Category: News

Wilsonville, OR, 27th May 2026 – Avocor, an AUO company and global leader in collaboration and communication solutions, has announced a strategic collaboration with IAdea to showcase Microsoft Device Ecosystem Platform (MDEP)-powered digital signage solutions at InfoComm 2026 in Las Vegas.

The collaboration brings together Avocor’s display expertise with IAdea’s enterprise signage technology to deliver a secure, scalable, and intelligent digital signage solution designed for modern business environments.

Making its North American debut at InfoComm 2026, Avocor’s new B Series range of non-interactive displays has been specifically developed for professional signage applications. Engineered for 24/7 operation, the B Series is designed to support high-traffic environments where reliability, clarity, and centralised device management are essential.

Through its collaboration with IAdea, the Avocor B Series will be demonstrated with IAdea’s MDEP-enabled signage technology, enabling organizations to explore simplified device management, seamless integration with Microsoft environments, and the IT governance frameworks already applied to other enterprise endpoints.

The collaboration reflects the growing demand for digital signage solutions that align more closely with IT infrastructure and workplace technology strategies, giving IT and facilities teams a unified approach to deploying signage alongside other managed workplace endpoints.

“Today’s organisations need signage solutions that are not only visually impactful, but also intelligent, secure, and easy to manage,” said Dana Corey, General Manager at Avocor. “Our collaboration with IAdea enables us to bring MDEP-powered capabilities to the Avocor B Series, creating a future-ready signage platform that aligns with the evolving needs of enterprise customers. Together, we are helping organisations simplify deployment, strengthen security, and enhance communication across modern workplaces.”

By leveraging Microsoft’s MDEP framework, the new solution provides businesses with enhanced device security, remote management capabilities, and improved compatibility with enterprise workflows and IT policies. This creates a robust foundation for organisations looking to deploy connected signage solutions across corporate, education, retail, hospitality, and public sector environments.

Visitors to InfoComm 2026 will be able to experience the new B Series firsthand at Avocor booth C6403, where demonstrations will showcase how the partnership between Avocor, IAdea, and Microsoft is helping redefine digital signage for the modern workplace.

“Partnering with Avocor allows us to combine our expertise in smart workplace and signage technology with Avocor’s globally recognised display solutions,” said John C. Wang, CEO at IAdea “Together, we are delivering a secure and scalable signage platform that meets the demands of today’s connected organisations while supporting the future of enterprise communications.”

InfoComm 2026 takes place from 17–19 June at the Las Vegas Convention Center. Visitors can explore Avocor’s latest digital signage and display technologies at Booth C6403.

London – May 27, 2026 — Global Citizen Solutions (GCS), a leading citizenship and residency advisory firm, today releases the Global Citizenship Programs Index 2026 (GCP Index 2026) — an independent, data-driven assessment of active sovereign Citizenship Programs worldwide. The 2026 edition evaluates fifteen schemes across five continents through eighteen performance indicators grouped in five thematic sub-indexes: Procedure, Mobility, Tax Optimization, Quality of Life, Investment, and two cross-cutting indicators: Compliance and Credibility.

Published over forty years after the Saint Kitts and Nevis Act of 1984 created the world’s first investment migration program, the GCP Index 2026 arrives at a moment of genuine structural change. The 2026 edition spanning five continents — from the Eastern Caribbean to Europe, the Pacific, MENA, and an emerging African presence — reflects an industry that has grown far beyond its island origins. The overarching finding is that the market is consolidating governance quality rather than price, with compliance, not cost, now the primary axis of competition across all regions.

“The most important shift in our industry is no longer about which single program is best suited to your needs, but about which combination of programs is the right one,” said Patricia Casaburi, CEO, Global Citizen Solutions. “Families today are constructing citizenship portfolios of mobility, tax residence, and legal access that reflect a far more sophisticated understanding of risk, opportunity, and belonging in a fragmented world. The 2026 GCPI reflects that reality. It assesses each program on its own merits, but it is designed to be read as a map: showing where each jurisdiction excels, where it falls short, and how it fits into the broader strategic picture our clients are building.”

