Archives June 2025

Delhi, June 26, 2025 – The 14th edition of the India Warehousing Show (IWS) 2025 opened today at Yashobhoomi (IICC), Dwarka, New Delhi, reaffirming its position as India’s most trusted global platform for warehousing, logistics, automation, and supply chain innovation. The event commenced on June 26, 2025, with over 300+ exhibitors.

Over the years, India Warehousing Show has emerged as a powerful catalyst for growth and transformation in India’s supply chain landscape. The 2025 edition stands out with a robust showcase of innovations and technologies that are redefining efficiency, productivity, and sustainability across the logistics ecosystem.

The inauguration ceremony was graced by Shri Pankaj Kumar, Joint Secretary – Logistics, Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT), Ministry of Commerce and Industry, Government of India, who addressed the gathering as the Chief Guest and Keynote Speaker. Industry leaders, policymakers, and senior professionals from the industry attended the inauguration.

The key highlight of Day 1 was the soft launch of the E-Handbook on Warehousing Standards, a collaborative initiative between the Warehousing Association of India and Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT). It aims to standardize processes and practices across the warehousing and logistics sector in India.

Other major attractions were the product launch by Toyota Material Handling, which showcased its new Discel Focklift CEV 5 trucks, Delivery Robotics by Treewalker Automation and PLS Boxes by Swastik Industries and many more garnering strong interests from business professionals and technology stakeholders.

In the conference of day 1, many insightful, engaging sessions and panel discussions were held, covering how India can become a reliable supply chain partner, strategies for achieving logistical excellence, the importance of regulatory compliance in warehousing, and the rapid growth of quick commerce and instant delivery models. Moderated by industry leaders, the panels featured speakers from Warehousing Association of India, DPIIT, Mankind Pharma, NAFED, JK Cement, Lynkit, Sennheiser Electronics India Pvt. Ltd., Mankind Pharma, Association of Warehouse Developers, Hyperpure Zomato, Agarwal Packers and Movers, etc.

Commenting on the event, Shri Pankaj Kumar, Joint Secretary – Logistics, Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT), Ministry of Commerce and Industry, Government of India said, “Warehousing is the backbone of India’s logistics infrastructure and must evolve in alignment with national priorities like PM Gati Shakti and the National Logistics Policy. To unlock true efficiency, we must consolidate our fragmented warehousing landscape, integrate it with multimodal logistics, and drive the transition toward green, resilient, and inclusive infrastructure. From renewable energy adoption to skill development and social diversity, the future of warehousing must be sustainable, tech-driven, and people-centric.”

During the event, Mr. Umang Gupta, Country Head, RX India said, “The 14th edition of the India Warehousing Show this year has been developed specifically to showcase both conventional and digital technologies in Warehousing and Logistics space that will enable customers to modernize their logistics and supply chain mechanisms. With a focus on efficiency and cost competitive technologies from domestic and international manufacturers, India Warehousing Show this year brings buyers the most cost-effective solutions that will positively impact their business models. As the cornerstone event of the industry, I am happy that we could bring together the entire ecosystem from Government, Manufacturers, Suppliers, Buyers and Academia all under one roof. We look forward to an even bigger IWS in 2026 that will shape the future of India warehousing both at national and international levels.”

Varun Sharma, Head of Sales, RX India, added, “We are pleased to observe a great start on the Day 1 at the 14th India Warehousing Show. The event has built momentum in the industry. This platform continues to act as a link between innovation and enterprise, bringing together top brains, breakthrough solutions, and forward-thinking ideas to propel India’s logistics transformation ahead.”

The India Warehousing Show 2025, taking place over the next two days, offers deep involvement, impactful partnerships, and sector-wide insights. The event, which includes participation from prominent brands, startups, and international players, sets the tone for India’s logistics industry to become more flexible, connected, and tech enabled.

26th June 2025: The International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON India) will be organizing over 150 Rath Yatras of Lord Jagannath across the India in 100 cities and towns from Kerala to Punjab and Tripura to Gujarat between 27th June (Ashadha Shukla Dvitiya) to 5th July (Ashadha Shukla Trayodashi).

