Archives March 2026

India Restores Tax Relief for Exporters as West Asia Crisis Disrupts Trade Routes

Responding to growing disruptions in global trade, the Indian government has reinstated tax incentives for exporters to help them cope with the fallout of the ongoing tensions in West Asia.

The crisis has begun to strain key shipping corridors, forcing rerouting of vessels, increasing transit time, and driving up freight and insurance costs. Exporters across sectors are feeling the pressure, particularly those dependent on time-sensitive deliveries and cost efficiency.

By restoring tax relief measures, the government aims to ease financial stress on exporters and maintain the competitiveness of Indian goods in international markets. The move is expected to improve cash flow for businesses at a time when margins are being squeezed by rising logistics expenses.

Sectors such as textiles, engineering goods, and marine exports are likely to benefit significantly, as they rely heavily on stable and cost-effective supply chains. Smaller exporters, who are more vulnerable to sudden cost spikes, may find the relief especially crucial.

Industry representatives have welcomed the decision, calling it timely and necessary. They note that without such support, prolonged geopolitical instability could slow export momentum and affect order volumes.

Officials indicated that the situation remains under close watch, with the possibility of additional measures if global conditions worsen. The government’s immediate focus, however, is to ensure that exporters remain resilient and trade flows continue despite external challenges.

Restaurants Across India Rework Kitchen Economics Amid LPG Supply Fluctuations

Mumbai, Mar 24: Restaurants across India are re-evaluating kitchen operations and cost structures as LPG supply fluctuations begin to impact consistency in fuel availability, a critical input for daily operations.For an industry that remains heavily dependent on LPG, the situation is bringing sharper attention to fuel dependency, cost control, and the need for viable energy alternatives.According to Chef Payal Thakkar, founder of Munchbox Thali, the immediate impact is being felt at the execution level within kitchens.“The LPG situation has made kitchen operations far more planning intensive. Processes that were earlier seamless now require tighter coordination due to limited and inconsistent availability,” she said.While menu rationalisation has not yet been implemented, restaurants are already adjusting workflows and output to maintain consistency.“At this stage, we are maintaining our menu. However, kitchen productivity is being closely managed to ensure consistency despite constraints on fuel availability,” Thakkar noted.

Restaurants Across India Rework Kitchen Economics Amid LPG Supply Fluctuations

 From a business standpoint, the issue extends beyond individual outlets to the broader food ecosystem. Vendors, central kitchens, and bakery partners are also navigating similar challenges, creating a cascading effect across supply chains.“The situation is not limited to restaurant kitchens. Our vendors and partners are also adapting, which makes coordination across the ecosystem far more critical,” she added.The current environment is also exposing a structural gap in the industry’s energy dependence. While alternatives such as induction based cooking and piped natural gas exist, their adoption remains uneven due to infrastructure access and scalability limitations.“We have started integrating induction cooking in certain sections as an immediate step, and we are in the process of securing a PNG connection for a more stable long term solution,” Thakkar said.

However, industry players note that such transitions are not frictionless. Induction based systems may not fully replace LPG for high volume or certain cooking formats, while PNG access remains inconsistent across locations, especially for standalone and smaller operators.At the same time, fluctuations in LPG availability are also translating into higher procurement costs, adding pressure to already tight operating margins, a key concern for an industry where profitability is closely linked to input cost stability.“The availability is not only inconsistent but also comes at a higher cost, which makes efficient resource management even more important,” Thakkar observed.The situation is prompting restaurant businesses to think beyond short term adjustments and relook at long term operating models. Energy diversification, tighter process control, and infrastructure led solutions are moving from optional to essential for long term viability.

In that sense, the current phase is accelerating a shift the industry has long delayed, moving from single fuel dependence towards more resilient and diversified kitchen energy models.

Odisha’s Debt Climbs to INR 1.26 Lakh Crore; Fresh Borrowing to Push Burden Higher

Odisha’s debt burden is steadily increasing, with the state’s total outstanding liabilities reaching ₹1,25,951 crore by the end of February 2026. The rising debt translates to an average burden of about ₹26,783 per person.

