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PanIIT Eyes Amaravati as India’s Leading DeepTech Capital at Andhra Pradesh Summit 2026

PanIIT Explores Centre of Excellence in Amaravati to Accelerate DeepTech Innovation

 

Vijayawada, August 25, 2026: PanIIT Alumni India, the umbrella organisation representing more than five lakh alumni of all 23 Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs), on Tuesday announced the PanIIT Andhra Pradesh Summit 2026, a major leadership, innovation and technology forum to be held on October 3, 2026, at Novotel Vijayawada Varun.

The Summit, themed “Catalysing Innovation for Swarnandhra Vision 2047,” will be inaugurated by Mr. Nara Chandrababu Naidu, Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh.

The one-day Summit is expected to bring together more than 500 delegates, including around 100 founders and startup leaders, 50 CEOs, 50 investors and venture capitalists, policymakers, technology experts, academicians and industry leaders from across India and abroad.

The Summit will provide a platform for government, industry, academia, entrepreneurs, investors and the global IIT alumni community to explore opportunities for accelerating innovation, attracting investment and promoting technology-led growth in Andhra Pradesh.

The Summit will focus on key technology and growth sectors, including: DeepTech, Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning, MedTech, Pharma & Healthcare, Oil & Gas and Green Energy, Semiconductors & Data Centres, Quantum Computing and Defence & Aerospace.

PanIIT Alumni India Unveils Andhra Pradesh Summit 2026 with Focus on Swarnandhra Vision 2047

 

Addressing a press conference, Shri Prabhat Kumar, IRS, Chairman, PanIIT Alumni India and Principal ADG, NACIN, CBIC, said the Summit would seek to leverage the collective strength of the IIT alumni community to contribute to Andhra Pradesh’s development.

“The PanIIT Andhra Pradesh Summit 2026 is an opportunity to bring together the collective strength of government, industry, academia, entrepreneurs and the global IIT alumni community. Andhra Pradesh has a vast and influential diaspora spread across the world, particularly in the United States. IIT alumni would like to play a catalytic role in the development of Andhra Pradesh.”

He said PanIIT would like to position Amaravati as a leading DeepTech capital of India and explore long-term initiatives that can create a strong innovation ecosystem in the State.

“At the behest of Chief Minister Mr. Nara Chandrababu Naidu, we would like to make the PanIIT Andhra Pradesh Summit an annual affair. As part of our long-term vision, we are exploring the establishment of a PanIIT Centre of Excellence in Amaravati, for which we are seeking land from the Government of Andhra Pradesh. This would be the first Centre of Excellence of its kind to be established by PanIIT Alumni India in India. If the discussions progress as planned, we may even sign an MoU with the Government of Andhra Pradesh during the Summit on October 3,” he said.

PanIIT Explores Centre of Excellence in Amaravati to Accelerate DeepTech Innovation

 

He added that Andhra Pradesh was a progressive State with immense potential in emerging areas such as Artificial Intelligence, DeepTech, quantum technology, advanced manufacturing and innovation.

“Through collaboration and shared expertise, we hope to support technology-led solutions and contribute to Andhra Pradesh’s vision of Swarnandhra and its journey towards becoming a leading technology and innovation hub,” he said.

Shri Amitabh Ranjan, Vice Chairman, PanIIT Alumni India and Registrar, Indian Institute of Public Administration (IIPA), said innovation and research would be critical to India’s future economic growth.

“India currently invests around 0.65% of its GDP in research and development, compared with substantially higher levels in countries such as China, the United States and Israel. This highlights the need for greater investment in innovation, research and technology,” he said.

“The theme ‘Catalysing Innovation for Swarnandhra Vision 2047’ is therefore particularly relevant. Innovation will be one of the fundamental drivers of our future growth,” he added.

He said Andhra Pradesh had several strategic advantages that could support its emergence as a major economic and technology hub.

The recently approved 1,107-km Kharagpur–Amaravati Greenfield Corridor, including a 457-km stretch through Andhra Pradesh, is expected to strengthen connectivity and support economic development in the State.

