Archives 2026

Gurugram, Jan 22: Samsung, India’s largest consumer electronics brand, today unveiled an early preview of its upcoming cooling innovations, marking a meaningful evolution in how comfort, intelligence and energy efficiency will define modern homes

With the message “The future of AI AC is coming,” the brand is setting expectations for an AC advancement that moves beyond conventional home cooling.

The teaser spotlights the Bespoke AI WindFree Air Conditioner lineup, combining advanced AI technology, premium design and smart connectivity to deliver a more refined home cooling experience for Indian conditions

The range will feature WindFree Cooling, along with AI Fast & WindFree™ Cooling+, AI Energy Mode, Preventive maintenance and SmartThings integration for optimized performance, better energy management and seamless control.

India, Jan 22: On the auspicious occasion of Saraswati Puja, also known as Vasant Panchami or Shri Panchami across different regions of India, Senco Gold & Diamonds presents a thoughtfully curated festive collection inspired by reflection, renewal, and purposeful beginnings. Celebrated as a day that honours learning, creativity, and clarity of thought, the festival also heralds the arrival of spring a season when individuals and families seek blessings for important milestones, from the start of education and weddings to new homes and meaningful new chapters in life.

Drawing from the spirit of the occasion, the Saraswati Puja Collection brings together spiritual symbolism, refined aesthetics, and master craftsmanship. Designed to accompany moments of devotion and transition, each piece reflects Senco’s belief that jewellery, when chosen with intention, becomes an enduring part of life’s most meaningful moments.

Speaking on the occasion, Joita Sen, Director and Head of Marketing and Design at Senco Gold & Diamonds, said,

“Saraswati Puja or Vasant Panchami holds a special place in India’s cultural and emotional consciousness. At Senco, we view this occasion as a celebration of knowledge, creativity, and purposeful living. Our jewellery is thoughtfully designed to become part of life’s meaningful milestones. Guided by knowledge, refined through skilled karigari, and shaped by timeless design sensibilities, each piece carries intention beyond beauty. Choosing jewellery on this auspicious day is about welcoming clarity, progress, and positive energy into one’s life. The Saraswati Puja Collection is an expression of faith, heritage, and enduring craftsmanship, created to be treasured today and across generations.”

The collection features classic gold necklaces in elegant sitahar styles with statement pendants, antique-finish chokers accented with pearls and temple-inspired motifs, intricate Kundan and Polki designs, traditional heavy gold bangles, and designer earrings defined by balanced proportions. Devotional pendants depicting Goddess Saraswati, Goddess Lakshmi, and Lord Ganesh are crafted with subtle detailing, while sacred gold coins from Senco’s spiritual collection offer a meaningful expression of auspicious gifting.

Handcrafted by master artisans and BIS hallmarked, each piece reflects Senco’s unwavering commitment to purity, precision, and enduring design where tradition is shaped by learning, and craftsmanship becomes a quiet expression of devotion.

This Saraswati Puja, Senco Gold & Diamonds celebrates the beauty of tradition and the promise of new beginnings with jewellery that transcends adornment, becoming part of rituals, blessings, memories, and the joy of gifting.

Bengaluru,  Jan 22: The Indian Open Source for Mobile Communication Networks Consortium made a new open source, public release of its software platform that would allow organisations to build and run their own Private 5G networks. Designed for factories, campuses, research institutions and startups, the platform would allow users to deploy Private 5G networks that promise faster, more reliable and secure connectivity than Wi-Fi or public mobile networks at a lower cost.

The platform is named Agartala 0.4.0, continuing IOS-MCN’s convention of using Indian city names to reflect its national, open-source character. This the fourth open-source milestone that is mature enough for pilot deployments of India’s homegrown Private 5G platform. Validation tests prove end-to-end latency of under 10 milliseconds and downlink throughput of up to 600 Mbps per gNB, making it suitable for early pilots and enterprise trials.

The IOS-MCN is being developed by a consortium led by IISc Benagaluru, IIT Delhi, C-DAC, with funding from the Ministry of Electronics & Information Technology  Government of India. Agartala 0.4.0 marks a decisive step towards industry-grade, deployable Private 5G networks built on an open-source platform.

Powering India’s Private 5G Ecosystem

Spokesperson from Foundation for Science, Innovation and Development said;

“FSID’s objective is to ensure that research-led programmes translate into deployable infrastructure. IOS-MCN demonstrates how publicly funded, open-source platforms can create long-term national capability. Agartala 0.4.0 moves this effort from development to validation, enabling pilots that will enable future deployments.”

