Archives February 2026

Feb 04: This Valentine’s Day, Choko La invites couples, friends, and families to celebrate love in its most indulgent form with a thoughtfully curated collection of artisanal chocolates, celebratory cakes, and bespoke gifting experiences. Designed to complement every kind of love story, the Valentine’s collection blends craftsmanship, emotion, and premium presentation—making every gift feel truly special.

By:- Dinesh Kanabar, CEO and Chairman, Dhruva Advisors, on the India- US Trade Deal

The India–US FTA is far more than a trade arrangement—it signals a strategic reset in the economic partnership between the world’s oldest and largest democracies. Coming close on the heels of the India–UAE agreement, India has now effectively stitched market access with the most dynamic consumption and investment hubs. For Indian business, this is not incremental—it is transformational. It opens predictable entry into high-value supply chains, technology collaboration and services mobility that were earlier constrained by tariff and regulatory frictions.

Sectors with deep Indian capability stand to gain immediately. Textiles and apparel can re-emerge as global champions with duty rationalisation and rules-of-origin clarity. Pharmaceuticals and life sciences will benefit from faster approvals and trusted-partner frameworks. Fisheries, agri-processing and speciality chemicals gain scale through assured demand and standards alignment. Equally important is the signal to investors: India is now part of a coherent trade architecture spanning the Gulf and the US, offering a reliable alternative to concentrated sourcing elsewhere.

If executed with speed, this pact can redefine India from being a market to being a production base for the world—exactly the pivot our growth story needs.

Mumbai, Feb 04: Audi India today unveiled My Auras, a first-of-its-kind in-vehicle experience designed to redefine luxury vehicle ownership through a deeply personalised, multi-sensory driving journey. The innovative feature blends intuitive technology with emotional well-being, creating an atmosphere of tranquillity, comfort, and connection between the driver and the vehicle.

A testament to Audi’s philosophy of Vorsprung durch Technik, My Auras transforms every drive into a curated experience by seamlessly integrating technology, mood, and lifestyle. Available through myAudi Connect and integrated directly into compatible Audi vehicles, the feature elevates ownership beyond mobility into a hyper-personalised lifestyle experience.

The My Auras interface offers one-touch access to a range of in-car functions, including ambient lighting, climate control, aromatisation, massage and ventilation settings, along with integrated Apple Music—allowing drivers to create the perfect atmosphere effortlessly.

Commenting on the launch, Balbir Singh Dhillon, Brand Director, Audi India, said,

“At Audi India, Vorsprung durch Technik is about creating experiences that adapt to our customers’ lives. In line with our customer-centric approach, My Auras represents our vision of hyper-personalised luxury. Today’s users expect technology that understands their moods and moments, and My Auras delivers that—ensuring every drive feels intentional, whether calming, energising, festive or celebratory.”

Key Highlights of My Auras

One-click multi-sensory control:
Drivers can activate a complete in-car atmosphere with a single touch, simultaneously adjusting lighting, music, temperature, seat comfort, massage functions and ventilation—eliminating the need to manage multiple settings individually.

Redefining stress-free driving:
Designed to promote relaxation and mental well-being, My Auras helps users unwind during daily commutes and long journeys. Integrated access to roadside assistance and vehicle service features further enhances peace of mind.

Celebrating life’s moments:
Recognising that driving is an extension of everyday life, My Auras offers customisable festive themes aligned with cultural and seasonal celebrations. A special birthday mode can also be activated automatically, creating a memorable and personalised in-car experience.

The My Auras feature scales intelligently across Audi India’s portfolio, including the Audi A4, Q3, Q3 Sportback, Q5, A6, Q7, Q8, RS Q8 and Q8 e-tron models. Customers can access the experience via the myAudi Connect app on their iPhones or directly through the vehicle’s infotainment system.

My Auras is designed exclusively for iOS users and is supported on select iPhone models and iOS versions. Feature availability applies to Audi vehicles from Model Year 2024 onwards.

Chennai, Feb 04: Axis Bank, one of India’s largest private sector banks, today announced its financial results for the third quarter of FY26, reporting a net profit of 6,490 crore.

The Bank’s Net Interest Income (NII) rose 5 percent year-on-year and 4 percent quarter-on-quarter to 14,287 crore during Q3 FY26, supported by steady balance sheet growth. Net Interest Margin (NIM) for the quarter stood at 3.64 percent.

