Author: Neel Achary

Two Wheeler Sales Set to Surpass Pre COVID Levels, Expected to Hit New High in FY2026

WIKA Group in India Hosted F&B and Pharma Seminar in Pune

Pune, Maharashtra  Mar 23: WIKA Group recently hosted a Food & Beverage and Pharmaceutical Industry Seminar in Pune, bringing together customers for a focused program on measurement technology, applications, and sector specific requirements. The event highlighted how WIKA’s portfolio supports process reliability, compliance, and operational consistency across these regulated sectors.

The seminar began at WIKA’s Pune facility, where participants viewed selected production areas and interacted with instruments representing pressure, diaphragm seal, electrical temperature measurement, level, and force solutions. The visit offered an overview of WIKA’s local manufacturing strengths and quality practices.

Following the factory program, WIKA experts introduced the company’s global approach and ongoing developments.

At the event Dr.-Ing. Simone Mack, Vice President, Global Business Unit Food & Pharma, WIKA Group said “The food and pharmaceutical industries are continuously evolving to meet higher standards of safety, quality, and traceability. At WIKA, we believe that reliable measurement technology plays a crucial role in ensuring hygienic and efficient production processes. Through this seminar, we aim to bring together industry experts to discuss emerging challenges and demonstrate how advanced hygienic and precise instrumentation can help manufacturers enhance process reliability, maintain compliance, and safeguard product quality.”

Technical sessions covered key product areas including pressure and temperature measurement, diaphragm seal systems, level and force solutions, and calibration technology. WIKA experts outlined how these instruments are applied in processes such as pasteurization, sterile filtration, batching, filling, and CIP/SIP operations.

Participants were also introduced to WIKA’s IIoT capabilities, including smart sensors, connectivity options, and tools for condition and status monitoring.

Attendees engaged in application discussions and solution mapping with product specialists. The seminar concluded with a Q&A session and closing remarks, reinforcing WIKA India’s ongoing focus on providing measurement, and calibration solutions for F&B and Pharma customers.

India a Long-Term Investment Market with Strong E-Commerce Growth Potential: Amazon VP

India continues to stand out as a strong long-term investment destination with significant potential in the e-commerce sector, according to a senior executive from Amazon.

Highlighting the country’s digital expansion and rapidly evolving consumer base, the Amazon Vice President noted that India’s online retail ecosystem is still in its growth phase, offering substantial opportunities for long-term investors and businesses looking to scale in emerging markets.

The executive emphasized that rising internet penetration, increased smartphone usage, and improved digital payment systems are driving the next wave of e-commerce growth in the country. These factors, combined with a young population and growing middle class, are creating a strong foundation for sustained online retail expansion.

India’s e-commerce sector has witnessed consistent growth over the past few years, supported by expanding logistics networks and increasing adoption of online shopping across urban and semi-urban regions. Industry experts believe that this trend is likely to accelerate further as digital infrastructure continues to improve.

The Amazon VP also pointed out that India’s market dynamics are unique, with a diverse consumer base and rapidly changing shopping behavior. This makes the country one of the most promising markets for innovation in online retail, supply chain efficiency, and digital services.

As global companies continue to diversify their investment strategies, India is increasingly being viewed as a key growth market in Asia. The combination of strong domestic demand and digital transformation is expected to further strengthen its position in the global e-commerce landscape.

With continued investments in technology, logistics, and digital platforms, India is expected to remain a major focus area for global e-commerce players in the coming years.

New Changes in MSME Credit Guarantee Scheme Announced

The Government of India has introduced important changes to the Mutual Credit Guarantee Scheme for MSMEs (MCGS-MSME) to further support manufacturers and exporters. The revised framework is aimed at improving credit access, reducing financial burden, and encouraging investment in machinery and equipment, in line with Budget 2025–26 priorities.

The scheme, launched in January 2025, provides credit guarantee coverage of up to 60% through the National Credit Guarantee Trustee Company (NCGTC). It supports loans of up to ₹100 crore for eligible MSMEs, primarily for the purchase of plant and machinery. Following feedback from stakeholders, the government has now refined several provisions to make the scheme more practical and inclusive.