Caribbean: Governance over Price

The five Eastern Caribbean nations — St. Kitts and Nevis (93.08), Antigua and Barbuda (90.64), Grenada (87.87), Dominica (87.19), and St. Lucia (86.29) — sweep the top five positions. The competitive story here is not dominance by default: the October 2025 ratification of ECCIRA, the first unified regional CBI regulator in the industry’s history, and a Memorandum of Understanding explicitly establishing a minimum investment threshold of no less than $200.000 together mark a structural shift from competing national programs toward a single, regulated regional market.

 Europe: Unmatched Mobility and Quality of Life in Austria & Malta

Two of Europe’s programs — Malta’s Citizenship by Merit (83.58) and Austria’s Citizenship by Merit (80.12) — lead the global index on two of its most applicant-critical dimensions. Austria records a perfect Mobility score of 100.0, providing access to 185 visa-free destinations, and leads Quality of Life at 90.6. Malta’s full EU and Schengen access underpins its 98.5 Mobility score. Compliance is equally the European strength: Austria (95) and Malta (93) sit at the top of the global governance ranking — a position that directly translates into banking access and long-term program durability.

Pacific: A New Budget Tier and Zero-Tax Proposition in Vanuatu & Nauru

The 2026 cycle’s most significant supply-side development is the emergence of a credible budget tier below $150,000 USD. Vanuatu (86.14) and Nauru (83.64) both achieve perfect Tax Optimization scores of 100.0 — the only programs in the index to do so — on the strength of fully zero-tax regimes covering income, corporate, capital gains, wealth, and inheritance. Processing windows of two to four months are also the fastest in the global market.

Middle East, Turkey and Africa: Scale, Strategic Positioning and Emerging Markets

Türkiye (77.41), Jordan (74.83), and Egypt (69.51) offer a value proposition unavailable elsewhere: access to large domestic economies, and in Türkiye’s case, NATO membership and EU customs union access in case, due to its geostrategic location at the crossroads of Europe and Asia, and US E-2 Treaty eligibility (under three-year domicile requirement rule)— a combination no other citizenship program can match. Jordan’s 2025 reforms repositioned its program around active job creation. The region’s structural weakness is consistent: worldwide tax systems weigh Tax Optimization scores across all three. Africa’s São Tomé and Príncipe (71.23) meanwhile launched a development-linked framework in 2025.

The Portfolio Model Replaces the Single-Program Approach

Across all regions, the 2026 Index reflects a deeper behavioural shift among applicants. Ultra-high-net-worth families are no longer seeking a single best programme — they are constructing diversified portfolios of citizenship, residence, and digital access rights calibrated to risk profile, time horizon, and tax footprint. The GCP Index has been designed to serve that question: assessing each program on its own merits while functioning as a map of where each jurisdiction excels, where it falls short, and how it fits into a broader strategic picture.

“For the small island states of the Eastern Caribbean, citizenship by investment is a development engine that has translated mobility demand into schools, hospitals, climate-resilient housing, and post-disaster reconstruction,” said Joe Rice, Head of Caribbean Programs, Global Citizen Solutions. “The GCP Index captures the technical strength of these programs, but the deeper story is what they make possible: a model in which sovereign reputation, family legacy, and national development are mutually reinforcing.”

“At Global Citizen Solutions, we believe that informed decisions begin with rigorous data,” said Dr. Laura Madrid, Lead Researcher, Global Intelligence Unit, Global Citizen Solutions. “This Index is our contribution to a more transparent, evidence-based industry: a framework that allows applicants, policymakers, and practitioners to evaluate 15 programs against the dimensions that genuinely matter: procedural integrity, mobility, fiscal environment, quality of life, and institutional credibility.”

New Delhi, May 27 (BNP): In a major move aimed at simplifying provident fund services and improving user convenience, the Employees’ Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO) is set to introduce “EPFO 3.0,” a revamped digital framework expected to allow instant provident fund (PF) withdrawals through UPI and ATM-like systems.

Representational image

The upgraded system is designed to make PF transactions faster, more seamless, and user-friendly, significantly reducing processing delays while enhancing accessibility for millions of salaried employees across the country.

One of the biggest highlights of EPFO 3.0 is the proposed instant PF withdrawal facility through Unified Payments Interface (UPI), enabling subscribers to access eligible funds directly into their bank accounts within a shorter timeframe. In addition, EPFO is also working on ATM-based withdrawal mechanisms, allowing users to access PF money more conveniently, similar to banking transactions.

