Archives June 2025

Admission Alert – Indian School of Hospitality Opens Applications for BBA/BBA (Hons) in Hospitality Management

Indian School of Hospitality (ISH) is a pioneering institution offering higher education with an emphasis on liberal hospitality education and interdisciplinary learning, tailored to meet the demands of today’s dynamic workforce and tomorrow’s global businesses. ISH is part of Sommet Education’s international network, with 18 campuses in eight countries.

Located in Gurugram (Delhi NCR), ISH offers international degrees, diplomas, and certificate programs in Hospitality Management and Culinary Arts at the undergraduate and postgraduate levels. Their culinary program is offered in partnership with the global École Ducasse brand, while their hospitality management program is in alliance with Les Roches, one of the world’s leading hospitality business schools. 

The École Ducasse campus at ISH is recognised as India’s international hub for culinary arts education. Every year, it attracts some of the most talented and capable students from the region to its culinary programs. 

The curriculum at École Ducasse combines culinary excellence with essential business skills, preparing students to become successful culinary entrepreneurs and professionals. A significant part of the programs emphasises hands-on experience and life skills development. 

Students also have the chance to intern with leading global hospitality and food & beverage brands, enabling them to have successful culinary careers after graduation.

For more information, please visit our website at www.ish.edu.in

Program Overview 

The BBA/BBA (Hons) in Hospitality Management at ISH delivers comprehensive education that combines the fundamentals of hospitality and business via an interdisciplinary approach. This extensive program focuses on the cultivation of critical skills such as leadership, ethical decision-making, and emotional intelligence, all essential for thriving in the dynamic hospitality sector.

Graduates of this program garner a 360-degree knowledge of the hospitality sector’s intricacies and are trained to offer unparalleled customer service.

The curriculum is rooted in a liberal education framework and fosters creative thinking, ethical leadership, and adaptability. Students are motivated to address problems with a lateral mindset, empowering them to manage diverse challenges in hospitality settings.

Global Articulation Pathway to Les Roches

Our association with the globally acclaimed Les Roches allows students to articulate to a Les Roches campus either in the second year or in the final year, following which they will be awarded an international bachelor’s degree in Global Hospitality Management from Les Roches.

Final-year specialisations available in India include Hospitality Entrepreneurship, Digital Marketing, Finance, and General Management.

Program Advantages

A BBA/BBA (Hons) in Hospitality Management will evolve students into highly skilled and flexible professionals of the future, empowered to thrive in diverse industry sectors.

Students will develop business intelligence, an entrepreneurial outlook, and soft skills that are essential for success in every industry. They will graduate with critical human skills such as critical thinking, analysis, and creative problem-solving, and will carry the ISH values of cultural awareness along with a strong sense of responsible leadership, integrity, and sustainability.

Admission Requirements

  • 50% marks in 12th standard with English as one of the subjects 
  • For International Baccalaureate students, a diploma is the minimum requirement
  • For Cambridge University students (GCE/IGCSE/GCSE examinations of the approved British Examination Bodies), ‘A’ Level certificate is the minimum requirement with 5 (Five) subjects in A, B, C Grades including English at Ordinary (‘O’) Level and 2/3 (Two/Three) subjects at Advanced Level.
  • Candidates in their 12th standard or equivalent class can also apply, provided they would be completing their final examination before 30th May and can provide their 12th passing certificate / mark sheet before 31st August.

Job & Career Opportunities

Students of hospitality management can go on to carve a distinctive reputation in various fields such as:

  1. Travel and tourism
  2. Health & wellness
  3. Luxury retail
  4. Aviation
  5. Banking & private equity
  6. Hospitality consultancy
  7. Real estate
  8. Event planning & venue management
  9. Entertainment & recreation

Duration

A 4-year academic programme culminates in a BBA/BBA (Hons) in Hospitality Management Degree granted by Gurugram University (GU), augmented by an international certificate via an academic association with Les Roches. 

