

“The flag-off marks another important step in expanding electric mobility beyond cities and strengthening our presence in the intercity segment. This partnership reflects the growing confidence in electric buses for high-frequency routes like Mumbai–Pune, where performance, reliability, and efficiency are critical. As we commence deliveries, with the first set of buses now deployed, we look forward to progressively scaling this engagement with Prasanna Purple Mobility Solutions in the period ahead.

At SWITCH Mobility, we are focused on delivering solutions through the EiV12 platform that are not only sustainable but also commercially viable for operators, while ensuring a superior passenger experience. With intercity mobility continuing to evolve, we are building on our experience in the segment and remain committed to accelerating the adoption of reliable, efficient, and future-ready electric mobility solutions.”

Mr. Prasanna Patwardhan, CMD, Prasanna Purple Mobility Solutions, said,

“Entering the intercity segment with electric mobility is a significant milestone for us. Through this collaboration, we are introducing a cleaner and more efficient travel option on the Mumbai–Pune route. We remain focused on enhancing the overall journey experience while moving towards more sustainable operations. With Switch Mobility we value our partnership for long term E Mobility Solutions.”

With over 185 million green kilometres covered globally and 2,500+ electric buses deployed in India, SWITCH Mobility continues to scale its presence across multiple segments, including city, intercity, and specialised applications. In urban mobility, the company has established a strong presence across multiple cities, supporting the transition to cleaner and more efficient public transport systems. The company has previously deployed intercity electric buses for state transport undertakings such as UPSRTC.

Keonjhar, Apr 14 (BNP): Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi on Monday laid the foundation stone for infrastructure projects worth around ₹1,900 crore in Keonjhar district, including the long-awaited Barbil Bypass-cum-Ring Road project aimed at easing heavy traffic congestion in the mining belt.

The ₹1,581.21 crore bypass project is expected to significantly improve connectivity in the mineral-rich Barbil region, one of Odisha’s busiest freight corridors.

During his visit, the Chief Minister also inaugurated 24 completed projects worth ₹29.41 crore and laid the foundation for 51 new projects valued at ₹326.43 crore.

The proposed 18.3-km bypass-cum-ring road will have the capacity to handle around 40,000 passenger car units (PCUs) daily, compared to the current traffic volume of nearly 15,375 vehicles per day.

Officials said the project is designed to reduce congestion caused by heavy mining vehicles, cut travel time, lower transportation costs, and improve overall logistics efficiency in the region.

Majhi said the upgraded road network would help resolve long-standing traffic bottlenecks and support economic growth in Keonjhar and surrounding areas.

New Delhi, Apr 14 (BNP): Adani Green Energy Limited has secured the highest ESG score of 87.3 among Indian companies assessed by CareEdge-ESG, earning an “ESG 1+” rating and strengthening its position in sustainability performance.

The rating highlights the company’s strong performance across key environmental, social and governance parameters, reflecting robust climate strategy, governance practices, and transparency in disclosures.

CareEdge-ESG stated that its assessment is based on a comprehensive review of ESG risks and opportunities, benchmarked against industry peers.

The agency noted that AGEL’s sustainability approach is supported by structured policies and the integration of ESG principles across its renewable energy operations.

The recognition is expected to enhance investor confidence, especially as ESG performance increasingly influences access to green and transition-linked financing.

Company officials said the rating validates its long-term focus on sustainable growth and climate-aligned investments across its renewable energy portfolio.