Archives February 2026

Chandigarh, Feb 01st: Mahindra & Mahindra Ltd. (M&M Ltd.), one of India’s leading automotive companies, today announced that its overall auto sales for the month of January 2026 stood at 104,309 vehicles, a growth of 24% including exports.

In the Utility Vehicles segment, Mahindra sold 63,510 vehicles in the domestic market, a growth of 25% and overall, 104,309 vehicles, including exports. The domestic sales for Commercial Vehicles stood at 27,656, a growth of 22%.

According to Nalinikanth Gollagunta, CEO, Automotive Division, M&M Ltd., “Building on the strong momentum of last year’s performance, we began the year on a strong note in January by achieving SUV sales of 63,510 units, a growth of 25% and LCV< 3.5T sales of 27,656 units, a growth of 22%. The total vehicle sales stand at 104,309 units, a 24% year-on-year growth.

On 14th January, we opened bookings for XUV7XO and XEV 9S clocking 93,689 bookings for a booking value of Rs. 20,500 Crore – a record-breaking milestone in just 4 hours.”

Chandigarh, Feb 01: The Heavy Civil Infrastructure business vertical of L&T has won a contract from the Royal Commission of Riyadh City in Saudi Arabia for works pertaining to the extension of the Riyadh Metro. The order is a part of an ultra-mega project won by a consortium of Webuild S.p.A, L&T, Nesma & Partners Contracting, Alstom and IDOM.

The order pertains to the extension of Red Line of Riyadh Metro Network. The scope of work includes design and turnkey construction of 8.4 km long metro line comprising both elevated and underground sections, and five stations.

L&T has a proven capability in constructing fast and reliable mass transit systems across the globe, and this latest order stands as a testament to the trust customers place in the company.

Background:

Larsen & Toubro is a USD 30 billion Indian multinational engaged in EPC Projects, Hi-Tech Manufacturing, and Services, operating across multiple geographies. A strong, customer–focused approach and the constant quest for top-class quality have enabled L&T to attain and sustain leadership in its major lines of business for over eight decades.

Chandigarh, Feb 01: Poonawalla Fincorp Limited (PFL) today announced the rollout of five new AI-powered enterprise solutions. The new deployments extend the use of artificial intelligence across strategic decision-making, customer onboarding, data quality management, customer experience analytics and application development.

These initiatives reflect PFL’s long-term vision to become a digitally fluent, data-driven, and highly scalable financial organization, with AI-first approach being adopted across functions.

Aligned with this direction, PFL has introduced the following five AI-led solutions:

1. AI-powered Competition Benchmarking Engine: This capability embeds market intelligence directly into how PFL prices, positions and competes. AI autonomously searches for market changes, analysing competitor pricing moves, product shifts and engagement patterns across portfolios, and converts them into timely, decision-ready insights. Built as an extension of the organisation’s AI-enabled risk hindsight framework, the system enables faster responses to market shifts.
2. Central KYC (CKYC) AI Platform: As customer onboarding scales, consistency and control become critical. The CKYC AI platform reframes compliance as a source of strength by applying AI-driven validation at the entry point, ensuring KYC data is assessed for accuracy and material relevance before it flows through the system. This reduces manual intervention by ~15 percent, and materially strengthens both accuracy and turnaround performance.
3. Agentic Data Quality Intelligence (DQI): As data flows across multiple systems and teams, maintaining consistency becomes critical. This solution automatically monitors data against defined quality standards, flags anomalies, and updates validation rules as requirements evolve. It ensures data used for reporting, risk and business decisions remains accurate, traceable and audit-ready.
4. AI-led Voice of Customer (VOC) Categorisation: Customer feedback is often rich but difficult to act on, at scale. This system organises free-text responses into clear issue themes and directly links them to accountable functions. Issues move faster, ownership is clearer, and recurring problems are addressed systematically rather than case by case.
5. Build Buddy for Accelerated Application Development: An AI-powered development assistant integrated into PFL’s existing technology stack. Acting as a “development buddy,” it supports engineers by assisting with code writing, suggesting fixes before code is committed, and providing contextual feedback on logic, performance and readability. The solution also enables automated refactoring, improving reuse, reducing development costs and significantly accelerating application delivery while ensuring adherence to development and deployment standards.