On a quarterly average balance basis, total deposits grew 5 percent quarter-on-quarter and 12 percent year-on-year. The MEB CASA ratio remained strong at 39 percent, continuing to be among the best across large peer banks.

Asset quality showed further improvement, with Gross NPA and Net NPA ratios declining to 1.40 percent and 0.42 percent respectively as of 31 December 2025, compared to 1.46 percent and 0.44 percent as of 30 September 2025.

Fee income for the quarter grew 12 percent year-on-year to 6,100 crore. Retail fees increased 12 percent year-on-year and contributed 71 percent of the Bank’s total fee income, reflecting the strength of its retail franchise.

The overall Capital Adequacy Ratio (CAR) stood at 16.55 percent, while the CET-1 ratio improved by 7 basis points quarter-on-quarter to 14.50 percent, underscoring a robust capital position.

Axis Bank’s wealth management business continued to scale, with Assets Under Management reaching 6,87,738 crore as of 31 December 2025, registering growth of 7 percent quarter-on-quarter and 8 percent year-on-year.

The Bank’s domestic subsidiaries delivered steady performance, reporting a combined profit after tax of 1,490 crore for the nine months ended FY26, up 6 percent year-on-year.

As of 31 December 2025, Axis Bank’s distribution network comprised 6,110 domestic branches and extension counters, along with 281 Business Correspondent Banking Outlets across 3,315 centres, compared to 5,706 branches and 202 BCBOs across 3,122 centres a year earlier.

Commenting on the performance, Amitabh Chaudhry, Managing Director and CEO, Axis Bank, said,

“Our progress this quarter reflects our focus on creating solutions that matter—simplifying access to credit, reimagining digital banking, and investing in talent and ideas that will shape the future. We will continue strengthening our competitive edge by modernising platforms, empowering our teams, and staying ahead of evolving customer behaviour through smart and innovative solutions.”

Noida, Feb 04: UFlex Limited, India’s largest multinational flexible packaging and solutions company, will unveil a range of innovative solutions across the packaging value chain at PLASTINDIA 2026. These offerings address key industry priorities such as advanced machinery, innovative films, PET resin, high-performance chemicals, precision printing cylinders, and EPR-compliant sustainable solutions, with a strong focus on material performance, process efficiency, sustainability, and circularity.

Leading with advanced manufacturing, UFlex’s Engineering Business will present its latest high-performance converting machinery, including flexo and gravure printing machines, solventless laminators, and high-speed slitters. These solutions are designed to enhance operational excellence, productivity, and sustainability for flexible packaging converters worldwide.

A key highlight will be the unveiling of a breakthrough in printing technology engineered for unmatched precision, faster job changeovers, and consistent high-speed performance. Integrating automation, accuracy, and sustainability, this innovation aims to redefine modern printing efficiency and set new benchmarks in engineering excellence for the flexible packaging industry.

Strengthening performance across every stage of packaging, from raw materials to advanced solutions, UFlex’s Packaging Films and PET Resin Business will showcase its comprehensive product portfolio. These solutions deliver superior clarity, mechanical strength, and process stability across diverse packaging applications.

The company will also present its upcoming 100 percent rPET Bottle-to-Bottle (B2B) advanced recycling capability, supporting brands in meeting EPR compliance while enabling sustainable rigid packaging across beverages, cosmetics, and personal care sectors.

The Chemicals Business will display a comprehensive portfolio of inks, adhesives, and coatings for flexible packaging, offset, narrow web, corrugation, décor, and construction applications. Built on R&D-driven formulations and application-focused design, the portfolio includes high-performance solventless PU adhesives, solvent-based white adhesives with excellent opacity, water-based inks with low VOC and fast drying properties, and high-performance PU inks delivering colour consistency at high production speeds.

Additionally, the Printing Cylinders Business will showcase high-precision gravure printing cylinders engineered for consistent print quality, faster turnaround times, and reduced production waste through advanced surface engineering and integrated manufacturing. These solutions enable improved process control, print accuracy, and extended cylinder life, aligning quality excellence with sustainability goals.

Visit UFlex at B2, Hall 12, Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi, from February 5–10, 2026, to explore these innovations and engage with experts on how UFlex’s technology-driven approach is shaping the future of the packaging industry.