He also highlighted Andhra Pradesh’s long coastline and mineral resources, including monazite, ilmenite, rutile and zircon, which have potential significance for advanced materials, clean-energy and strategic industries.

Shri Sudhakar Gande, Chair, PanIIT Andhra Pradesh Summit 2026, said Andhra Pradesh had a strong foundation of talent, entrepreneurship and ambition.

“By embracing emerging technologies such as AI, DeepTech and semiconductors, while fostering innovation and investment, Andhra Pradesh has a significant opportunity to create new engines of growth and position itself as a leading technology hub.”

Prof. Dr. Ramanaidu Randhi, Convenor, PanIIT Andhra Pradesh Summit 2026, said stronger collaboration between academia, industry, government and entrepreneurs was essential for building a sustainable innovation ecosystem.

“Academic excellence and research are fundamental to building a strong innovation ecosystem. Their true impact lies in translating knowledge into technologies, products and practical solutions that address real-world challenges. Greater emphasis on applied research can transform academic discoveries into market-ready products and services, creating social and economic value,” he said.

“Stronger collaboration among academia, industry, government and entrepreneurs can bring together research, talent, technology and innovation to solve practical problems, drive sustainable growth, create employment and contribute to national development,” he added.

PanIIT Alumni India

PanIIT Alumni India (PIAI) is the umbrella organisation representing alumni of all 23 Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs). Established in 2006 as a not-for-profit society, PanIIT brings together IIT alumni, academia, industry, entrepreneurs, investors, innovators and policymakers to foster collaboration, innovation and nation-building.

Through national and global summits, policy dialogues, technology and innovation initiatives, and social-impact programmes, PanIIT seeks to leverage the collective expertise and global networks of the IIT alumni community to contribute to India’s development and global leadership.

The IIT alumni community includes prominent global leaders such as Sundar Pichai, CEO of Alphabet and Google; Arvind Krishna, Chairman and CEO of IBM; N. R. Narayana Murthy, Founder of Infosys; Vinod Khosla, Co-founder of Sun Microsystems; and Raghuram Rajan, former Governor of the Reserve Bank of India, reflecting the global impact of the IIT ecosystem.

PanIIT Alumni India Brings Innovation, DeepTech and Entrepreneurship to Andhra Pradesh Summit

Vijayawada, August 25, 2026: PanIIT Alumni India, the umbrella organisation representing more than five lakh alumni of all 23 Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs), on Tuesday announced the PanIIT Andhra Pradesh Summit 2026, a major leadership, innovation and technology forum to be held on October 3, 2026, at Novotel Vijayawada Varun.

The Summit, themed “Catalysing Innovation for Swarnandhra Vision 2047,” will be inaugurated by Mr. Nara Chandrababu Naidu, Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh.

The one-day Summit is expected to bring together more than 500 delegates, including around 100 founders and startup leaders, 50 CEOs, 50 investors and venture capitalists, policymakers, technology experts, academicians and industry leaders from across India and abroad.

The Summit will provide a platform for government, industry, academia, entrepreneurs, investors and the global IIT alumni community to explore opportunities for accelerating innovation, attracting investment and promoting technology-led growth in Andhra Pradesh.

The Summit will focus on key technology and growth sectors, including: DeepTech, Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning, MedTech, Pharma & Healthcare, Oil & Gas and Green Energy, Semiconductors & Data Centres, Quantum Computing and Defence & Aerospace

Addressing a press conference, Shri Prabhat Kumar, IRS, Chairman, PanIIT Alumni India and Principal ADG, NACIN, CBIC, said the Summit would seek to leverage the collective strength of the IIT alumni community to contribute to Andhra Pradesh’s development.

“The PanIIT Andhra Pradesh Summit 2026 is an opportunity to bring together the collective strength of government, industry, academia, entrepreneurs and the global IIT alumni community. Andhra Pradesh has a vast and influential diaspora spread across the world, particularly in the United States. IIT alumni would like to play a catalytic role in the development of Andhra Pradesh.”

He said PanIIT would like to position Amaravati as a leading DeepTech capital of India and explore long-term initiatives that can create a strong innovation ecosystem in the State.