The situation is expected to intensify in the coming financial year, as the state government plans to raise an additional ₹47,800 crore in 2026–27. This could take the total debt stock to nearly ₹1,73,751 crore.

At the same time, the government has outlined repayment commitments. Around ₹22,000 crore will go toward clearing existing loans, while ₹8,200 crore is expected to be spent on interest payments. After accounting for repayments, the net debt is projected to stand at approximately ₹1,51,751 crore.

The data, presented in the State Assembly by Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi, highlights the growing reliance on borrowings to support the state’s financial requirements.

In recent years, Odisha has sourced funds from a mix of channels, including central government loans, open market borrowings, and institutions such as NABARD. A similar strategy is planned for 2026–27, with a major share expected from market borrowings, supplemented by institutional and government funding.

The continued rise in debt indicates mounting fiscal pressure, which may further increase the per capita burden in the future, even as the state attempts to balance borrowing with repayments.

Amid Rising Heat, Odisha Halts Outdoor Work During Peak Hours

Bhubaneswar: With temperatures expected to rise sharply in April, increasing the risk of heatstroke, the state Labor and Employees’ State Insurance Department has issued new safety guidelines to protect workers from extreme heat conditions.

According to the directive, outdoor labor activities should be suspended daily between 10:00 AM and 3:00 PM from April 1 to June 15. Instructions have been sent to all Revenue Commissioners, District Collectors, and the State Labor Commissioner to ensure strict implementation.

The advisory applies to all government departments, central government offices operating within the state, private employers, industrial units, commercial establishments, shops, and contractors. Employers have been urged to reschedule working hours to avoid exposing workers to peak daytime heat.

In cases where work is unavoidable—particularly for essential services—employers must take adequate precautionary measures to safeguard workers. These include:

  • Providing sufficient drinking water
  • Arranging shaded rest areas
  • Ensuring access to medical facilities
  • Supplying ORS (Oral Rehydration Solution) packets to workers

Additionally, healthcare institutions such as district hospitals, sub-divisional hospitals, primary health centers, and community health centers have been directed to remain prepared to handle heat-related illnesses.

The move aims to minimize the risk of heatstroke and ensure worker safety during the intense summer months.

HDFC securities Launches NxtOption to Simplify Advanced Options Trading for Traders

Business Wire India

  • An integrated platform combining strategy building, real-time analytics and execution to simplify F&O trading for India’s growing retail investor base
  • Designed to eliminate fragmented workflows, NxtOption brings institutional-grade options analytics and seamless multi-leg execution to a single interface

 

HDFC securities today launched NxtOption, a next-generation platform designed to help retail investors analyse, build, and execute Futures & Options (F&O) strategies. The platform aims to simplify derivatives trading by integrating analytics, strategy tools, and execution into a single interface, addressing the growing demand for sophisticated trading solutions in India. This launch further reinforces HDFC securities’ commitment to ‘Powering India’s Investments’ by supporting investor participation in the capital markets through integrated tools and analytics.

 

Leadership Comment:

“Derivatives trading has become an important part of the Indian markets, but the rapid rise in retail participation has also highlighted key gaps in the ecosystem. A significant portion of trading remains speculative, with many participants lacking access to structured strategies, risk frameworks, and actionable insights. Execution inefficiencies, especially in multi-leg strategies, further impact outcomes. With NxtOption, we aim to bridge this gap by making professional-grade analytics and seamless execution more accessible, enabling a shift towards more disciplined, strategy-led trading and providing tools to assist investors in evaluating strategies more systematically,” said Dhiraj Relli, Managing Director & CEO, HDFC securities.

 

What is NxtOption

NxtOption is an integrated options trading platform by HDFC securities that allows users to build multi-leg F&O strategies, analyse risk and payoff scenarios, execute trades seamlessly, and track strategies in real time. Unlike traditional setups that require multiple tools, NxtOption brings everything together into one unified interface.