As part of ISKCON’s annual services to Lord Jagannath’s devotees during Rath Yatra, ISKCON monks and volunteers, with the support of Mr. Gautam Adani and Adani group, will be serving sumptuous prasadam along with fruit juice daily to over 2.5 lakh pilgrims in Puri, Odisha, from day of Rath Yatra till the next 11 days. Mr. Gautam Adani is also expected to personally take part in the Annadan seva at Puri in the coming days.

For over 50 years, ISKCON has spread the teachings and bhakti of Lord Jagannath all over the world through its 900+ temples in more than 80 countries. Today, hundreds of ISKCON temples have deities of Lord Jagannath wherein festivals like Snana-yatra and Rath Yatra are celebrated and countless devotees with deep devotion and cultural dignity, preserve the spiritual essence of these sacred events to practice Jagannath bhakti around the world.

Though the Vedic scriptures allow observing the Rath Yatra festival at different times of the year, considering the request of Gajapati Divyasingh Dev (the King of Puri), in 2021, ISKCON India decided to align the festivities in the 11-day period, even though it had a significant impact on the outreach efforts of introducing people to Lord Jagannath in places like Karnataka, Kerala, Tamil Nadu due to climatic conditions.

ISKCON’s scholars are currently in dialogue with the scholars appointed by the King of Puri and Sri Jagannath Temple Administration. ISKCON’s scholars have presented scriptural injunctions and evidence from the Vedas, Puranas and Itihasas to prove the religious authenticity of its Rath Yatra celebrations. The response from the Puri scholars is pending for the past several months.

“Today, even in India it is difficult to obtain permission to celebrate the Rath Yatra in many cities. It is stricter and more difficult to obtain permits in other countries, where the permission for public events is accorded only on certain days of the year. Moreover, the month of June-July are winter season in the Southern hemisphere and some places even witness’s snowfall. Besides that, most of the community members in places outside of India are either students or working people who find it very difficult to participate on working days” said Yudhistir Govinda Das, National Director of Communications for ISKCON India.

“We need to understand the original mood and purpose of celebrating the Rath Yatra festival which is for everyone, regardless of their race, gender, religion or nationality, an opportunity to receive the darshan and thereby the mercy of Lord Jagannath while seated on his chariot. Our intention has been to spread the bhakti and glories of Lord Jagannath, and we hope the King of Puri appreciates this noble effort and doesn’t deprive lakhs of people from Lord Jagannath’s mercy. We assure the King of Puri and Jagannath temple administration of our respect for the devotional essence, scriptural respect, and cultural sanctity of Lord Jagannatha’s festivals” he continued.

Since organizing the first ever Jagannath Rath Yatra in the western world at San Francisco in 1967, today ISKCON has made this festival a well-known event in cities like New York, Moscow, London, Sydney, Durban among others. Apart from introducing the teachings of Lord Jagannath to crores of people of various nationalities and ethnicities, ISKCON’s efforts have also significantly contributed to religious tourism of Odisha by inspiring thousands of devotees to visit every year Jagannath Puri and the related places of pastimes in the state.

Portfolio crosses ₹40 lakh crore; increase in term and unsecured loans reflects changing lender confidence.

Kolkata, 26th June 2025: CRIF High Mark, one of India’s leading credit bureaus, has launched its MSMEx (Micro, Small, and Medium Exposure) Spotlight Report – June’25, offering a comprehensive view of India’s MSME credit landscape. The report captures critical shifts in credit exposure, lender trends, borrower behaviour, and sectoral distribution, highlighting ecosystem evolving towards greater formalization and resilience.

The Mirco, Small and Medium credit exposure stood at ₹40.4 lakh crore as of March 2025, rising 20.1% year-on-year. This growth reflects the combined impact of policy support, digitalisation, and a sustained push for financial inclusion, which has expanded formal credit access across business segments. Micro credit businesses took a lead in loan volume, accounting for nearly 81.1% of all active loans, while small businesses made up the largest share by value, contributing just over 39.9% of the total portfolio.

