All posts by Neel Achary

By:–  Akhil Mittal, Senior Fund Manager, Fixed Income, Tata Asset Management

” The RBI’s December policy decision was the key driver for debt markets, with the rate cut coming broadly in line with expectations.OMO purchase announcements supported the bond market, but continued pressure on the rupee kept short-term yields volatile. As we move into January, markets will focus on how the RBI manages currency stability and liquidity, along with any signals on further OMO purchases and cues from the Union Budget. Over the medium term, with inflation remaining benign and liquidity conditions expected to stay comfortable, we expect yields to stabilise and gradually move lower over the next few quarters. In this environment, short-duration funds up to one year are well placed, while longer-duration and gilt funds continue to offer value for investors with a medium-to-long-term perspective who can navigate near-term volatility.”

Dec 27:- INOX Air Products  India’s leading industrial, electronic & specialty gas leader, has flagged off India’s first LNG-fuelled cryogenic tanker approved by Petroleum & Safety Organization a part of Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade  Ministry of Commerce. Making use of a June 2025 amendment by DPIIT in the Static and Mobile Pressure Vessels  Rules, 2016, INOXAP became India’s first ever industrial gas manufacturer to achieve the unique distinction. The policy amendment highlights the Government’s vision of building usage of LNG as a transport fuel.

The tanker was flagged off by Sh P Seeniraj, Joint Chief Controller of Explosives, PESO Vadodara Circle. The cryogenic tanker would be fuelled by LNG through a 450 Litre Kryopower LNG Fuel tank, manufactured by INOX India Ltd, India’s largest cryogenic equipment manufacturer. As a result, the vehicle would cut CO₂ emissions by up to 25%, reduce particulates by 95%, and offer a quieter and more efficient operational performance, besides opening up a cleaner pathway for long-term cost optimization.

Speaking on this milestone, Siddharth Jain, Director  INOX Group, said;

“INOXAP is spearheading a clean-energy shift in India’s industrial gases sector by flagging off the nation’s first LNG-fuelled cryogenic tanker a transformative step that redefines sustainable logistics while strengthening supply chains for critical industries. We are grateful to DPIIT for enabling this through an extremely progressive policy amendment and PESO for necessary assistance and statutory approvals. This milestone exemplifies the powerful convergence of forward-looking policy, indigenous engineering excellence, and sustainable innovation. It sets a new benchmark in global engineering leadership while delivering scalable, green solutions to power India’s manufacturing ecosystem. INOXCVA’s LNG fuel tanks are already the most widely deployed in this space, and this achievement is a matter of pride that underscores the strength of synergy within the INOX Group.”

Inspired by the Make in India spirit, this achievement also stands as a true Made-in-Gujarat milestone, reflecting the state’s robust industrial and manufacturing ecosystem. Both the cryogenic tanker and the LNG fuel tank have been indigenously designed and manufactured at INOXCVA’s facilities in Gujarat. The industrial gases transported by this vehicle will be produced within the state by INOXAP and will primarily serve customers across Gujarat, reinforcing a highly localized, efficient, and resilient supply chain. This milestone has been enabled by the proactive and progressive support of relevant Gujarat State Government departments, depicting the state’s strong commitment to innovation, sustainability, and industrial growth.

Delhi & Gurugram Dominate Law Entrance CLAT 2026 with All India Rank 2, 7, 8, 9 in  10; Produce Delhi & Haryana State Toppers

New Delhi / Gurugram, Dec 27: The CLAT 2026 results have once again highlighted the growing role of the Delhi–Gurugram region in shaping India’s next generation of legal professionals. As competition intensifies nationwide and law increasingly emerges as a first-choice career, students trained in Delhi and Gurugram have delivered one of the strongest city-wise performances in this year’s Common Law Admission Test.

According to officially declared results, students from LegalEdge’s Delhi and Gurugram centres together secured four All India Ranks in the Top 10  AIR 2 and AIR 8 from Delhi, and AIR 7 and AIR 9 from Gurugram.

