18, Feb 2026
Cars24 Launches India’s First Lifetime Warranty on Cars
Gurugram, Feb 18: Cars24, marking a significant shift in how long-term ownership protection is offered in the car market.
While most used car warranties in India are limited to short durations, leaving buyers exposed to major mechanical costs over time, Cars24’s Lifetime Warranty introduces long-term protection for critical powertrain components, including the engine, transmission, and drivetrain, for up to 12 years from the date of vehicle registration or 1.5 lakh kilometers, whichever comes earlier. These are the systems that keep the car running and are also the most expensive to fix or replace when things go wrong.
Built for long-term ownership, the programme extends protection well beyond standard warranty periods, covering the kind of mechanical failures that usually show up only after years of use.
The Lifetime Warranty is available exclusively on Cars24 Certified vehicles and offers cashless repairs at Cars24-certified workshops across India, supported by a fully digital claim process, including vehicle pick-up and drop-off. To maintain coverage, vehicles must undergo periodic servicing at Cars24-certified workshops as per prescribed service intervals.
“At Cars24, we are deeply confident about the quality of the cars we sell,” said Himansu Ratnoo, CEO India, Cars24. “That confidence is what allows us to offer a Lifetime Warranty and stand by the most critical systems of the car for a much longer part of the ownership journey.”
“The intent is to remove long-term uncertainty for customers who plan to keep their cars for years, while taking responsibility for what truly matters in vehicle ownership,” he added.
Lifetime Warranty can be opted for at the time of purchase, giving customers added confidence from day one. The programme is now live pan-India, ensuring long-term peace of mind and ownership assurance wherever you are.
With this launch, Cars24 becomes the first platform in the Indian used car market to introduce a Lifetime Warranty programme focused on long-term mechanical protection.
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- By Neel Achary
18, Feb 2026
ELCIA Unveils New Leadership Team to Drive Electronics & Semiconductor Growth
Bengaluru, Feb 18 : Electronics City Industries Association has announced a leadership transition as it prepares to scale up its role in strengthening India’s electronics manufacturing and semiconductor ecosystem.
As part of this change, V Sriram Kumar has been appointed Chief Executive Officer of ELCIA. He previously served as President of the association and brings over three decades of industry experience. Sriram spent a significant part of his career at FANUC India, Japanese Automation and Robotics company, and has also been associated with ELCIA for more than 25 years in various honorary roles.
In his new role as CEO, Sriram will focus on driving ELCIA’s strategic initiatives, strengthening industry collaboration, and building long-term institutional capabilities aligned with national priorities in electronics manufacturing and semiconductors.
The leadership transition comes at a time when ELCIA is expanding its scope beyond industry representation to active ecosystem enablement. With India placing strong emphasis on electronics manufacturing, semiconductors, and deep technology innovation, ELCIA has launched several initiatives aimed at supporting industry, startups, and academia.
One of the key initiatives is the Electronics Centre of Excellence (e-COE), which has been envisioned to enable sensor development in India. Through this initiative, ELCIA aims to act as a catalyst for indigenous IP creation while enabling companies to design, develop, and commercialise sensors for domestic and global markets.
ELCIA is also strengthening its focus on talent and innovation infrastructure through the Electronics Skill Development Centre (ESDC) and the ELCIA Tech Hub. The Tech Hub follows a cluster-based approach to support co-development, prototyping, and collaboration among industry players, startups, and research institutions.
Alongside this transition, Sujaya Shashikiran, Executive Chairperson of Hical Private Limited, India’s leading manufacturer of electro-mechanical systems for global aerospace and defence platforms, has taken over as President of ELCIA. She will be supported by the Executive Committee and the association’s operational team, providing strategic direction and governance as ELCIA scales its initiatives.
Commenting on his appointment, V Sriram Kumar said,
“ELCIA is entering a phase where execution and impact are critical. India’s push towards electronics manufacturing and semiconductors presents a significant opportunity. Our focus will be on building platforms and partnerships that help the ecosystem innovate, develop capabilities, and scale sustainably.”
Sujaya Shashikiran said,
“ELCIA has played a pivotal role in shaping the Electronics City ecosystem. As President, I look forward to working with the Executive Committee and the CEO to strengthen ELCIA’s initiatives and ensure they deliver tangible value to industry and the larger ecosystem.”