The new digital ecosystem is expected to streamline claim settlements and reduce paperwork by integrating advanced verification systems and automation. Subscribers may no longer need to wait several days for claim approvals, as faster digital authentication and direct payment systems are likely to accelerate fund transfers.

EPFO 3.0 is also expected to improve user experience through simplified account management, better digital services, and enhanced transparency. Officials indicate that the platform may support real-time updates, easier claim tracking, and quicker grievance resolution mechanisms.

Among the anticipated changes are simplified Know Your Customer (KYC) verification processes, improved digital interface for members, and stronger integration with banking and digital payment infrastructure to enable smoother transactions.

The initiative is expected to benefit crores of EPFO subscribers, particularly salaried employees seeking quicker access to emergency funds for healthcare, housing, education, marriage, or other financial needs.

Key expected features of EPFO 3.0 include:

• Instant PF withdrawal through UPI integration
• ATM-like access to provident fund withdrawals
• Faster claim settlement and automated verification
• Simplified KYC and improved digital services
• Enhanced transparency and claim tracking systems
• Improved user interface and grievance redressal

The move is seen as part of the government’s broader push towards digital governance and ease of living, aiming to modernise employee welfare services through technology-driven reforms.

Officials are expected to release detailed operational guidelines and rollout timelines in the coming months.

New Delhi,  May 27: Renowned for creating distinctive hospitality experiences, THE Park New Delhi unveils Tyde, a new all-day dining destination shaped by art, atmosphere, and the elemental poetry of water.

Conceived as a space that evolves with the rhythm of the day, Tyde moves seamlessly from vibrant breakfasts and business lunches to leisurely afternoon conversations, cocktail-led evenings, intimate dinners, and after-dark gatherings. The menu reflects the same fluidity, bringing together artisanal coffee, wood-fired pizzas, Asian flavours, small plates, and a refined à la carte experience designed for both everyday dining and celebratory moments.

The interiors draw inspiration from the geometry of Jantar Mantar and India’s enduring relationship with water as a symbol of movement, reflection, and transformation. Sculptural forms, layered textures, deep indigo tones, and warm brass details create a space that feels atmospheric, expressive, and elevated.

At the centre of the restaurant is Dar Badar, a sculptural installation by Mohd. Intiyaz. Crafted in brass and rhythmic forms, the work introduces a striking visual energy to the space, echoing the movement and fluidity that define Tyde’s design language. Complementing the interiors are textile works by Hansika Sharma – Within the Ocean and Fragments of Ocean. Embroidery, zari, beads, mirrors, and metallic details come together in layered compositions inspired by the textures and depth of the sea.

Speaking on the launch, Ms Priya Paul, Chairperson, Apeejay Surrendra Park Hotels, said,

 “We are excited to launch Tyde, a lively and contemporary dining destination in the heart of Connaught Place. As pioneers of luxury boutique hospitality in India, we have always believed that our hotels must be more than places to stay; they should be spaces where art, design, music, culture, and cuisine come together to create experiences that are Anything But Ordinary. Tyde carries that philosophy forward in a fresh and distinctive way.”

Sharing his thoughts, Mr Parag Sahwney, General Manager, THE Park New Delhi, said,

“Tyde brings refined dining and dynamic food concepts to the heart of the city. A passionate culinary team has curated menus inspired by diverse flavours and modern interpretations, with every detail thoughtfully considered for a refined yet engaging experience. Tyde is designed as a dynamic gathering space for discerning diners and global travellers alike.”

Rourkela, May 27 (BNP): In a major technological breakthrough that could transform healthcare diagnostics, researchers at the National Institute of Technology (NIT) Rourkela have developed an artificial intelligence (AI)-enabled autofocusing technology designed to significantly improve microscopic imaging used in biomedical diagnostics.

The innovative system has already demonstrated promising laboratory-scale results in detecting Acute Lymphoblastic Leukaemia (blood cancer) and malaria, marking an important step toward affordable, next-generation healthcare diagnostics in India.

Developed by the Department of Biotechnology and Medical Engineering at NIT Rourkela in collaboration with Glowvista Instruments Private Limited — a startup incubated at the institute’s Foundation for Technology and Business Incubation (FTBI) Centre — the technology is capable of delivering rapid, accurate, and repeatable microscopic imaging results with minimal human intervention. The research team has also secured a patent for the innovation titled “A Method for Autofocusing in Optofluidic Microsystems and Processes.”