Significantly, the Gurugram centre also produced Haryana Topper 1 and Haryana Topper 2, corresponding to AIR 7 and AIR 9, underscoring the depth of preparation emerging from the NCR belt. LegalEdge centres in these two cities accounted for 14 ranks in the Top 100. With counselling currently underway, over 300 selections into National Law Universities (NLUs) are expected from Delhi and Gurugram alone.

Top CLAT 2026 Performers from Delhi & Gurugram: –

• AIR 2 – Parv Jain (Delhi | Delhi Topper 1)
• AIR 7 – Gauransh Vats (Gurugram | Haryana Topper 1)
• AIR 8 – Argh Jain (Delhi | Delhi Topper 2)
• AIR 9 – Manvi Yadav (Gurugram | Haryana Topper 2)

Among the top achievers are Parv Jain (AIR 2) and Argh Jain (AIR 8), twin brothers both mentored at the LegalEdge Delhi centre. Students of DPS School, the twins opted for a long-term preparation route, enrolling in a structured two-year classroom programme immediately after Class 10. Their preparation journey reflects a growing trend among serious law aspirants who are choosing early academic planning over last-minute preparation cycles.

Reflecting on their experience, the students highlighted consistency and academic structure as key factors. “Starting early helped us build strong fundamentals. The discipline of classroom learning, regular mock analysis, and close mentor interaction played a decisive role,” they shared. Their parents echoed the importance of process-led preparation, noting that a clear academic roadmap helped the students grow not only in performance but also in confidence and emotional maturity.

Commenting on the results, Vikaas Wahi, Director, LegalEdge Delhi & Gurugram, said:

“At LegalEdge Delhi & Gurugram, our focus has never been only on ranks, but on the journey of every student and the trust every parent places in us. We consciously work towards creating the right academic environment — one that combines structure, mentorship, emotional support, and consistency. When students feel guided and confident, outcomes follow naturally. Our student-to-selection ratio of nearly 4:1 reflects this sustained, student-first approach rather than a numbers-driven mindset.”

Other top performers from the region also highlighted sustained mentorship as a key differentiator. AIR 7 Gauransh Vats, Haryana Topper 1, credited focused one-to-one mentoring and mock strategy discussions for his steady progress, while AIR 9 Manvi Yadav, Haryana Topper 2, emphasised the role of a supportive academic environment and regular guidance in maintaining exam readiness throughout the preparation cycle.

The performance from Delhi and Gurugram aligns with broader national trends. Over 92,000 candidates registered for CLAT 2026, with nearly 75,000 appearing for the undergraduate examination alone, reflecting a 17% rise in participation over previous years. With limited NLU seats available, the data points to law consolidating its position as a high-stakes, aspirational career choice among Indian students.

At a national level, LegalEdge’s CLAT 2026 outcomes reflect consistent performance across centres, with AIR 1, 2, 3 and 7 AIRs in the Top 10, 9 State Toppers, 51 ranks in the Top 100, reinforcing the role of structured, classroom-led preparation in an increasingly competitive landscape.

Panaji; Dec 27: In a significant step towards positioning Goa as a premium Wellness Tourism Hub, the Department of Tourism, Government of Goa, today signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Gomantak Ayurved Mahavidyalaya and Research Centre (GAMRC), Shiroda–Goa.

The MoU was signed at Paryatan Bhavan, Patto, in the presence of Hon’ble Minister for Tourism, Shri Rohan A. Khaunte, along with Shri Kedar Ashok Naik (GCS), Director, Department of Tourism; Dr. Neelesh Pramod Korde, Principal, Gomantak Ayurved Mahavidyalaya and Research Centre; Dr Sneha Bhagwat, President Goa council of Ayurvedic and other allied Indian systems of medicine; ⁠Dr Minal Joshi, Deputy Director( AYUSH) DHS Govt of Goa; ⁠Dr Dharmendra Desai, Vice President; and ⁠Dr Joy Periera- Officiating Registrar .