One of the key changes includes making the upfront contribution partially refundable, which is expected to improve liquidity for businesses. The scheme has also been expanded to include service sector MSMEs, widening its overall reach. In addition, the minimum requirement for machinery and equipment investment has been reduced from 75% to 60% of the total project cost, making it easier for enterprises to qualify.

The guarantee tenure has also been extended to up to 10 years, offering longer-term support for businesses investing in expansion and modernization. These revisions are intended to reduce compliance pressure and improve the ease of doing business for MSMEs across sectors.

For exporters, the government has introduced targeted incentives under the revised scheme. Eligible export-oriented MSMEs—those with at least 25% export turnover over the past three years—can now access guaranteed loans of up to ₹20 crore. The guarantee coverage for default has been increased to 75%, along with fee relaxations in the initial year of the loan.

The government has emphasized that MSMEs play a vital role in India’s economic structure, contributing around 30% to GDP and over 45% to exports while generating large-scale employment. Strengthening this sector is seen as essential for achieving the long-term vision of Viksit Bharat 2047.

With these modifications, the scheme is expected to encourage greater investment in technology, enhance export competitiveness, and support sustainable growth of MSMEs across manufacturing and service sectors.

Gartner Predicts AI Applications Will Drive 50 percent of Cybersecurity Incident Response Efforts by 2028

Sydney, Australia, Mar 23: Fifty percent of all enterprise cybersecurity incident response efforts will focus on incidents involving custom-built AI-driven applications by 2028, according to Gartner, Inc., a business and technology insights company. 

“AI is evolving quickly, yet many tools – especially custom-built AI applications – are being deployed before they’re fully tested,” said Christopher Mixter, VP Analyst at Gartner. “These systems are complex, dynamic and difficult to secure over time. Most security teams still lack clear processes for handling AI-related incidents, which means issues can take longer to resolve and require far more effort.” 

Gartner recommends security leaders get involved early in custom-built AI application projects to ensure sufficient time exists, resources are planned and expectations are managed for adequate security controls. 

This is one of Gartner’s top cybersecurity predictions that Gartner recommends cybersecurity leaders to factor into their security strategies over the next two years, along with the following predictions.

By 2028, more than 50% of enterprises will use AI security platforms to secure third-party AI service usage and protect custom-built AI applications.

AI security platforms give organizations a unified way to manage the new risks associated with rapid AI adoption, such as prompt injection, data misuse and more. Centralizing visibility and control, these platforms help CISOs enforce use policies, monitor AI activity and apply consistent security guardrails across third-party and custom AI applications. Security leaders must evaluate AI security platforms to ensure they can secure both forms of applications. 

Through 2027, manual AI compliance processes will expose 75% of regulated organizations to fines exceeding 5% of their global revenue.

Despite the distinct approaches to regulation globally, AI regulations converge on a universal demand for a systematic risk management approach. Even if CISOs can keep ahead of security, privacy and cyber risk management regulations and standards, new regulations covering AI safety call everything into question. For greater success, Gartner recommends establishing cyber governance risk and compliance, and enabling compliance through technology. 

Through 2030, 33% of IT work will be spent remediating AI data debt to secure AI.

Most organizations’ data is not AI‑ready, with poorly secured and unstructured data a major barrier to AI adoption. In response, cybersecurity leaders are expanding data loss prevention to monitor and restrict data flows triggered by GenAI and agentic AI data access events and requests. Gartner recommends they collaborate with data and analytics and AI leaders to define a structured program of data discovery, assessment and access control remediation. 

By 2027, 30% of organizations will require comprehensive sovereignty of their cloud security controls to address continued geopolitical turmoil.

Geopolitical turmoil and local regulations are creating untenable data risks, which require many organizations to make sovereignty a key part of their cyber resilience approach. This will necessitate changes in vendor selection for cloud-tethered offerings and prioritization efforts as geopatriation requirements intensify. Cybersecurity leaders must play an active role in defining organizational sovereignty requirements, including those required by local regulations. 

By 2028, 70% of CISOs will use identity visibility and intelligence capabilities to shrink the IAM attack surface, reducing the risks of credential compromise.

Identity has become a primary attack surface as organizations struggle to manage the rapid growth and complexity of human and machine identities. This leaves visibility gaps left by isolated identity and access management (IAM) tools and increases the risk of misconfigurations. Gartner recommends these blind spots be addressed by integrating unified, AI‑powered identity visibility and intelligence platforms to improve detection and remediation. 