“At the behest of Chief Minister Mr. Nara Chandrababu Naidu, we would like to make the PanIIT Andhra Pradesh Summit an annual affair. As part of our long-term vision, we are exploring the establishment of a PanIIT Centre of Excellence in Amaravati, for which we are seeking land from the Government of Andhra Pradesh. This would be the first Centre of Excellence of its kind to be established by PanIIT Alumni India in India. If the discussions progress as planned, we may even sign an MoU with the Government of Andhra Pradesh during the Summit on October 3,” he said.

He added that Andhra Pradesh was a progressive State with immense potential in emerging areas such as Artificial Intelligence, DeepTech, quantum technology, advanced manufacturing and innovation.

“Through collaboration and shared expertise, we hope to support technology-led solutions and contribute to Andhra Pradesh’s vision of Swarnandhra and its journey towards becoming a leading technology and innovation hub,” he said.

Shri Amitabh Ranjan, Vice Chairman, PanIIT Alumni India and Registrar, Indian Institute of Public Administration (IIPA), said innovation and research would be critical to India’s future economic growth.

“India currently invests around 0.65% of its GDP in research and development, compared with substantially higher levels in countries such as China, the United States and Israel. This highlights the need for greater investment in innovation, research and technology,” he said.

“The theme ‘Catalysing Innovation for Swarnandhra Vision 2047’ is therefore particularly relevant. Innovation will be one of the fundamental drivers of our future growth,” he added.

He said Andhra Pradesh had several strategic advantages that could support its emergence as a major economic and technology hub.

The recently approved 1,107-km Kharagpur–Amaravati Greenfield Corridor, including a 457-km stretch through Andhra Pradesh, is expected to strengthen connectivity and support economic development in the State.

He also highlighted Andhra Pradesh’s long coastline and mineral resources, including monazite, ilmenite, rutile and zircon, which have potential significance for advanced materials, clean-energy and strategic industries.

Shri Sudhakar Gande, Chair, PanIIT Andhra Pradesh Summit 2026, said Andhra Pradesh had a strong foundation of talent, entrepreneurship and ambition.

“By embracing emerging technologies such as AI, DeepTech and semiconductors, while fostering innovation and investment, Andhra Pradesh has a significant opportunity to create new engines of growth and position itself as a leading technology hub.”

Prof. Dr. Ramanaidu Randhi, Convenor, PanIIT Andhra Pradesh Summit 2026, said stronger collaboration between academia, industry, government and entrepreneurs was essential for building a sustainable innovation ecosystem.

“Academic excellence and research are fundamental to building a strong innovation ecosystem. Their true impact lies in translating knowledge into technologies, products and practical solutions that address real-world challenges. Greater emphasis on applied research can transform academic discoveries into market-ready products and services, creating social and economic value,” he said.

“Stronger collaboration among academia, industry, government and entrepreneurs can bring together research, talent, technology and innovation to solve practical problems, drive sustainable growth, create employment and contribute to national development,” he added.

PanIIT Alumni India

PanIIT Alumni India (PIAI) is the umbrella organisation representing alumni of all 23 Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs). Established in 2006 as a not-for-profit society, PanIIT brings together IIT alumni, academia, industry, entrepreneurs, investors, innovators and policymakers to foster collaboration, innovation and nation-building.

Through national and global summits, policy dialogues, technology and innovation initiatives, and social-impact programmes, PanIIT seeks to leverage the collective expertise and global networks of the IIT alumni community to contribute to India’s development and global leadership.

The IIT alumni community includes prominent global leaders such as Sundar Pichai, CEO of Alphabet and Google; Arvind Krishna, Chairman and CEO of IBM; N. R. Narayana Murthy, Founder of Infosys; Vinod Khosla, Co-founder of Sun Microsystems; and Raghuram Rajan, former Governor of the Reserve Bank of India, reflecting the global impact of the IIT ecosystem.

LA County Ranks 2nd in the U.S. with a 252 Maternal Care Gap, Study Reveals

Los Angeles County has some of the best hospitals in the country. It still does not have enough maternal mental health care.
 