Under the MoU, both parties will collaborate to promote Ayurveda- and Yoga-based wellness tourism in Goa through the development of customised wellness packages and coordinated marketing initiatives across digital platforms and national and international forums. The collaboration also envisages the development of wellness tourism infrastructure, including Ayurveda and Yoga centres at tourism properties, creation of AYUSH information cells, development of promotional materials, and capacity-building through training, research, and knowledge exchange.

Speaking about the partnership, Hon’ble Minister for Tourism, Government of Goa, Shri Rohan Ashok Khaunte, said, “Wellness tourism is an important pillar of Goa’s evolving tourism narrative. This collaboration brings together traditional knowledge systems and structured tourism development, enabling Goa to offer authentic, high-quality wellness experiences while creating long-term value for local institutions and communities.”

Director of Tourism, Government of Goa, Shri Kedar Ashok Naik, said, “The signing of this MoU provides a structured framework for collaboration in the area of wellness tourism. It will enable coordinated efforts in promotion, training, and knowledge exchange, while supporting the development of wellness-related initiatives aligned with the State’s tourism objectives.”

The Memorandum of Understanding provides a broad framework for collaboration and will facilitate coordinated efforts in the promotion and development of wellness tourism in Goa. The partnership is expected to support knowledge exchange, capacity building, and the creation of structured wellness offerings aligned with the State’s tourism objectives.

Mumbai, Dec 26:  2025 was a standout year for travel in India, shaped by a packed calendar of cultural events, concerts, and large-scale religious gatherings, along with easier visa norms that sustained travel intent through the year. ixigo, India’s leading AI-based travel platform, revealed its “The Great Indian Travel Index 2025”, capturing how India travelled across flights, trains, and buses. The data reveals strong YoY momentum in 2025, with overall searches for flight up by 45%, train growing by 20%, and bus rising by 42% as compared to 2024.

OTT-Inspired Travel Fuels a Northeast Boom

India’s binge-worthy OTT hits are doing more than driving viewership – they’re putting the Northeast firmly on the travel map. Popular shows like The Family Man (Season 3), Paatal Lok (Season 2) and Delhi Crime (Season 3) showcased the region’s lush landscapes, layered cultures and raw, unfiltered settings, sparking fresh curiosity around lesser-explored destinations. This on-screen spotlight translated into real-world travel demand in 2025, with ixigo witnessing strong YoY growth in flight bookings to key Northeastern cities: Dimapur (+77%), Agartala (+48%), Guwahati and Imphal (+44% each), and Itanagar (+42%).

Mindful Miles: How Gen Z Fuelled India’s Spiritual Travel Boom

In 2025, spiritual travel was at the centre of India’s travel story, powered by Gen Z’s growing interest in meaning-led journeys and landmark gatherings such as the Maha Kumbh. The event triggered a sharp surge in travel to Prayagraj, with Gen Z bus bookings climbing almost 20x year-on-year. Reflecting the demand peak, the most expensive domestic flight booked on ixigo in 2025 was a Mumbai-Prayagraj ticket priced at ₹92,644 during the Kumbh period.

Pilgrimage destinations witnessed strong YoY growth in flight bookings, led by Varanasi (+134%) and Tirupati (+102%), followed by Prayagraj (+80%), Ayodhya (+54%), Shirdi (+26%), and Amritsar (+24%). Bus travel amplified this trend, with bookings rising sharply to Varanasi (+111%), Mathura (+99%), Ayodhya (+86%), Rishikesh (+81%), Haridwar (+73%), Amritsar (+61%), and Gaya (+55%). Train bookings also grew steadily to destinations such as Rishikesh (+43%), Prayagraj (+35%), Gaya (+28%), Dwarka (+26%), Mathura (+26%), and Ujjain (+25%).