Learn how to create a cybersecurity strategy that meets the needs of people, as well as technology in this complimentary Gartner guide. 

Gartner is the World Authority on AI

Gartner is the indispensable partner to C-Level executives and technology providers as they implement AI strategies to achieve their mission-critical priorities. The independence and objectivity of Gartner insights provide clients with the confidence to make informed decisions and unlock the full potential of AI. Clients across the C-Level are using Gartner‘s proprietary AskGartner AI tool to determine how to leverage AI in their business. With more than 2,500 business and technology experts, 6,000 written insights, as well as more than 1,000 AI use cases and case studies, Gartner is the world authority on AI. More information can be found here. 

JSW MG Motor India Sees EV Adoption Surge in Non-Metro Cities with MG Windsor Leading the Charge

Gurugram, Mar 23: JSW MG Motor India has reported a remarkable uptake of electric vehicles (EVs) in non-metro regions, driven by growing awareness and the value proposition of EV ownership. The MG Windsor, India’s No. 1 selling EV, has recorded 70% of its total sales from non-metro cities, marking a significant shift in consumer adoption patterns across the country. The carmaker has sold nearly 65,000 units of the MG Windsor to date.

 The MG Windsor’s success stems from its compelling “ABC” combination—offering the price of an A-segment vehicle, the exterior dimensions of a B-segment car, and the interior space of a C-segment vehicle. This unique positioning has resonated with a wide spectrum of customers, including first-time car buyers, who value practicality, technology, and sustainable mobility.

Designed as India’s first Intelligent CUV, the MG Windsor blends the expansiveness of a sedan with the versatility of an SUV. It is offered with two battery options: a 38-kWh pack delivering a range of 332 km and a 52.9-kWh PRO variant providing up to 449 km, catering to diverse driving needs. Enhancing customer confidence, the MG Windsor comes with a lifetime battery warranty for the first owner and a 3-60 assured buyback plan.

The vehicle also stands out with its futuristic AeroGlide design language and business-class interiors, including Aero Lounge seats that recline up to 135 degrees and a 15.6-inch GRANDVIEW touch display, delivering a premium, connected, and intuitive driving experience.

Commenting on the growing trend, JSW MG Motor India highlighted that non-metro buyers are increasingly embracing EVs due to practical affordability, low running costs, and enhanced sustainability. The MG Windsor’s balance of space, technology, and efficiency has proven particularly attractive to families and tech-savvy users in these regions.

Duravit India Hosts Blood Donation Drive in Ahmedabad Under CSR Initiative

Supply Chain Trends 2026: How AI, Total Value, and Global Restructuring Are Redefining Business

Pic Credit: Pexel

Global supply chains are entering a defining phase in 2026—one shaped not just by efficiency and cost control, but by intelligence, adaptability, and long-term value creation. What was once considered a behind-the-scenes operational function has now become one of the most strategic pillars of modern business.

From manufacturing to retail, healthcare to technology, supply chains are no longer just about moving goods from point A to point B. They are now deeply integrated systems that influence competitiveness, customer experience, sustainability, and even national economic strength.

In this evolving environment, companies are being forced to rethink how supply chains are designed, managed, and measured.

From Resilience to Total Value Thinking

For much of the past decade, supply chain strategy revolved around one central idea: resilience. Businesses focused on surviving disruptions—whether caused by pandemics, geopolitical tensions, or logistics breakdowns.

However, in 2026, a more advanced concept is taking center stage: Total Value creation.

This approach expands supply chain thinking beyond risk management. Instead of simply preventing failure, companies are now optimizing for multiple outcomes at once:

• Stronger customer experience
• Higher operational efficiency
• Sustainable cost structures
• Long-term enterprise growth

In this model, supply chains are no longer passive support systems. They actively contribute to revenue generation, brand trust, and market expansion.

Organizations that adopt this mindset are beginning to treat supply chains as value engines rather than cost centers.

The Rise of Centralized Global Supply Chain Models

Another major shift is the increasing centralization of supply chain operations under Global Business Services (GBS) structures.

Traditionally, supply chains were fragmented across regions, departments, and business units. This often led to inefficiencies, duplication of effort, and limited visibility.