New research from Simmrin Law Group finds the county has the second-largest maternal mental health provider shortage in the United States. There are 202 providers and programs available today.
 
Local demand calls for roughly 454. That leaves the county 252 short, behind only Harris County, Texas, at 267. The figures come from the Policy Center for Maternal Mental Health’s 2025 county report, produced with George Washington University. Their model treats one provider or program as enough for every 200 births. 
 
Key Findings
 
-Los Angeles County has a 252-provider and program gap, the second-largest maternal mental health shortage in the U.S.
-The county has 202 available providers and programs, but an estimated 454 are needed to meet local demand.
-Only Harris County, Texas, has a larger shortage, with a gap of 267, just 15 more than Los Angeles County.
-Riverside County also ranks high, with a shortage of 109 providers and programs, while San Bernardino County has a gap of 106.
-Across the U.S., only 16% of the childbearing population lives in counties with enough maternal mental health resources, while 84% live in areas where local capacity falls short.

Counties With the Largest Provider Shortages

Rank
County
State
Available Providers
Required Providers
Provider Gap
1
Harris County
Texas
58
325
267
2
Los Angeles County
California
202
454
252
3
Dallas County
Texas
29
185
156
4
Miami-Dade County
Florida
20
148
128
5
Kings County
New York
47
165
118
6
Bexar County
Texas
22
133
111
7
Riverside County
California
23
132
109
8
San Bernardino County
California
18
124
106
9
Tarrant County
Texas
35
138
103
10
Clark County
Nevada
17
119
102
11
Maricopa County
Arizona
151
252
101
12
Queens County
New York
28
120
92
13
San Diego County
California
92
178
86
14
Wayne County
Michigan
23
100
77
Why This Matters Now

The national provider count grew sharply between 2023 and 2025, rising from 4,506 to 9,694. Los Angeles County still runs a 252-provider deficit. That combination is the story. The workforce expanded, and the counties with the highest birth volume and the highest risk did not capture the growth.

The methodology explains why the number is so large. Need is calculated at one provider or program per 200 births, so a county with roughly 90,000 births a year carries a proportionally large requirement. Shortage coverage usually frames the problem as rural. 

Los Angeles County shows the same failure at the urban scale, driven by birth volume rather than isolation.

County-level totals also flatten what access actually looks like on the ground. Los Angeles County covers 88 cities and more than 4,000 square miles. 

A mother in the Antelope Valley and a mother in Santa Monica appear in the same countywide figure. Their travel time to a perinatal mental health specialist is not remotely the same.

The pattern extends past the county line. Riverside County is short 109 providers and programs, and San Bernardino County is short 106. Taken together with Los Angeles County, the Inland Empire and LA basin face a combined gap of 467. That points to a regional workforce problem rather than a single health system failing.

Why a Major Hospital Network Does Not Close the Gap

Los Angeles County holds some of the largest health systems in the country, including UCLA Health, Cedars-Sinai, Keck Medicine of USC, and Kaiser Permanente. The shortage persists anyway.

 Perinatal mental health is a distinct specialty workforce, counted through certified perinatal mental health providers, reproductive psychiatrists, and community-based programs. General psychiatric capacity does not substitute for it. Proximity to a major hospital tells a patient very little about whether specialized postpartum mental health care is actually available to her.

About the Study

Research by Simmrin Law Group analyzed maternal mental health provider shortages across major U.S. counties in 2025. The study compared available providers and programs with estimated local need to identify where the largest care gaps remain, including Los Angeles County’s 252-provider and program shortage.

British Virgin Islands Looks to Strengthen Financial Services and Cross-Border Investment Ties with India: Premier Wheatley

New Delhi, 25 August 2026: The Society of Indian Law Firms (SILF) today hosted a high-level delegation from the British Virgin Islands (BVI) to explore opportunities for strengthening trade, investment and legal cooperation between India and the BVI. Honourable Dr Natalio D. Wheatley, Premier and Minister of Finance, British Virgin Islands, along with Honourable Lorna Smith, OBE, Minister for Financial Services, Economic Development and Digital Transformation, British Virgin Islands led a delegation of senior government and private-sector representatives.