Learning Institution

ISH Gurugram Campus, with articulation to Les Roches campus in Switzerland or Spain

Teaching Language

English

Fee Structure 

Composite Fee: INR 8,40,324

Indicative student accommodation and meal: INR 3,05,000

Important Dates 

Application Open: May 10, 2025

Last date of application: June 20, 2025

Batch launch: July 07, 2025

Sangli’s Padmaraje Patwardhan of Miraj Royal Family Graced Miss World 2025 as Guest of Honour

Pune, 6th June 2025 — Bringing immense pride to Sangli and Maharashtra, Padmaraje Patwardhan of the Miraj Royal Family recently graced the prestigious Miss World 2025 as a distinguished Guest of Honour. Held in Hyderabad, the event championed its global theme of ‘Beauty With a Purpose,’ aligning with Padmaraje’s commitment to cultural heritage and social impact.

Padmaraje’s presence highlighted a unique convergence of royalty, cultural legacy, and community leadership at one of the world’s most iconic celebrations of womanhood. She joined a select group of esteemed dignitaries, including Maharani Radhikaraje Gaekwad of Baroda, Princess Padmajaraje Gaekwad, Princess Krishna Kumari Rathore of Panna, Dr. Madhu Chopra, and Lakshmi Puri, former Assistant Secretary-General of the United Nations. Her quiet strength, inherent grace, and unwavering dedication to preserving and promoting cultural heritage resonated powerfully within this esteemed gathering of dignitaries.

Commenting on the Miss World 2025 event, Padmaraje Pathwardhan, Trustee, GTT Foundation, “It was a privilege to stand among such inspiring women who embody purpose, grace, and global impact. Events like Miss World remind us that beauty, when rooted in culture and compassion, becomes a powerful force for change. I was honoured to represent Sangli on this global stage and contribute to a celebration that uplifts not just individuals, but entire communities.”

Padmaraje was invited by noted philanthropist and Miss World patron Sudha Reddy, and was honoured to felicitate the pageant’s distinguished achievers. Her participation lent a timeless sense of dignity and rooted elegance to the prestigious global event, resonating with the very ethos of Beauty With a Purpose.

This recognition of Padmaraje Patwardhan at a global platform shines a spotlight on Sangli’s enduring heritage and the evolving role of Indian women in shaping global narratives of empowerment, purpose, and elegance.

Navrachana Innovation Foundation-Supported Tech Startup Wins Third Prize at National IndiaAI I4C CyberGuard AI Hackathon

Vadodara | June 6, 2025 In a moment of pride for Vadodara and Gujarat’s innovation network, Voldebug Innovations Pvt. Ltd., a Cybersecurity Startup incubated under Navrachana Innovation Foundation has won Third Prize at the prestigious IndiaAI I4C CyberGuard AI Hackathon – a national-level competition organized by the IndiaAI Mission in collaboration with the Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre (I4C), under the Ministry of Home Affairs. The event formed as a part of the national initiative “IndiaAI – Make AI in India, Make AI Work for India” was led by Union Minister for Electronics & Information Technology, Shri Ashwini Vaishnaw. The event was held in New Delhi on May 30, 2025.

The hackathon brought together some of India’s brightest minds to develop AI-driven solutions aimed at enhancing the National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal (NCRP). Key challenge areas included Automated classification of cybercrime complaints, Detection of evolving cybercrime trends and patterns. It also focused on Interpretation of complex data inputs such as handwritten FIRs, screenshots, and voice recordings Among hundreds of entries, Voldebug’s solution stood out for its innovation and practical application. The award-winning team from young innovators Meet Bisht(Team Lead), Rohit Ganaka and Yukta Chauhan from Voldebug Innovations Pvt. Ltd. got 3 lacs of funds.

