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For most of us, a cup of tea is a comforting habit. But for actors whose lives revolve around tight schedules, early call times, and emotionally intense scenes, it means much more. On National Tea Day, &TV actors open up about their bond with tea, not just as a beverage but as a daily companion that offers energy, warmth, and a moment of stillness amid the chaos. Here’s how Smita Sable (Dhaniya in Bheema), Yogesh Tripathi (Daroga Happu Singh in Happu Ki Ultan Paltan), and Shubhangi Atre (Angoori in Bhabiji Ghar Par Hai) find comfort and calm in their favourite cup of chai, share how tea plays a calming and invigorating role in their dynamic lives. Smita Sable, who essays the role of Dhaniya in Bheema, shares, “Tea is my silent cheerleader. It understands me without words. When I am on set at dawn and the world still feels half asleep, a strong masala chai is like a warm nudge, saying, ‘You’ve got this.’ The spices awaken me instantly. On chilly days, I reach for ginger. The way it travels through me, warming every inch, it feels like home. And during scorching summer shoots, I swear by a tall glass of iced lemon tea. It is tangy, cold, and instantly uplifting. Even emotionally demanding scenes feel a little easier with green tea in hand. It centres me. For me, tea isn’t just a drink, it’s a mood, a memory, and a mindful pause all rolled into one.”

Yogesh Tripathi

Yogesh Tripathi, aka Daroga Happu Singh from Happu Ki Ultan Paltan, shares, “Chai is my meditation in a kulhad. Whether I am gearing up for a packed day or winding down from one, it never fails to match my mood. My mornings start with a strong chai, as it acts as my wake-up call. I am a desi chai lover, made with milk, tea leaves, sugar, ginger, cardamom, and sometimes even a hint of black pepper. As much as I enjoy drinking tea, I also love the process of making it. Whenever I am home, you will find me in the kitchen, brewing a good cup of chai for my wife and me. She loves it. She says my chai is the best, and honestly, I take that as the highest compliment. Those little shared tea breaks are our way of reconnecting after a long day.” Shubhangi Atre, aka Angoori Bhabi from Bhabiji Ghar Par Hai, shares, “I am a chai lover, but I mostly enjoy aromatic teas. You could say I have tried every flavour that exists. Discovering new varieties of tea has become a hobby of mine whenever I travel. Be it Moroccan mint tea in Marrakech, matcha in Japan, or oolong from China—I love exploring local brews. But my all-time favourite will always be the desi kulhad wali chai I had in Varanasi during a recent trip. It instantly elevated my energy, and I thoroughly enjoyed every sip. There’s just something about that earthy flavour and the way it connects you to your roots.”

Watch Bheema at 8:30 PM, Happu Ki Ultan Paltan at 10:00 PM and Bhabiji Ghar Par Hai at 10:30 PM every Monday to Friday only on &TV!

By Dr. Naveen Chandra G S, HOD and Lead Consultant – Department of Interventional Cardiology, Aster Whitefield Hospital, Bengaluru

There are many health problems relating to the heart and among them, a serious one is Atherosclerosis – a silent killer.  There is an urgent need to understand this condition to enable us to take preventive measures. Atherosclerosis is the hardening of arteries over a period of time and develops without noticeable symptoms. It mainly occurs when the arteries, which carry oxygenated blood from the heart to the whole body, become constricted due to accumulation of fat deposits – known as plaque development. Plaques are mainly made up of cholesterol, calcium, cellular waste and fibrin present in the blood. Over time, the deposition of plaques along the walls of the arteries impedes normal blood flow, resulting in severe complications associated with the vascular system such as strokes and heart attacks. Atherosclerosis is a common form of heart disease and world over, nearly 17.9 million deaths occur annually as per the World Health Organisation (WHO).

What are the symptoms of this condition

The initial symptoms associated with atherosclerosis depend on the organ involved. Some people have chest pain, especially when they are involved in exercises or high-intensity physical activity. Furthermore, chest pain might not be the only symptom as individuals may also experience breathlessness because the heart is unable to provide enough oxygen to the body. This is an indication that blood is unable to reach that part of the body due to reduced circulation.