The discussions focused on opportunities for enhancing trade and commerce, investment and cross-border legal cooperation, while also exploring emerging areas such as investment protection in the age of artificial intelligence, ESG and energy transition. The interaction provided a platform for the BVI Government delegation and SILF members to exchange perspectives on strengthening professional engagement while respecting the sovereign legal frameworks of both jurisdictions.

Speaking during the interaction, Honourable Dr Natalio D. Wheatley, Premier and Minister of Finance, British Virgin Islands, said, “This is the BVI’s first trade mission and dedicated roadshow to engage India’s financial services agencies and markets, reflecting our ambition to deepen cooperation between our financial services sectors. The India–BVI relationship extends back some 20 to 25 years, and BVI financial services have long supported India’s international investment efforts. As Indian businesses increasingly expand globally and investors look overseas to invest and raise capital, we believe the BVI can play an even greater role in supporting India’s financial architecture and cross-border trade. Our engagements here have reaffirmed that this is the right time to build a lasting and strategic partnership between the BVI and India.”

He further added, “With our flexible corporate framework, common law legal system and deep professional services ecosystem, the BVI can support Indian businesses in overseas expansion and fundraising, while facilitating global investment into India. We also want to bring more Indian legal practitioners into our global network and build partnerships with institutions including GIFT City, towards a dedicated BVI–India investment corridor and gateway. Our purpose is to refresh a decades-old friendship, strengthen existing ties and build new value together as India advances towards becoming a developed nation by 2047.”

Honourable Lorna Smith, OBE, Minister for Financial Services, Economic Development and Digital Transformation, British Virgin Islands, said, “The time is right for us to be in India. Our delegation brings together government and the private sector, with BVI-linked firms and professionals operating across jurisdictions including Switzerland, Dubai, Panama, Hong Kong and Mauritius, reflecting the truly global nature of the BVIs’ financial services ecosystem. Lawyers are an integral part of this ecosystem and play an important role in helping us understand and navigate financial services and globalisation. Our engagements with the Government of India have already opened discussions around areas for greater cooperation and capacity building.”

She further added, “FinTech is a vital sector for us and it has been an important part of our discussions. India’s UPI payment system is of great interest to the British Virgin Islands, and we are keen to learn more from India’s experience in building this ecosystem. The willingness we have seen to share knowledge and expertise demonstrates the opportunities that exist for deeper cooperation between our two jurisdictions. This certainly will not be our first and last visit to India; we look forward to continued engagement and to being part of India’s journey towards becoming a developed country by 2047.”

Highlighting the importance of building stronger legal and economic linkages, Dr Lalit Bhasin, President, SILF, said, “We have to build a legal architecture for a connected global economy. The visit of the delegation of the Government of the British Virgin Islands is a timely step towards this goal. The high-profile delegation led by the Hon’ble Premier and the Finance Minister of the British Virgin Islands highlights the need for mutual economic cooperation between India and the British Virgin Islands.”

He further added, “The interaction of the delegation with members of the Society of Indian Law Firms would showcase cooperation while preserving sovereign legal entities. Other areas of discussion would be investment, protection in an age of AI, ESG and energy transition.”

Senior government officials, financial services representatives, legal professionals and business leaders from the British Virgin Islands participated in the high-level interaction. Other prominent members of the delegation included Mr Kenneth Baker, CEO/Managing Director, BVI Financial Services Commission; Ms Ayana Glasgow, Director of Financial Services, BVI Government; Mr Rhodni Skelton, Director of Marketing and Business Development, BVI Finance; and Dr Ricardo Wheatley, Director, BVI Government, BVI Hong Kong Office. They were accompanied by representatives from leading legal, financial and professional services organisations.

Leading members of the SILF present at the interaction included Mr Rohit Kochhar, General Secretary; Mr Ravi Nath, Senior Vice-President; Anand S Pathak, Vice-President; Mr Rajesh Narain Gupta, Vice-President; Mr Sudhir Mishra, Vice-President and Ms. Nina Gupta, Advocate and Mediator, Member, Gender Sensitisation and Internal Complaints Committee of the Supreme Court of India among other senior members of the Indian legal fraternity.