“We are immensely proud of Voldebug’s achievement at the national level. This recognition validates our vision to support transformative innovations that can shape the future of India’s digital infrastructure. The achievement emphasizes the growing strength of Vadodara’s startup system, particularly through the support of encouraging mediums such as Navrachana Innovation Foundation which is a Section 8 company of Navrachana University committed to nurturing innovations and converting ideas into market-ready products. As part of its mission, the Foundation’s Incubation Studio offers mentorship, infrastructure, and strategic support to startups in emerging technologies, especially in AI, cybersecurity, and digital transformation.” said Dr Sandeep Vasant, Director Navrachana Innovation Foundation.

With this recognition, Voldebug Innovations Pvt. Ltd. reaffirms its commitment to building cutting-edge AI-powered cybersecurity tools that contribute to a safer and smarter digital India

Marriott India strengthens the Green Commitment on World Environment Day 2025 Achieves Milestone of Planting 100,000 Trees

Mumbai, 06th June 2025: Marriott India proudly achieved its ambitious goal for World Environment Day 2025, a commitment to plant 100,000 trees across its extensive portfolio of over 150 hotels nationwide. This significant undertaking marked a powerful escalation of Marriott India’s dedication to sustainability and ecological restoration, building upon the success of its previous environmental initiatives.

This landmark endeavor was built upon the successful foundation of last year’s “Two Trees per Room” initiative, launched on World Environment Day 2024. That program, a cornerstone of Marriott India’s environmental stewardship, saw over 32,600 trees planted by more than 4,900 volunteers. This year, Marriott India scaled its impact exponentially, reinforcing its commitment to tangible environmental action and a healthier planet by setting and achieving this monumental new target.

To achieve this ambitious goal, each Marriott India property actively participated in localized tree-planting initiatives. This collective effort, in collaboration with reputable reforestation organizations, was designed to dramatically expand our collective green footprint. Trees were strategically planted in areas optimized for ecosystem restoration, biodiversity enhancement, and climate change mitigation, while also providing vital support to local communities.

“Marriott India is incredibly proud to have successfully achieved our goal of planting 100,000 trees, a testament to our profound dedication to environmental responsibility,” said Sanjay Gupta – Chairman of the Marriott India Business Council. “This ambitious goal truly underscores our belief that sustainability is not just a passing trend, but a fundamental pillar of responsible hospitality. We are committed to making a lasting, positive impact on our environment for generations to come.”

Courtyard By Marriott Navi Mumbai has pledged to plan around 400 trees. Over a 100 trees were planted around the walking path along the service road on the highway to make it greener and breathable.  One phase of the tree plantation drive took place at Navi Mumbai Municipal Corporation (NMMC) along with other Marriott hotels of the Navi Mumbai cluster.

Marriott India’s dedication extends beyond this signature initiative. We continue to implement a wide array of innovative practices aimed at minimizing our ecological impact, including energy-efficient operations, robust waste reduction programs, and responsible sourcing. By leading through example, Marriott India is committed to setting new benchmarks for sustainable hospitality within the industry.

Raffles Sentosa Singapore Hosts Grand Opening Celebration With an Exceptional Showcase of Culinary and Cultural Excellence

Mumbai, 6 June 2025 – Raffles Sentosa Singapore, the country’s first all-villa resort nestled within 100,000 square metres of lush tropical greenery, commemorated its grand opening with a spectacular celebration on Saturday, 17 May 2025. Hosted by The Royal Group, the exclusive event welcomed more than 500 distinguished guests from Singapore’s business and diplomatic circles for an immersive evening that highlighted the resort’s exceptional dining and event offerings.

The evening began with a ribbon-cutting ceremony at the resort entrance at 5:00pm, commemorating the grand opening of Raffles Sentosa Singapore. Guests were then invited on a curated journey through the property, experiencing first-hand the elegance of the resort’s lush tropical gardens, its five distinct dining destinations, and spectacular event spaces.

An Odyssey of Taste and Elegance

From arrival, guests were welcomed in Raffles Room with the resort’s signature Sentosa Sling, a refreshing twist on the Singapore classic made with lemons grown in the resort’s gardens, before embarking on a progressive culinary adventure across the resort.