Chandigarh,  Feb 04: A first-of-its-kind regional convening on ‘Building Circular, Low-Carbon Supply Chains for Agri-Fibre Pulp & Paper Packaging in Punjab & Haryana’ was held yesterday at Hyatt Regency Chandigarh. The roundtable, which was co-presented by Asar, a social impact advisory focused on solution driven climate resilience and environmental nonprofit, Canopy, brought together officials from the Punjab and Haryana governments, representatives from the pulp and paper industry, farmer organisations, brands, and sustainability experts to initiate a shared understanding of how crop residue can be transformed into low-impact, low-carbon packaging materials.

This initial dialogue marked the beginning of a consultative process to explore the potential of paddy straw, wheat straw, and other crop residues as valuable industrial inputs.  Discussions focused on understanding current practices, identifying system gaps, and learning from experiences across the value chain, from farm to factory to market.

Punjab and Haryana together generate over 35 million tonnes of crop residue annually. While much of this biomass remains underutilised or burned, participants discussed how it could become a climate-positive resource that supports clean air, reduces carbon emissions, and creates additional income streams for farmers. The dialogue reframed farmers as key partners in circular supply chains, contributing not only to food security but also to sustainable raw materials for India’s growing packaging sector.

Gurmeet Singh Khuddian, Hon’ble Minister for Agriculture & Farmers’ Welfare in Punjab Government, said, 

“aid that the Punjab Government is continuously working to promote sustainable management of crop residue. He stated that such discussions and joint platforms help policymakers, industry, and farmers understand how crop residue can be better and more sustainably used in value-added industries while addressing environmental challenges and supporting farmers’ incomes.

He further said that India already has the capacity to produce pulp and paper based on agricultural residue, which demonstrates the technical and commercial potential of this sector. In the context of the growing demand for sustainable packaging from the e-commerce, FMCG, and retail sectors, agriculture-fibre-based paper and corrugated packaging solutions hold strong potential to drive regional economic growth, create new industries, and generate employment opportunities in rural areas, while aligning with environmental priorities.”

India already produces around 1.5 million tonnes of pulp and paper from agri-residues across 23 mills, demonstrating technical feasibility at scale. With rising demand from e-commerce, FMCG, and retail sectors for sustainable packaging, agri-fibre-based paper and corrugated solutions present a strong opportunity for regional economic growth aligned with environmental priorities.

Shyam Singh Rana, Hon’ble Minister for Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare in the Haryana Government, said, 

“Haryana’s industrial base provides a strong foundation for circular manufacturing. This dialogue helps us understand how crop residue can be integrated into low-carbon packaging supply chains in a way that benefits both industry and the environment.”

The meeting emphasised the complementary strengths of both states. He shared, Haryana has abundant feedstock and strong policies for crop residue management, and our government is committed to crop residue management and is moving forward in this direction together with our farmers. Haryana also has advanced pulp and paper mill clusters in Yamuna Nagar and Panipat, along with emerging biofuel and industrial infrastructure.

Today, both Haryana and Punjab are progressing in the agricultural sector, and the challenges faced by both states are also similar. The governments of Haryana and Punjab, working together with farmers, can find solutions to the problem of stubble burning through crop residue management. These two states provide an opportunity to explore a regional circular bioeconomy model that connects farmers with processing industries and end markets.

Crop residue management is emerging as a very large industry, and in the coming days we will achieve zero stubble burning”, he said.

The convening highlighted the complementary strengths of both states. Punjab brings abundant feedstock and strong ex-situ crop residue management policies, while Haryana offers advanced pulp and paper mill clusters in Yamuna Nagar and Panipat, along with emerging biofuel and industrial infrastructure. Together, the two states present an opportunity to explore a regional circular bio- economy model that links farmers with processing industries and end markets.

Vinuta Gopal, Chief Executive Officer, Asar, said,

“Crop residue should be seen not as waste, but as a valuable resource. This first dialogue is about understanding how Punjab and Haryana can unlock this potential in ways that benefit farmers, reduce pressure on forests, and support India’s transition to low-carbon materials.”

Participants also acknowledged key challenges requiring deeper assessment, including underutilised residue collection and aggregation systems, limited participation of small and marginal farmers, weak linkages between collection and industrial use, and insufficient policy focus on packaging as a high-value application of crop residue.