The meeting marked another step in SILF’s efforts to deepen engagement with international legal and professional communities and facilitate greater cross-border cooperation. It is expected to contribute towards building stronger institutional linkages and identifying new avenues for legal and commercial collaboration between India and the BVI.

India’s Gig Economy Grows, but Women Continue to Face Barriers to Participation

India’s Gig Economy Grows, but Women Continue to Face Barriers to Participation

 Pic Credit: Pexel

Aug 25: India’s rapidly expanding gig economy is creating new employment opportunities, but women continue to remain significantly underrepresented in app-based work, according to a recent study by the International Labour Organization and the National Council of Applied Economic Research.

The study highlights that India’s gig workforce is expected to expand substantially in the coming years. However, the benefits of this growth are not reaching women at the same pace as men.

Concerns over personal safety, limited mobility, lack of digital skills and prevailing social norms are among the key factors discouraging women from taking up platform-based jobs. These challenges are particularly important in sectors such as ride-hailing, food delivery, home services and other app-based work.

The findings come at a time when India is seeking to increase women’s participation in the workforce. Despite significant progress in access to banking and digital financial services, the same level of participation has not been seen in the rapidly growing digital labour market.

India’s female labour-force participation rate stood at around 32 per cent in 2025, compared with nearly 78 per cent for men, according to internationally comparable ILO estimates compiled by the World Bank.

The expansion of the gig economy is expected to make the issue increasingly important. With the number of gig workers projected to rise sharply by the end of the decade, improving women’s access to these jobs could provide an important source of additional income and employment.

At the policy level, the government is also working to strengthen social security provisions for gig and platform workers. The implementation of the Code on Social Security is expected to pave the way for welfare measures covering areas such as accident protection and maternity benefits.

Authorities are also working to improve the identification and tracking of platform workers through the e-Shram portal, which is intended to help eligible workers access government welfare programmes.

However, worker organisations have raised concerns about delays in sharing and updating worker information. At the same time, several platform companies have expressed concerns about regulatory requirements and the potential overlap between state-level measures and the emerging national framework.

The industry is also facing wider debates over fair pay, working conditions, algorithmic decision-making and income security, particularly for workers exposed to extreme weather and fluctuating demand.

For businesses, increasing women’s participation could represent a significant opportunity as the platform economy expands. Creating safer working conditions, improving access to digital training, providing flexible work arrangements and strengthening social protection could help companies attract and retain a larger female workforce.

The next phase of India’s gig economy may therefore depend not only on how quickly the sector creates jobs, but also on how effectively businesses and policymakers make those opportunities accessible, secure and sustainable for women.

MMTC-PAMP unveils the Radha Krishna 50g Silver Bar; A Timeless Celebration of Divine Love and Devotion

MMTC-PAMP unveils the Radha Krishna 50g Silver Bar; A Timeless Celebration of Divine Love and Devotion

Mumbai, 25 August 2026: MMTC-PAMP, India’s only London Bullion Market Association (LBMA) Good Delivery gold and silver refiner, has announced the unveiling of its latest offering, the Radha Krishna 50-gram Silver Bar. Crafted in 999.9+ pure silver, the all-new bar is inspired by the eternal bond of Lord Krishna and Radha. The collectible embodies the deep meaning of love, devotion, harmony and spiritual peace, blending India’s rich cultural heritage with exquisite craftsmanship.

The Radha Krishna Silver Bar from the house of MMTCPAMP is a visual celebration of one of the most cherished symbols of divine love in Indian tradition. The obverse depicts Radha and Krishna sitting together in a serene garden under an ornate temple arch, representing unconditional love, peace and everlasting companionship. Krishna’s flute showcases divine music, while Radha represents devotion. The floral detailing adds richness, further enhancing the artwork and adding depth, vibrancy and a premium aesthetic to the design of the bar.

The back of the product shows an elegant decorative frame inspired by traditional Indian temple architecture. Delicate lotus vines, hanging temple bells, peacock feathers and Krishna’s flute with a jewelled crown surround the product specifications, creating an elaborate composition that reflects the timeless beauty of Indian art and spirituality.