Agartala 0.4.0 positions IOS-MCN for early pilot deployments led by ecosystem partners, with installations planned to commence in the second half of 2026 across multiple sectors.

Niral Networks, which builds indigenous telecom and networking solutions, has proposed an Intelligent Village pilot. It stated

“Agartala 0.4.0 provides the foundational technology that enables Private 5G deployments for rural and semi-urban environments. We will leverage IOS-MCN stack to deliver real-world analytics and digital inclusion solutions through initiatives like the Intelligent Village Pilot and Smart Village Connectivity Program.”

Coral Telecom, a long-standing telecom systems integrator working with large public-sector and critical infrastructure clients, has proposed Private 5G pilots for Indian Railways and disaster-management applications for the National Disaster Management Authority. The company said:

 “The Agartala 0.4.0 release enables us to design and deploy Private 5G pilots for highly demanding, mission-critical scenarios. Our pilots planned for 2026 will leverage IOS-MCN’s open architecture to validate resilient and secure communication networks.”

Techphosis, which develops secure technology solutions for defence and strategic applications has proposed a Network-in-a-Box pilot for defence applications. It said;

 “Agartala 0.4.0 demonstrates the readiness of open-source, ORAN-compliant platforms for defence use cases. The Network-in-a-Box pilot, planned for the second half of 2026, aims to validate rapid, secure, portable and reliable Private 5G deployments for defence communications.”

Mashmari, which focuses on digital learning and last-mile connectivity solutions for public education programmes, has propoed a Remote Learning pilot for Anganwadis in Haryana. It added “The IOS-MCN Agartala 0.4.0 release is a major milestone, paving the way for cost-effective digital connectivity, including Private 5G, to bridge last-mile gaps for education and essential services  such as Women and Child Development (WCDD) Haryana’s Digital Anganwadis, where connectivity has delivered remarkable gains in worker motivation, joyful learning, and community confidence.”

W4S, which works on drone-based systems and connected infrastructure, has proposed Private 5G deployments to support aerial platforms and low-latency communications. The company said:

 “IOS-MCN Agartala 0.4.0 provides a strong technical foundation for designing Private 5G networks to support drone-based applications. We will leverage IOS-MCN to explore low-latency and high-reliability connectivity for aerial platforms used in surveillance, disaster management, and connected infrastructure.”

Together, these proposed pilots, spanning rural connectivity, railways, disaster response, defence, education, and drone-enabled networks, underscore IOS-MCN Agartala 0.4.0’s readiness to transition from platform development to industry validation and deployment starting in 2026.

READY TO DEPLOY

Agartala 0.4.0 is now publicly available on GitHub, reinforcing IOS-MCN’s commitment to open development, transparent governance, and community-driven innovation. For further details, please visit https://ios-mcn.org.

The IOS-MCN Consortium gratefully acknowledges contributions from the OpenAirInterface, SD-Core, and ORAN-SC communities, whose collaboration continues to accelerate India’s open telecom journey.

Quote on Pre-Budget FY27 expectations – Gaurav Lath, Joint Managing Director, Concord Control Systems Limited

“As we approach Union Budget FY27, the railway technology sector stands at an exciting threshold, thanks to the visionary leadership driving India’s rail revolution. We commend the government’s tireless efforts in prioritizing safety, security, and innovation across the ecosystem, evident in groundbreaking initiatives like green hydrogen adoption and Kavach 4.0.

 We appreciate Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw’s (Minister for Railways, Information & Broadcasting and Electronics & Information Technology, GoI) focus on policy-driven growth, including infrastructure investment, manufacturing and innovation support, inclusive development, and regulatory simplification. The sector strongly supports this approach, which will create a stable, predictable environment to scale homegrown technologies and attract global investment.

The sector seeks sustained policy support to scale from pilots to commercial green hydrogen infrastructure for railways. Long-term policy visibility, paired with targeted incentives for indigenous R&D in advanced electronics, will supercharge homegrown players like us Concord Control Systems Limited. Strengthened public-private partnerships, swift technology validation, and streamlined certification, building on the government’s robust frameworks therefore will fast-track innovations.

These steps will further cement Atmanirbhar Bharat, and position India as a rail tech superpower. We’re confident this budget, under Hon’ble Finance Minister’s guidance, will deliver that transformative foundation.”