Highlights included:

· Royal China, the resort’s refined Cantonese restaurant, where its signature Royal Peking Duck was served alongside Honey-glazed Kurobuta Pork and Roasted Pork Belly.

· IYASAKA by Hashida, the resort’s omakase-style Japanese restaurant, offered a contemplative tasting of seasonal delicacies like Hotaru Ika (firefly squid) and caviar served atop soft taco shells made from buckwheat flour.

·Empire Grill, the resort’s signature modern Italian dining venue, delivered an elevated canapé experience crafted by 48 chefs over 26 hours.

In total, 6,850 canapés were served, using caviar among other premium ingredients, complemented by celebratory bottles of champagne and Sentosa Slings.

The main event was held in Raffles Ballroom, a spectacular space with capacity for 400 banquet guests or 600 for standing events. Lavishly transformed for the evening, the ballroom featured food stations from each restaurant and a lineup of live performances, including soprano Seia Lee, jazz vocalist Alemay Fernandez with her band, and a roving performance by renowned Erhu soloist Calista Liaw.

Guests also toured the resort’s two grand ballrooms, each adorned with bespoke Lasvit chandeliers inspired by Singapore orchids, reaffirming Raffles Sentosa Singapore as a premier venue for prestigious occasions.

A New Benchmark for Celebrations

Designed for discerning travellers and curated events, Raffles Sentosa Singapore offers an unparalleled sense of privacy and personalised service. With villas starting from 211 sqm, each featuring its own private pool and terrace, and complemented by world-class dining, the resort sets a new benchmark for luxury hospitality in Singapore.

Welcome Home Experience

In celebration of the Grand Opening, guests are invited to enjoy the resort’s Welcome Home experience—a luxurious stay package including private roundtrip transfers, daily breakfast for two at Empire Grill, and a complimentary Sentosa Sling.

Indha: Redefining Sustainability Through Design Innovation; Training Rural Women To Become ‘Eco-Entrepreneurs’

New Delhi, June 06, 2025 – In a world increasingly defined by conscious consumerism and sustainability, Indha, a homegrown social enterprise, is emerging as a powerful model of how design, innovation, and rural empowerment can intersect to drive meaningful business and social change. Aimed at empowering women from underserved communities with skills that help them economically sustain themselves and live a life of dignity, Indha has trained and impacted 10,000 women and over 100 rural families positively. 

Founded in 2005 by World’s First Woman Airbus-300 Commander, Captain Indraani Singh, Indha began as a small initiative in Village Daulatabad, Gurgaon, to create sustainable livelihoods for underserved women. Today, it has evolved into ten full-fledged production and design units that repurpose CPUs, tablets, packaging wood, glass bottles, fabric waste, cardboard, and more – turning them into home décor, stationery, utility bags, and corporate gifts, all while preserving handmade excellence and traditional art.

“We’ve always looked inward – finding beauty, utility, and purpose in what’s already around us,” says Capt. Indraani Singh, Founder of Indha and Literacy India. “Our design thinking is rooted in frugal innovation – from making bags out of newspapers, using old sarees for children’s dresses, or converting waste wood into art. This ethos eventually led us to set up our own paper recycling unit. For us, sustainability isn’t a trend – it’s our foundation.”

Indha’s artisans – primarily women from rural and peri-urban communities – are more than just skilled craftswomen; they are producers, mentors, and eco-entrepreneurs. From managing production lines and developing new product concepts to training newcomers in embroidery, printing, papercraft, and stitching, these women play a central role in shaping Indha’s creative output.

Their collaboration extends beyond the physical workspace – WhatsApp groups serve as vibrant design forums where artisans and design leads share patterns, exchange ideas, and offer daily encouragement. Leveraging technology, including AI-powered design tools, Indha has built a dynamic, interconnected ecosystem where innovation and knowledge flow seamlessly across centres—fostering creativity, skill-sharing, and a strong sense of community.