Speaking on the launch, Mr. Samit Guha, Managing Director & CEO, MMTCPAMP, said, “The Radha Krishna Silver Bar is a celebration of lovedevotion and India’s rich artistic heritage. Radha and Krishna represent a timeless bond that continues to inspire generations through its message of love, harmony and spiritual connection. Through intricate craftsmanship and the beauty of pure silver, we have brought these emotions to life. We are delighted to offer our consumers a collectible that goes beyond its precious metal value to become a meaningful keepsake of faith, love and tradition.” 

Crafted in 50 grams of 999.9+ purest silver, the bar features a premium proof-like finish with high-definition colour printing, bringing its intricate artwork to life. It is presented in MMTCPAMP’s tamper-proof Assay Certified Packaging and is individually serialized to ensure authenticity.

The Radha Krishna Silver Bar makes a meaningful gift for special occasions and as a collectible, celebrating divine love while holding the lasting value of silver.

Every MMTCPAMP product undergoes a rigorous purification process to guarantee the highest purity and quality. Additionally, every gold and silver product from MMTCPAMP comes with positive weight tolerance, ensuring customers receive more than the stated weight and maximum value with every purchase.

With the Radha Krishna Silver BarMMTCPAMP continues to bring together India’s spiritual traditions and precious metal artistry, creating meaningful products for collectors, devotees and those seeking an auspicious gift for special occasions.

HSBC Consumption Fund completes three years, delivers 15.13 percentage CAGR since inception

Aug 25: HSBC Mutual Fund’s HSBC Consumption Fund, an open-ended equity scheme following the consumption theme, completes three years since its inception in August 2023. The HSBC Consumption Fund has delivered a 15.13 percentage return since inception, outperforming its scheme benchmark, Nifty India Consumption TRI, which delivered 14.81% over the same period.

The fund had an &AUM of ₹1,761.84 crore as of July 31, 2026. A lump-sum investment of ₹1 lakh at inception would have grown to ₹1,50,830 as of July 31, 2026, compared with ₹1,49,640 for the benchmark. Similarly, a ₹10,000 monthly SIP since inception would have grown to ₹4,00,607, compared with ₹3,96,495 for the benchmark. Overall, the fund has outperformed its benchmark since inception, across both lumpsum and SIP investments.

The fund’s performance reflects its focused approach towards India’s evolving consumption opportunity. HSBC Consumption Fund seeks to invest a minimum of 80% in companies engaged in or expected to benefit from consumption and consumption-related activities, allowing investors to participate in structural trends across India’s consumption ecosystem.

Venugopal Manghat, CIO – Equities, HSBC Mutual Fund, said,

 “India’s consumption outlook is progressing beyond the traditional growth narrative, underpinned by rising household incomes, favourable demographics, increasing financialisation, and improved access to products and services. We see these structural shifts creating broad, long-term opportunities across consumption-driven businesses. As India’s consumption market continues to broaden and premiumise, we remain constructive on the long-term potential of this theme.”

The HSBC Consumption fund portfolio is diversified across several consumption-led segments, with allocations to consumer durables, automobiles, retailing, beverages, telecom services, healthcare services and leisure services as of July 31, 2026. The portfolio also spans large, mid, and small-cap companies, providing exposure to different segments of the consumption opportunity.

Over the past three years, the fund has benefited from its exposure to businesses positioned to participate in India’s changing consumption patterns. The fund’s investment approach remains focused on identifying companies that are expected to benefit from rising consumption, increasing penetration and premiumisation across different categories.
The HSBC Consumption Fund is managed by Anish Goenka, while Mayank Chaturvedi# manages overseas investments.

Indian Markets Slip as Rising Oil Prices and Iran Tensions Weigh on Sentiment

Mumbai, Aug 25: Indian equity markets opened lower on Tuesday as investors turned cautious amid renewed tensions between the United States and Iran and a rise in global crude oil prices.