Other symptoms include feelings of exhaustion and being woozy or fainting due to poor circulation of blood to the cerebral region. In these regions, you may experience episodes of loss of sensation and weakness, which frequently occur due to blockage of the arteries. These signs may be misinterpreted as associated with age, but these symptoms should not be disregarded since they are first warnings of atherosclerosis, which, if neglected, could result in heart attack and stroke.

 Why does this condition occur

The major reason for atherosclerosis is damage to the arterial wall known as endothelium. The damage can occur due to factors like high cholesterol, high blood pressure, and smoking or chronic inflammatory diseases. While it is most common among people over 40 years, the risk gets aggravated as one grows older.

Smoking, inactivity, chronic stress, and lack of rest are also lifestyle factors that lead to atherosclerosis. Diet that contains saturated fats, trans fats, and cholesterol can also contribute to increased plaque formation in the arteries. Overeating, quick and sweet unhealthy foods will encourage the development of arterial plaques.

If you experience acute chest pain, pronounced shortness of breath, or discomfort in the arm or jaws, it would be appropriate to seek emergency care. If persistent tiredness occurs, if you experience weakness on one side of the body or trouble with walking, prompt evaluation to rule out having a stroke is absolutely essential.

 How do you treat this condition

The typical approach is to evaluate, and record the relevant history, and conduct physical examination, based on which doctors would diagnose atherosclerosis. This necessitates blood tests for cholesterol levels, imaging for plaque via CT angiogram and perfusion assessment tests or coronary angiogram. On determining the condition, doctors generally recommend lifestyle changes like engaging in physical activity, coming up with a plan to stop smoking, and embracing a heart-friendly diet. In more advanced cases, prescriptions against high cholesterol levels, high blood pressure, or blood clotting may be necessary. Where the condition is much more complex, surgery such as angioplasty or bypass surgery is called for. The extent of atherosclerosis can be approximated by looking at the degree of constriction of the arteries and the dimensions and stability of plaques.

In conclusion, one can say that all these interventions help in reducing the deposition of plaques in arteries and reduces the incidence of atherosclerosis and its related complications, thereby enhancing general cardiovascular wellbeing and quality of life.

 Summer holidays are the perfect time for children to explore, create, and grow beyond the classroom. To help young learners make the most of their break, the British Council, UK’s international organisation for cultural relations and educational opportunities, is delighted to launch Summer School 2025. This lively, theme-based programme is designed for children aged 6 to 17 and combines learning with creativity and fun.

Held in a friendly, low-pressure classroom setting, Summer School 2025 strikes the ideal balance between developing language skills, nurturing confidence, and encouraging self-expression.

This year’s programme features two dynamic themes:

• Communicating with Clarity – Helping students express themselves confidently in both speech and writing. Lessons focus on articulation, vocabulary building, and the ability to share ideas with precision and flair.
• Engaging with Confidence – Through writing, pitching, and discussion-based tasks, students learn to analyse and present content effectively—skills they can apply both in and out of the classroom.

With age-appropriate tracks tailored to different age groups, children will be supported at every step of their learning journey. By the end of the course, learners will walk away with stronger communication skills and greater confidence that extends far beyond the summer.

23 April, 2025: T-Hub, one of the world’s leading startup incubators, in collaboration with Atal Innovation Mission (AIM), has been awarded the prestigious “Best Conceived Cohort 2025” for its AIC T-Hub Semiconductor Program at Startup Mahakumbh 2025, held at Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi. The accolade recognizes the program’s strategic depth, robust incubation model, and transformative impact on India’s semiconductor ecosystem.

Launched on October 14, 2022, the AIC T-Hub Semiconductor Program has emerged as a benchmark in deep-tech incubation. It has conducted three cohorts to date, with the third currently in progress. To date, 20 startups have graduated from the program, with 8 more nearing completion, operating in cutting-edge sectors such as automotive and EV, 5G and wireless communications, biomedical devices, data and video analytics, and semiconductor IP design.