Shruti Singh, Country Director, Canopy, said,

 “Forest based supply chains for paper, packaging, and textiles are entering a period of real climate risk. Crop residues offer India a practical, low-carbon alternative that works for the industry. By bringing governments, mills, farmers, innovators and brands into the same room, this dialogue is about understanding what it will take to scale agri-residue based circular supply chains in Punjab and Haryana. This region has the potential to lead India’s shift toward Next Gen materials.”

Participants agreed on the need for continued dialogue and the exploration of a Punjab–Haryana Working Group to assess infrastructure, policy, and investment needs. The convening helped build a shared understanding of key challenges and opportunities, marking an important first step in positioning crop residue as a resource for low-carbon packaging and farmers as partners in circular supply chains.

Mumbai, Feb 04: Indian Energy Exchange, recorded its highest-ever monthly electricity traded volume of 13,050 million units (MU) in January 2026, registering a robust 19.6 percent year-on-year growth. During the month, a total of 23.91 lakh Renewable Energy Certificates (RECs) were traded on the platform.

According to government data released in January 2026, India’s total energy consumption stood at 142.74 billion units (BUs), reflecting a 3.8 percent increase year-on-year. Higher availability from hydro, wind and solar generation, coupled with sustained coal-based supply, significantly improved supply-side liquidity on the exchange. This led to a notable decline in electricity prices across key market segments.

The market clearing price in the Day-Ahead Market (DAM) averaged ₹3.86 per unit in January 2026, marking a 12.9 percent year-on-year decline. Similarly, the Real-Time Market (RTM) price averaged ₹3.72 per unit, down 15.9 percent year-on-year. These lower prices enabled distribution companies and commercial and industrial consumers to meet demand at competitive rates while replacing higher-cost power procurement.

Electricity Market Performance

The Day-Ahead Market (DAM) recorded a traded volume of 6,182 MU in January 2026, compared to 6,015 MU in January 2025, reflecting a 2.8 percent year-on-year increase.

The Real-Time Electricity Market (RTM) witnessed strong growth, with volumes rising to 4,638 MU from 3,036 MU in January 2025, registering a significant 52.8 percent year-on-year increase.

The Day-Ahead Contingency and Term-Ahead Market (TAM)—covering contingency, daily, weekly and monthly contracts up to three months—traded 1,397 MU during the month, up 26.2 percent year-on-year from 1,107 MU in January 2025.

Green Market Performance

The IEX Green Market, which includes the Green Day-Ahead Market (G-DAM) and Green Term-Ahead Market (G-TAM), achieved a traded volume of 832 MU in January 2026, compared to 752 MU in January 2025, recording a 10.7 percent year-on-year growth. The weighted average price in the Green Day-Ahead Market stood at ₹4.06 per unit, declining 12.5 percent year-on-year.

Renewable Energy Certificate Market

A total of 23.91 lakh RECs were traded across sessions held on January 14 and January 28, 2026, at clearing prices of ₹339 per REC and ₹333 per REC, respectively. REC traded volumes declined 37.1 percent year-on-year during the month.

The next REC trading sessions on the Exchange are scheduled for February 11 and February 25, 2026.

Motorola Kicks Off “Football is Calling” Campaign, Powering the Passion of Fans, as Official Smartphone Partner of the FIFA World Cup 2026™

Mumbai, Feb 04: Motorola, a global leader in mobile technology and innovation, today announced the launch of its global campaign “Football is Calling” as the Official Smartphone Partner of the FIFA World Cup 26™. Designed to connect with billions of football fans worldwide, the campaign celebrates the passion, emotion, and identity of fandom, empowering supporters to capture, share, and relive their FIFA World Cup™ experiences through Motorola smartphones.

Every four years, the FIFA World Cup takes over the world – changing routines, sparking late-night celebrations, and uniting billions through football fever. The last tournament alone saw hundreds of millions of posts and billions of social interactions, proving just how powerful the beautiful game is.

In India, fans live every goal, every reaction, every rivalry, from watch parties to social feeds and short-form videos – all on their smartphones. With “Football is Calling”, Motorola doesn’t just sponsor the game; it puts itself at the heart of every fan’s journey, turning everyday you into fan you.