The Sensex fell about 30 points to 77,336.32 in early trading, while the Nifty 50 declined 38.80 points to 24,179.50. The selling pressure increased slightly later, with the Sensex trading around 77,235 and the Nifty near 24,162.

The weakness was visible across several major stocks. HCL Technologies, Tech Mahindra, Maruti Suzuki, NTPC, Power Grid and Bajaj Finance were among the notable laggards. On the other hand, Trent, Adani Ports, ICICI Bank and Bharat Electronics were among the stocks showing gains.

A major concern for investors is the movement in crude oil prices. Brent crude rose 0.35 per cent to around $92.49 a barrel, raising concerns about the impact of expensive energy on India, which depends heavily on imported crude oil.

Higher oil prices can put pressure on India’s import bill, the rupee and corporate costs. If crude remains elevated for a prolonged period, investors may also become more cautious about sectors that are sensitive to fuel and input costs.

Market sentiment was further affected by the latest escalation in the US-Iran standoff. Renewed geopolitical uncertainty has increased concerns about possible disruption to global energy supplies and has encouraged investors to adopt a more defensive approach.

Global markets also remained under pressure. South Korea’s Kospi, Shanghai’s SSE Composite and Hong Kong’s Hang Seng were trading lower, while Japan’s Nikkei 225 moved higher. US markets had largely closed lower in the previous session.

Analysts expect volatility to remain high as investors also adjust positions ahead of the monthly derivatives expiry. Market movements could become sharper towards the end of the trading session as traders manage their positions.

Despite the cautious opening, foreign institutional investors remained buyers on Monday, purchasing equities worth ₹1,181.66 crore, according to exchange data.

The Sensex had ended Monday at 77,369.11, down 171.72 points, while the Nifty closed at 24,219.05, a decline of 32.95 points.

For investors, the immediate market direction is likely to depend on crude oil prices, developments in the US-Iran situation, global equity trends, foreign fund flows and the upcoming monthly expiry. With several uncertainties moving at the same time, traders are likely to remain cautious and expect increased swings in the market.

India’s Clean-Energy Push Crosses 300 GW Milestone

New Delhi, Aug 25: India has reached a significant milestone in its energy transition, with installed non-fossil fuel power capacity touching 300.50 GW as of July 31, 2026. The achievement takes non-fossil sources to more than half of the country’s total installed power capacity and puts India more than 60 per cent of the way towards its 500-GW target for 2030.

India’s Clean-Energy Push Crosses 300 GW Milestone

The milestone was highlighted during the first regional roadshow of the Bharat Renewable Energy Summit and Expo (BRE Summit) 2026) in Rajasthan, ahead of the main event scheduled in New Delhi from November 2 to 5.

India’s growing clean-energy capacity reflects a major shift in the country’s power mix. Solar and wind energy have emerged as key drivers of this expansion, supported by hydropower, bioenergy and nuclear power. The rapid addition of renewable capacity is also creating demand for new transmission infrastructure, energy storage and technologies that can provide dependable electricity when renewable generation fluctuates.

Rajasthan has an important role in this transformation. With abundant sunshine and large areas suitable for renewable projects, the state has become one of India’s leading destinations for solar and other clean-energy investments. The regional roadshow aims to connect policymakers, businesses, investors and technology providers and build momentum for future projects.

For India, reaching 300 GW is an important step, but the journey is far from complete. The country needs to add nearly 200 GW more non-fossil capacity by 2030 to achieve its stated target. That will require sustained investment, faster project implementation, stronger power-transmission networks and greater deployment of battery and other energy-storage technologies.

The clean-energy expansion also has wider economic implications. New renewable projects can generate investment and employment while helping states attract industries seeking access to cleaner electricity. At the same time, a larger domestic clean-energy ecosystem can reduce exposure to fluctuations in imported fossil-fuel prices.

The next few years will therefore be crucial. India’s challenge is no longer simply to add renewable capacity, but to build a power system capable of integrating, storing and delivering clean electricity reliably at the scale required by a rapidly growing economy.

The 300-GW milestone marks a major step forward. The real test now is whether India can convert that momentum into a reliable, affordable and increasingly clean power system by 2030.