Archives 2026

ICICI Bank Launches Capital Gains Account Scheme

Chandigarh, Jan 1:-  ICICI Bank today announced the launch of the Capital Gains Account Scheme  enabling customers to deposit un-invested long term capital gains or sale proceeds from the sale of specified capital assets. This facility allows them to avail tax exemptions for up to three years while earning interest on deposited funds.

The launch follows the Government’s approval of ICICI Bank as an authorised institution to handle CGAS deposits.

Starting January 1, 2026, this scheme is available for Resident individuals and Hindu Undivided Families  It will be available for non-individuals and NRIs shortly. It benefits taxpayers who are unable to reinvest long term capital gains before the Income Tax Return filing deadline. Customers can open a Capital Gains Account by visiting their nearest ICICI Bank branch 

An ICICI Bank spokesperson said, “We thank the Government of India for recognising ICICI Bank as an authorised institution for CGAS deposits. With this scheme, customers can park un-invested long term capital gains, earn interest, and claim tax exemptions, while planning reinvestment up to three years. This offering reinforces our commitment to deliver financial solutions that meet evolving customer needs.”

Key features & benefits of CGAS;

·       Type A (Savings Account): Flexible withdrawals linked to approved reinvestment purposes

·       Type B (Term Deposit Account): Cumulative or non-cumulative formats for fixed-tenure deposits

·       Tax exemption: Deposit un-invested capital gains or sale proceeds before the ITR due date to claim exemption on long-term capital gains under relevant Income Tax sections

·      Temporary parking of fundsUp to three years to plan reinvestment without losing exemption eligibility

·       Interest earned: Similar to regular savings account or fixed deposits.

·       Flexible reinvestment: Proceeds can be invested in property, agricultural land, or new capital assets of industrial undertaking in non-urban areas/ special economic zones depending on the CGAS chosen; withdrawal of proceeds requires proof of usage of funds

Tanisha Chaudhary Wins First Place in Barqlexus Habeas Quizpus 2.0

Noida, jan 1:- Tanisha Chaudhary, a student of IMS Law College, has secured First Position and won the Gold Medal in the national-level law-based quiz competition “Barqlexus Habeas Quizpus 2.0, 2025.” The online competition was held on December 20th and witnessed enthusiastic participation from students of leading law colleges and universities across the country. Amid intense competition, Tanisha Chaudhary showcased exceptional legal acumen, analytical ability, and subject knowledge to emerge as the winner. Her achievement has brought pride not only to IMS Law College but also to the entire region.

Expressing his happiness over the achievement, Mr. Rajiv Kumar Gupta, President, IMS Law College, congratulated Tanisha and said that her success is a result of her hard work, dedication, and strong understanding of legal studies. He wished her a bright future and expressed confidence that she would continue to bring laurels to the institution and society.

Professor (Dr.) Vikas Dhawan, Director General, IMS Law College, stated that such national-level achievements by students are a strong reflection of the institution’s academic excellence, disciplined learning environment, and continuous academic efforts. He emphasized that the institution aims not only to impart theoretical knowledge but also to prepare students for outstanding performance on competitive platforms. Such accomplishments inspire other students to enhance their skills and strive for excellence.

Prof. Vyas Kumar Yadav, Convener, IMS Ratio Racers Club, informed that Tanisha Chaudhary is an active member of the IMS Ratio Racers Club and a first-year B.A. LL.B. student. Her achievement has created an atmosphere of pride and celebration at IMS Law College. Faculty members also acknowledged that such successes reaffirm the institution’s commitment to quality legal education and student development.

MedScore Drives Data-Driven Credit for a Resilient Healthcare Supply Chain in 2025

By:- Mr. Mannuri Vamshi Krishna, Founder & CEO of MedScore

“2025 has been a defining year for MedScore as India’s healthcare supply chain moved from intuition-led credit decisions to real-time financial intelligence. We saw firsthand how disciplined data can transform access to essential medicines, especially in markets where delayed payments and informal lending have silently constrained availability for years. Our work with distributors and retailers showed that stability in healthcare begins with stability in cash flows, and that a credible digital credit identity can be as powerful as inventory itself. This year reaffirmed our belief that financial transparency is the strongest lever for building an equitable, efficient, and resilient healthcare ecosystem. As we step into 2026, MedScore will continue strengthening this backbone by expanding our scoring infrastructure, deepening ERP integrations, and bringing structured credit discipline to every corner of India’s B2B pharma landscape.”