A noteworthy trend observed is the steady shift towards formal business structures. Among micro credit borrowers, the share of proprietorships – while still dominant- declined from 65% to 62.8% over two years, while the share of private limited firms increased from 5.5% to 7.3%. This change signals an encouraging move toward business formalisation, likely aided by digital onboarding and targeted schemes like Udyam Assist. As of May 2025, over 6.4 crore enterprises were registered on the Udyam and Udyam Assist platforms, with micro businesses forming the vast majority.

On the lending side, public sector banks continue to lead in micro business lending, with 45% market share. In the small and medium business segments, private banks dominate, accounting for about 50% of the outstanding credit. NBFCs have steadily increased their footprint across segments, benefitting from regulatory support that classifies on-lending to small enterprises under priority sector norms.

The report also points to subtle shifts in credit product preferences. Working capital loans remain the most common across borrower segments, making up over half the portfolio. However, the share of term loans has increased for micro borrowers, rising from 37.5% to about 39.7%% over two years, suggesting growing lender confidence. Meanwhile, unsecured business loans have seen a rise from 5.0% to 8.5%, driven in part by digital lending platforms offering small-ticket loans.

Geographically, growth has been broad-based. Maharashtra leads in credit exposure, with a portfolio of ₹6.2 lakh crore as of March 2025, followed by Gujarat, Tamil Nadu, and Uttar Pradesh. All major states recorded double-digit growth, and most showed stable or improving asset quality. Tamil Nadu, for instance, saw its delinquency in the 91–180 days bucket improve from 2.4% to 2.0% over the year.

Commenting on the findings, Sachin Seth, Chairman CRIF High Mark and Regional MD, India & South Asia, CRIF said: “Micro businesses continue to drive India’s credit economy, accounting for 174 lakh active loans as of March 2025. Their total credit exposure has grown by 19.7% year-on-year to ₹10.8 lakh crore. This momentum has been driven by lender confidence, expanding digital infrastructure, and focused government initiatives that are helping bring more businesses into the formal fold. We are seeing a gradual shift toward more formal entities and increased adoption of unsecured credit, particularly through digital channels. This points to a segment that is expanding in both scale and credit maturity.”

The MSMEx Spotlight is CRIF High Mark’s flagship publication on India’s MSME Credit Exposure landscape. Built on granular credit bureau data, it offers valuable insights for lenders, regulators, and policymakers to track sector health, understand borrower shifts, and support responsible credit expansion.

“Micro, small, and medium enterprises form the backbone of India’s economy, contributing nearly 30% to the country’s GDP and employing over 110 million people. MSMEs are not just business entities—they are engines of innovation, livelihood, and inclusive growth.

In the laundry services sector, especially across urban hubs like Delhi-NCR, MSMEs play a transformative role by offering essential, hyper-local services that touch lives daily. Today, technology—particularly AI—is revolutionizing how MSMEs operate. From streamlining inventory and optimizing delivery routes to improving customer engagement, AI is empowering enterprises to become more efficient, agile, and resilient.

Government-led schemes such as the Credit Guarantee Fund Trust for Micro and Small Enterprises (CGTMSE) and PMEGP (Prime Minister’s Employment Generation Programme) are making it easier for businesses to access capital and scale sustainably. With rising demand for organized, tech-enabled laundry solutions, this sector stands at the cusp of exponential growth.

On this World MSME Day, let us reaffirm our commitment to strengthening India’s MSME ecosystem—one that fosters entrepreneurship, drives employment, and builds a smarter, cleaner future.” – Anant Bhan, Founder and CEO, Cloud Dhobi

What takes wall cabinets from ordinary to absolute showstoppers in living spaces?