 

Why is HDFC securities launching NxtOption now

India’s derivatives market has seen rapid growth in retail participation, but most traders still rely on multiple platforms, manual calculations, and fragmented workflows. NxtOption addresses this gap by offering a single platform that simplifies strategy analysis, risk management, and trade execution, in line with the firm’s broader vision of ‘Powering India’s Investments’ through innovation-led solutions.

 

What are the key Features of NxtOption

  1. Strategy Builder: Create and evaluate strategies before trading by building multi-leg strategies such as Straddles, Strangles, Iron Condors, and Butterflies. NxtOption allows users to view payoff charts, break-even points, profit and loss scenarios, combined Greeks, and margin requirements.
  2. Strategy Watch: Allows users to track strategies as a whole and monitor complete strategies instead of individual legs, thereby enabling real-time tracking of strategy-level performance.
  3. Easy Options: Provides strategy suggestions by converting a user’s market view (bullish, bearish, neutral) into relevant strategy ideas. It also enables users to view corresponding risk-reward profiles and is designed especially for new and evolving traders.
  4. Advanced Derivatives Analytics: Provides real-time insights into Delta, Gamma, Theta, Vega, Implied Volatility (IV), Open Interest (OI) trends, as well as time value and intrinsic value. It also includes features such as market movers, rollover insights, and F&O ban list tracking.

 

How is NxtOption Different from Other Trading Platforms

NxtOption stands out by eliminating the need for multiple tools. It offers an end-to-end workflow (idea → analysis → execution) and combines institutional-grade analytics with retail accessibility.

 

Where is NxtOption available for the traders to access

NxtOption is available across mobile (InvestRight) and the web platform of HDFC securities, as well as on the web platform of HDFC SKY, the discount broking offering.

 

To support users in evaluating options strategies through structured analytical features, the platform also introduces Easy Options, a feature that converts a trader’s market outlook into potential strategy suggestions. For example, if a trader has a bullish view on the Nifty over a particular timeframe, the system suggests suitable options strategies along with their risk-reward profiles.

 

With the introduction of NxtOption, HDFC securities continues to provide technology-enabled tools for users engaging with derivatives markets in India, by combining analytics, strategy creation, and execution into a single trading experience, thereby further strengthening its role in ‘Powering India’s Investments’ at scale.

 

For more information on NxtOption, please visit:

https://investright.onelink.me/Xwlu/viy5q4e.

Rosatom presented isotope products at the NICSTAR International Conference on Radiation Technologies in India

Mumbai, Mar 24:  Isotope – Regional Alliance JSC and the Research Institute of Nuclear Reactors, State Scientific Center (both part of Rosatom’s scientific division) participated in the 9th International Conference on Isotope and Radiation Applications in Industry (NICSTAR-2026), which was held in Mumbai, India. Organized by the National Association for the Application of Radioisotopes and Radiation (NAARRI), India, the event brought together more than 50 organizations – manufacturers and suppliers of radioisotope products and equipment from around the world.

The conference focused on the use of radiation technologies to address global challenges: hunger reduction, improving healthcare, environmental protection, and increasing the efficiency of industrial processes. The business program was focused on the possibilities of using radioisotopes and radiation technologies for industrial, medical, and agricultural products, new developments in gamma irradiators, nuclear technologies for the space industry, radiological safety in the application of radiation technologies, and more.

“Participation in NICSTAR-2026 confirmed Rosatom’s high level of expertise in isotope technology on the international stage. We were able to not only reaffirm long-term agreements with our customers but also reach new ones that will allow us to increase our isotope product supplies globally,” noted Rustam Rakhmatulin, Advisor to Rosatom CEO for Strategic Development of Isotope – Regional Alliance JSC.

Conference participants at the Rosatom stand were also able to learn about the State Corporation’s experience in isotope production: today, Rosatom is one of the world’s top five suppliers and produces the widest range of radionuclides.