These startups are also innovating across key semiconductor sub-sectors, including:

• Fabless design – chip design, verification, and testing
• Chip equipment manufacturing – fabrication and packaging infrastructure
• Chip manufacturing – including microfabs and supporting tech
• Semiconductor materials – such as silicon, germanium, and gallium arsenide
• Tool development – Electronic Design Automation (EDA) solutions

 The program’s robust framework, deep-tech orientation, and tangible outcomes helped it earn top honors at Startup Mahakumbh. Among the program’s measurable achievements are ₹40.29 Cr in grants received, ₹21.48 Cr in investments raised, ₹19.28 Cr in orders secured, 35 pilot projects completed, and 4 chips successfully taped out. The program offers access to Multi Project Wafer (MPW) shuttles for affordable, rapid chip prototyping; EDA tool support for VLSI design and validation platforms; direct interfaces with semiconductor foundries and assembly houses for real-world manufacturing and testing; as well as mentorship from top industry experts, researchers, and global partners. Startups also benefit from structured startup, market, and funding gap analyses; investor demo days; corporate AMA sessions; and roundtable discussions, making it a comprehensive and high-impact incubation experience.

The award was presented in the presence of eminent dignitaries, including Shri Piyush Goyal, Minister of Commerce and Industry; Shri Amardeep Singh Bhatia, Secretary, DPIIT; Shri Sanjiv, Joint Secretary, DPIIT; Shri Amit Kumar, Deputy GM, ECGC; Prashanth Prakash, Founding Partner, Accel India ACT Grants; Sunali Rohra, Senior EVP, HDFC; Sanjeev Bikhchandani, Founder, Info Edge; Aman Gupta, Co-Founder, boAt; Sonam Kapoor Ahuja, Actor-Entrepreneur; Rikant Pittie, CEO, EaseMyTrip; and Archana Jahagirdar, Founder, Rukam Capital. Their presence highlighted the vital role of innovation-led incubation programs in shaping India’s tech future.

Speaking on the recognition, Rajesh Adla, CEO of AIC T-Hub Foundation, said, “Winning the ‘Best Conceived Cohort 2025’ is a proud moment and a strong validation of our deep-tech focus and strategic execution. The AIC T-Hub Semiconductor Cohort was uniquely designed with a deep-tech focus, unlike typical startup programs. It offered access to MPW shuttle services for chip prototyping, EDA tools for VLSI design, and direct interfaces with foundries and assembly houses. The cohort also integrated structured startup and market analyses, expert-led sessions, and strong industry-government partnerships to drive innovation, compliance, and commercialization in the semiconductor space.”

New Delhi, April 23, 2025: The Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports, Government of India, in collaboration with the Sports Authority of India (SAI) and Yogasana Bharat, officially announced that India will host the 2nd Asian Yogasana Sports Championship from April 25 to 27, 2025, at the prestigious Indira Gandhi Indoor Stadium, New Delhi.

The press conference was addressed by leading dignitaries from the Yogasana movement: Shri Udit Sheth (President, Yogasana Bharat), Dr. Sanjay Malpani (President, Asian Yogasana), and Dr. Jaideep Arya (Secretary General, World Yogasana).

Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya, Hon’ble Union Minister of Youth Affairs and Sports, will grace the Opening Ceremony on April 25, 2025, as the Chief Guest, further reinforcing India’s commitment to promoting Yogasana as a competitive global sport.

The Championship will feature:
• Participation from over 20 plus Asian countries,
• 170 athletes, along with
• 40 technical officers, and
• 30 team managers and coaches.

This event is a landmark step toward establishing Yogasana on the global sporting map.

Speaking at the press briefing, Shri Udit Sheth emphasized: “It’s a milestone moment for Yogasana sport as we host the Asian Championship in India and establish a global platform for our sport; my best wishes to the Indian National Team as this historic moment will echo for a lifetime in competitive sports.”

Dr. Sanjay Malpani, President of Asian Yogasana, shared: “The overwhelming response from athletes and federations demonstrates that Yogasana is ready for mainstream global recognition. This edition will be more inclusive and grander, promising a truly world-class event.”