Quote on Pre-Budget FY27 expectations – Nitin Jain, Joint Managing Director, Concord Control Systems Limited

“As we approach the Union Budget FY27, the Indian rail and mobility ecosystem stands at a critical inflection point where scale, safety, and sustainability must advance together. Continued and enhanced capital allocation towards railway modernisation, indigenous technology development, and next-generation propulsion systems will be essential to meet India’s long-term freight and passenger mobility goals. Focused support for safety-critical systems, automation, and digitalisation will further strengthen operational efficiency across the rail network.

From an industry perspective, targeted incentives for domestic manufacturing of high-value electronics, embedded systems, and clean mobility solutions along with support for hydrogen and alternative energy adoption, will accelerate innovation while reducing import dependence. Policy clarity on long-term procurement, faster approvals for advanced technologies, and strengthened R&D incentives will enable companies like ours to invest with greater confidence in globally competitive solutions developed in India.

We appreciate the government’s sustained commitment to infrastructure-led growth and the ‘Make in India’ vision, which has empowered Indian companies to deliver world-class, mission-critical technologies. With continued policy support in FY27, the industry is well-positioned to contribute meaningfully to India’s ambitions of safer railways, greener transportation, and leadership in future mobility solutions.”

New Delhi, Jan 22: Ahead of the peak summer season, LG Electronics India Limited  India’s Most Trusted Brand in the Electronics segment, has announced its position as among the first brands in the country to introduce a comprehensive range of air conditioners fully compliant with the new 2026 Bureau of Energy Efficiency (BEE) Star Rating norms.

This proactive rollout ensures that Indian consumers gain immediate access to the latest generation of energy-efficient cooling technology, well ahead of the seasonal surge in demand.

The revised BEE norms mark a significant advancement in energy efficiency benchmarks, raising industry standards and aligning India more closely with global energy performance frameworks. By upgrading its portfolio in advance, LGEIL reinforces its commitment to sustainability, responsible innovation, and consumer-centric product development.

Key Highlights of the 2026 Lineup

Enhanced Energy Savings:
The updated norms are designed to substantially reduce household power consumption. Industry estimates suggest that upgrading to a new 5-star air conditioner compliant with the 2026 standards can help consumers save up to INR 19,000 over a 10-year period, depending on usage patterns and electricity tariff rates.

Understanding the New Ratings:
Under the stricter 2026 framework, efficiency thresholds have been raised. As a result, models previously rated as 5-star may now be classified as 4-star. This reclassification reflects higher efficiency benchmarks, not diminished performance, and encourages the adoption of advanced, low-power technologies.

Immediate Availability:
LGEIL’s future-ready 2026 lineup has been available in the market since early January, positioning the brand among the earliest adopters of the new BEE norms. This ensures that customers purchasing ahead of the summer season invest in regulation-ready, next-generation technology, rather than outdated models.

Smart, Consumer-Focused Features:
The 2026 range emphasizes intelligent, user-centric innovation with features such as Precool and Energy Manager.

• Precool is an advanced feature that ensures the home is cool and comfortable the moment users arrive. Using geo-fencing technology, LG ThinQ automatically operates the air conditioner based on user-defined automation once the user enters a predefined distance range.

• Energy Manager+ analyses historical AC usage patterns and recommends realistic operating hours and energy consumption. Users can also set periodic budget targets based on these recommendations, enabling smarter energy management.

Commenting on the launch, Sanjay Chitkara, Co-Chief Sales & Marketing Officer, LG Electronics India Limited, said:

“As India transitions towards stricter energy efficiency norms, LG Electronics India Limited remains firmly committed to supporting this shift through early compliance and future-ready innovation. With our portfolio already aligned to the new BEE standards, we enter the upcoming season well prepared to deliver reliable, energy-efficient air-conditioning solutions that help consumers save on energy costs while enjoying superior cooling performance.”

To facilitate a smooth transition, LGEIL is rolling out a comprehensive consumer awareness campaign across print, digital, and retail platforms to educate customers on the benefits and implications of the new star ratings. In parallel, the company’s manufacturing and supply chain operations have been fully aligned with the updated guidelines.

While the focus remains on the 2026-compliant range, air conditioners manufactured under the previous standards will continue to be available until existing inventories are liquidated, providing consumers with greater flexibility in purchasing decisions.