Indian Education in 2025 Balances Scale and Impact, Shifts Focus to Holistic, Cradle-to-Career Outcomes in 2026

Mathew Sir's Picture

By:-Mr Jaison C Mathew, CEO, Christel House India

2025 has been a year of both scale and reflection for Indian education. On one hand, we are seeing unprecedented reach, with leading non-profits together now touching millions of children’s lives each year, complementing government efforts across rural, tribal, and urban-poor communities. At the policy level, there is a visible and sustained push towards strengthening the education ecosystem through programmes aligned with the National Education Policy 2020, which places strong emphasis on access, equity, quality, and holistic learning. At the same time, recent trends around enrolment remind us that access alone does not always translate into continuity in classrooms, particularly for children from marginalised backgrounds, and that sustained, on-ground support remains critical.

What gives us hope at Christel House India is how clearly the ecosystem is moving towards deeper, more holistic support for every child. The government’s accelerated implementation of NEP principles, such as the 5+3+3+4 learning structure, multidisciplinary education, emphasis on critical thinking, experiential learning, and early exposure to vocational skills, is creating meaningful opportunities for students to engage with learning in more relevant and future-ready ways. There is also a growing focus on integrating internships and real-world exposure into the academic journey, helping students connect education with employability and life skills from an early stage. At the same time, CSR partners and mission-driven NGOs are doubling down on the fundamentals, such as foundational learning, socio-emotional support, nutrition, transport, and first-generation counselling, which actually keep children in school and help them thrive.

As we look to 2026, our expectation is that the conversation will shift from the number of children we as a collective group of change makers were able to reach to discussing the number of children who truly crossed the finish line with dignity, skills, and confidence. Achieving this will require sharper execution, stronger collaboration between public systems and non-profits in high-need geographies, and sustained investment in long-term, cradle-to-career support models for the most vulnerable learners.

At Christel House India, we remain committed to being that end-to-end support system, and we walk with our students from kindergarten to careers, while partnering with governments, donors, CSR partners, and communities, to ensure that national progress does not leave behind the children who need it most.

Media Junction announces four-day public speaking workshop in Hyderabad, led by D. Ramchandram

Hyderabad, Jan 01: Media Junction, a specialist school for Public Speaking, announced its latest batch of a Four-Day Workshop on Effective Public Speaking. The four-day session will be held from October 17 to 20, from 6 pm to 9.30 pm, at the Premises of Media Junction, Ground Floor 4A, Parthani Towers, Golconda Cross Roads, Musheerabad, Hyderabad.

Public speaking enthusiasts and communications practitioner D. Ramchandram will conduct the Workshop.

Media Junction has pioneered this exclusive workshop on the subject uninterruptedly for the past 19 years.  The workshop is targeted at politicians, businessmen, startup leaders, corporate executives, professionals such as lawyers, doctors, Salespeople, marketing professionals, teaching professionals, IT professionals, and everybody.

For many, “Mike is a bomb”, informs D. Ramchandram, the public speaking trainer.  And they continue to suffer all through their life. Thankfully, there is a solution to this problem.  Everybody can speak well with a little bit of instruction and guidance.  Anyone can master public speaking, added Ram, who has hundreds of workshops to his credit.

“Public speaking is a skill, not a talent”. It can be easily acquired.  Please don’t assume that you need to be born a natural public speaker.  It is a learnable skill. You need this skill to promote your business/profession to customers, and investors.   You can’t outsource public speaking; as an entrepreneur, it’s up to you to be the face of your business. Speakers are leaders and leaders are speakers.

