Category business

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 funds: Up 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

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.”

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, 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.

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.

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.

“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.”

Hyderabad, jan 1:- Ashika Group today announced that it has received in-principle approval from the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) to act sponsor and set up Ashika Mutual fund, marking a significant strategic milestone in its growth journey. This approval reinforces the Group’s long-standing commitment to building institution-led, research-driven financial platforms and further strengthens its position in India’s rapidly expanding asset management landscape.​

This significant regulatory milestone allows the company to proceed with establishing an Asset Management Company  and preparing for the launch of the mutual fund schemes, subject to fulfilling SEBI’s final registration requirements and conditions.

The approval is a decisive step towards Ashika’s vision of creating a future-ready asset management ecosystem anchored in disciplined investing, robust governance, and long-term wealth creation.

Ashika Group’s foray into mutual funds builds on its extensive experience across capital markets and financial services, including retail & Institutional broking, investment banking, research advisory, global family office services, Alternative Asset Management and Private Equity. The proposed fund house aims to offer a thoughtfully curated range of investment schemes tailored to diverse investor needs, supported by strong research capabilities, disciplined risk management, and a governance-first approach.​

Commenting on the development, Pawan Jain, Chairman & Managing Director, Ashika Group, said

 “We are honoured to receive SEBI’s in-principle approval, which marks an important institutional milestone for Ashika Group and reinforces our long-standing belief in building enduring, governance-led financial platforms. The launch of Ashika Mutual Fund is a natural extension of our vision to contribute meaningfully to India’s evolving asset management ecosystem. As sponsors, our responsibility goes beyond performance  it is about creating a culture anchored in strong research, prudent risk management, and unwavering accountability, with the singular objective of delivering sustainable, long-term value for investors.”​

Bengaluru,  Jan 01: Indian Farmers Fertiliser Cooperative Limited (IFFCO) today launched Dharamrut, a natural botanical seaweed extract enriched with Amino Acids and Alginic Acids, at the Mega Cooperative & Farmers Conference held at Dr. Babu Rajendra Prasad International Auditorium, GKVK, Bengaluru. The product launch marks a significant step in IFFCO’s ongoing efforts to promote sustainable, technology-driven, and farmer-centric agricultural practices.

The conference witnessed participation from nearly 2,000 farmers and cooperators from across Karnataka. In addition, the event was live telecast simultaneously across all districts of the state, enabling extensive outreach to the wider farming community. The programme focused on strengthening cooperative values while promoting the adoption of advanced agricultural technologies.

The event was graced by Shri Dileep Sanghani, Chairman, IFFCO, and Shri K. J. Patel, Managing Director, IFFCO, along with senior officials, cooperative leaders, and agricultural experts.

Addressing the gathering, Shri Dileep Sanghani highlighted the pivotal role played by cooperatives in India’s agricultural transformation.

“Cooperatives have been the backbone of India’s agricultural growth for decades. By continuously introducing farmer-centric innovations and strengthening cooperative institutions, we are enabling farmers to improve productivity while safeguarding soil health and sustainability,” he said.

He further added that initiatives like the Mega Cooperative & Farmers Conference provide a valuable platform to directly engage with farmers, understand their evolving needs, and collectively work towards a resilient agricultural ecosystem.

Speaking on the occasion, Shri K. J. Patel, Managing Director, IFFCO, emphasized IFFCO’s focus on innovation-led and sustainable farming solutions.

“The launch of Dharamrut reflects IFFCO’s commitment to combining scientific advancement with natural, bio-based solutions. Products enriched with Amino Acids and Alginic Acids help improve nutrient efficiency, crop vigor, and overall farm performance,” he said.

He also highlighted the importance of integrating modern technologies with natural inputs.

“By integrating Nano Fertilizers with botanical inputs like Dharamrut, farmers can achieve better yields with optimized input costs, while also improving soil health. This balanced approach is essential for sustainable and climate-smart agriculture,” he added. 

Dharamrut is a natural seaweed-based botanical extract formulated to enhance nutrient absorption, stimulate root and shoot development, and improve overall crop vigor. The product also supports long-term soil health and enhances crop resilience against environmental stress, making it well-suited for sustainable agricultural practices.

The launch of Dharamrut complements IFFCO’s existing portfolio of Nano Fertilizers and advanced bio-based agricultural inputs, reinforcing its farmer-first innovation strategy. Through such initiatives, IFFCO continues to enable farmers to achieve higher productivity while maintaining environmental responsibility.

The Mega Cooperative & Farmers Conference concluded with a renewed commitment to strengthening cooperatives, encouraging technology adoption, and building a future-ready, resilient agricultural sector for the nation.