By:-  Dhaval Radia, Chief Financial Officer, ZEISS India

As we look ahead to the upcoming Union Budget, there is strong expectation around further rationalisation of customs duties, particularly for the core growth sectors such as healthcare and high-end and precision manufacturing. Addressing inverted duty structures and ensuring a more predictable import framework and simplified governance framework will be critical for improving cost competitiveness and long-term investment planning and predictability.

Equally important is continued progress on ease of doing business through fewer licenses, permits, and discretionary approvals for non-sensitive, technology-intensive imports. For advanced manufacturing, speed, certainty, and regulatory simplicity matter as much as incentives. A Budget that enables seamless access to global components, faster clearances, and stable policy signals will go a long way in strengthening India’s ambition to emerge as a global hub for high-value, technology-led manufacturing.

Clear policy support for Global Capability Centres focused on high – value work such as Engineering, Digital Computing, Deep Tech, AI, Finance Transformation, and R&D – including rationalised transfer pricing rates and governance, simplified compliance, radically improving physical infrastructure specifically in GCC hotspots, and targeted incentives. Progress on the proposed India – EU free trade agreement, particularly with Germany, would be a strong enabler for technology-led manufacturing, smoother trade flows, and deeper industrial collaboration.

Today, the Union Cabinet chaired by the Hon’ble Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi has accorded approval for an equity infusion of INR 5,000 crore in three tranches (`3,000 crore in FY2026, `1,000 crore each in FY27 and FY28), aimed at significantly enhancing the flow of affordable and timely credit to India’s vast Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME) sector.

In the recent years, SIDBI has expanded its operations rapidly and its balance sheet as on September 30, 2025 crossed `5.8 lakh crore. SIDBI has opened 65 branches in the last two FYs and its present branch network is 161 branches covering 195 identified major MSME clusters by MoMSME, GoI.

The equity infusion is expected to significantly scale up SIDBI’s ability to serve MSMEs across the country by further reaching out to all major MSME clusters. The equity support will be leveraged by the Bank to scale its business further through expansion of its branch network, introduction of more innovative digital products for working capital, invoice discounting, specialized products for defence sector, machinery loans, etc., SIDBI shall also scale up its efforts in ecosystem development. Further, theme-based refinance support, co-lending with NBFCs and RRBs, equity support at incubation and Pre-IPO stage as well as anchor investments will also be scaled up.

Shri Manoj Mittal, CMD, SIDBI stated that 

“I would like to sincerely thank the Government of India for reposing its trust in SIDBI. I am confident that SIDBI shall play a significant role in empowering the MSME sector as truly identified as a growth engine of the nation to achieve the goals under Viksit Bharat, 2047”.

The Bank would also enhance formalization process of Informal Micro Enterprises (IMEs) and support ecosystem development through energy efficient and cluster interventions in the form of financing as well as outreach programs with industry associations.

Patna, Jan 22: Noted author and legendary socio-cultural thinker Dr. Birbal Jha has issued a national appeal urging citizens, students, educators, and educational institutions to observe Saraswati Chaturthi, the day preceding Basant Panchami, as a day of introspection, discipline, and reverence for knowledge.

Highlighting India’s civilisational ethos of preparation before celebration, Dr. Jha said the proposed observance draws inspiration from the ancient gurukul tradition and the Indian concept of sankalp—a conscious resolve that precedes all meaningful beginnings.

“In India, we do not rush into celebration. We prepare before we pray, reflect before we rejoice, and purify before we celebrate. Saraswati Chaturthi is about restoring that lost rhythm of reflection in our educational and cultural life,” said Dr Birbal Jha, known as the ‘Youngest Living Legend of Mithila’.

Basant Panchami is traditionally celebrated across India as the auspicious day dedicated to Goddess Saraswati, the divine embodiment of wisdom, learning, language, music, and the arts. Dr. Jha proposes that observing Saraswati Chaturthi a day earlier would serve as a spiritual and intellectual prelude to the festival.

“Basant Panchami is the celebration of knowledge; Saraswati Chaturthi can be the preparation for it. Knowledge blossoms only when approached with humility and preparedness,” he remarked.

According to the appeal, Saraswati Chaturthi may be observed as a day for students and educators to reflect on their educational journey, renew their commitment to lifelong learning, and cultivate discipline, curiosity, humility, and gratitude. The initiative also encourages people to buy, collect, organise, cherish, and honour books and learning materials, reaffirming the cultural sanctity of knowledge.