Microscopy technology plays a vital role in modern healthcare diagnostics by enabling doctors and researchers to closely examine cells, tissues, microorganisms, and other biological structures that are invisible to the naked eye. It is extensively used in diagnosing diseases such as cancer, malaria, tuberculosis, and various pathology-related disorders, while also supporting drug development and point-of-care diagnostics.

However, conventional microscopy systems remain heavily dependent on manual focusing, making them time-intensive and susceptible to human error. Such limitations often lead to inconsistent imaging, inaccurate diagnosis, and delays in treatment — challenges that become particularly critical when handling complex biological samples or urgent medical conditions.

To address these concerns, the NIT Rourkela team developed an optofluidic digital microscopy platform integrated with deep learning algorithms, optical imaging systems, and automated motion control. The system continuously analyses microscopic images in real time and intelligently adjusts focus through an automated feedback mechanism, significantly improving imaging precision and operational speed.

According to the institute, the technology was developed at an estimated cost of around Rs 1.20 lakh and has delivered encouraging outcomes during testing. Besides detecting Acute Lymphoblastic Leukaemia and malaria, the system reportedly demonstrated the ability to conduct complete blood cell counts through advanced blood-cell classification techniques.

The research team comprises Prof. Earu Banoth, Assistant Professor in the Department of Biotechnology and Medical Engineering at NIT Rourkela and Founder-Director of Glowvista Instruments Pvt. Ltd.; Dr. Shaik Ahmadsaidulu, a research graduate at NIT Rourkela; and incubatee members Amol Lalchand Salve and Padmanaban Selvakumar from Glowvista Instruments.

Explaining the vision behind the innovation, Prof. Banoth said the team aims to develop a simple handheld diagnostic system capable of delivering performance comparable to imported automated microscopy technologies. He added that the researchers plan to expand the platform for multiple biomedical applications and field-level deployment, making advanced diagnostic capabilities more accessible and affordable.

Key features of the developed system include AI-powered intelligent autofocus, real-time image processing, automated focus adjustment, cloud-enabled learning, and enhanced imaging of complex biological samples.

Researchers believe the technology could find applications across biomedical diagnostics, digital pathology, AI-assisted microscopy, portable healthcare devices, smart laboratory automation, and remote diagnostic systems.

The project received financial support from the Anusandhan National Research Foundation (ANRF), the Department of Science and Technology (DST), and the Department of Biotechnology (DBT), Government of India.

Officials at NIT Rourkela said the innovation aligns with the Government of India’s “Make in India” initiative and highlights the institute’s continued focus on developing affordable indigenous healthcare technologies to strengthen disease diagnosis and improve access to quality medical care.

May 27 : The Indian furniture retail industry is steadily moving beyond traditional showroom formats. Today, brands are increasingly building immersive retail environments that help customers visualise complete lifestyles rather than simply browse individual products. From fully styled room concepts and interactive layouts to experience-driven store journeys, furniture retail is becoming more emotional, aspirational, and design-led.

Here are three brands redefining experiential furniture retail in India:

Royaloak Furniture

Royaloak has been actively evolving its retail strategy from conventional furniture sales to complete lifestyle and interior experiences. Through its newly launched “House of Interiors” format, the brand has introduced immersive experience centres that showcase fully integrated home environments rather than isolated furniture pieces.

Customers can walk through ready-to-live spaces featuring kitchens, wardrobes, modular storage, furniture, lighting, finishes, and décor accessories designed together as a unified ecosystem. The room-set approach allows consumers to visualise how different elements work cohesively within a real home setting, making the purchase journey far more intuitive and emotionally engaging.

Each floor across its stores also reflects Royaloak’s globally inspired design positioning, with Italian, American, and Malaysian and contemporary Indian aesthetics organised into visually distinct lifestyle zones. Rugs, wall art, lighting, and décor accessories are layered thoughtfully across displays to create a gallery-like experience that encourages inspiration-led shopping rather than transactional browsing.

Even seasonal campaigns such as the “Royal Festive Sale” and “Jumbo Sale” are designed as immersive in-store experiences, where festive styling and aspirational home themes encourage customers to imagine “festival-ready homes” instead of simply shopping for furniture.