While traditional wall cabinets with hinged doors hit the mark in delivering the basic performance expected of a wall cabinet—they fall short when it comes to offering the convenience users need day in and day out. Their horizontal opening style not only eats up valuable space but also restricts users from moving freely, with the fear of head bumps always lurking around the corner.

Also, what about creating a harmonious design—with a minimal gap layout and a clean, uninterrupted look? You won’t get that freedom with wall cabinets that have hinged doors.

Things get interestingly different with AVENTOS top by Blum.

These sophisticated lift systems—an upgrade to Blum’s trusted AVENTOS family—revolve entirely around two things: Exceptional practicality for everyday use and the creative liberty to design wall cabinets with elegance. From its ability to offer impeccable motion while opening, holding, and closing wall cabinet doors vertically—to the freedom of designing its doors with diverse materials and styles—the AVENTOS top is a modern necessity for any forward-thinking wall cabinet design. It makes for an ideal choice for wall cabinets that want to stand out in both design and convenience, regardless of the living spaces they’re used in.

Let’s get down to five things in AVENTOS top lift systems that make wall cabinets a class apart:

1. Mesmerising Vertical Motion – No Movement Restrictions, No Head Bumps.

The first thing that leaves users in awe about wall cabinets made with AVENTOS is their seamless upward glide. The lift systems move doors up and away from users, so they don’t have to worry about the door hitting their heads or feeling interrupted when storing and grabbing things from the wall cabinet.

2. Take the Already Smooth Motion to the Next Level with Motion Technologies.

Along with the vertical motion that is visually stunning, get wall cabinet doors to open with hardly any effort and close silently—just the way users will love. AVENTOS lift systems come integrated with BLUMOTION soft-close. Add SERVO-DRIVE (electrical) or TIP-ON (mechanical) motion technologies to open the cabinet doors with just a simple push.

3. Slimline Gap Layout and Handleless Doors for an Elegant, Minimal Look.

Feel free to design wall cabinets with diverse materials and styles. Use SERVO-DRIVE motion technology to open and close wall cabinet doors with a simple push—no need for handles. Create a virtually seamless look without handles and with a super-thin gap layout.

4. Invest in Lift Systems that have been tested for the long haul with 80,000 Test Cycles

AVENTOS isn’t your average lift system claiming to be long-lasting. They undergo up to 80,000 openings and closings, ensuring their quality and performance last through the test of everyday use in living spaces.

5. Choose an impressive opening style for wall cabinets throughout living spaces

Get complete control over how your wall cabinets open—bi-fold, up-and-over, lift-up, or stay-lift. Depending on cabinet dimensions—wide or small—and the kind of opening style that complements the interiors, you can choose an AVENTOS lift system for your wall cabinets. Given below are the choices:

• AVENTOS HF top: For bi-fold opening doors.

• AVENTOS HS top: For one-part doors that swing up.

• AVENTOS HL top: For one-part doors that lift up parallel to the cabinet.

• AVENTOS HK top, HK-S, HK-XS: For one-part doors that pivot up.

Rethink how you design wall cabinets with the AVENTOS top—enjoy more freedom to design, offer more convenience for everyday use, and leave your distinctive touch with every wall cabinet. Like a maestro masterfully staging his performance, stage your wall cabinets for living rooms, kitchens, bedrooms, and every living space that is in need of a long-lasting wall cabinet that does not miss a beat on style or convenience.

Key stakeholders unite to shape India’s transformative journey towards Viksit Bharat @2047

New Delhi, June 26, 2025: The Indian Chamber of Commerce (ICC), in association with Urban Infra Group, today inaugurated the RailTrans Expo 2025 at Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi. Themed “Viksit Bharat @2047 – Rail & Mobility for a Developed India”, the two-day event brings together government officials, infrastructure leaders, global mobility experts, and technology innovators to shape the next phase of India’s rail and logistics transformation.