HJS Foundation Releases JEP Protocol & HJS Framework: The “Black Box” for AI, Enabling Verifiable Human Oversight

Business Wire India

 

HJS Foundation (Human Judgment Systems Foundation) today released two complementary solutions: the Judgment Event Protocol (JEP) and the Human Judgment Structure (HJS) framework. As a minimalist open standard, JEP generates tamper-proof records of AI decision accountability, just like an aircraft black box; HJS embeds human judgment logic into AI operation processes — together, they transform “human oversight” from a regulatory requirement into a verifiable technical fact, providing an optional technical solution for AI accountability.

 

How to prove that AI decisions (such as loan approvals, medical diagnoses, border screenings, etc.) have undergone human review? JEP generates immutable audit trails of human intervention through four cryptographic primitives — Judge, Verify, Delegate, Terminate; HJS builds a controllable and accountable system to prevent risks such as AI drift and ensure that human judgment guides AI operations.

 

 

Current systems rely on alterable post-hoc documentation, while JEP and HJS work in tandem: JEP acts like an aviation black box, not judging performance but ensuring traceability; HJS embeds human oversight into AI workflows — together, they provide an undeniable factual basis for regulators, developers, and users.

 

 

Paired with the HJS framework, the JEP protocol provides a compliant technical option for trustworthy AI. Together, they achieve cross-platform and cross-model interoperability, solving core issues such as difficult accountability and inconsistent standards.

 

 

About HJS Foundation:

 

 

Founded in 2026 and registered in Singapore, HJS Foundation is a non-profit organization focused on developing minimalist and reliable technical standards (including the JEP protocol and HJS framework) to support human-AI accountability and the transparency of automated systems.

 

 

 

 

 

LenDenClub Report Highlights Surge in Diversified Lending and Strong Investor Growth in 2025

Mumbai, Mar 24: LenDenClub, an RBI-registered NBFC-P2P and India’s largest peer-to-peer (P2P) lending platform and a subsidiary of Vartis Platforms, has released its latest P2P Lending Trends Report 2025, analysing investment activity across more than one lakh lenders on its platform. The report highlighted about 68% of lenders on peer-to-peer (P2P) platforms lend across multiple borrowers to manage risk, indicating a clear shift towards more structured and disciplined lending behaviour.

Demographic trends indicate that participation is expanding across segments, while higher-value lending continues to come from experienced groups. Investors in the 36–45 and 56+ age groups together contribute over 50% of the platform’s total lending value. While younger lenders, including Gen Z and early-stage professionals, are entering the category at a faster pace, larger allocations continue to be driven by more mature participants.

The platform’s analysis of lending activity indicates that investor participation is expanding both geographically and demographically. During the year, the overall lending amount invested on the platform grew by 341%, while investor participation increased by 437% year‑on‑year. New investor registrations increased by 245%, reflecting growing awareness of P2P lending as an alternative investment category among retail investors.

As per the data, the average investment amount on the platform stands at around ₹2 lakh, with investors typically allocating funds across a large number of borrowers. On average, investors have funded over 200 borrowers, reflecting a clear preference for diversification to manage exposure. Nearly 68% of investors have funded more than one loan, highlighting repeat participation and continued engagement on the platform.

Report highlights, investors contributing more than ₹10 lakh accounted for 77% of the total investment value on the platform. In terms of outcomes, a majority of investors recorded higher annualised returns. Around 82% of investors earned annualised returns above 20%, while 8% earned between 15–20%. A smaller segment of around 3% earned between 10–15%, and about 4% reported returns in the 0–10% range. About 2.14% of investors experienced losses. Overall, more than 90% of investors earned over 15% annualised returns, suggesting that consistent allocation across borrowers and risk segments has supported outcomes for most participants.

In terms of tenure preference, the majority of investors choose shorter durations of 2 to 6 months, as the platform was offering more short-term loans till last year. More than 95% of the platform loans were of shorter duration for the period of data publishing. The platform has recently introduced 12-month loan options, which are currently witnessing early demand as retail investors explore more predictable repayment cycles.