Hello Japan, Annyeong Korea: East Asia Takes Centre Stage in 2025

Indian travellers expanded their horizons in 2025, with a clear shift towards newer international destinations. East and Southeast Asia emerged as standout favourites, led by Japan (+63%), South Korea (+61%), Vietnam (+57%), and Thailand (+53%), reflecting growing interest in culture-rich, experience-led travel. Traditional favourites continued to hold steady, with Sri Lanka (+42%) and Indonesia (+36%) remaining popular choices.

Beyond Asia, the Middle East and other emerging destinations also saw strong momentum, driven by Oman (+71%), Kenya (+65%), Kazakhstan (+54%), the UAE (+52%), Uzbekistan (+49%), and Qatar (+45%), signalling Indians’ increasing appetite for offbeat global getaways.

Leisure Travel Diversifies: Hills Took the Lead, Coasts Stayed in Play

Hill destinations remained popular in 2025, with Dehradun (+64%) and Srinagar (+58%) leading on flights, Srinagar doubling YoY on ixigo trains & ConfirmTkt, and Dehradun (+99%), Shimla (+29%), and Manali (+17%) on AbhiBus. Coastal getaways followed closely, driving YoY demand on ixigo flights led by Port Blair (+81%), Coimbatore (+47%), and Goa (+27%). 

One of the interesting behavioural shifts in 2025 was the reimagining of the monsoon season, not as a travel lull, but as a leisure opportunity. Monsoon travel demand grew 35-40% YoY across modes, driven by nature-led and short-haul getaways. Destinations such as Lonavala, Munnar, Mahabaleshwar and Udaipur saw strong traction, while Port Blair and Goa continued to attract travellers looking to combine off-season pricing with fewer crowds.

Speaking on the findings, Aloke Bajpai, Group CEO, and Rajnish Kumar, Group Co-CEO, ixigo, said, “What truly stood out in The Great Indian Travel Index 2025 was the scale and diversity of travel demand across the country. Faith-led travel emerged as a powerful driver, with destinations like Varanasi alone witnessing nearly 147 million visits in 2025. At the same time, rising disposable incomes and better connectivity are helping expand the travel ecosystem beyond existing travellers. Over 50% of new flight bookers coming from our NBU app users are first-time flyers, allowing us to continue adding new travellers to the market.

We’re also seeing Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities increasingly shape India’s travel narrative. Cities such as Rishikesh, Indore, Nagpur, Bhopal, Lucknow, and Assam are driving strong demand across flights, trains, and buses, with several metro-to-emerging city bus routes experiencing YoY growth of nearly 80%. Together, these trends reflect how travel in India is deeply rooted in culture, belief, and aspiration, cutting across age groups, geographies, and travel modes.”

The India-Oman Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement  is a landmark agreement that is expected to significantly boost India’s services trade with the Gulf region. The Agreement offers broader and deeper market access commitments from Oman across all key sectors and modes of supply. Sectors of interest to India, such as computer-related services, business services, professional services, education, healthcare, R&D, and audio-visual services, have received best treatment, ensuring enhanced commercial opportunities for Indian service providers.

“SEPC welcomes the India–Oman CEPA as it represents a strategic opportunity for India’s services sector to expand its footprint in a high-potential market,” said Abhay Sinha, Director General, Services Export Promotion Council  set up by the Ministry of Commerce and Industry. “With deeper sectoral commitments and improved predictability in market access and professional mobility, Indian service providers can build long-term presence and scale service delivery with confidence.”

In 2024, India’s services exports to Oman stood at USD  665 million, while imports were USD  198 million. Oman’s global services imports exceeded USD 12.52 billion, offering a large untapped potential for Indian service providers.

A key distinguishing feature of the India-Oman CEPA is the significant advancement in mobility commitments. Oman has, for the first time in any FTA, agreed to relax the limitation criteria for Intra-Corporate Transferees from 20% to 50%. This means Indian companies can now transfer a larger share of managerial and specialist personnel to their Oman operations. Further, Oman has committed to the category of professionals, covering 15 sub-sectors including accounting, engineering, medical and dental, IT, construction, and education services. These mobility gains are crucial for the approximately 6000 India-Oman joint ventures already present in Oman, particularly those in the services sector.

