Archives 2026

By: Prof. Seema Mahajan, Pro Vice Chancellor and Director, School of Entrepreneurship & Family Business Management, SVKM’s NMIMS Mumbai

On International Day of Education, it is imperative to recognise that education has shifted from a degree-granting function to a strategic capability-building engine for global readiness. In a hyper-connected world, learning can no longer be geographically siloed or confined to institutions. Competitive advantage in education now emerges through purposeful cross-border knowledge exchange—where institutions, faculty, industry, and learners co-create solutions to complex and competitive global challenges.

Equally critical is the design of inclusive learning ecosystems that democratize access across gender, geography, and generations, enabling every learner to participate in and benefit from global opportunity structures.  International partnerships must evolve from symbolic MoUs to outcome-driven collaborations encompassing joint degrees, faculty co-creation, applied research, and mobility frameworks. As disruption accelerates across industries, education must develop adaptive leaders with systems thinking, ethical judgment, cultural intelligence, and a commitment to lifelong learning. The future of education will be shaped by globally aligned institutions that collaborate, not compete, to build resilient and future-ready societies.

IEEMA Strengthens Southern Presence; Launches Telangana Power Conclave to Boost Electrical and Electronics Manufacturing Industry

Hyderabad, Jan 27: The Indian Electrical & Electronics Manufacturers’ Association (IEEMA) today inaugurated the first edition of the Telangana Power Conclave in Hyderabad. The first-of-its-kind event in the state power conclave was inaugurated by Shri Navin Mittal, special chief secretary to the Government, Energy Department, Government of Telangana. Telangana Power Conclave is the sixth in the line of State Power Conclave launched by IEEMA to grow its regional engagement with industry and showcase the business potential of states in the country.

Speaking at the Telangana Power Conclave, Shri Navin Mittal, special chief secretary to Government, Energy Department, Government of Telangana, said:

“The state is focusing on expanding solar, wind, and energy storage capacities, including BESS and pumped storage. While Gujarat and Rajasthan are India’s wind and solar capital, Telangana aims to become India’s PSP capital. Transmission and distribution networks are being strengthened, with data centres emerging as key demand drivers, supported by strong government policy backing.” 

He further added, “IEEMA’s initiatives like Telangana Power Conclave provide a strong platform that connects the government’s vision with industry execution. Telangana is a fast-growing state and is on track to become a $3 trillion economy by 2047. The energy sector is expected to grow at 10% annually, with installed capacity set to increase five-fold. Power consumption is projected to rise from 95 TWh currently to nearly 780 TWh by 2047, and planning has been aligned accordingly.”

Talking about Telangana’s growth and industry potential, Shri Vikram Gandotra, President, IEEMA said,

“Telangana is a powerhouse of economic vitality and now the 9th largest state economy in India, its Clean and Green Energy Policy is redefining the state’s infrastructure landscape and commended both the industry and the Telangana government for their strategic planning and sustained investments.”

Addressing the gathering, Shri Siddharth Bhutoria, IEEMA President-Elect said,

“Telangana’s rapid progress in expanding power access and setting ambitious renewable energy targets clearly demonstrates how commitment and innovation can drive industrial and social growth.”

The conclave focused on state specific opportunities and challenges, Telangana’s Roadmap for 2047, green energy, green data centers and the resilience of T&D Grid.

The event featured technical sessions, policy plans, dialogues, and networking opportunities focused on capacity building, innovative technologies & solutions. The event saw a turnout of over 300 participants.

SalaryOnTime, a credible FinTech Marketplace that addresses the credit needs of working professionals, announced the introduction of their AI-based Risk Assessment System, which targets credit accelerating loan approvals with high degrees of precision and compliance. This newly introduced system uses advanced technologies like AI with the help of machine learning algorithms on the real-time information that the customers are providing. This further enables faster credit decisions and a smoother digital lending journey.

With the integration of the AI-based evaluation process, the organization can easily assess the key parameters like the salary profile, employment pattern, repayment ability, or credit behavior on the spot. This eliminates time consumption and involves automated risk scores instead, thus optimizing time while still deriving the offered decision. There are also intelligent signals related to fraud detection that assist in the identification of potential risks, hence reducing the occurrence of fraud risks.