Commenting on the new developments, Arvind Kapil, Managing Director & CEO, Poonawalla Fincorp, said,

 “AI is more than a tool – it is reshaping how organisations think, decide, and compete. Our focus is on using it responsibly by combining machine precision with human judgment to strengthen trust and sharpen decision-making. By embedding AI across pricing, customer onboarding, data quality, feedback and technology development, we are turning insight into action and building a competitive advantage thereby laying the foundation for sustainable growth.”

At PFL, AI is continuing to emerge as a strategic differentiator and game-changer across core areas, right from risk calibration and fraud detection to marketing, compliance, HR, governance, audit, and underwriting quality assessment.

The company in this quarter alone has initiated 12 AI projects bringing the company wide total to 57 projects, of which 30 have been successfully completed. PFL continues to deepen its commitment to its AI-first approach, driving intelligent automation, accuracy, and future-ready innovation.

Bhubaneswar, Feb 01 :The Union government’s Economic Survey 2025-’26 places renewed emphasis on the revival of village Commons as a foundation for sustainable rural growth, stronger livelihoods, and more resilient communities. The Survey was released on Thursday ahead of Sunday’s Budget presentation. “Reviving and protecting village commons…requires a collaborative approach that involves both the government and local communities actively participating,” the document notes. “To achieve this, first, ‘village commons’ as a distinct land-use category may need official incorporation with sub-categories, so that accurate estimation, monitoring, and informed policy intervention can be undertaken.”

In a chapter titled Rural Development and Social Progress: From Participation to Partnership_ , the survey describes village Commons, also known as Common Property Resources (CPRs), as a “crucial yet underutilised asset” where community institutions, technology, and livelihood generation intersect to support long-term rural transformation. These commons include grazing lands, ponds, water bodies, and shared spaces traditionally managed by local communities.

According to the Survey, around 15% of India’s geographical area comprises village Commons. The 2011 Census estimates common land at 6.6 crore hectares, forming biodiversity-rich ecosystems that support the livelihoods of approximately 35 crore rural people. These ecosystems provide 34 ecosystem services including food, fodder, fuelwood, water and income, and facilitate water purification, soil protection, carbon sequestration, and flood control.

The Survey notes that these ecosystems generate an economic dividend of USD 9.05 crore per year, while contributing directly to the Sustainable Development Goals, including poverty reduction and sustainable livelihoods. Yet, it cautions that “their value is often underestimated”, and that commons have deteriorated due to encroachment, misuse, and rising environmental pressures.

Mr. Sisir K Pradhan, PhD, University of Waterloo said,

“Village commons have always been central to rural livelihoods, but have traditionally been viewed through cultural identity or subsistence economic lenses. The recent economic survey has, for the first time, emphasised village commons as an economic resource essential for rural communities to thrive. It has also highlighted the need for restoration of such commons to improve life and livelihoods and to address the climate crisis that affects social, ecological, and economic foundations every day. “

Mr. Pravas Mishra, economist, budget analyst and NRM expert Said,

“The Survey rightly highlights the need to move away from neglect and encroachment towards a framework of deliberate governance — through formal recognition of commons as a distinct land-use category, strengthening local institutions, and integrating community stewardship with modern tools such as GIS mapping and capacity building. Following the economy survey, Union Budget 2026-27 should take adequate actions on optimal use of commons for making the panchayats self sufficient. Developing panchayat wise inventory of commons is the need of the hour to plan for its sustainable use.“

Mr. Kanchi Kohli, researcher and educator said, idea of commons which includes but is not limited to its economic value. There is a need to future proof the shared and integrated social, cultural and ecological

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Shri Jayant Chaudhary Unveils Vision for AI-Driven Education and Skilling at Google’s AI for Learning Forum

Chandigarh,  Feb 01: Shri Jayant Chaudhary, Hon’ble Union Minister of State (Independent Charge), Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (MSDE), and Minister of State, Ministry of Education (MoE), Government of India, today outlined the Government’s vision for integrating Artificial Intelligence across India’s education and skilling ecosystem at Google’s AI for Learning Forum held in New Delhi.