Endorsed by Corporates: Conscious Gifting Goes Mainstream

In recent years, KPMG India, Orange, Dell, Intach, Teleperformance, Sita India, BioDerma, and other responsible businesses have partnered with Indha for sustainable corporate gifting and employee engagement initiatives. These partnerships not only support local artisans but also reflect the growing corporate shift towards ESG-aligned, purpose-led procurement.

Through a growing presence via exhibitions and institutional collaborations, Indha has established itself as a scalable, replicable model of circular economy that puts women, innovation, and responsible designing at its core.

As India deepens its focus on sustainability, skill-building, and climate resilience, stories like Indha’s serve as a powerful reminder: solutions can come from the grassroots.

Kosmc AI Raises $200,000 in Pre-Seed Round to Expand AI-Led Social Commerce Infrastructure

New Delhi, June 6th, 2025: Kosmc AI, a social commerce infrastructure startup, has raised $200,000 in pre-seed funding from a group of undisclosed angel investors across India and the Middle East. The capital will be used to strengthen its no-code product suite, grow its affiliate integrations, and expand operations across India and Southeast Asia.

Founded in 2024 by Ankur Gupta and Manavta Narula, Kosmc AI is building tools that address the growing disconnect between social media engagement and actual commerce. The company is focused on simplifying monetisation across high-traffic platforms like Instagram, WhatsApp, and Telegram, where selling remains fragmented and conversion rates are low.

Ankur Gupta, Founder and CEO, Kosmc AI said the company is solving a structural gap in the social internet. “Social platforms are now where discovery and engagement begin, but monetisation still relies on traditional e-commerce systems. Kosmc is building infrastructure that allows individuals and brands to convert conversations and content into commerce, without needing code, commissions, or technical complexity.”

Currently, the platform supports over 160,000 monthly active users across 25 countries, catering to digital-first entrepreneurs, content creators, and early-stage consumer brands.

Kosmc AI’s product suite consists of four primary tools includes link-in-bio storefronts for social media-based selling, chat automation tools to manage customer conversations, smart links to streamline mobile checkout experiences, and affiliate program infrastructure that connects brands with creators and micro-influencers.

Manavta Narula, Co-founder and COO, Kosmc AI said the company’s mission is to make the digital economy more accessible. “Commerce today needs to be creator-first, mobile-native, and frictionless. We are building tools that allow anyone to own their narrative, engage meaningfully, and earn from their presence online without heavy dependencies.”

The investment comes at a time when digital-first commerce in India is evolving beyond traditional storefronts. With short-form video, chat-based engagement, and creator-led marketing shaping user behaviour, Kosmc AI is positioning itself as a critical enabler of this transition.

As creator commerce becomes a mainstream growth lever for D2C and personal brands, Kosmc AI aims to build the foundational layer where monetisation is as fluid as content consumption.

RBI Surprises with 50 bps Repo Cut, 100 bps CRR Slash to Boost Liquidity and Support Growth

By- Badrish Kulhalli – Deputy CIO & Head, Fixed Income, HDFC Life

“RBI delivered a surprise in the policy today and has maximised its use of the monetary policy tools available, by cutting policy repo rate by 50 bps, and committing to maintain durable liquidity surplus in the coming months, through CRR cuts of 100 bps. The CRR cut is expected to add RS 2.5 trillion to the banking system.

The sharper than forecast softening of inflation, opened up room for RBI to deliver greater easing. Inflation forecast for the year was lowered to 3.7% from the 4.0% estimated at the previous policy meeting.

There has been no change in the growth forecast, at 6.5%, for the year. However, global events have increased the uncertainty associated with economic activity, and the larger than expected easing is intended to provide support and buffer against any potential headwinds to growth.

With the large cuts today, the MPC mentioned that the space for further easing is limited and hence changed the stance to ’neutral’, though keeping the door ajar for further action, if the growth-inflation developments warrant it.