The launch comes at a time when borrowers are increasingly demanding instant, transparent, and reliable access to credit. The system, through the elimination of document requests and other verification procedures, enables customers to get faster responses and updates on their eligibility and the online application process. The faster response and accurate decision, along with safer practices, help build customer trust.

In addition to optimizing speed and efficiency, this new risk assessment tool utilizing AI will further solidify SalaryOnTime’s commitment to responsible and compliant lending practices. The system aligns with RBI-compliant digital lending guidelines and facilitates improved KYC, check eligibility criteria, and repayment abilities, establishing itself as a regulated ‘customer-first,’ lender focused on long-term financial well-being.

Commenting on the launch, Ankit Modi, Managing Director of SalaryOnTime, said,

“Our vision was not only to disburse these loans quickly, but to also ensure a much safer and responsible experience for working professionals. The new AI- based risk assessment system further strengthens our promise to deliver transparent and ethical lending, with faster and more accurate results without compromising on compliance or customer trust.”

With this latest technology upgrade, SalaryOnTime continues to invest in intelligent digital infrastructure that balances the scales of speed, accuracy, and risk management. Its focus on providing secure, scalable, and responsible lending solutions that meet the expectations of today’s salaried employees in the industry.

Ghaziabad, Jan 27: India’s first operational hi-tech city, Wave City, celebrated the 77th Republic Day with grandeur and patriotic fervor at its Sales Pavilion on Monday. 

Wave City, with ~ 4,200 acres of planned development is well secured gated community which is guarded by 500+ security personals. To make this occasion special, all the guards were awarded at Wave City to honor their undeterred bravery to make Wave City a safe place for its residents.

Speaking on the occasion, C J Singh, COO, Wave City said,

“Republic Day is a reminder to celebrate the valour of our security forces and pay tribute to the martyrs. At Wave City, we are committed to fostering a community that reflects these ideals—where innovation, sustainability, and inclusivity thrive. We should respect their sacrifice and do whatever we can in the interest of the nation”.

Jan 27: The British company Cornelius Electronics will invest approximately €5 million to expand production at the Edineț Industrial Park located in the Republic of Moldova’s North-Western region. The project includes the construction of three production halls totaling over 3,000 m², intended for the manufacturing of wiring harnesses and connection systems used across 14 industries, including healthcare, artificial intelligence, railway transport, and renewable energy. Cornelius Electronics currently employs 81 people, of whom over 80% are women. All production is destined for export, serving industrial clients in the European Union.

“Cornelius Electronics SRL is a fast-growing business built on passion, dedication, and the desire to deliver real value to our clients. Through continuous investments in technology, modern equipment, and team development, we have strengthened our position as a trusted partner in a transforming industry. Our mission remains clear: high-quality services, continuous innovation, and full customer satisfaction”,

stated Diana Popovici, Managing Director of Cornelius Electronics SRL.

The expansion of Cornelius Electronics was supported and made possible by a Memorandum of Understanding signed by Invest Moldova Agency, Innovate Moldova, and the Municipality of Edineț, which envisages amendments to the industrial park’s infrastructure plan and allows the extension of existing production halls.

“Cornelius Electronics is an example of how international expertise can be integrated into the local industrial ecosystem. We are pleased that, after several years of validated business activity in Moldova, Cornelius Electronics is managing to attract more clients for its production, making it possible to expand its investment in the country”,

said Natalia Bejan, Director of Invest Moldova Agency.

“Through investments in the Edineț Industrial Park, we are contributing to the transformation of the entire northern region. Each new hall brings dozens of jobs, more prosperous communities, and a more competitive national economy, based on engineering, innovation, and modern, export-oriented manufacturing”,

said Sergiu Rabii, Director of the Innovate Moldova Programme.