The event featured compelling keynote addresses from prominent leaders, including Prof. (Dr.) Manoj Choudhary, Vice Chancellor, Gati Shakti Vishwavidyalaya; Mr. Rajeev Singh, Director General, Indian Chamber of Commerce; Mr. Vijay Sharma, Director, Jindal Stainless Ltd.; Mr. Kanishka Sethia, CEO, Western Carriers India Ltd. & National Chair – Logistics & Supply Chain, ICC; Mr. Kumar Keshav, Director, DB International Operations; and Mr. Sanjiv Garg, Secretary General, CILT India. The speakers collectively emphasized the strategic role of Indian Railways as a backbone of the nation’s economic growth, while highlighting the importance of innovation, sustainability, and skill development in shaping a resilient mobility future.

Emphasising the need of right talent, Prof. Dr. Manoj Choudhary, Vice Chancellor, Gati Shakti Vishwavidyalaya said, “India is at the cusp of a historic transformation in rail and logistics infrastructure, driven by a powerful mindset shift—from working in silos to building synergy through planning, execution, and innovation. Railways are no longer just a means of transit—they are symbols of connectivity, culture, and national unity. Through PM Gati Shakti, Amrit Bharat stations, digital public infrastructure, and our focus on talent, we are creating a future-ready, technologically empowered Bharat. At Gati Shakti Vishwavidyalaya, we’re proud to be building the human capital that will drive this change.”

Highlighting the need for global benchmarking, Director, Jindal Stainless Ltd, Vijay Sharma said, “Railways are not just about connectivity—they represent the spirit of a nation moving forward with ambition, sustainability, and technological intent. As we stand at a global inflection point, India is not merely participating in the future of mobility—we are shaping it. From hydrogen trains to digital twins, from circular design to corrosion-resistant materials, the focus must now be on innovation with accountability. Sustainability is not just about carbon—it must be people-friendly, planet-friendly, and prosperity-driven. To build infrastructure that lasts 50 to 75 years, our approach must go beyond cost—it must factor life-cycle value. And it all starts with mindset. If we get that right, India’s rail and mobility transformation will inspire the world.”

“As we build toward Viksit Bharat @2047, infrastructure is being redefined with data, speed, and trust at its core. From high-speed rail, bullet trains, and 5G-powered networks to AI-led predictive maintenance and carbon-neutral logistics—this is the dawn of a new mobility economy. With Vision 2047 in sight, let’s be the generation that unifies corridors, digitizes systems, decarbonizes supply chains, and innovates for the world.”, said Mr. Kanishka Sethia, CEO, Western Carriers India Ltd. & National Chair – Logistics & Supply Chain, ICC

Emphasizing ICC’s commitment to enabling industry progress Dr. Rajeev Singh, Director General, Indian Chamber of Commerce said, “India is on a transformative journey toward becoming a developed nation by 2047, and the foundation of this progress lies in our unprecedented infrastructure investments—especially in rail and core sectors. The government has taken the lead post-COVID, but it’s the industry that powers the momentum. Platforms like RailTrans Expo not only showcase innovation and technology but also create real business value. ICC remains fully committed to supporting the ecosystem—through policy advocacy, global outreach, and partnership facilitation—to ensure inclusive and sustained economic growth.”

As the nation marches towards its Viksit Bharat @2047 vision, this platform serves as a catalyst for collaboration, policy alignment, and technology adoption. With active participation from government, industry, and academia, the expo reaffirms India’s commitment to building a rail and logistics ecosystem that is not only world-class but also sustainable, inclusive, and future-ready.

Mumbai, June 26, 2025 – Galaxy Surfactants Ltd., a leading manufacturer of Specialty Care and Performance ingredients for the personal care, home care and beauty industry, has received the globally recognized International Sustainability and Carbon Certification (ISCC) PLUS certification for its manufacturing facilities in Taloja (Maharashtra) and Jhagadia (Gujarat) for their key performance products. With this key milestone, Galaxy becomes one of the pioneers among Indian chemical companies to be recognized under this certification system, reinforcing its commitment towards responsible sourcing and the development of low-carbon footprint products.