At the forum, the Minister announced a landmark collaboration between MSDE, Google Cloud, and Chaudhary Charan Singh University (CCSU), Meerut, under which CCSU will be developed as India’s first AI-enabled state university pilot. The initiative marks a strategic step towards operationalising the Prime Minister’s vision of a technology-powered Viksit Bharat 2047.

The event was attended by senior Google leadership, including Ms Preeti Lobana, Vice President & Country Manager, Google India; Mr Chris Phillips, Vice President & Global Lead for Education, Google; Mr Wilson White, Vice President, Government Affairs & Public Policy, Google APAC; and Ms Yolynd Lobo, Director, Government Affairs & Public Policy, Google Cloud, along with senior officials from the Government and academia.

Prior to the formal session, Shri Jayant Chaudhary interacted with CCSU students and faculty, engaging in an open dialogue on how AI can expand learning pathways, enhance employability, and unlock opportunities for youth in Tier-2 and Tier-3 cities.

Bridging Education and Skills through AI

Delivering his keynote perspective during a fireside chat moderated by Ms Yolynd Lobo, the Minister emphasised the need to break silos between education and skilling, highlighting AI as the critical bridge between classroom learning and industry demand.

“The vision of Viksit Bharat relies on converting our demographic dividend into demographic dynamism. For too long, degrees and skills were treated as separate tracks. AI enables us to finally connect them. Through partnerships like this, we are not merely deploying technology—we are building an employability engine that democratises access to world-class skills, irrespective of geography,” Shri Jayant Chaudhary said.

CCSU to Serve as a National Living Laboratory for AI-First Education

Under the pilot, CCSU Meerut will function as a living laboratory for AI-led institutional transformation. The university will deploy personalised AI tutors, AI-driven skill-gap analysis, and intelligent document processing to streamline academic and administrative processes. The initiative is designed to generate a scalable and replicable framework for India’s higher education ecosystem.

The Minister noted that CCSU’s affiliated colleges will immediately benefit from the pilot, with learnings intended to scale across 45,000+ colleges and 1,200+ universities nationwide. He also highlighted alignment with the Government’s ₹60,000-crore Model ITI Scheme, enabling vocational institutions to integrate AI-enabled curricula alongside upgraded infrastructure.

“This partnership sets a gold standard for the future of Indian education. CCSU is not just a university—it is a blueprint for institutional transformation, ensuring students in Meerut have access to the same AI capabilities as those in global technology hubs,” he added.

Strengthening Digital Public Infrastructure and Teacher Enablement

As part of commitments announced at the forum, a ₹85-crore (approximately $10 million) Google.org grant to Wadhwani AI will support the integration of AI tools into national digital platforms such as SWAYAM and Poshan Tracker, with a potential outreach to nearly 75 million learners.

Calling for deeper grassroots engagement, Shri Jayant Chaudhary urged Google to expand AI support to Kendriya Vidyalayas and Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalayas, emphasising that teacher enablement is critical to unlocking digital opportunities in remote and underserved regions.

India as the Global South’s Testbed for Inclusive AI

Highlighting India’s leadership role, the Minister stated that AI solutions co-created for India’s diverse linguistic and geographic context can serve as models for the Global South.

“When we solve for India, we solve for the world. AI tools built for low-cost devices and vernacular users are global public goods. India stands ready to share these ‘Made in India’ education models with partner nations across Africa, Southeast Asia, and Latin America,” he said, reaffirming India’s commitment to Vishwa Bandhu—friendship with the world.