IKEA

IKEA remains one of the strongest examples of experiential retail globally, and its India stores continue to follow the brand’s signature immersive journey-led format. Rather than functioning as standard furniture outlets, IKEA stores recreate complete living environments through mock apartments, compact kitchens, living rooms, and urban home layouts.

The store layout itself is intentionally designed to maximise exploration and product discovery, guiding customers through curated pathways that encourage interaction across categories. Instead of focusing only on products, IKEA builds contextual environments that help shoppers understand how furniture can function within everyday life.

The experience extends beyond furniture browsing. Restaurants, cafés, children’s play zones, and seating areas transform IKEA stores into family destinations where customers spend extended periods engaging with the brand. Interactive formats, such as gamified in-store activities and family engagement events, further strengthen the experiential aspect of the retail journey.

Home Centre

Home Centre was among the early brands in India to popularise “coordinated shopping” by designing stores around complete room concepts rather than standalone furniture aisles. Its stores are structured around fully styled living rooms, bedrooms, kitchens, and dining spaces where furniture, textiles, lighting, décor, and accessories are displayed together to inspire complete home transformations.

The brand has recently expanded this strategy through its “Store of the Future” concept, which focuses on immersive layouts, modern visual merchandising, inspiration zones, and globally influenced styling approaches designed to increase customer interaction and engagement.

Home Centre has also integrated experiential storytelling into category-specific campaigns. Collaborations such as “The Great Indian Diwali Gourmet Table” with chef Ranveer Brar encouraged customers to engage with dining and kitchen products within realistic festive and social hosting scenarios, making the retail experience feel more contextual and lifestyle-oriented.

As Rajasthan Royals and Sunrisers Hyderabad battle for survival in IPL 2026, the spotlight remains firmly on promising youngster Vaibhav Suryavanshi

New Chandigarh, May 27 (BNP): The IPL 2026 playoffs are set for another gripping chapter as Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) take on Rajasthan Royals (RR) in a high-pressure Eliminator clash at the New International Cricket Stadium in New Chandigarh on Wednesday, with a place in Qualifier 2 hanging in the balance.

For both franchises, the equation is simple — win and stay alive in the title race, lose and bow out of the tournament. As the knockout stage intensifies, anticipation is building around what promises to be a fiercely contested battle between two sides eager to keep their championship dreams alive.

While both teams boast match-winners across departments, a major talking point ahead of the contest is Rajasthan Royals’ young sensation Vaibhav Suryavanshi. With expectations mounting, all eyes will be on the promising youngster as fans and cricket experts keenly watch whether he can deliver a match-defining performance in one of the biggest games of the season.

Suryavanshi’s ability to handle pressure and rise to the occasion could prove pivotal for Rajasthan Royals, who will rely on composure, consistency, and key individual performances to navigate the knockout hurdle. On the other hand, Sunrisers Hyderabad will look to capitalize on their explosive line-up and aggressive approach to dominate the do-or-die encounter.

The Eliminator carries immense significance, with the winner advancing to Qualifier 2 to face the loser of Qualifier 1 for a coveted spot in the IPL 2026 final.

With no second chances remaining and everything at stake, New Chandigarh is set to witness a thrilling showdown as SRH and Rajasthan Royals battle for survival, while the spotlight firmly remains on whether Vaibhav Suryavanshi can rise to the occasion and script a memorable chapter in IPL 2026.

Rajat Patidar’s unbeaten 93 powers Royal Challengers Bengaluru to a record 254/5 as Gujarat Titans collapse under pressure in Qualifier 1 at Dharamsala

Dharamsala, May 27 (BNP): Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) produced a commanding all-round performance to storm into the final of IPL 2026 after crushing Gujarat Titans (GT) by 92 runs in Qualifier 1 at Dharamsala.

Putting up a sensational batting display, RCB posted a mammoth 254 for 5 in 20 overs — the highest-ever total in IPL playoff history. Captain Rajat Patidar led from the front with a breathtaking unbeaten 93 off just 33 balls, smashing nine sixes at a staggering strike rate of over 281.

RCB received strong support from senior batter Virat Kohli, who contributed a brisk 43, while Krunal Pandya added another quickfire 43 to propel the team to a massive total.

Chasing a daunting target, Gujarat Titans suffered an early collapse, losing five wickets inside the powerplay and never recovering from the pressure. Rahul Tewatia offered some resistance with a fighting 68, but GT were eventually bowled out for 162 in 19.3 overs.