With this certification, Galaxy can now manufacture ingredients using raw materials that come from renewable, recycled, or circular sources. The ISCC PLUS system tracks the materials through a mass balance method, ensuring everything is traceable and meets strict sustainability rules, including greenhouse gas (GHG) reduction and responsible sourcing.

The certified products includes SLES (Sodium Lauryl Ether Sulphate), Betaines Phenoxyethanol, using sustainable feedstocks. While these versions are better for the environment, they still match the same high standards of quality and performance as the regular ones.

By offering these sustainable ingredients, Galaxy is helping its customers reduce their Scope 3 emissions, the indirect emissions that come from the products they buy. This supports not just their sustainability goals but also builds a more responsible supply chain across the industry.

Speaking on the achievement, Mr. Avinash Nandanwar, Head of Sourcing and Sustainability at Galaxy Surfactants Ltd., said, “At Galaxy, we see ourselves as a responsible corporate citizen committed to shaping a sustainable future. This certification is an important step forward towards meeting Galaxy’s sustainability goals & at the same time facilitating our customers in enhancing their sustainability footprint. We’re proud to lead the way with ingredients that are better for the environment and still deliver the expected results.”

Galaxy Surfactants is committed to responsible business practices and will continue to invest in sustainable innovation. The company also plans to extend this certification to its other manufacturing sites, and to broaden the scope to additional product lines. This strategic move reinforces Galaxy’s commitment to environmental stewardship, customer value, and global leadership in sustainable chemistry.

Attributed to: Rahul Sharma, Vice President – Sales, Salesforce India

India’s Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME) — over 5.93 crore strong — form the backbone of the country’s economy, contributing nearly 30% of the GDP. But for many small businesses, the challenge remains the same: how to do more with less, serve customers better, and stay competitive in a fast-evolving market.

The rise of AI is beginning to change this story. Today, AI-powered tools – including AI agents – that act as a limitless, always-on digital labor force – are making it easier for MSMEs to automate routine work, gain insights, and operate more efficiently — all without the need for large IT investments. Here are five ways MSMEs can leverage AI to drive productivity and growth:

1. Automate repetitive tasks and free up your team’s time

One of the most immediate benefits of AI is the ability to take tedious, repetitive work off your team’s plate. Tasks like meeting follow-ups, status updates, or reminders can now be automated through AI-powered tools, helping MSMEs reclaim valuable hours every week. They can also use the templates to get started quickly or create their own from scratch.

Additionally, AI agents can be deployed to handle routine queries, approvals, or simple task management. This means your teams can concentrate on more strategic work, such as enhancing customer service, launching new products, or exploring new markets.

2. Surface knowledge and insights, fast

Data is a powerful asset, but for MSMEs, valuable insights are often buried across emails, chats, and multiple apps. AI can help by consolidating this information, surfacing trends, and making insights easily accessible for smarter decision-making.

With AI-powered search, summarization, and insights tools, MSMEs can gain a deeper understanding of customer needs, track business performance, and identify growth opportunities — all without a dedicated data team.

3. Make AI accessible — even for non-technical teams

AI is no longer the domain of data scientists or large enterprises. Today’s AI tools are designed for everyday users, making it easy to streamline workflows, generate content, and automate tasks with just a few clicks.

For instance, Agentforce in Slack democratizes AI by allowing any team member to interact with AI agents as virtual teammates, without the need for technical expertise or complex training. This is a game-changer for MSMEs, enabling small teams to scale their capabilities with minimal resources.

4. Elevate customer experience with AI-driven personalization

Customer expectations are higher than ever, and MSMEs need to keep up. AI can help by providing deeper insights into customer behavior, personalizing interactions, and delivering faster, more responsive service.

By analyzing customer conversations and surfacing relevant insights, AI-powered tools can help MSMEs tailor their outreach, respond more effectively to queries, and build stronger, longer-lasting relationships.

5. Create a more agile, digital-first work culture

In today’s fast-paced environment, agility is crucial for MSMEs. AI and automation can help centralize information, streamline workflows, and enable seamless hybrid collaboration, fostering a work culture built for speed and flexibility.

