Archives January 2026

Entry-Level Digital Marketing Hiring Holds Steady, Setting the Stage for Skill-Led Growth in 2026: Kraftshala’s Hiring Trends Report 2025

New Delhi, Jan 30: Kraftshala, India’s leading outcome-focused edtech platform for marketing and sales, has released its Digital Marketing Hiring Trends Report 2025, highlighting sustained momentum in entry-level digital marketing hiring and a distinctly skill-driven outlook for 2026.

The report analyses over 750 entry-level roles floated through Kraftshala’s placement processes across its flagship programs, offering a data-backed view of how hiring patterns are evolving for early-career marketers in India.

Agencies continued to dominate entry-level hiring, accounting for nearly 70% of all roles. Brands, while recruiting fewer candidates overall, demonstrated a sharper focus on depth of skill and ownership. Notably, brand-side roles were 62% more likely to offer higher CTCs, reflecting expectations around analytical thinking, cross-functional collaboration, and direct business impact.

From a geographic standpoint, India’s major metros remained the primary hiring hubs. Delhi-NCR (30%), Bangalore (27%), and Mumbai (18%) together accounted for over three-fourths of all entry-level roles. At the same time, cities such as Hyderabad, Pune, Chennai, Ahmedabad, Jaipur, Kolkata, and Chandigarh showed rising participation, pointing to a gradual expansion of India’s digital marketing hiring footprint beyond the top three metros.

Workplace preferences remained largely consistent through 2025. As many as 91.5% of roles were in-office or hybrid, with employers continuing to prioritise collaboration, faster learning cycles, and hands-on problem-solving for early-career professionals.

The report also highlights a clear shift in demand toward high-impact roles. Growth marketing, e-commerce and D2C, programmatic, account management, and brand marketing emerged as some of the most sought-after—and better-paying—entry-level opportunities.

Commenting on the trend, Satish Kadu, CEO and Founder of YOptima, said,

“As brands push for measurable business outcomes, programmatic talent that can drive performance through data, automation, and cross-channel decisioning has become mission-critical.”

Expectations around AI proficiency at the entry level have also evolved. Shivaprasad Nair, Managing Director at Assembly Global, noted,

“AI is now basic hygiene for entry-level marketers. What sets candidates apart is learning agility—the ability to apply tools thoughtfully, interpret data, and adapt as workflows evolve.”

Sharing insights from the report, Varun Satia, Founder and CEO of Kraftshala, said,

“What 2025 clearly showed us is that entry-level digital marketing hiring in India is not slowing down—it’s maturing. As we move into 2026, there is real opportunity for candidates who build strong fundamentals and apply them thoughtfully. Recruiters are actively hiring, but they are being far more deliberate about the talent they bring in.”

The report also observes meaningful changes in recruitment processes. With the growing use of AI tools making resumes and assignments easier to standardise, recruiters increasingly moved away from automated screening. Instead, live problem-solving, case-based discussions, and practical exercises gained prominence—making hiring more competitive, but also more transparent for well-prepared candidates.

Chennai, INDIA, Jan 30:  Ramco Systems, a global enterprise software company offering next-generation SaaS-enabled platform and products, today announced the results for the third quarter of the financial year 2025-26.

For the quarter ended December 31, 2025 (Q3: 2025-26), the global consolidated income of Ramco Systems Limited stood at USD 20.35m (Rs. 180.02cr). The EBITDA for the quarter stood at USD 5.24m (Rs. 46.43cr) at 26%. With the recent changes in the Labour Code, after considering a one-time exceptional item of USD 2.43m (Rs. 21.5cr), the net profit after tax for the quarter stood at USD 0.36m (Rs. 3.26cr).

Results at a Glance:

Financial Highlights:

• Quarterly Order Bookings stood at USD 10.62m
• Recurring revenue remained stable at USD 11.29m
• With the Unexecuted Order Book at USD 149.74m, Ramco maintains a stable base for future execution and revenue realization
• Maintained a cash balance of USD 11.77m as of December 31, 2025

Business Highlights:

• Added marquee customers and deepened partnerships with existing clients:
  • A leading global IT services and consulting company selected Ramco to standardize payroll across multiple Middle Eastern markets, creating an AI-ready payroll foundation for insight-driven decisions.
  • A global real estate investment and fund management firm adopted Ramco Payce to scale and govern payroll for its Australian workforce
  • A multinational healthcare services and solutions provider chose Ramco to unify payroll across India and the Philippines
  • A US-headquartered defense contractor providing helicopter MRO services selected Ramco Aviation Software to provide end-to-end lifecycle coverage across its operations
  • An aviation charter services provider from Australia chose Ramco Aviation Software to modernize its operations
  • A world leading provider of jet and turboprop engines expanded its relationship with Ramco by choosing Ramco Payce for its payroll function across Southeast Asia, India, and the Middle East
  • A leading integrated media company in Asia selected Ramco Payce to unify and modernize its payroll ecosystem
• A global logistics company went live with Ramco Logistics Solution, transforming its fleet management operations across Australia, Indonesia and the Philippines
• Ramco Payce is certified as a Workday Global Payroll Connect (GPC) partner. This integration of Ramco’s multi-country payroll with Workday’s Human Capital Management (HCM) delivers seamless, accurate and scalable solutions for global enterprises.
• Recognized at the HR Vendors of the Year 2025 Awards, winning Best Payroll Software and Best Payroll Outsourcing Partner across Malaysia and Singapore

Abinav Raja, Managing Director, Ramco Systems, said, “As we progress through our modernization journey, we are expanding our technology teams with next‑generation talent. This focus would further enable us to accelerate product shipment, enhance quality, and deepen our AI and agentic capabilities. These steps are positioning us to deliver greater value to customers as we scale.”

Sandesh Bilagi, President & COO, Ramco Systems, said, “We have maintained steady revenue performance and sustained net profitability for yet another quarter. Project delivery remained on track, with our teams ensuring consistent go‑lives across engagements. Customer engagement quality has improved significantly, translating into stronger relationships and greater value delivery. With this operational rhythm firmly in place, our focus will now be on accelerating order closures in the coming quarters.”

Embark on a culinary journey across Asia with our Asian Hawker Dinner, curated to showcase the region’s most vibrant and authentic flavours in an elegant setting. The menu features comforting Asian-style Vegetable & Noodle Soup, alongside Korean and Thai-inspired salads. Interactive live stations bring to life delicacies such as Khao Suey, momo, and chaat, while the Far Eastern Curry Wagon presents fragrant Thai curries paired with jasmine rice.

The grills and mains highlight signature creations including Chicken Yakitori, Bird’s Eye Chilli & Lemongrass-marinated Fish, Kung Pao Chicken, Prawn XO Sauce, and Szechuan-style rice and noodles, complemented by select Indian favourites. To conclude, indulge in exquisite desserts such as Tub Tim Grob and Japanese Matcha Cheesecake.

Venue: The Trinity Square, Taj MG Road, Bengaluru

When: Every Friday | Dinner, 7:30 pm – 10:30 pm

Greater Noida West, Jan 30: TRG Group, a leading name in commercial real estate, has announced the launch of OneMart, its first modern retail destination, at TRG The Mall in Greater Noida West. Conceptualized as a modern, convenient, and customer-centric shopping destination, OneMart aims to deliver a seamless and value-driven shopping experience under one roof for families, working professionals, and the rapidly growing local community.

Spanning over 20,000 sq. ft., OneMart offers an extensive assortment of more than 10,000 SKUs across 8–12 core categories, catering to every household need. The product range includes food and groceries, fresh fruits and vegetables, beverages, packaged foods, personal care products, household essentials, kitchen and utility items, cleaning products, as well as seasonal and festive goods. The store also features a wide selection of private-label products, ensuring quality offerings at competitive prices.

Designed to enhance customer convenience, OneMart integrates contemporary retail services such as home delivery, loyalty programs, fast express checkout, and specially curated value packs. The store layout emphasizes effortless navigation with broad aisles, clearly labeled sections, effective product zoning, modern lighting, and dedicated “Value Deals” zones—reinforcing the concept of true one-stop shopping.

Commenting on the launch, Mr. Pawan Sharma, Managing Director, TRG Group, said:

“The launch of OneMart at TRG The Mall marks a significant milestone in organized retail for Greater Noida West. Our vision is to create a retail destination where convenience, quality, and affordability come together. OneMart is designed to make shopping easy, enjoyable, and rewarding, and we are confident it will set new benchmarks in smart retailing through its enhanced in-store experience and customer-focused approach.”