Media Junction gives you the guarantee that you will be able to speak confidently in four days. Give me the dumbest man/woman in the world, we can make him or her “say what he or she wants to say” informs Kalpana, Director of Media Junction.

The workshop teaches the art of Speech Making, Writing, Body Language, Impromptu Speeches, humorous speeches, Content Management for Speech Preparation etc and many such relevant subjects.

India’s M&E and AVGC Industry Sees Rapid Evolution in 2025, Emerging as a Global Hub for High-Value Creative and Tech Talent

Mr Sandip Weling

By:-Mr. Sandip Weling, Whole-time Director & Chief Business Officer, Global Retail, Aptech Limited

“2025 has witnessed the rapid evolution of India’s M&E and AVGC landscape. With virtual production, GenAI-powered workflows, and immersive technologies moving into mainstream adoption, the industry is witnessing a decisive shift toward high-skill, high-value content creation. What is particularly encouraging is the calibre of emerging talent and young creators who are confidently delivering professional work across the AVGC spectrum and digital storytelling. Their performance on global platforms this year signals a future where India is not just scaling output, but strengthening its position as a strategic hub for world-class creative and technological expertise.”

Mumbai Property Registrations Up 13% YoY in December 2025, Transactions Top INR 12,165 Crore

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By:- Rohan Khatau, Director, CCI Projects pvt ltd

“The December 2025 numbers highlight the continued growth of Mumbai’s residential market. Property registrations rose 13 percent to 14,025 units, compared to 12,418 units in December 2024, while growth stood at 14 percent over November 2025. Transaction values also grew to over INR 12,165 crore, reflecting strong ticket sizes and buyer confidence. This demand is being driven by policy support such as GST reforms, easing interest rate conditions, improved liquidity, and robust end-user demand. Growing interest in luxury housing, mixed-use developments, and integrated townships, supported by infrastructure-led development across the MMR region, is further strengthening the market’s long-term growth outlook.”

The 1% Circle Launches in Bengaluru, Redefining Luxury Fitness and Wellness

The 1% Circle, an exclusive luxury fitness and holistic wellness destination, officially launched in Bengaluru on December 26, 2025, marking a new chapter in the city’s evolving wellness landscape. The launch event was held in the presence of esteemed dignitaries, including Mr. Suresh N, Corporator, Bellandur, along with the co-founders of The 1% Circle  Madhukar Joshi, Dhana Teja and Mahesh Babu.

Lighting of the lamp

The inauguration witnessed an enthusiastic response from guests, wellness and beauty enthusiasts, and members of the community, underscoring the growing demand for integrated, premium wellness experiences in the city.

Designed as more than just a gym, The 1% Circle is a thoughtfully curated wellness sanctuary that brings together luxury fitness, holistic recovery, and rejuvenation under one roof. The centre features state-of-the-art training facilities alongside advanced recovery offerings such as ice plunge and Steam, creating a balanced approach to performance and wellbeing.

A dedicated wellness and rejuvenation floor further elevates the experience, offering world-class skincare, haircare, and bodycare treatments, setting a new benchmark for self-care and restoration in Bengaluru.

“The 1% Circle was born from the belief that true wellness is intentional, immersive, and deeply personal. We wanted to create a space where fitness, recovery, and self-care come together seamlessly, allowing individuals to invest in themselves at the highest level. This is not just about working out it’s about elevating how Bengaluru experiences wellness,” said Madhukar Joshi, Co-founder, The 1% Circle.

Speaking at the launch, the chief guests appreciated the vision behind The 1% Circle, highlighting the importance of wellness-focused infrastructure in promoting healthier urban lifestyles. The centre is now open and welcomes individuals to explore and experience its offerings firsthand.

With its integrated approach and premium facilities, The 1% Circle aims to create a community for those who view fitness, wellness, and self-care as a way of life.