The investment fits into the positive dynamics of bilateral economic relations between the Republic of Moldova and the United Kingdom, grounded in the Strategic Partnership, Trade and Cooperation Agreement signed on December 24, 2020. According to data from the National Bank of Moldova, British foreign direct investment increased from USD 78.8 million in 2009 to over USD 257 million in 2024, with the bulk concentrated in value-added sectors such as IT, electronics, agro-industry, and services. Currently, 235 companies with British capital operate in the Republic of Moldova, with a total share capital investment volume of approximately MDL 840 million.

The approximately €5 million investment in Edineț, made by Cornelius Electronics, aims to bring British capital and technology in the future, support professional training, and create opportunities for better integration of Moldova into regional value chains, strengthening the country’s role as a stable supplier in the European electronics sector and regional value chains.

The Republic of Moldova’s electronics sector is an essential supplier to European markets, accounting for a significant share of the country’s exports. According to UN Comtrade, between 2019 and 2024, Moldovan exports of electrical equipment and components to the European Union totaled USD 3.37 billion, accounting for over 90% of the sector’s total exports.

Bengaluru, Karnataka, Jan 24: DriveX, a pioneering pre-owned two-wheeler platform, today announced the opening of its two newest company-owned and company-operated (COCO) outlets at Kasturi Nagar and Rajajinagar. These additions mark another important milestone in DriveX’s expansion across Karnataka and reinforcing its growing presence in Bengaluru.

With the addition of the Rajajinagar outlet, DriveX now operates six company-owned stores in Bengaluru and more than 50 outlets across multiple cities, spanning both COCO and FOFO (franchise-owned and franchise-operated) models. This continued expansion strengthens the brand’s footprint in key urban markets and underscores its leadership in India’s fast evolving pre-owned two-wheeler ecosystem.

Strategically located on Outer Ring Road, the Kasturi Nagar outlet offers strong connectivity and access to high-density residential and commercial neighbourhoods in East Bengaluru. Meanwhile, the Rajajinagar COCO store enhances DriveX’s reach in West Bengaluru, catering to a well-established, high-demand micro-market. Together, these locations reflect DriveX’s focused approach to improving accessibility, convenience, and trust for customers seeking quality pre-owned mobility solutions, making it the right choice for the customers.

At both new COCO stores, customers can explore a wide range of quality-assured pre-owned two-wheelers supported by DriveX Finance solutions designed to enhance affordability. Every vehicle undergoes a standardized quality inspection to ensure reliability and peace of mind. Both outlets offer comprehensive customer support, including financing, warranty options, and after-sales services and assistance, creating a seamless, transparent, and value-driven buying experience.

These launches are a part of DriveX’s broader growth strategy to expand deeper into high-potential urban micro-markets. In the coming months, the company plans to further strengthen its presence across India, including cities such as Chennai, Coimbatore, and other key regions, through a balanced mix of COCO and FOFO outlets. This accelerated rollout aims to make trusted pre-owned two-wheelers more accessible while reinforcing DriveX’s customer-first philosophy.

Commenting on the launch, Devesh Taparia, CEO, DriveX, said:

“Bengaluru continues to be a cornerstone of our growth strategy. With the launches at Kasturi Nagar and Rajajinagar, we are taking another step towards building a strong, organized retail network across key city micro-markets. As we expand, our focus remains on addressing real customer challenges in the largely unorganised pre-owned segment by offering transparent processes, trusted products, and meaningful choice, positioning DriveX as the right choice for reliable mobility partner.”

The openings of the Kasturi Nagar and Rajajinagar COCO stores mark another milestone in DriveX’s  mission to build a nationwide, organised pre-owned two-wheeler network. With continued expansion across key markets and a strong emphasis on trust, affordability, and customer choice, DriveX is redefining  the future of pre-owned mobility in India.

Bengaluru, India,  Jan  24: AXISCADES Technologies Limited (BSE: 532395 | NSE: AXISCADES), a chip to product company and a pioneer in Aerospace, Defence, Electronics, Semiconductor and Artificial Intelligence (ESAI) applications, announces new wins in ESAI division by its subsidiary Mistral Solutions.

This strategic contract pertains to testing of audio products of its Hyperscaler customer in the newly established Acoustic Lab in Aeroland facility, Bengaluru.