In 2026, companies are reversing this model by consolidating functions such as procurement, logistics, demand planning, and reporting into centralized systems.

This shift is driven by several advantages:

• Improved global visibility of operations
• Standardized decision-making processes
• Better cost control and governance
• Faster coordination across markets
• Easier adoption of automation and AI tools

Centralization also enables organizations to build integrated digital command centers that track supply chains in real time, improving both speed and accuracy in decision-making.

Artificial Intelligence Becomes the Core Infrastructure

Artificial intelligence is no longer an experimental add-on in supply chains—it is becoming core infrastructure.

In 2026, AI is embedded across multiple stages of supply chain operations, including forecasting demand, managing inventory, optimizing logistics routes, and identifying risks before they escalate.

What makes this shift significant is the move toward connected intelligence. Instead of isolated AI tools, companies are building systems where data flows seamlessly across procurement, finance, operations, sustainability, and customer service.

This integration allows supply chains to function more like intelligent ecosystems rather than disconnected processes.

As a result, decisions that once took days can now be made in real time with higher accuracy and lower risk.

Agentic AI Transforms Procurement

One of the most transformative developments is the rise of Agentic AI in procurement and sourcing functions.

Unlike traditional AI systems that provide recommendations, agentic systems can execute tasks independently within predefined rules.

These systems are now capable of:

• Evaluating and ranking suppliers
• Managing tender and RFP processes
• Monitoring supplier risk continuously
• Automating contract lifecycle management
• Triggering renewals and onboarding workflows
• Supporting negotiation strategies based on historical data

This shift significantly reduces manual workload while improving compliance, transparency, and speed.

Procurement is evolving from a human-heavy administrative function into a hybrid system where humans focus on strategy and AI handles execution.

New Metrics for a Complex Supply Chain World

As supply chains become more advanced, traditional performance indicators are no longer sufficient.

Metrics such as cost per unit or on-time delivery still matter, but they are now part of a much broader measurement framework.

In 2026, organizations are increasingly tracking:

1. Real-Time Visibility
How quickly disruptions are detected and resolved using live data.

2. Resilience and Recovery
How fast supply chains recover after shocks and how flexible sourcing networks are.

3. AI Effectiveness
Accuracy of forecasting models and automation success rates.

4. Digital Twin Performance
How closely virtual simulations match real-world outcomes.

5. Human–Machine Collaboration
How effectively employees and AI systems work together.

6. Risk and Cybersecurity
Supplier risk exposure, incident response time, and system security strength.

7. ESG Performance
Carbon emissions across the supply chain, sustainable sourcing rates, and supplier compliance.

These metrics reflect a shift toward measuring supply chains not just by output, but by intelligence, sustainability, and adaptability.

Global Trade Volatility Continues to Shape Strategy

Despite technological progress, global supply chains remain exposed to external pressures.

Geopolitical tensions, tariff changes, and trade restrictions continue to disrupt sourcing strategies and cost structures. Businesses can no longer assume stable global trade conditions.

In response, companies are:

• Diversifying supplier bases across multiple regions
• Moving production closer to key consumer markets
• Increasing buffer inventory in critical categories
• Using scenario-planning tools to model risk outcomes

Digital simulation platforms now play a crucial role in helping businesses understand how policy shifts or disruptions could impact operations in real time.

Agility Becomes the Defining Competitive Advantage

In this new era, the most successful supply chains are not necessarily the largest or cheapest—they are the most agile.

Agility means the ability to:

• Switch suppliers quickly
• Adjust production locations dynamically
• Reroute logistics in real time
• Respond instantly to changes in demand

This flexibility allows companies to absorb shocks without losing efficiency or customer trust.

Agility is no longer optional—it is a core requirement for survival and growth.

Conclusion: The Future of Intelligent Supply Chains

The supply chain of 2026 represents a fundamental shift in how global business operates. It is no longer a linear process but a dynamic, interconnected system driven by data, automation, and strategic value creation.

Companies that embrace AI, centralization, advanced analytics, and flexible sourcing models will be better positioned to navigate uncertainty and capture new opportunities.

In the end, the future belongs to supply chains that are not only efficient and resilient—but intelligent, adaptive, and deeply aligned with business strategy and global economic change.