At the core of the campaign is a hero film developed in collaboration with Matter + Energy, capturing the raw energy of football fandom. The film traces a fan’s FIFA World Cup journey—from the thrill of securing tickets to the unforgettable highs of celebrating iconic moments with fellow supporters. Throughout this journey, Motorola devices play a central role, enabling fans to capture emotion, amplify expression, and carry the electricity of the tournament wherever they go – reminding them that when football is calling, fans you always answer.

In India, football isn’t just a game; it’s a celebration and it’s a cultural phenomenon. Fans light up stadiums, streets, and screens alike, sharing every goal, cheer, and rivalry online. Motorola, being India’s leading smartphone brands, is right there with them, enabling fans to capture and share their World Cup moments with stunning clarity and speed. Motorola is amplifying this culture, empowering fans to engage, share, and make every football moment unforgettable.

Speaking on the campaign, Mr. T.M. Narasimhan, Managing Director, Motorola India, said,

 “With the ‘Football is Calling’ campaign, our goal was to bring the spirit of the FIFA World Cup closer to fans by putting both people and technology at the heart of the experience. Through thoughtful design, advanced AI, and powerful cameras, Motorola devices empower fans to capture the energy of the crowd, the emotion of every goal, and the joy of sharing those moments in real time. In markets like India, where fans experience the World Cup through their phones, our devices help them stay connected to every match, creating and sharing memories as they happen.”

Feb 04: Vietjet Aviation Joint Stock Company reported strong revenue and profit growth in the fourth quarter and full year of 2025, underscoring the airline’s flexible and effective operational capacity. As part of its international growth push, the airline expanded its footprint in India with the launch of two new routes in 2025, enhancing direct connectivity between India and Vietnam and supporting rising leisure and business travel demand. These results provide a solid foundation for Vietjet as it enters 2026 with ambitious global growth strategies.

Effective operations sustain profit growth momentum

According to its financial statements, Vietjet recorded separate revenue of VND29.035 trillion (approx. US$1.11 billion) in Q4/2025, marking a YoY increase of 47%. Separate revenue for the full year reached VND81.426 trillion (approx. US$3.13 billion), up 14% YoY.

In 2025, Vietjet’s consolidated revenue totalled VND82.093 trillion (approx. US$3.16 billion), an increase of 14% YoY. Consolidated pre-tax and post-tax profit reached VND2.630 trillion (approx. US$101.3 million) and VND2.123 trillion (approx. US$81.7 million), growing 44.3% and 51.2%, respectively, and exceeding 120% of the annual plan.

During the year, Vietjet successfully issued 50 million shares, increasing equity by VND5 trillion (approx. US$192.6 million), to support long-term growth.

Expanding flight network drives market leadership

In Q4/2025, Vietjet transported more than 6.7 million passengers across 36,100 flights.

For the full year, the airline carried 28.2 million passengers on 153,000 flights, representing YoY growth of 9% and 11.2%, respectively. Total cargo volume reached 113,923 tons.

In 2025, the airline operated 254 routes, including 52 domestic and 202 international services, and launched 22 new routes connecting Vietnam to key destinations, including direct services from Hyderabad and Bengaluru to Ho Chi Minh City.

Strengthening international cooperation and long-term investment

Q4/2025 marked major milestones in the Vietjet’s long-term investment strategy, with the delivery of 22 new aircraft, representing the airline’s largest fleet expansion since its establishment.

During the year, Vietjet signed an agreement with Airbus to buy 100 A321neo aircraft, along with a separate contract with Rolls-Royce for 92 Trent 7000 engines and comprehensive maintenance services, valued at US$3.8 billion.

Strengthening customer experience through innovation, technology and global awards

Vietjet continued to diversify and enhance its customer experience through expanded products and services, including Business class tickets, the SkyJoy loyalty program, in-flight retail, multi-channel booking and payment platforms, and its AI virtual assistant, Amy.

In 2025, Vietjet earned multiple global honors, including recognition among the World’s Safest Airlines, Best Ultra Low-Cost Airline, and AirlineRatings’ Sustainability Award. It was named Asia’s Leading Airline for Customer Experience, ranked among ASEAN’s Most Valuable Airline Brands by Brand Finance, listed in Forbes Vietnam’s Top 50 Companies, certified a Best Place to Work in Asia, and won a Gold ESG Transport Award in Taiwan.