Dr. Jaideep Arya, Secretary General of World Yogasana, highlighted: “Yogasana’s journey from a sacred practice to a celebrated global sport reflects the vision, resilience, and leadership of India. This Championship is poised to set new standards in competitive Yogasana sports.”

The Championship will bring together the finest Yogasana athletes competing across strength, flexibility, endurance, and artistic categories, while reflecting the deep spiritual roots and rigor of Yogic traditions.

As part of the celebrations:

Team India was officially introduced, showcasing athletes from diverse regions across the country. Each athlete’s story is one of grit, dedication, and excellence.

The official mascot was unveiled, embodying the spirit and strength of Yogasana.

The official Championship anthem was launched, capturing the energy, pride, and vision behind Yogasana’s emergence as a global sport.

CrowdStrike announced the general availability of Falcon® Privileged Access, a new module within Falcon® Identity Protection. With unified privileged access controls, the AI-native CrowdStrike Falcon® cybersecurity platform is the only platform that secures the entire identity attack lifecycle – from initial compromise to privilege escalation and lateral movement – across hybrid environments.

The company also extended breakthrough automation capabilities for Charlotte AI Agentic Detection Triage and Falcon® Next-Gen SIEM to accelerate response to identity-based attacks. These innovations empower organizations to move beyond fragmented legacy tools and unify end-to-end identity security across on-premises Active Directory, cloud-based identity providers and SaaS applications with AI-powered platform protection.

“Identity is under relentless attack, and adversaries are going straight for the keys to the kingdom – privileged access,” said Michael Sentonas, president of CrowdStrike. “From social engineering to sophisticated insider abuse, they’re escalating privileges to access the most sensitive systems and data. With Falcon Privileged Access, we’re leveraging the power of the Falcon platform to eliminate standing privileges and make real-time, risk-aware access decisions. This latest innovation sets a new standard for end-to-end identity security, securing customers against persistent identity-based threats.”

Seventy-nine percent of attacks to gain initial access are malware-free, as adversaries exploit trusted identities to infiltrate organizations undetected and move laterally to reach high-value targets. Groups like SCATTERED SPIDER use stolen credentials and social engineering, manipulating IT help desks to grant unauthorized access to targeted accounts. Others, like FAMOUS CHOLLIMA, embed malicious insiders equipped with company-issued laptops preloaded with remote access tools and registering their own MFA devices to escalate privileges.

Stopping these threats requires live attack signals – like compromised credentials and risky device behavior – and the ability to assess risk and revoke access in real time. As a native part of the Falcon platform, Falcon Privileged Access uses real-time signals from endpoints/devices, industry-leading threat intelligence and advanced AI trained on trillions of security events to analyze user behavior and privilege status, and dynamically grant, block or revoke access. Paired with Falcon Identity Protection’s advanced capabilities for initial access prevention and identity threat detection and response (ITDR), CrowdStrike secures the entire identity attack lifecycle across hybrid environments. New features and benefits include:

• Just-in-Time Privileged Access: Eliminates standing privileges and manual requests with dynamic, risk-aware access decisions. CrowdStrike ensures users only receive elevated permissions when they need them, and only under secure conditions. Real-time risk signals from the Falcon platform continuously assess user and device context, instantly revoking access if risk levels change. Just-in-Time Access complements broader Privileged Access Management (PAM) capabilities – including password vaulting and session recording – by delivering real-time visibility and dynamic policy enforcement from a unified platform that secures the identity attack lifecycle.
• Agentic Detection Triage for Identity-Based Attacks: CrowdStrike is bringing the power of agentic AI to Falcon Identity Protection with Charlotte AI Agentic Detection Triage, autonomously triaging cross-domain attack detections with over 98% accuracy (Accuracy rating is a measure of Charlotte AI triage decisions that match the expert decisions from the CrowdStrike Falcon Complete Next-Gen MDR team) to rapidly prioritize the most critical threats.
• Unified Identity Security and Next-Gen SIEM: The combination of Falcon Identity Protection and Falcon Next-Gen SIEM enables security teams to detect and prioritize identity-based threats in real time, while Falcon Fusion SOAR automates Active Directory actions – like disabling compromised accounts and MFA enforcement – to respond at machine speed.