The CEPA also introduces a dedicated Annex on Health-related Services and Traditional Medicine, aimed at promoting Indian systems of medicine such as AYUSH, fostering medical value travel, and encouraging institutional cooperation in the field of traditional medicine. This Annex is a first-of-its-kind initiative for India in any CEPA/FTA.

Currently, Indian workers in Oman do not face dual social security contributions. However, to address any future challenges, the CEPA includes a specific commitment to negotiate a bilateral Social Security Agreement. Once concluded, this will ensure continuity of social security benefits on a reciprocal basis and prevent dual contributions. This provision will benefit approximately 5.2 Lakh Indian workers and more than 6000 India-Oman joint ventures operating in Oman.

Mumbai, Dec 26: In a season often defined by excess, Aris Estates, the boutique real estate and lifestyle brand, chose restraint, reflection, and responsibility. On 22nd December 2025, the brand hosted its first-ever Aris Christmas Table at IF.BE, Ballard Estate, an intimate black-tie gathering that brought together a carefully curated group of guests for an evening rooted in generosity, community, and purposeful celebration.

Conceived as a quieter counterpoint to conventional festive soirées, the Christmas Table embodied Aris Estates’ philosophy of intentional living and long-term value. The event’s main purpose was to foster genuine connection: instead of spectacle, it focused on shared experience, with thoughtful conversation, lingering ideas, and acts of giving back woven into the evening.

At the heart of the evening was a thoughtfully curated five-course meal. Each course was anchored in a theme of generosity: Beginnings, Nourishment, Connection, Creativity, and Joy. Together, the courses formed a narrative arc. They explored the many forms that giving can take—whether through time, resources, care, or creativity. Guests were invited to reflect on generosity as a lived value rather than just a seasonal gesture.

Extending this ethos beyond the table, Aris Estates partnered with three organisations whose work speaks directly to compassion and inclusion. YODA Animal Welfare works tirelessly to rescue, rehabilitate, and protect abandoned and injured animals. FRST Foundation is dedicated to empowering individuals with visual disabilities through access to education, assistive technology, and community support. PMK Foundation focuses on grassroots community care, supporting under-resourced groups through healthcare, education, and welfare initiatives. Guests were invited to engage with these causes throughout the evening, with contributions directed toward the organisation they felt most aligned with, ensuring the spirit of Christmas extended well beyond the dining room.

Anchoring the evening both visually and philosophically was Theraav, a site-specific installation created exclusively for the Aris Christmas Table by actor and multidisciplinary artist Lekha Washington. Meaning “pause” or “stillness,” Theraav reflected themes of continuity, memory, and stewardship of the land. Drawing from Lekha Washington Studio’s long-standing exploration of nature, light, and spatial poetry, the installation invited guests to slow down, breathe, observe, and reconnect.

Created using sculptural form, custom lighting, and shadow play, Theraav expanded beyond its physical presence, casting a quiet yet powerful energy across the space. The work underscored the idea of being present, of recognising our shared responsibility toward land, community, and the environments we inhabit. This marked the first collaboration between Lekha Washington Studio and Aris Estates, signalling a shared philosophy of custodianship, sustainability, and mindful creation.

Speaking about the collaboration and the intent behind Theraav, Lekha Washington said,“Theraav is about stillness in a world that constantly urges speed. Working with Aris Estates felt organic because their philosophy mirrors this pause, this intention to be thoughtful custodians of the land. This installation was created to encourage presence, to remind us to breathe, and to reconnect with nature, with each other, and with the choices we make.”