Gender-based trends also highlight differences in participation. While the number of male investors grew faster, women deployed significantly higher capital amounts. In 2025, the average investment amount by male investors stood at approximately ₹60,000, while female investors deployed an average of ₹2.5 lakhs which is over four times higher than their male counterparts. This indicates increasing financial confidence among women participating in digital credit platforms such as P2P lending.

Geographically, participation is expanding beyond major financial centres.  The top five metro cities, Mumbai, Bengaluru, Pune, Hyderabad and Delhi, accounted for nearly 62% of investor contribution on the platform. At the same time, about 38% of the investor contribution came from Tier II and Tier III cities, reflecting wider adoption across emerging markets beyond major financial centres. States such as Maharashtra, Karnataka, Telangana, Rajasthan and Uttar Pradesh recorded the highest new user additions during the period.

Digital infrastructure continues to play a key role in enabling participation. UPI remains the most preferred payment method, accounting for 92% of all transactions on the platform. This is followed by IMPS at around 3%, net banking at 3%, and debit cards at 2%. The high share of UPI indicates the growing reliance on instant and convenient transacting systems for participating in lending activity. The report also notes that most lending transactions were initiated through mobile devices, indicating a clear shift toward real-time and on-the-go portfolio management among investors.

Commenting on the trends, Bhavin Patel, Co‑Founder and CEO of LenDenClub, said,

“For many years, diversified credit portfolios were largely accessible only to institutional lenders and very wealthy individuals.. Digital platforms are now enabling individual investors to participate in structured credit markets in a more systematic way. What we are seeing today is the early development of retail participation in credit as an asset class. As financial awareness improves and investors adopt disciplined diversification strategies, digital credit could become an increasingly meaningful component of modern investment portfolios.”

The platform recorded strong growth across key metrics in 2025. The platform has facilitated loan disbursements exceeding ₹18,000 crore, manages an active loan portfolio worth ₹1,500 crores, and has over three crore registered users across India.

These trends indicate that digital lending infrastructure is gradually enabling broader participation in credit markets, potentially creating a new channel through which retail capital can support borrowers while offering investors diversified income opportunities within a disciplined risk framework.”

Venster School of Excellence Hosts EduTech Conclave 2026

Business Wire India

Venster School of Excellence recently held a Faculty Skills Enrichment Conclave in Coimbatore, bringing together educators, industry professionals, and technology experts to discuss how academic institutions can better prepare students for the evolving job market. The event provided a platform for meaningful interaction between faculty members and professionals from technology-driven industries.

The conclave focused on helping educators understand industry expectations and guiding students toward careers requiring both technical knowledge and practical skills. Faculty from several colleges participated, along with chief guests actively working in technology businesses and industry sectors.

Educationist JP Gandhi noted, “The global employment landscape is changing rapidly, driven by economic uncertainties, technological disruption, and the rise of artificial intelligence. Organisations across the world are restructuring and redefining skill requirements in response to digital transformation.” He further added, “In this challenging environment, institutions must actively partner with leading skill developers like VENSTER to transform students into industry-ready and employable professionals.”

Managing Director of Haribhavanam Hotels, Mr. Balachandar Raju, said at the conclave, “We implemented technology in our KOT systems over a decade ago after I witnessed its effectiveness in overseas restaurants. That experience made me clearly understand the importance of technology in the hospitality industry.

Students today must equip themselves with these skills without excuses. There is a common misconception that technology is not essential for hotels, but in the modern era, it has significantly simplified operations and enhanced efficiency across the food business.”

Educationist Shandhip Sabapathy shared an inspiring and thought-provoking story that deeply resonated with the participants. His narrative centred on hope and resilience in the midst of a challenging recessionary environment, where companies are increasingly restructuring, downsizing unskilled resources, and adopting artificial intelligence to enhance efficiency.

Experts noted that while traditional roles are evolving, opportunities are growing in data analytics, data science, and business analytics. This has increased demand for skilled professionals, leading students to pursue programmes such as a data analytics course in Coimbatore, a data analyst course with placement, and data science training in CoimbatoreChief guests shared insights on the use of technology tools, analytics platforms, and enterprise systems in real-world operations, helping faculty align teaching with industry practices. 