Mumbai, Jan 1, 2026: Abakkus Mutual Fund has cited that the new fund offer (NFO) of their maiden fund – Abakkus Flexi Cap Fund, which opened on December 8, 2025 and closed on December 22, 2025, secured assets under management (AUM) with the subscription value of ₹2,468 crores. This is a reflection of strong interest from investors across the country, recording participation from nearly 5,518 pin codes from across 2,000 cities. About 36,688 retail and 1,060 institutional investors subscribed the flexi cap fund during the NFO period. To bring investment inclusivity and business scalability, Abakkus Mutual Fund has built an extensive network of 4,700 empanelled distributors.

Vaiibhavv Chugh, Chief Executive Officer, Abakkus Investment Managers Private Limited said, “Favourable reception from investors across the country for our maiden fund is a testament of strong brand capital of Abakkus Group and trust built through prudent advisory offered by our sales team & distributors during the NFO period of Abakkus Flexi Cap Fund. Our portfolio construction is true to label flexi cap product with diverse spread across market cap classifications and appropriate allocation to the conviction ideas. We will be aiming to launch more funds in the coming years.”

The Abakkus Flexi Cap Fund is managed by Sanjay Doshi, Head of Investments and Research, and re-opened for investments from December 30 2025, available in both regular and direct plans.

Sanjay Doshi, Head of Investments & Research, Abakkus AMC said, “Our flexi cap fund will be aligned to market conditions offering right balance of allocation across large, mid and small caps. The fund will have notable allocation to conviction ideas and will be supported by a well-defined risk management framework aligned to long term wealth creation.”

The equity scheme invests across large, mid and small cap stocks, offering portfolio flexibility across market capitalisations. The fund is benchmarked against the BSE 500 TRI and will invest a minimum of 65 percent of its assets in equities and equity-related instruments, with the balance allocated to debt, money market instruments, and up to 10 percent in REITs and InvITs.

All schemes under Abakkus Mutual Fund will follow the in-house MEETS framework, which focuses on Management pedigree and track record, Earnings quality and the ability of companies to multiply profits, Events/Trends that affect or disrupt operations, Timing of investment at reasonable pricing and Structural aspects like size of the opportunity and competitive positioning.

Chandigarh, Dec 30:- TVS Motor Company, a global leader in two and three-wheeler manufacturing has signed a Memorandum of Understanding  with Manba Finance Limited to offer retail finance solutions for its commercial mobility portfolio. This strategic partnership aims to enhance vehicle affordability and improve access to structured financing for customers across India.

Under the agreement, Manba Finance Limited will provide monthly EMI-based financing solutions for the entire range of TVS Commercial Mobility vehicles, covering both passenger and cargo three-wheelers, across internal combustion engine  and electric vehicle (EV) models.

The collaboration is designed to strengthen TVS Commercial Mobility’s ecosystem by offering competitive funding schemes, reduced turnaround time (TAT) for loan processing, and deeper penetration into rural and semi-urban markets. By simplifying access to finance, the partnership seeks to support last-mile entrepreneurs and fleet operators in scaling their businesses.

For customers, the tie-up enables higher purchasing power through attractive down payment options and reduced monthly outflows, supported by bundled financing offers that deliver greater savings and financial flexibility.

Speaking on the occasion, Mr. Rajat Gupta, Business Head  Commercial Mobility, TVS Motor Company said,

 “At TVS Motor Company, our focus is on building a comprehensive commercial mobility ecosystem that empowers customers to grow sustainably. This partnership with Manba Finance Limited strengthens our ability to offer accessible and competitive financing solutions across our ICE and EV three-wheeler portfolio. By improving affordability, reducing turnaround time, and expanding reach into rural markets, we aim to support entrepreneurs and fleet operators in enhancing their earning potential and business scalability.”

Commenting on the partnership, Mr. Manish Shah, Managing Director, Manba Finance Limited, said,

 “This partnership with TVS Motor Company strongly aligns with our commitment to supporting a cleaner and more sustainable mobility ecosystem. It enables us to offer comprehensive and tailored financing solutions across both passenger and cargo three-wheelers. By leveraging TVS Motor’s deep industry expertise, strong distribution network, and trusted brand, we believe Manba Finance is well positioned to build meaningful scale in the three-wheeler financing segment. We see this collaboration as a key growth driver and expect it to contribute significantly to our expansion and portfolio growth in FY26 and beyond.”

The partnership reinforces TVS Motor Company’s focus on building a holistic commercial mobility ecosystem, one that goes beyond products to deliver value through accessibility, affordability, and long-term customer growth.