To help customers strengthen their overall cybersecurity posture, CrowdStrike also unveiled CrowdStrike Pulse Services, an expert-led engagement program designed to reduce active risk and accelerate security program maturity. Specifically for identity-focused use cases, customers can leverage Pulse Services for cloud configuration assessments, identity policy reviews and identity threat protection optimization. These ongoing, outcome-focused and bite-sized sessions help teams uncover misconfigurations, enforce least privilege and fine-tune defenses to stop credential abuse.

New Delhi, April 23 2025: Britannia Marie Gold announces the launch of Season 2 of Her Start-Up Show. Launched in partnership with GroupM Motion Entertainment and Mindshare, it is the first-ever national reality series dedicated to women entrepreneurs from across the country, a platform to showcase their ideas. The show, which premiered on JioHotstar on 19th April, features 40 finalists competing for the ₹10 lakh Golden Grant

Conceptualized by GroupM Motion Content, Britannia Marie Gold Her Start-Up Show is more than just a series—it’s a catalyst for change, empowering women to turn their ideas into impact through funding, mentorship, and national visibility.

The show is the culmination of the Britannia Marie Gold Her Start-Up Contest, launched in July 2024, which saw participation from over one lakh aspiring women entrepreneurs across India. From these, over 100 women underwent professional training, with 40 moving to the shortlisting stage. Every participant stands to receive 10 Lakh of Britannia Marie Gold Grant or mentorship, in addition to national visibility and ecosystem access. The standout top 10 performers will win the prestigious ₹10 lakh Golden Grant, while the other promising women entrepreneurs will gain entry into the NSDC Women Entrepreneurs Mentorship Program.

Representing cities like Indore, Aurangabad, Coimbatore, Jammu & Kashmir, and more, the 40 contestants pitch ideas across food, fashion, sustainability, tech, and agri-solutions. The show is presented in six languages—Hindi, Bengali, Marathi, Tamil, Telugu, and Kannada—with subtitles and audio options available on JioHotstar. Spread across eight episodes, two new ones drop every weekend from April 19 on JioHotstar, showcasing journeys from pitches to mentorship to the ₹10 lakh Britannia Marie Gold Grant.

Hosted by actress Shriya Saran, the show features an all-star jury: actor-entrepreneur Neha Dhupia, MasterChef winner Shipra Khanna, artisan Ruma Devi, Suta’s Sujata Biswas, Aarti Gupta (Jagran Group), Riya Joseph (Britannia), and Shreshtha Gupta (NSDC India), to name a few.

Siddharth Gupta, General Manager – Marketing, Britannia, said, “Britannia Marie Gold’s journey of empowering women entrepreneurs began five years ago with a simple belief that millions of women across India have powerful ideas, and all they need is a platform to be seen and supported. What started as a nationwide contest has grown into a robust ecosystem with initiatives like HerStore and now, Season 2 of Her Start-Up Show. Each step has deepened our commitment to helping women ‘Do More, Be More’. We’re proud to partner with GroupM and Mindshare, whose belief in the power of storytelling has helped bring these entrepreneurial journeys to life. With this show, we not only celebrate ambition but also create access to mentorship, funding, and national visibility. Together, we remain committed to enabling every woman who dares to dream and dares to build.”

Ashwin Padmanabhan, COO, GroupM South Asia, “We have always believed in media’s power to spark movements, not just moments. Her Start-Up Show blends storytelling with purpose, driving real economic empowerment. The overwhelming response to Season 1 showed how deeply this platform resonated with women in one region. That’s why, in Season 2, we are expanding to six languages and a broader reach across India.  Thus, bringing every ambitious woman closer to the support she deserves. This show goes beyond visibility; it is about bringing dreams alive via action, impact, and a re-imagined future for women entrepreneurship.” 