Chief guests shared insights on the use of technology tools, analytics platforms, and enterprise systems in real-world operations, helping faculty align teaching with industry practices. Participants also highlighted increasing relevance of programmes like software courses in Coimbatore, business analytics courses in Coimbatore, and business analyst courses with placement.

The conclave emphasised practical learning through live project training, internships, and mock interview preparation. Experts stressed that beyond technical skills, employers value communication, problem-solving, teamwork, and adaptability, prompting institutions to increasingly integrate soft skill development with technical training.

The conclave also highlighted the role of Venster School of Excellence, which has been actively engaged in skill development and training in Coimbatore for over a decade, collaborating with colleges and institutions to deliver career-focused programmes.

Recognised as a growing IT training institute in Coimbatore, the organisation offers specialised programmes including data analytics training under the data science course with placement and business analyst training, designed to combine classroom learning with practical exposure. The institute provides training for commerce students through courses such as the Tally course and Zoho Books training, enabling proficiency in widely used accounting and enterprise tools.

The organisation offers specialised management upskilling programmes for IT professionals, enabling career advancement in a rapidly evolving technology landscape. With flexible weekend and fast-track batches, it equips professionals with industry-relevant skills through practical, expert-led training.

Through these initiatives, students gain practical knowledge for careers in finance, business operations analytics, and technology roles, supported by mock interviews, resume preparation and career guidance programmes. Over the years, the institute has contributed to skill enrichment across technical and non-technical areas, including coding, data analysis, business analytics and professional communication.

Chief Guest Mr. Ambi Moorthy, startup mentor, highlighted the success stories of emerging young startups in recent times and noted that the VENSTER-led incubation centres in and around Coimbatore have consistently nurtured and contributed a significant number of successful young entrepreneurs to society.

Participants noted that such conclaves strengthen academia-industry collaboration, enabling educators to better align teaching with real-world requirements. With increasing adoption of digital technologies, demand for analytics and business intelligence skills is expected to grow, making programmes such as a data science course, a data analytics course with placement and a business analyst course increasingly significant.

The conclave concluded by emphasising the importance of continued collaboration to build a future-ready education ecosystem.

The Estée Lauder Companies’ Statement on Potential Transaction with Puig

Business Wire India

The Estée Lauder Companies Inc. (NYSE: EL) confirms that it is in discussions regarding a potential business combination with Puig, in which the two companies would potentially merge their businesses. No final decision has been made, and no agreement has been reached. Unless and until an agreement is signed between the companies, there can be no assurances regarding the deal or its terms.

 

Forward-Looking Statement

 

 

This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These statements include, but are not limited to, statements regarding a potential transaction and the anticipated timing, terms, and completion of any such transaction.

 

 

Forward-looking statements are based on current expectations and assumptions and are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially. These risks and uncertainties include, among others, the possibility that no agreement will be reached, that required regulatory approvals may not be obtained, or that other conditions to a potential transaction may not be satisfied.

 

 

There can be no assurance that any transaction will be consummated or, if consummated, as to its timing or terms. The Estée Lauder Companies undertakes no obligation to update any forward-looking statements, except as required by law.

 

 

About The Estée Lauder Companies Inc.

 

 

The Estée Lauder Companies Inc. is one of the world’s leading manufacturers, marketers, and sellers of quality skin care, makeup, fragrance, and hair care products, and is a steward of luxury and prestige brands globally. The company’s products are sold in approximately 150 countries and territories under brand names including: Estée Lauder, Aramis, Clinique, Lab Series, Origins, M·A·C, La Mer, Bobbi Brown Cosmetics, Aveda, Jo Malone London, Bumble and bumble, Darphin Paris, TOM FORD, Smashbox, AERIN Beauty, Le Labo, Editions de Parfums Frédéric Malle, GLAMGLOW, KILIAN PARIS, Too Faced, Dr.Jart+, the DECIEM family of brands, including The Ordinary and NIOD, and BALMAIN Beauty.

 

 

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