Dr. Jha emphasised that the appeal does not seek to replace or alter any existing religious or cultural traditions, but rather aims to enrich the celebration of Basant Panchami by reviving the preparatory spirit intrinsic to Indian philosophy.

“This is not about changing traditions; it is about deepening them. When preparation is restored, celebration becomes more meaningful and purposeful,” he said.

Calling educational institutions, the “temples of modern India,” Dr. Jha urged schools, colleges, and universities to play a proactive role in adopting the observance.

“Education should not be reduced to mere employability. It is a sacred journey of character, culture, and consciousness. Saraswati Chaturthi can remind students that learning is a lifelong pursuit, not a transactional activity,” Dr Jha added.

Dr. Jha expressed hope that the observance would strengthen India’s knowledge tradition and inspire future generations to approach learning with devotion and dignity.

The appeal has been issued by Dr. Birbal Jha, Managing Director of British Lingua and Chairman of the Mithilalok Foundation, both institutions known for their work in education, language, and cultural advocacy.

The proposed observance concludes with a collective call to the nation to prepare before celebrating, reflect before rejoicing, and learn before proclaiming.
“Jai Maa Sharde,” the appeal concludes.

New Delhi, Jan 22: PNB Housing Finance Limited today announced its Consolidated Unaudited Financial Results for the quarter ended December 31, 2025, following approval by its Board of Directors.

Key Highlights – Q3 FY26

• Retail Loan Asset grew 16% YoY to 81,931 crore, accounting for 99.7% of the total loan asset.

• Affordable and Emerging Markets (AEM) segment grew 31% YoY, contributing 39% to the retail loan book.

• Total disbursements increased 16% YoY and 4% QoQ to 6,217 crore.

• AEM segment disbursements stood at 2,935 crore, contributing nearly 50% of total retail disbursements.

• Gross NPA improved to 1.04% as of December 31, 2025, from 1.19% a year ago.

• Return on Assets (ROA) stood at 2.40% (annualised) for Q3 FY26.

• Capital Adequacy Ratio (CRAR) remained strong at 29.46%, with Tier I at 28.92%.

• Recoveries from the written-off pool amounted to 49 crore during the quarter.

• The Company has provided for an estimated impact of 6 crore under the new labour code within employee benefit expenses.

Financial Performance – Q3 FY26

• Net Profit rose 7.7% YoY to 520 crore.

• Pre-Provision Operating Profit (PPOP) increased 8.4% YoY to 628 crore; excluding the labour code impact, PPOP grew 9.4% YoY to 634 crore.

• Net Interest Income (NII) grew 10.9% YoY to 772 crore.

• Net Interest Margin (NIM) stood at 3.63%.

• Credit cost remained negative at (-19 bps), supported by recoveries.

Performance – 9M FY26

• Net Profit increased 18.0% YoY to 1,635 crore.

• NII rose 13.9% YoY to 2,296 crore.

• ROA improved to 2.57% (annualised); ROE stood at 12.31%.

• Credit cost remained benign at (-33 bps).

Business Growth

• Loan Asset grew 14.3% YoY to 82,203 crore.

• Retail loans expanded 15.9% YoY, led by:

  • Affordable loans: up 86.0% YoY to 7,140 crore

  • Emerging Markets: up 20.3% YoY to 24,998 crore

  • Prime segment: up 8.1% YoY to 49,793 crore

• Corporate loan book reduced sharply to 272 crore, down 78.1% YoY.

• Assets Under Management (AUM) stood at 86,048 crore, up 12.0% YoY.

Distribution Network

• 358 branches across India:

  • 198 Affordable Housing branches

  • 85 Emerging Markets branches

  • 75 Prime segment branches

Asset Quality

• Net NPA at 0.68% as of December 31, 2025.

• Corporate GNPA remains NIL since June 30, 2024.

Management Commentary

Commenting on the performance, Mr. Ajai Shukla, Managing Director & CEO, said:

“Our focus remains firmly on strengthening the retail franchise with a sharper emphasis on the Affordable and Emerging Markets segment. We continue to improve asset quality while sustaining profitability through responsible lending practices. Customer experience remains central to our strategy, supported by technology-led solutions that enhance transparency and turnaround times.

Through operational excellence and digital enablement, we are building a more agile, resilient, and future-ready organization. PNB Housing Finance remains committed to enabling homeownership across India and delivering long-term value to all stakeholders.”