This pilot order is for multiyear, valued at about $1Mn and is expected to generate more opportunities in innovative audio product development. These small form factor audio products stand out through advanced spatial audio processing, custom silicon for superior noise cancellation, and seamless integration with AI for proactive, ambient AI experiences.

Mr. Manikandan, CEO, Mistral Solutions said,

“This is the result of our efforts to expand beyond our traditional base of TI and Qualcomm ecosystem and add the global majors to our customer list by setting up exclusive facilities for them and forge long term relationship”.

Mumbai, Jan 24: Republic Day Sales 2026 offer a clear view into how India’s e-commerce market is maturing beyond discount-driven spikes towards structurally driven growth. An analysis by Unicommerce, based on over 27 million order items processed on its Uniware platform during the 2025 and 2026 Republic Day Sales periods, highlights four signals shaping the sector’s trajectory.

Tier 3 Cities Are Now Volume Leaders

Smaller cities emerged as key growth drivers. Tier 3 cities, led by Kolar (Karnataka), Rohtak (Haryana), Kamrup (Assam), Ernakulam (Kerala) and Khordha (Odisha) among others accounted for nearly 40% of total order items, with order volumes growing over 19% YoY. Healthy food volumes more than doubled in Tier 2 cities, while Tier 3 markets contributed around 43% of total food and beverage orders, underscoring the deepening reach of e-commerce beyond metros.

Repeat consumption driving growth 

Order volumes grew 16.9% year-on-year, while GMV rose 11.9%, driven by higher order frequency rather than ticket size alone. FMCG & Agriculture and Beauty & Wellness were the fastest-growing categories, with nearly 80% and ~53% YoY growth respectively. Demand was led by healthy and everyday items such as dry fruits, millet-based products, packaged healthy snacks, and organic staples, and face serums, body washes along with other grooming products—reflecting a shift towards habit-driven, repeat consumption.

Speed and Automation Are Driving Conversions

Channel trends highlighted rising expectations for faster fulfillment. Quick commerce led growth with a ~25% YoY increase in order volumes, followed by brand-owned websites at 23%, while marketplaces continued to process the largest share of orders. Brands increasingly relied on automation to manage real-time inventory, routing, and customer engagement, reinforcing that execution quality is now as critical as pricing in driving sales performance.

AI-Led Engagement Is Closing the Conversion Gap

Brands leveraged AI and automation to convert high-intent demand during the Republic Day sale period this year. Insights from Unicommerce’s Convertway platform show over 2.5 million customer communications across SMS, WhatsApp, and RCS, driving improvement in conversion rates. AI Voice Agent ‘Catalyst’ further enabled last-mile order completion, with over 1.2 lakh calls made during the sales period—generating over ten times revenue for brands compared to the cost they incurred, making it a high-yield channel and highlighting the growing role of AI in shaping sale outcomes.

Together, these four signals point to an inflection in India’s e-commerce growth: repeat consumption driving growth, execution and technology-led expansion, smaller-city participation, faster fulfillment, and AI engagement emerging as the key growth levers in 2026.

By:  Mr. Roy Aniruddha, Co-Founder & Chairman of TechnoStruct Academy

“The Union Budget 2025–26 allocated ₹1.28 lakh crore to education, including ₹20,000 crore for private R&D and ₹500 crore for AI Centres of Excellence. Despite this, results remain limited: India produces 1.5 million engineers each year, yet only 42.6% are employable (Mercer-Mettl 2025). R&D spending is just 0.7% of GDP, and nearly 99% of graduates from non-elite institutions struggle due to outdated, theory-heavy curricula that lack practical skills like BIM, VDC, and advanced manufacturing. The construction sector alone loses over ₹1.5 lakh crore annually due to digital skill gaps.

Budget 2026 must focus on vocational engineering skills rather than just credentials. Key measures should include lowering GST on skill-based courses to make them more affordable, offering tax incentives for industry-led skilling platforms and digital labs, and launching a National Construction Tech Skilling Mission with hands-on project learning and apprenticeship programs. Industry-aligned vocational training already achieves up to 95% placement for non-elite graduates. Targeted skilling reforms are essential to improving employability, boosting productivity, and driving long-term economic growth.”