We see the moves as prudent measures from RBI, as the markets were anyway expecting 50 bps cuts, through over two policy meetings, but the front loading will hasten the transmission of the rate cuts to banks’ lending rates.”

RBI surprises with a 50-bps rate cut, a 100-bps cut in Cash Reserve Ratio (CRR), and a change in stance to ‘neutral’ from ‘accommodative

By – Mr. Saurav Ghosh- Co-Founder of Jiraaf.

In a significant move, the Reserve Bank of India’s Monetary Policy Committee (MPC), led by Governor Sanjay Malhotra, has slashed the repo rate by 50 basis points to 5.50%, marking its third consecutive rate cut. This is a larger-than-expected reduction, accompanied by a shift in policy stance from ‘accommodative’ to ‘neutral.’

The RBI also cut the CRR by 100 bps to 3%, injecting Rs 2.5 lakh crore into the banking system in a phased manner. The move is aimed at boosting consumer spending by lowering borrowing costs across home, auto, and personal loans. However, savers are likely to earn less from fixed deposits and savings accounts. 

Despite the aggressive rate cut, the RBI has retained its GDP growth forecast for FY26 at 6.5%, while revising inflation projections downward to 3.7%, citing a benign core and soft food inflation outlook. The rupee weakened to 85.95 against the dollar post-announcement.

Governor Malhotra acknowledged positive monsoon signals but flagged global uncertainty, slower trade, and emerging financial risks—especially from tech disruptions like AI—as key challenges ahead.’

India’s Aviation Future Takes Flight: Leaders Reimagine Infrastructure for Viksit Bharat 2047

Mumbai, June 6, 2025 — In the lead-up to the India Passenger Terminal Show (IPTS) 2025Media Fusion LLC hosted a high-impact media roundtable in Mumbai, convening influential voices from the government, aviation, and infrastructure sectors. Held under the theme “Reimagining Airport Passenger Infrastructure through Innovation, Technology, and Sustainability,” the session offered critical insights into building airport ecosystems that are smarter, greener, and future-ready.

The roundtable brought together a distinguished panel of speakers: Joseph GoudaJoint Director, Indian Revenue ServiceSumeet SuseelanMember, Ministry of Civil Aviation (AAC), Government of IndiaGeetha Priya GSenior Director & Sector Head – Infrastructure & Airports, JLL IndiaNitin Sharma, DVP – Business Development, dormakaba, Mr. Vikram Falodiya, Head – Terminal Operations, Navi Mumbai International Airport, Nitin SharmaDVP – Business Development, dormakaba, and Taher PatrawalaManaging Director, Media Fusion LLC.

Discussions centred on India’s remarkable aviation trajectory—now the world’s third-largest domestic market, contributing 1.5% to national GDP and supporting 7.7 million jobs. Over the last decade, more than 85 airports have been developed, with a roadmap to scale that number to 350 by 2047 under the government’s Viksit Bharat vision. The roundtable highlighted both the opportunities and the urgency to reshape infrastructure in line with this growth.

Speakers outlined key priorities, including the need to bridge infrastructure gaps, reduce import dependencies, and enhance regional connectivity through the UDAN scheme. Strengthening digital ecosystems to manage rising cybersecurity risks was also identified as a crucial area of focus. With over $12 billion already invested in air transport infrastructure, India is setting its sights on capturing a $4 billion share of the global Maintenance, Repair, and Overhaul (MRO) market by 2031, with the aim of establishing itself as a self-reliant aviation hub.

The conversation also showcased a suite of transformative technologies shaping airport experiences: biometric-based Digi YatraAI-powered digital twinsintegrated multi-modal transport systems, and Net Zero, LEED-certified terminals were all cited as pivotal in creating globally benchmarked, passenger-centric infrastructure.