RCB bowlers delivered an impressive performance with Jacob Duffy leading the attack, claiming 3 wickets for 33 runs. Bhuvneshwar Kumar (2/28), Rasikh Dar (2/26), and Krunal Pandya (2/29) also played crucial roles in dismantling the Gujarat batting line-up.

The emphatic victory sends defending champions RCB into their second consecutive IPL final and marks their fifth overall final appearance in tournament history.

Meanwhile, Gujarat Titans will get another opportunity to stay alive in the competition when they face the winner of the Eliminator in Qualifier 2.

With momentum firmly on their side, RCB now stand just one step away from lifting the IPL 2026 title.

LONDON, UK. MAY 2026. A rare and historically important piece of global telecommunications history has been uncovered at a WeBuyVintage antiques roadshow in Evercreech, Somerset after antiques expert Ismael Khan identified an authentic 1858 Tiffany & Co. Transatlantic Telegraph Cable section brought in by a member of the public. The remarkable find, valued at £800 originates from the first successful transatlantic telegraph cable, completed in 1858, under the leadership of entrepreneur Cyrus W. Field and the Atlantic Telegraph Company.

The cable stretched between Valentia Island in Ireland and Newfoundland in Canada, transforming communications by reducing message delivery times between Europe and North America from around ten days by ship, to only minutes. Although the cable operated for only three weeks, it proved that transatlantic communications were possible and paved the way for the global telecommunications systems used today.

Cyrus W. Field (1819-892) was an American businessman and financier who spear-headed this 19th century pioneering achievement. Although he had no formal background in engineering, he was inspired by the idea of linking Europe and North America through a telegraph cable laid across the Atlantic Ocean. Beginning in the mid-1850s, Field organized and financed multiple expeditions to attempt the project, working closely with scientists and engineers from both sides of the Atlantic. The early attempts were plagued by technical failures; cables broke during laying and signals were unreliable, but he continued to raise money and rebuild support despite repeated setbacks.

After years of effort, the first successful transatlantic telegraph message was finally sent in 1858 between Queen Victoria and U.S. President James Buchanan, though that early cable soon failed. A more durable line was successfully completed in 1866, marking the true breakthrough that made near-instant communication between continents possible for the first time. Field’s persistence and ability to secure investment were key to overcoming the immense technical and financial challenges of the project. He is remembered not just for the cable itself, but for helping usher in a new era of global communication.

Following the success of the project, Cyrus W. Field sold a quantity of the leftover 1858 Atlantic cable to Tiffany & Co. to be transformed into souvenirs, in order to mark such a historic occasion. Tiffany & Co. cut the cable into smaller sections and sold them as authenticated commemorative pieces, such as this example, for collectors and history enthusiasts (with some being made into jewellery).

Ismael Khan, an antiques specialist at WeBuyVintage who has extensive experience sourcing and valuing rare antiques, immediately recognised the significance of this unusual object during the Somerset roadshow. He said: “This is an exceptionally rare find and certainly not the sort of item you come across every day. To discover this genuine 1858 Tiffany & Co. transatlantic cable section is incredibly exciting. It represents a major moment in global history and the beginning of instant international communication. Pieces like this are highly sought after because they combine engineering, innovation and historical significance.”

The cable section measures approximately four inches long and still has its original brass certification band engraved with the words: “Atlantic Telegraph Cable / Guaranteed by Tiffany & Co. / Broadway, New York. 1858. It retains its original engineering structure, including copper wire core, gutta percha insulation, tarred hemp wrapping and iron wire armouring, making it both a technological artefact and a highly desirable collector’s item.

Khan adds: “This is exactly why we hold roadshows around the country. People often have fascinating items tucked away without realising what they are. To uncover something linked to one of the Victorian era’s greatest engineering achievements is a real privilege and a reminder that important history can still turn up in unexpected places.”

Mumbai, May 27 : Indian Grandmaster Nihal Sarin, representing esports and gaming content powerhouse S8UL Esports, has officially qualified for the Chess main event at the Esports World Cup 2026 through the Champions Chess Tour 2025-2026 Leaderboard. He joins teammate Aravindh Chithambaram as the only two Indian players to qualify for the prestigious tournament so far.