MedScore Calls 2025 a Defining Year for Data-Driven Credit in India’s Healthcare Supply Chain

By:- Mr. Mannuri Vamshi Krishna, Founder & CEO of MedScore

“2025 has been a defining year for MedScore as India’s healthcare supply chain moved from intuition-led credit decisions to real-time financial intelligence. We saw firsthand how disciplined data can transform access to essential medicines, especially in markets where delayed payments and informal lending have silently constrained availability for years. Our work with distributors and retailers showed that stability in healthcare begins with stability in cash flows, and that a credible digital credit identity can be as powerful as inventory itself. This year reaffirmed our belief that financial transparency is the strongest lever for building an equitable, efficient, and resilient healthcare ecosystem. As we step into 2026, MedScore will continue strengthening this backbone by expanding our scoring infrastructure, deepening ERP integrations, and bringing structured credit discipline to every corner of India’s B2B pharma landscape.”

ChanaJor Founder Pratap Jain Reflects on OTT Course Correction in 2025, Outlines Vision for 2026

After a phase of rapid expansion and experimentation, the Indian OTT industry in 2025 took a noticeable pause to reassess its direction. Platforms across the ecosystem began re-evaluating what sustainable growth truly means in a crowded and competitive market. Reflecting on the year and sharing his outlook for 2026, Mr. Pratap Jain, Founder & CEO, ChanaJor, offers insight into how the industry evolved across business, content, language, and marketing.Pratap Jain

“2025 emerged as a year of course correction for the Indian OTT industry. The focus moved away from aggressive expansion towards building sustainable businesses, with platforms becoming far more mindful of costs, audience retention, and content performance. Rather than chasing scale blindly, the industry began valuing clear positioning and loyal viewership, signalling a shift where discipline mattered more than hype. By this point, OTT had moved past its phase of experimentation, entering a more mature stage defined by sharper business thinking where growth, retention, and relevance took precedence over sheer volume. The conversation was no longer about who launched the most shows, but about who truly understood their audience. Overall, 2025 marked a turning point for the ecosystem, as platforms reassessed how they grow, where they invest, and how they stay relevant in an increasingly crowded market.”

This broader industry shift also shaped ChanaJor’s internal priorities over the year. Jain notes that from both a business and content lens, the focus was on making more deliberate choices rather than expanding aggressively. “For us, 2025 was about investing smarter in content. Instead of increasing volume, we focused on stories that genuinely connect with our Hindi-speaking audience. From a business lens, content led every decision distribution and monetization followed what viewers were actually watching and finishing. The biggest shift was moving from experimentation to conviction-driven storytelling.”

Language and regional focus continued to play a central role in driving growth. According to Jain, ChanaJor’s positioning as a Hindi-only platform became a key strength during the year. “At ChanaJor, our focus has always been clear we are a Hindi-only platform. In 2025, this clarity became our biggest strength. Hindi content allowed us to reach audiences across Tier 2, Tier 3, and emerging markets where relatability matters more than scale. We don’t see language diversity as a necessity for growth; instead, we see depth within Hindi storytelling as our long-term advantage. This focus will remain central in 2026.”

Marketing strategies across the OTT space also reflected this shift towards efficiency and clarity. Jain points out that performance-led approaches dominated spends during the year. “In 2025, marketing spends were largely performance-driven focused on digital discovery, platform integrations, and content-led promotions. Efficiency and measurable outcomes were key.” Looking ahead, he expects a more balanced mix. “In 2026, we expect a gradual shift towards stronger brand-building, while maintaining performance discipline. As the platform matures, trust and recall will play a larger role in driving sustained growth.”

As the industry moves into the new year, Jain says sharper identity-led communication will be a key priority. “Our biggest resolution is to communicate our identity more clearly. Instead of marketing every release aggressively, we want to strengthen what ChanaJor stands for authentic Hindi stories that feel rooted and relatable. Consistency in messaging will matter more than frequency.”

Sharing his view on what lies ahead for the OTT industry, Jain highlights a few defining trends.

“The coming year will be shaped by a stronger focus on viewer retention and engagement, not just acquisition, growth of short and micro-format storytelling with high relatability, and platforms building clear cultural and language identities instead of trying to be everything for everyone. The OTT platforms that succeed in 2026 will be the ones that stay focused, understand their audience deeply, and tell stories with honesty.”