“At Mindshare, we believe in building brands that don’t just sell but spark change. In its second season, Her Start-Up Show goes far beyond amplification, it’s about creating access, fuelling aspiration, and offering a platform to women entrepreneurs across India. We are incredibly grateful to our client, Britannia, for backing this bold vision and partnering with us to bring it to life. What started as a pioneering idea is now an award-winning show, with its impact resonating across markets and touching countless lives. With its expansion to a larger OTT platform, the show’s reach and influence have scaled significantly, finding its way into more homes, hearts, and boardrooms. These aren’t just stories; they are real journeys of transformation. Together with GroupM Motion Entertainment and Britannia, we are proud to drive a narrative where media becomes a powerful force for empowerment and enduring change.” Amin Lakhani, CEO, Mindshare South Asia.

Actress and host Shriya Saran said “Being part of Her Start-Up Show has been truly inspiring. It’s a powerful platform that gives women across India the opportunity to turn their dreams into reality. I’m proud to be part of a show that celebrates ambition, courage, and the spirit of women entrepreneurs.”

Britannia Marie Gold has always shown its unwavering commitment to empowering millions of women in their entrepreneurial dreams through initiatives like the Marie Gold HerStartup contest, previously known as MyStartup Contest and Her.Store. The Britannia Marie Gold Her Start-up Show is a continuation of that legacy, celebrating women who are shattering barriers and inspiring a nation.

Season 2 of Britannia Marie Gold Her Start-up show is streaming exclusively on JioHotstar.

22^nd April 2025, Mumbai: Asian Energy Services Limited, a leading integrated service provider to the energy and mining sectors, has announced the acquisition of a 100% stake in Kuiper Group, UAE from Gulf Capital (a marquee private equity fund), for a consideration of US$ 9.25 million in an all-cash deal. The acquisition is expected to be completed within the next two months, following which Asian Energy will acquire Kuiper Group along with its global management team and normalized working capital. The acquisition will be funded through a combination of internal accruals and debt.

Kapil Garg, Chairman and Managing Director, Oilmax Energy Pvt. Ltd.

Kuiper Group is a globally recognized provider of comprehensive and integrated manpower solutions, specifically tailored for the energy sector across the Middle East and Southeast Asia. The Kuiper Group has recorded revenue of ~ US$ 68 million in year ending December 2024 and is a profitable business, further strengthening the strategic value of the acquisition.

The acquisition of Kuiper Group is a strategic initiative by Asian Energy Services to expand its services offering of integrated operations and maintenance (O&M) across the Middle East and Southeast Asian countries leveraging Kuiper’s presence. Kuiper has well-established presence in energy-rich nations such as Saudi Arabia, Qatar and the UAE. This positions Asian Energy Services to scale its operations, access this larger addressable market, and support its long-term growth ambitions.

Commenting on this, Mr Kapil Garg, Managing Director, Asian Energy Services Limited said, “The acquisition of Kuiper Group marks a pivotal milestone in Asian Energy Services’ journey to expand its footprint across key energy markets in the Middle East and Southeast Asia. This strategic move enables us to participate more actively in global energy projects and establish a scalable, future-ready platform for long-term growth. Kuiper Group’s strong presence in these regions will serve as a foundation for Asian Energy to broaden its integrated O&M services offering. We also aim to support and grow

Kuiper’s existing business. I warmly welcome Kuiper’s management team and employees to the Asian Energy family and look forward to working together following the completion of the acquisition.”

New Delhi, 22nd April, 2025.As of March 31, 2025, the Atal Pension Yojana (APY) has surpassed 7.60 crore gross enrolments, marking a milestone in its 10th year. In 2024-25, the scheme enrolled over 1.17 crore new subscribers, continuing its strong momentum with more than 1 crore new subscribers in each of the past three financial years. The total assets under management (AUM) now exceed Rs. 44,780 crore, with annual returns of 9.11 percent since inception.

In 2024-25, a record about 55 percent of new enrolled subscribers were women, reflecting increasing financial awareness and gender balance.

As part of the key new initiatives undertaken in 2024-25, PFRDA conducted 32 APY Outreach programs pan India at various locations, in coordination with SLBCs and LDMs; regular training and awareness sessions for bank officials, SLBCs/UTLBCs, subscribers and general public; mass media campaigns in Print, Radio, TV, social media and Theatres. Special radio campaigns were launched during events like Mahakumbh and ICC Champions Trophy.