Google Reiterates Commitment to Population-Scale Impact

Ms Preeti Lobana, VP & Country Manager, Google India, said,

“Google is deeply committed to supporting India’s ambition to become a global AI hub. Through this collaboration, CCSU will leverage Google Cloud and Gemini to enable personalised learning, AI-driven career guidance, and institutional transformation. Our goal is to demonstrate how technology can unlock human potential at population scale and ensure every learner, regardless of geography, has access to world-class tools.”

Mr Chris Phillips outlined Google’s approach to responsible AI in education, emphasising learning science, productive struggle, and tools such as Gemini, Search, and NotebookLM, which were showcased during live demonstrations at the forum.

Building a National Blueprint for AI-Ready Institutions

Drawing from CCSU’s implementation, MSDE will develop a National Best Practices Framework enabling colleges and universities to self-credential as “AI-enabled institutions.” CCSU will also function as a Centre of Excellence, hosting structured knowledge-sharing sessions across the Ministry’s institutional network.

The forum concluded with a joint photo opportunity featuring Shri Jayant Chaudhary and Google leadership, marking a significant milestone in India’s journey toward AI-integrated education and skilling systems.

The collaboration reinforces the Government’s commitment to ensuring that every learner—regardless of background or location—graduates not only with a degree, but with future-ready skills aligned to the demands of an AI-driven economy.

Chandigarh, Feb 01:  Air India today announced a firm order for 30 additional Boeing single-aisle aircraft, comprising 20 Boeing 737-8 and 10 Boeing 737-10 jets, reinforcing the airline’s long-term fleet expansion and modernisation strategy. This order is in addition to the 220 Boeing aircraft ordered in 2023, taking Air India’s total aircraft orders with Boeing to 250.

The announcement was made at Wings India 2026, one of Asia’s premier civil aviation events.

With this latest order, Air India now has 198 new Boeing aircraft scheduled for delivery. Of the original 220 aircraft ordered in 2023, the airline has already taken delivery of 52 aircraft, including 51 Boeing 737-8 aircraft currently in service with Air India Express, the Group’s value carrier, and one brand-new Boeing 787-9, which is set to enter commercial service on the Mumbai–Frankfurt route from February 1, 2026.

Commenting on the announcement, Campbell Wilson, Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director, Air India, said,

“This additional order for 30 Boeing 737 aircraft is an integral part of our broader fleet strategy to firmly position Air India for the future as a world-class global carrier that India deserves and the world expects. Building on our 2023 aircraft orders and subsequent additions, this commitment supports steady deliveries and planned fleet upgrades over the coming years.”

Paul Righi, Vice President – Commercial Sales and Marketing, Eurasia, India and South Asia, Boeing, added,

“Air India’s continued investment in the 737 MAX family underscores the strong performance of its existing 737-8 fleet as the airline expands connectivity across India and the South Asia region. We value Air India’s confidence in the 737-10 and 737-8, which offer the capacity, efficiency, and versatility required as a cornerstone of its single-aisle growth strategy.”

Powered by CFM LEAP-1B engines, the Boeing 737 family delivers enhanced fuel efficiency, passenger comfort, and operational reliability, making it ideally suited for high-frequency single-aisle operations.

Since its privatisation in January 2022, the Air India Group has added nearly 170 aircraft to its fleet through a combination of new deliveries, strategic leasing, the merger of erstwhile Vistara into Air India, and the reactivation of long-grounded aircraft—marking significant progress in capacity expansion and fleet modernisation.

Chandigarh,  Feb 01:  State Bank of India (SBI), the country’s largest public sector bank, today announced the launch of ‘CHAKRA’ – Centre of Excellence (CoE) for Sunrise Sectors, a strategic initiative aimed at enabling responsible, scalable, and innovation-led financing for sectors critical to India’s long-term economic transformation.

Aligned with the national vision of Viksit Bharat 2047, CHAKRA will serve as a knowledge-driven platform to strengthen SBI’s institutional capabilities in financing next-generation, technology-intensive, and sustainability-focused sectors. The initiative underscores SBI’s commitment to channel capital efficiently while enhancing risk assessment frameworks and developing innovative financing structures tailored to evolving business models and policy priorities.