How India’s PLI Scheme Is Transforming Businesses and Strengthening the Economy

India’s manufacturing sector is stepping into a new era—one that goes beyond incremental growth and focuses on long-term transformation. At the heart of this shift is the Production Linked Incentive Scheme (PLI), a policy designed to turn India into a global manufacturing powerhouse.

While headlines often focus on investment figures and production milestones, the deeper impact of the PLI scheme lies in how it is reshaping business confidence, unlocking new opportunities, and strengthening the country’s economic backbone.

What Is the PLI Scheme and Why It Matters

The PLI scheme is a performance-based incentive program that rewards companies for increasing production within India. Simply put, the more a company manufactures, the greater the incentive it receives.

This approach has changed the way businesses think about India—not just as a consumer market, but as a competitive manufacturing destination.

How the PLI Scheme Is Helping Businesses Grow

For businesses, the PLI scheme acts as a powerful growth engine.

By directly linking incentives to output, it encourages companies to expand operations, invest in new facilities, and adopt modern technologies. This has led to:

• Larger manufacturing capacities
• Faster adoption of automation and innovation
• Improved efficiency and product quality

For large enterprises, it reduces the financial risk of scaling up. For MSMEs, it creates opportunities to become suppliers and partners in expanding industrial ecosystems.

The result is a more dynamic and interconnected business environment where growth is both supported and sustained.

Improving Global Competitiveness

Indian manufacturers have long faced challenges competing with established global hubs due to cost pressures and supply chain inefficiencies.

The PLI scheme addresses these gaps by:

• Promoting domestic production of critical components
• Reducing dependency on imports
• Enabling economies of scale

This shift is helping Indian industries become more competitive—not only in pricing but also in quality and reliability. Sectors such as electronics, pharmaceuticals, and automotive manufacturing are already seeing strong global traction.

Empowering MSMEs and Strengthening Supply Chains

Micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) are the backbone of India’s industrial ecosystem. While they may not always be direct beneficiaries of incentives, they play a crucial role in supporting larger manufacturers.

Through the PLI ecosystem, MSMEs gain:

• Stable demand from large companies
• Access to better technology and processes
• Opportunities to scale and integrate into global supply chains

This creates a ripple effect where growth at the top strengthens the entire industrial base.

Driving Job Creation and Economic Activity

One of the most significant impacts of the PLI scheme is employment generation.

As manufacturing expands, it creates jobs across multiple levels—from factory workers and engineers to logistics and service professionals. These jobs increase household incomes, which in turn boosts consumer spending.

Higher consumption fuels demand across industries, creating a cycle of growth that supports the broader economy.

Boosting FDI and Global Investor Confidence

India is increasingly becoming a preferred destination for global manufacturers looking to diversify supply chains.

With supportive policies and incentives under the PLI scheme, foreign direct investment is on the rise. Investors are not just entering the market—they are building long-term manufacturing capabilities.

This brings added advantages such as:

• Technology transfer
• Improved production standards
• Stronger global integration

Over time, this strengthens India’s position in international trade and manufacturing networks.

Reducing Import Dependence

A major economic benefit of the PLI scheme is its role in import substitution.

By encouraging local manufacturing of products like electronics, solar equipment, and telecom components, India is:

• Reducing its import bill
• Improving trade balance
• Building economic resilience

In an uncertain global environment, this self-reliance is becoming increasingly important.

Aligned with India’s Long-Term Vision

The PLI scheme supports the broader vision of Atmanirbhar Bharat—building a self-reliant yet globally competitive economy.

The long-term objective is to significantly increase the contribution of manufacturing to India’s GDP and create a strong, sustainable industrial ecosystem.

Challenges to Overcome

While the opportunities are immense, businesses must also address key challenges:

• Bridging skill gaps in the workforce
• Strengthening infrastructure and logistics
• Maintaining global quality benchmarks

Sustained success will depend on how effectively these challenges are managed.

Conclusion: A Defining Moment for India’s Economy

The PLI scheme is more than just a policy initiative—it represents a shift in India’s economic strategy.

It empowers businesses to scale, encourages innovation, and creates millions of job opportunities. At the same time, it strengthens the economy by attracting investment, boosting exports, and reducing import dependence.

As the scheme continues to evolve, it is laying the foundation for a stronger, more resilient India—one that is ready to compete and lead on the global stage.