Under APY, a subscriber would receive a lifelong minimum guaranteed pension of Rs.1000 to Rs.5000 per month from the age of 60 years, depending on their contributions. The same pension is passed on to the spouse of the subscriber after the demise of the subscriber and on the demise of both the subscriber and spouse, the pension wealth as accumulated till age 60 of the subscriber would be returned back to the nominee.

22 April 2025, National: According to the 6th Deloitte Global Digital Banking Maturity (DBM) survey, nine Indian banks have been recognised as ‘Digital Champions’ among 40 banks that received the title globally. Since 2022, India’s DBM Index has grown from 43 percent to 59 percent, witnessing a 16-percentage point (pp) increase. Indian banks have observed the most notable gains in day-to-day banking (+9.8 pp) and expanding relationships (+3.4 pp). This change reflects Indian banks’ increasing digital maturity, showcasing their focus on customised advisory, rapid technological advancements, AI integration and beyond-banking offerings.

The Global DBM study, conducted biennially, surveyed 349 banks in its latest edition, assessing participants based on their retail banking maturity across three main channels: public websites, internet banking and mobile banking, which includes application messenger service-based banking. Using mystery shopping methodology, the banks’ features were evaluated across six customer journey steps, namely information gathering, account opening, customer onboarding, day-to-day banking, expanding relationships and end relationships. The latest edition of DBM has improved the methodology by adding UX insights as a benchmarking segment in addition to the customer journey steps.

The survey further highlights that Indian Digital Champions have outperformed their global peers across most journey steps, with India’s overall DBM Index exceeding the global average index by 20 pp. Indian Digital Champion banks scored significantly higher in information gathering, customer onboarding, day-to-day banking and overall user experience.

However, there is room for further improvement, especially across day-to-day banking and expanding relationships, focusing on areas such as personal finance management, conversational solutions for hyper-personalised support and product cross-selling.

Himanish Chaudhuri, Partner and Financial Services Industry Leader, Deloitte India, said, “As we unveil the sixth edition of Digital Banking Maturity report, the world’s largest and most comprehensive digital banking study, we are proud to share that Indian Banks have made significant progress across digital banking services, outpacing global average on most fronts, aligning with our 2022 predictions. In only its second year of participation, India has already asserted itself as a rising force among global powerhouses such as the US, China, Brazil and the European Union. This year’s DBM survey extends its reach to 349 banks, spanning 44 key markets across six continents. This remarkable trajectory underscores India’s growing capability to shape the future of digital banking. With regulatory support, the rise of GenAI, industry convergence and a sharper focus on fraud prevention, Indian banks are well-positioned to support the country’s vision for a ‘Viksit Bharat’.” The Indian banking sector’s digital transformation is driven by a favourable regulatory environment, expanding digital public infrastructure, increased investment and spending capacity and enhanced internet connectivity and mobile penetration. However, this progress is accompanied by challenges such as macroeconomic and geopolitical uncertainties, rising deposit costs and concerns over credit quality. 

Suchintan Chatterjee, Partner, Deloitte India, said, “While Indian banks have effectively mastered the account opening and customer onboarding steps, there is a need to continue prioritising day-to-day banking and expanding customer relationships to enhance service delivery and meet growing customer expectations. To achieve scalability, banks must address data architecture and skill gap issues and ensure enterprise-wide data agility.”

While taking a deep dive into day-to-day banking and expanding relationships journey steps, where Indian banks observed the most notable gains, the survey report highlights significant progress within the key components of these areas. In day-to-day banking, Transfers & Payments saw a 2.4 pp increase since 2022, surpassing the 1 pp global average. Personal Finance Management improved by 1.9 pp compared with the 0.1 pp global rise, while Account and product management services recorded a 2 pp increase against the 1 pp global benchmark. On the other hand, Card Management services showed a notable ~2 pp rise, driven by seamless services and a secure banking experience, compared with a 3 pp global average rise.

In expanding relationships with banking services, Indian banks achieved a 1 pp increase in beyond banking offerings, outperforming the 0.1 pp global average rise. However, the ecosystem and account aggregation services, a key area for further focus, registered a modest 0.5 pp rise.