The CCT 2025-2026 season featured two major events, the Speed Chess Championship 2025 and Chess.com Open  2026. The top three players from both tournaments secured direct qualification to the EWC, while players finishing between fifth and ninth in SCC, along with the remaining participants in CCO, earned points toward the CCT Leaderboard based on their performances.

In addition to these events, players also accumulated points through the Titled Tuesday Grand Prix  circuit, which was divided into Autumn, Winter, and Spring splits featuring 13 Titled Tuesday tournaments each. Players earned leaderboard points in every Titled Tuesday event across the season. At the end of the season, the top nine players in the final CCT Leaderboard standings, excluding already-qualified players, secured their spots at EWC 2026.

Nihal narrowly missed out on direct qualification through the CCO after finishing fourth, just one spot away from qualification, but still secured 100 crucial leaderboard points from the event. He further added points through consistent performances across the TTGP circuit, including one point in the Autumn Split and four points in the Winter Split. A standout second-place finish in the Spring Split ultimately helped him accumulate 34 points and finish with a total of 139 points in the standings to secure his berth at the EWC 2026.

Last year, Nihal was one of only two Indians representing the country at the EWC 2025 after qualifying through the Last Chance Qualifier  . He went on to reach the quarterfinals before falling to eventual champion Magnus Carlsen.

Speaking about the qualification, Nihal Sarin said,

“Qualifying for the Esports World Cup once again is a very special feeling, especially through a circuit as competitive and demanding as the Champions Chess Tour. This season required consistency across multiple formats and tournaments over several months, and I’m happy that the hard work paid off. Last year’s experience at the EWC gave me a real understanding of how competitive and intense the event is, and it has only motivated me to come back stronger this time. Representing India and S8UL on such a global stage is always special, and I’m looking forward to competing against some of the very best players in the world once again.”

Meanwhile, fellow S8UL Grandmaster Pranesh M, finished just four spots behind the final qualifying position in the CCT Leaderboard standings and also reached the quarterfinals of the India Rising qualifier. He still remains in contention for EWC qualification through the upcoming LCQ, from which four additional players will qualify for the tournament.

“Nihal and Aravindh qualifying for the Esports World Cup reflects the depth of talent we have within our chess program. We have always believed that Indian players can compete with the very best in the world when given the right opportunities and support. Seeing two Indian Grandmasters from S8UL earn their spots at one of the biggest global events is a proud moment for the organization, and we hope it inspires more players to pursue chess at the highest level,” said Animesh Agarwal, Co-founder and CEO, S8UL Esports.

This year’s EWC Chess competition, where the world’s best players will compete for a prize pool of USD 1.5 million (~INR 14.3 crore) from August 11 to 15, will feature a revised two-phase format. The tournament will begin with the newly introduced Play-In stage, where eight players qualified through the LCQ and DreamHack Atlanta will compete in a double-elimination bracket featuring two-game matches. Aravindh, who secured qualification through DreamHack Atlanta earlier this year, will compete in this stage. The top-performing players from the Play-In stage will advance to the Group Stage.

Nihal, meanwhile, has directly qualified for the Group Stage through the CCT rankings. The Group Stage will feature 16 players divided into two groups of eight, once again competing in double-elimination brackets with two-game matches. The top four players from each group will advance to the Playoffs.

The Playoffs will follow a single-elimination format, featuring four-game matches in the quarterfinals and six-game matches in the semifinals. The tournament winner will ultimately be decided through a grueling Grand Finals series comprising three separate sets of games.

Having been selected for the Esports Foundation’s Club Partner Program for the second consecutive year, S8UL earlier announced its most ambitious international esports campaign to date, competing across qualifiers for 13 titles. The organization has placed a strong emphasis on Indian representation alongside proven international talent, ensuring homegrown players feature across multiple titles. This vision has already translated into results, with S8UL’s Honor of Kings roster comprising Indian players securing qualification for the tournament and Nihal and Aravindh becoming the only Indian Chess players to officially qualify so far. The organization has also qualified in Fortnite through its international roster while remaining in contention across several additional titles.

The EWC 2026, set to take place from July 6 to August 23 in Paris, France, will bring together over 2,000 players from 200 clubs across more than 100 countries competing for a record-breaking prize pool of USD 75 million (~INR 718 crore). With confirmed qualification across three titles, S8UL will continue its push to represent India on the global stage while pursuing qualification in additional events.