Reflecting on the evolving airport infrastructure development, Geetha Priya G, Senior Director – Infrastructure & Airports, JLL India, emphasised the need to build infrastructure that is resilient, adaptive and efficient. “Greenfield airports offer the luxury of blank canvas while brownfield sites push us to rethink with constraints for unique, smart and adaptive design solutions. The future lies in modular construction, digital first terminal cores that centralize operations, passenger movement and energy management. Early-stage collaboration is critical—drawing insights from operations, policy shifts, and tech trends helps avoid costly course corrections. We need a terminal design language rooted in sustainability, with built-in readiness for climate volatility, aging demographics, rapid digital changes and hybrid spaces that can handle intensity and downtime with equal ease. Aligning this vision with financial models that attract private investment is key to delivering infrastructure that’s future-ready and locally responsive.”

Reflecting on India’s growing aviation workforce demands, Sumeet Suseelan, Member, Ministry of Civil Aviation (AAC), highlighted the urgent need to expand training capacity and reform policy. “India is fast emerging as a global aviation talent hub, yet faces a significant manpower gap. While pilot eligibility has widened, training for cabin crew and ground staff remains limited to in-house airline programs. Opening this up to universities and private institutes is key to scaling talent and meeting both domestic and international demand. With inclusive frameworks and the right incentives, India can not only bridge its local workforce shortage but also position itself as a global training destination, strengthening our role in the international aviation ecosystem.”

Taher Patrawala, Managing Director, Media Fusion LLC, reflected on the vision behind IPTS, “While working on Aviation 360, we saw a clear gap—India lacked a dedicated platform for the entire airport ecosystem. The industry had to travel abroad for such events, so we built IPTS to fill that need. From our first meeting with the Adani Group—Mr. Vikram, being the first to commit, we’ve had overwhelming support. In just 12 months, we’ve brought together 60+ exhibitors, 50+ speakers from 10 countries, and over 2,800 attendees. IPTS isn’t just another event—it’s a milestone in shaping India’s aviation future, with the long-term vision of becoming a truly global platform.”

Nitin Sharma, DVP – Business Development, dormakaba, highlighted India’s leading role in redefining airport experiences: “India has transformed biometric travel with Digi Yatra, where your face becomes your boarding pass. We’re solving complex challenges—like group travel and one-click gate registration—while ensuring data privacy with automatic purging post-flight. Innovations like wider gates to prevent tailgating, now powered by AI and ML, were born from India’s unique needs and are setting global benchmarks. With under 10% of the population currently flying, we’re preparing for exponential growth by scaling smart, cost-efficient technologies. India’s rapid pace of innovation is not only enhancing domestic operations but creating airport solutions the world is now adopting.”

Joseph Gouda, Joint Director, Indian Revenue Services (IRS), highlighted the balance between security and seamless travel: “India’s aviation growth presents a dual challenge—securing borders while easing the journey for millions of law-abiding passengers. In Mumbai alone, we clear 22,000–25,000 international travellers daily, averaging 10-minute customs clearance. Our aim is to cut this to 5 minutes. By adopting AI, ML, RFID, and Advanced Passenger Information systems, we’re shifting from manual checks to smarter, targeted interventions. This transformation will make our infrastructure both more secure and passenger-friendly—essential for India’s aviation future.”

A spokesperson from Navi Mumbai International Airport, spoke on the need for collaboration and policy support to boost air connectivity. They also stressed the urgency of capacity expansion and said, “With surging passenger traffic, cities like Mumbai may need new airports by 2040. Despite the volume, our operational teams perform impressively, and Mumbai ranks high globally for efficiency. India has a real opportunity to transform its aviation ecosystem by 2047.”

Beyond infrastructure, the roundtable also delved into the human dimensions of the sector. Topics included empowering India’s aviation workforce, increasing women’s leadership in terminal design and operations, and creating a fertile ground for Indian startups to contribute meaningfully to the evolution of airport infrastructure.

The insights and collaborations shaped at the roundtable are expected to inform key dialogues and announcements at the IPTS 2025, on June 11 and 12, at Mumbai, which will convene over 3000 stakeholders in a nationwide effort to redefine the future of India’s airport infrastructure strategy.