Strategically located within a 600-acre high-rise township catchment area, TRG The Mall serves a rapidly expanding population of over 5 lakh residents and establishments. As an anchor store, OneMart is expected to drive strong daily footfall, strengthen the mall’s tenant mix, and positively impact surrounding retail activity—positioning TRG The Mall as a prominent lifestyle and entertainment hub in the region.

OneMart further elevates the shopping experience through digital billing, app-based shopping assistance, digital price tags, and real-time inventory updates. By combining affordability, quality, and advanced retail technology, OneMart is set to redefine the standards of smart shopping in Greater Noida West.

Chennai, January 30: HDFC ERGO General Insurance Company, India’s leading private sector general insurer, successfully conducted the grand finale of the third edition of the State Insurance Quiz Junior– Tamil Nadu & Puducherry Chapter 2026.

After a series of exciting preliminary and semi-final rounds, the grand finale witnessed a spirited contest among eight top-performing teams. Team Srinuprasad and Ajesh from GHSS Kalkulam, Kanniyakumari, emerged as the champions of the quiz competition. Sibidharshan and Nikil from GHSS Palapatti, Namakkal, secured the first runner-up position, while Monisha and Anushya from GHS Vanavareddy, Kallakurichi, finished as the second runners-up. The winning team was awarded a cash prize of ₹1.5 lakh, while the first and second runners-up received ₹90,000 and ₹60,000 respectively. The remaining five teams were each awarded a cash prize of ₹30,000.

This year’s quiz witnessed an overwhelming response, attracting over 1,070 teams from Tamil-medium Government schools across 42 districts, a significant rise from the 530+ teams that participated in the second edition of the state level quiz last year.

Speaking about the initiative, Parthanil Ghosh, Executive Director, HDFC ERGO General Insurance, said, “Building financial confidence at a young age lays the foundation for a resilient future. As the lead insurer for Tamil Nadu and Puducherry, we remain deeply committed to strengthening insurance awareness at the grassroots and increasing the adoption of insurance products. What began as a modest initiative—State Insurance Quiz Junior–Tamil Nadu & Puducherry Chapter—with participation from just over 100 schools has grown to more than 1,070 teams in three years, reflecting the rising curiosity and understanding of insurance among students across the states. The success of the 2026 edition reaffirms the impact of this initiative and strengthens our resolve to continue nurturing financially aware and empowered young citizens.”

Since 2016, HDFC ERGO has been organising Insurance Quiz Junior on a national level to spread insurance awareness among next generation, engaging over 25 lakh students across Bharat. Building on this legacy, the company introduced the first-ever Insurance Quiz Senior for undergraduate students in 2025, drawing participation from 1,100+ students across 140+ cities.

As part of its broader insurance awareness efforts in the region, HDFC ERGO also concluded the 3rd edition of ‘Kapitu Varaam’ (Insurance Week) in collaboration with 29 non-life insurers. The initiative aimed to enhance public understanding of motor, health, home, shopkeeper and MSME insurance through multiple outreach activities, including pamphlet distribution, newspaper inserts and awareness drives across high-footfall locations, collectively facilitating ~ 17 lakh interactions.

Sidharth Pansari, Director of Primarc Group

“The upcoming budget can act as a strong confidence trigger for real estate if it prioritises homebuyer affordability, liquidity support for developers, and faster infrastructure-led urban expansion. A clear policy push in these areas would not only revive end-user demand but also accelerate sustainable, long-term growth across cities beyond the metros“.

New Delhi, Jan 29: ACFI is looking to the upcoming Union Budget to extend the policy momentum built over the past decade for betterment of Indian Farmers and agriculture by announcing more measures including halving the import duty on pesticides to 5 per cent.

In a representation to the government, Agro Chem Federation of India also made a strong case for rationalisation of GST on crop protection chemicals.

ACFI said the present government is continuously working towards the empowerment/ betterment of Indian Farmers and is supporting agriculture and farmers through various schemes, and subsidies.

The representation seeks more measures from the government to further help Indian farmers cultivate more cost-effectively.

While emphasising that farmers invest significant money in seeds, fertilisers, water, labour, etc., for farming, ACFI said pesticides serve as insurance that protects their crops.

Indian farmers need newer molecules for this purpose: the changing cropping patterns and agroclimatic conditions make it essential that farmers are provided with a broader range of cost-effective products.