Agentforce can tap into public and permissioned conversational data in your Slack workspace across channels, lists, and canvases to provide more contextually relevant responses. Workflow Builder helps automate key processes, while integrations with existing apps ensure that all work happens in one place — turning a platform like Slack into a true work operating system. With features like Slack Connect, MSMEs can also collaborate seamlessly with partners, suppliers, and customers — anytime, anywhere.

The result is a more connected, agile, and productive way of working — one that empowers MSMEs to innovate and scale, no matter their size.

AI is no longer a technology of the future — it’s here today, and it’s increasingly accessible to India’s MSMEs. By embracing AI and building a digital-first work culture, small businesses can unlock new levels of productivity, deliver better customer experiences, and drive long-term growth.

New Delhi, 26 June 2025: Axis Max Life Insurance Limited. (“Axis Max Life” / “Company”), formerly known as Max Life Insurance Company Limited, has unveiled the rural India findings of the seventh edition of its flagship survey – India Protection Quotient (IPQ), conducted in partnership with KANTAR, one of the leading marketing data and analytics company across the world. Capturing insights from over 155 villages across India, the survey delves into the aspirations, anxieties, and evolving protection needs of India’s rural population in their journey toward financial security.

As per IPQ 7.0, rural India’s Protection Quotient rose to 16, from 12 in IPQ 5.0. The Knowledge Index recorded a 7-point gain, yet this improvement has not translated to ownership, which remains one-third of urban India’s levels. While schemes liken Pradhan Mantri Jeevan Jyoti Bima Yojna (PMJJBY) have contributed to basic awareness, formal life insurance adoption continues to be low, particularly for term and savings-linked plans.

Prashant Tripathy, CEO and Managing Director, Axis Max Life said, “The IPQ 7.0 Rural Edition signals a defining shift — a rise in awareness and aspiration among rural Indians to secure their financial futures. However, the persistent protection gap is a clear call to action. As we collectively strive toward IRDAI’s vision of ‘Insurance for All by 2047,’ the onus is on the industry to reimagine how we serve Bharat — through simplified products, inclusive advisory networks, and technology-led delivery models. The future of life insurance in India will not only be shaped by innovation, but by our ability to respond to the evolving needs and ambitions of rural India with empathy and intent.”

Hyderabad – JUNE 26, 2025: ACME Solar Holdings Limited has emerged as the winning bidder for NHPC’s tender for cumulative capacity of 275 MW / 550 MWh standalone Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) projects in Andhra Pradesh across two projects at Kuppam and Ghani.

1. The company’s winning bid for Kuppam project was at a tariff of Rs 210,000 per MW per month with a capacity of 50 MW / 100 MWh.
2. Its winning bid for Ghani project was at a tariff of Rs 222,000 per MW per month with a capacity of 225 MW / 450 MWh.

The project requires system availability for two full operational cycles of two hours each every day. As part of the project, ACME Solar will receive viability gap funding of ₹27 lakh per MWh or 30% of the total project cost, whichever is lower.

This milestone further diversifies ACME Solar’s portfolio to include maiden standalone BESS projects to its existing portfolio of solar, wind, FDRE & Hybrid renewable energy projects. The auction was part of a tender issued by NHPC in February 2025 to enhance energy storage capacity in Andhra Pradesh

According to Mr Rahula Kashyapa, Chief Commercial Officer of ACME Solar Holdings,“We feel privileged for the opportunity to developNHPC’s standalone Battery Energy Storage System project in Andhra Pradesh. This milestone reflects ACME Solar’s commitment to pioneering innovative clean energy solutions that strengthen India’s grid reliability and accelerate the nation’s renewable energy transition. By deploying advanced storage technology at scale, we are proud to support Andhra Pradesh’s vision for sustainable growth and energy security. We look forward to delivering a project that sets new benchmarks for reliability, efficiency, and positive community impact.”