The Centre was inaugurated by Shri M. Nagaraju, Secretary, Department of Financial Services, Government of India, in the presence of Shri Challa Sreenivasulu Setty, Chairman, State Bank of India. The launch event was attended by SBI’s Managing Directors, senior representatives from public and global banks, leading conglomerates, financial institutions, industry bodies, and key ecosystem stakeholders.

Commenting on the launch, Shri M. Nagaraju said,

“The CHAKRA Centre of Excellence is a commendable initiative by State Bank of India. Its vision to function as a coordinated ecosystem platform—covering knowledge-sharing, project appraisal, capacity building, and evidence-based policy engagement—will meaningfully accelerate India’s journey towards Viksit Bharat 2047.”

CHAKRA will focus on eight high-impact sunrise sectors—Renewable Energy, Advanced Cell Chemistry and Battery Storage, Electric Mobility, Green Hydrogen, Semiconductors, Decarbonisation, Smart Infrastructure, and Data Centre Infrastructure. These sectors are expected to collectively attract capital investments exceeding ₹100 lakh crore by 2030, positioning them as key engines of India’s future growth. The Centre will play a catalytic role in enabling this large-scale investment.

Speaking on the occasion, Shri Challa Sreenivasulu Setty, Chairman, State Bank of India, said,

“India’s growth over the coming decades will be anchored in innovation, sustainability, and advanced manufacturing. With CHAKRA, SBI is strengthening its ability to understand emerging sectors, design specialised financing solutions, and collaborate with the broader ecosystem to support projects that contribute meaningfully to national development. This Centre of Excellence reinforces SBI’s leadership in new-age technologies and climate finance, strengthens India’s integration into global value chains, and accelerates progress towards Viksit Bharat 2047.”

CHAKRA will deliver tangible outcomes through white papers, sectoral reports, knowledge series, industry roundtables, and policy dialogues, enabling informed decision-making for clients, investors, and policymakers. The Centre will also facilitate structured engagement with development finance institutions, multilateral agencies, banks, NBFCs, corporates, start-ups, academia, industry bodies, and policy think-tanks.

This initiative builds on SBI’s earlier Centre of Excellence for MSMEs at the State Bank Academy and reflects the Bank’s continued focus on strengthening institutional knowledge, supporting innovation-driven enterprises, and improving capital flows to sectors shaping India’s sustainable and technology-led future.

Kolkata, India, Feb 1: Exide Industries Limited, India’s leading storage battery manufacturer, today announced the launch of Exide AGMi, an advanced Absorbent Glass Mat (AGM) battery range for the Indian aftermarket, designed to meet the growing power demands of modern, high-tech passenger vehicles.

Exide AGMi offers spill-proof AGM-VRLA technology for enhanced safety, higher cranking power, up to 3X cycle life versus conventional batteries, and superior vibration resistance. The range is available across DIN 50, DIN 60, DIN 70, DIN 80 and DIN 95, covering applications from popular to ultra-luxury passenger vehicles. With this launch, Exide Industries Ltd. becomes the only Indian storage battery manufacturer to offer the complete range of AGM batteries.

Commenting on the launch, Mr. Rajeev Khandelwal, Executive Director – Trade at Exide Industries Ltd., said, “With Exide AGMi, we are bringing the advanced AGM technology to the Indian automotive aftermarket. This launch reinforces Exide’s leadership in advanced battery technologies that power next-generation mobility. He further added, “The India–EU trade deal is expected to spur growth in India’s premium car segment and this launch firmly positions Exide to address the said emerging opportunity”.

As start-stop systems, advanced electronics, and higher electrical loads become standard, AGM is the preferred OE technology for premium and next-generation passenger vehicles. Designed specifically for vehicles originally equipped with OE-fitted AGM batteries, Exide AGMi ensures optimal compatibility with modern vehicle platforms and electrical architectures.

Exide AGMi batteries will be initially available in the aftermarket through select channel partners in the top 10 cities, followed by a phased expansion.