“We suggest reducing the import duty from 10 per cent to 5 per cent to ensure that farmers receive the full benefit of newer, better technology. We believe that the decision should be made in the context of India’s overall agricultural strategy,”

Dr Kalyan Goswami, Director General, Agro Chem Federation of India.

“We should ensure that the highest-quality agri-inputs are made available to farmers at the best prices,” said Dr Goswami.

ACFI further said that the Government’s sustained efforts towards “farmer empowerment”, ranging from targeted subsidies and input support to credit reforms, digital infrastructure and marketing interventions, have created a progressive framework for agriculture.

Simultaneously, the 2025 GST reforms, by simplifying compliance, strengthening ITC mechanisms, and proactively reducing litigation, reflect a commitment to making GST a truly farmer- and taxpayer-friendly system.

Against this backdrop of reforms, ACFI has highlighted the critical incongruity in the taxation of agricultural inputs.

While fertilisers are rightfully taxed at a concessional GST rate of 5 per cent, pesticides continue to attract an 18 per cent GST rate, significantly raising the cost of cultivation for farmers.

Over 85 per cent of Indian farmers are small and marginal, with landholdings of less than 2 acres, and already face severe financial constraints and limited access to subsidy benefits.

Dr Goswami said that the higher GST burden on pesticides directly translates into increased cultivation costs, reduced affordability of vital crop protection solutions, and a risk of lower adoption, ultimately compromising productivity and food security.

Given that pesticides and fertilisers are complementary and essential inputs, both critical for ensuring yield security and farmer income, maintaining two separate and unequal GST slabs creates policy inconsistency. It undermines the principle of neutrality embedded in the GST framework.

“In alignment with the 2025 GST reforms’ objective of rationalisation and fairness, we humbly submit that the GST on pesticides may kindly be reduced to 0 per cent (exempt) as an essential agricultural input, or at least aligned with fertilisers at 5 per cent GST, ensuring parity across essential farm inputs,”

Dr Kalyan Goswami.

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman is scheduled to present the Union Budget on February 01, 2026 in the Lok Sabha.

Tagros Chemicals India has taken a significant step toward strengthening its global footprint with the acquisition of global brand assets related to Bayer AG’s Flubendiamide (FLB) active ingredient business across Latin America (LATAM), Europe, the Middle East and Africa (EMEA), and Asia-Pacific (APAC).

The definitive agreement includes solo and mixture formulations of Flubendiamide, along with a comprehensive portfolio of globally recognised trademarks such as BELT, FAME, FENOS, FENOS QUICK, BELT EXPERT, and TIHAN. This acquisition positions Tagros as a stronger global player in the Diamide insecticide segment, one of the most critical classes of modern crop protection solutions.

For Indian farmers, the acquisition translates into greater access to globally trusted, high-quality Diamide-based insecticides that deliver effective control of insect pests in key crops including rice, cotton, vegetables, pulses, and fruits. Flubendiamide-based products are known for their targeted mode of action, long-lasting efficacy, and favourable safety profile, enabling farmers to protect yields while supporting sustainable agricultural practices.

Backed by Tagros’ robust manufacturing capabilities, deep technical expertise, and strong understanding of local agronomic conditions, farmers in India are expected to benefit from improved product availability, consistent quality, and enhanced technical support. The move reinforces Tagros’ long-term commitment to boosting farm productivity, reducing crop losses, and strengthening food security.

Globally, the acquisition provides Tagros immediate access to markets across more than 25 countries, significantly expanding its presence in Latin America, Europe, the Middle East, Africa, and Asia-Pacific. It also consolidates the company’s leadership position in the Diamide segment, enhancing its ability to serve diverse agricultural markets worldwide.

Commenting on the transaction, the company said,

“This acquisition marks a defining moment in Tagros’ growth journey. By combining Bayer’s globally established Flubendiamide portfolio with Tagros’ scale, manufacturing strength, and technical depth, we are well positioned to deliver reliable and innovative crop protection solutions to farmers across geographies.”

The transaction also marks Tagros’ strategic entry into the B2C formulations space. The acquired formulations portfolio will be housed under Arqivo, Tagros’ newly established entity focused on branded formulations and direct farmer engagement. Through Arqivo, Tagros aims to build strong farmer-centric brands, enhance on-ground outreach, and deliver solutions tailored to local agronomic needs.