Reflecting on the evening, Hemal Purohit, Founder, Aris Estates, shared,“We wanted our first Christmas gathering to feel meaningful rather than driven by optics. The Christmas Table was about bringing people together in a way that felt honest, where art, conversation, and giving back were integral to the experience, not an afterthought. Collaborating with Lekha and supporting causes that genuinely make a difference allowed us to extend our philosophy beyond the homes we build and into the communities we are part of.” Through the Aris Christmas Table, Aris Estates conveyed that the event’s main purpose was to show how intentional design, art, and community create lasting memories, reinforcing its belief that true luxury is rooted in thoughtful experiences over grand scale.

In recent years, stem cell therapy has attracted a lot of interest, and many clinics now promote it as a rapid solution for long-term medical issues, aging, and chronic pain. The increasing number of regulated or commercially promoted stem cell operations has raised serious concerns despite the enormous promise of stem cells.

The truth that many non-regulated clinics disregard safety regulations and scientific norms is one of the main risks. Its is possible that the stem cells utilized weren’t screened, were tainted, or weren’t even the right kind required for treatment. Inadequate quality control increases the risk of infections, allergic responses, immunological problems, or long-term tissue damage

Misleading advertisements poses a serious risk as well. Many commercial facilities assert that stem cells may treat nearly any ailment without outlining the restrictions or the necessity of a thorough assessment. When consumers fall for these inflated claims, they can put off  getting proper medical attention, which might take their illness worse.

Inadequate injection procedures could pose a risk. It takes advanced skill to inject stem cells into the muscles, joints, or spine. Inadequate execution may result in nerve injury, inflammation, infections, irreversible harm. Unregulated clinics frequently lack qualified specialists and do not offer appropriate follow-up care in the event that something goes wrong.

“Stem cell therapy must be done with science, not sales.” Emphasizes Dr Pradeep Mahajan. When it comes to regeneration treatments, safety, regulations, and appropriate medical knowledge are non-negotiable.

Only when administered by trained specialist in controlled medical environments can stem cell therapy be advantageous. Patients should always ask questions, credentials, stay alert of clinics that make grand claims without enough scientific support.

The challenge of living drug molecule and non-living drug molecule is to understand before taking any product from the market. Never forget “a cells is a living, breathing entity like us, requiring all the conditions that is needed for its optimal functions.” The environmental factors like temperature, air, pollution, humidity and the person who handles will decide the outcomes of the cells for a successful treatment. At the same time products like exosomes, growth factors, platelets, extra cellular matrix molecules will take over the market in the future.

India, Dec 26:- bigbasket, a TATA Enterprise, witnessed strong festive momentum during Christmas 2025, recording an impressive 200% year-on-year growth in festive sales across India. The surge was driven by heightened demand for cakes, premium chocolates, decorations, party essentials and gifting categories, as customers turned to bigbasket for seamless Christmas celebrations at home.

Christmas-themed bakery products emerged as a standout category, with cakes and desserts witnessing over 76.03% growth, led by plum cakes, gourmet pastries, cookies and festive hampers. Premium chocolates and confectionery recorded an 87% increase.

Demand for Christmas decor and party essentials saw a sharp rise, growing by 178% compared to last year. Items such as Christmas trees, fairy lights, ornaments, wreaths, table decor and themed crockery witnessed strong traction as households embraced festive home styling.

Festive purchases began nearly a week ahead of Christmas, indicating an early start to celebrations. Fresh produce saw a notable uplift as well, with berries, cherries, cheese, cold cuts and gourmet ingredients growing by 14.28%, reflecting customers’ preference for hosting at home and preparing festive meals. Dry fruits, premium beverages, gourmet hampers and curated gift boxes together recorded a 64.16% year-on-year growth.

Mr. Seshu Kumar, Chief Buying and Merchandising Officer at bigbasket, said, ‘Christmas is about bringing loved ones together at home, and bigbasket ensured customers had everything they needed from festive cakes and gourmet ingredients to decor and gifting on one platform. The strong growth we witnessed reflects how customers trust bigbasket to simplify celebrations while offering quality, variety and timely delivery.’

bigbasket’s 10-minute delivery promise played a key role in supporting last-minute Christmas needs, whether it was a forgotten dessert, party decor or an unexpected guest.