Overall, the acquisition accelerates Tagros’ transformation from a predominantly active-ingredient-focused company into an integrated global crop protection player with strong downstream capabilities. By strengthening customer relationships, enhancing brand equity, and expanding its value chain presence, Tagros is well positioned to create long-term value for farmers in India and across global markets through science-driven, sustainable crop protection solutions.

Hyderabad, jan 29: With Om Shanti Shanti Shantihi set for a global release on 30th  January 2026 across 400 screens worldwide, MovieVerse Studios continues to deepen its  presence across Andhra Pradesh and Telangana, reaffirming its commitment to championing  strong regional narratives with pan-Indian and global appeal. The film will release extensively  across Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, along with international territories  including the USA, Canada, the UK and Australia.  

The film marks MovieVerse’s first Telugu feature film to release worldwide, underscoring the  studio’s strategic and long-term foray into the Telugu film market and its focus on building  scalable regional franchises with global reach.  

Speaking about the larger content philosophy that drives the company,  Aditya Pittie, Managing Director, The EPIC Company, said,

“At The EPIC Company, we see  ourselves as a 24/7 story factory with zero downtime, built to serve audiences globally through  consistent, high-quality storytelling across platforms. MovieVerse Studios represents our focused  push into theatrical filmmaking, aligned with our vision of creating scalable, market-ready  content. Om Shanti Shanti Shantihi marks MovieVerse’s first Telugu feature film and a significant  milestone in our strategic entry into the Telugu film ecosystem. Our focus remains on expanding  meaningful content across languages, formats and markets while building long-term value in key  regional industries.”  

Sharing MovieVerse’s approach to collaboration and regional storytelling,  Vivek Krishani, Chief Executive Officer, MovieVerse Studios, added,

“At MovieVerse, we are  keen to collaborate with regional storytellers and take powerful, native Indian stories to national  and global audiences. Rooted stories have the strongest wings, and Om Shanti Shanti Shantihi is  a natural step in our journey into the Telugu market. Telugu cinema is not just an industry it’s an  emotion. If one wants to truly understand emotion in cinema, they learn it from Telugu films. This  film is an important milestone as we continue to build long-term relationships within the Telugu  film industry.”

With hands-on involvement across production, marketing and distribution, MovieVerse has  steadily positioned itself as a trusted name in both mainstream and regional cinema. The studio  aims to build on this momentum by backing films that balance creative ambition with commercial  relevance.  

As MovieVerse strengthens its roots across Andhra Pradesh and Telangana, audiences can look  forward to a compelling slate of stories that celebrate regional voices while resonating across  markets signaling a strong and sustained future for the studio in South Indian cinema.  

New Delhi, Jan 29: Prayagraj witnessed a vibrant cultural evening at the Magh Mela as the Department of Culture, Government of Uttar Pradesh, continued its daily cultural programs at the Ganga Pandal. The event was marked by a captivating devotional music performance by renowned bhajan singer Rajeev Acharya, who mesmerized the audience with his soulful renditions and spiritual energy.

Large numbers of devotees and music lovers gathered from far and wide to experience Rajeev Acharya’s live performance. His powerful and melodious bhajans created an atmosphere of devotion and enthusiasm across the venue. Songs such as “Padhare Phir Se Mere Ram,” “Chalo Phir Se Ayodhya Nagariya,” “Hey Mere Ram,” “Madho Madho Man Ka Maan Tyago,” and several other devotional and love-themed bhajans deeply connected with the audience and held them spellbound.

Rajeev Acharya’s devotional music enjoys immense popularity on social media platforms. His bhajan “Padhare Phir Se Mere Ram” recently achieved the top position on Instagram trending, further highlighting his growing influence among listeners across generations. During the performance, the crowd responded with great excitement, swaying and dancing to bhajans like “Avadh Ke Dulare Ram Suno” and “Dharm Dhwaja Mere Saath Thaam Lo,” which energized the entire gathering.

Speaking on the occasion, Rajeev Acharya said,

“The love and appreciation I receive from listeners for my bhajans is a matter of great pride and honor for me. It is equally important that the younger generation comes forward to embrace, preserve, and promote India’s rich cultural and spiritual heritage through music and art.”

The program concluded with a felicitation ceremony, where Rajeev Acharya and all the accompanying artists were honored for their outstanding contribution to devotional music and cultural enrichment. The evening left a lasting impression on the audience and reinforced the spirit of devotion and tradition at the Magh Mela, Prayagraj