With this leadership transition, ELCIA signals its intent to take on a larger role in India’s electronics and semiconductor journey by moving from advocacy to active ecosystem building and long-term capability creation.
18, Feb 2026
Mumbai To Host The Earthshot Prize 2026
MUMBAI, India, Feb 18: Mumbai was announced as the host city for The Earthshot Prize 2026 – the world’s most prestigious and impactful environmental award.
The announcement was made during the city’s inaugural Climate Action Week, underscoring India’s growing role as a global leader in climate and nature solutions. An evening event gathered leaders from science, business, politics and the arts to hear from previous Earthshot Prize Finalists from India on how they are scaling solutions to repair and restore the planet.
Chief Minister of Maharashtra Devendra Fadnavis, said:
“The Earthshot Prize is the world’s most prestigious environmental award and I’m proud to announce that it will be hosted in Mumbai in November. Sustainability and climate action remain top priorities for Maharashtra, and The Earthshot Prize will create global attention for India’s leadership and commitment to turning our goals into meaningful action on the ground.”
Founded by HRH Prince William, The Earthshot Prize exists to inspire a decade of urgent optimism and environmental action. The celebration in Mumbai will bring together environmental and business leaders, investors and philanthropists who are spearheading change. The Awards Night will culminate in five Earthshot leaders each winning £1 million to accelerate the impact of their innovative solutions.
Founder and President of The Earthshot Prize, HRH Prince William, said:
’’We must continue to look to the future with urgency and optimism, which is why I am delighted that Mumbai will host The Earthshot Prize 2026. India is one of the world’s most important forces for climate and nature. What succeeds in India at scale has the power to inspire progress everywhere.’’
“With the largest population of young people in the world, there is a real sense of momentum – to not only imagine a better future, but to inspire change and make it a reality. Together we can rise to meet our greatest challenge, to repair and restore our planet by 2030.”
Jason Knauf, CEO of The Earthshot Prize, said:
“We cannot wait to celebrate India’s climate leadership with the world this November. Earthshot 2026 Mumbai is going to be the biggest and most impactful in our history.”
Event speaker and UN Environment Goodwill Ambassador and sustainability advocate Dia Mirza Rekhi said:
“What drew me to The Earthshot Prize is its focus on solutions that are already creating real impact, not just conversations about the future. India is demonstrating that climate action can be practical, inclusive, and scalable and this moment is about recognising that leadership and taking it further.”
Inspired by President John F. Kennedy’s 1962 ‘Moonshot’ to land a man on the moon within a decade, The Earthshot Prize was founded by HRH Prince William in 2020 to spark the same spirit of collective ambition and action for our planet.
This year’s Prize will shine a global spotlight on 15 groundbreaking environmental solutions, under five categories developed in collaboration with leading environmental experts: Protect and Restore Nature; Clean our Air; Revive our Oceans; Build a Waste-Free World; and Fix our Climate.
Five years into the Earthshot decade, the Prize has identified over 5,600 emerging environmental innovations from 156 countries – over 2,400 in 2025 alone, recognised and supported 75 Finalists and awarded £25 million to Prize Winners to help scale their solutions. Earthshot Prize Finalists have already:
- Protected and restored over 1 million square kilometres of land and oceans – an area nearly twice the size of France.
- Stopped 250,000 tonnes of waste reaching landfill – the same as 22,000 school buses.
- Captured 4.8 million tonnes of CO2 – the equivalent of taking 1.2 million cars off the road for an entire year.
Earthshot Prize Finalists have collectively secured more US$500m in investment and philanthropy, setting the stage for unprecedented acceleration in solutions to repair our planet over the next five years.
Mumbai joins previous Earthshot host cities Rio de Janeiro, Cape Town, Singapore, Boston and London in being a launchpad for environmental action.
As one of the world’s largest and fastest-growing economies, India represents both the scale of climate challenge and the opportunity to deliver solutions that work in dense cities, agricultural systems and complex supply chains.
What succeeds in India at scale has the potential to shape global climate progress. The multi-day celebration of environmental leaders who are delivering bold solutions to repair our planet will come to India for the first time in November 2026.
India is home to more Earthshot Prize Winners and Finalists than any other country, with seven Finalists to date, including four winners, reflecting the country’s depth of innovation and execution across clean energy, regenerative agriculture, waste management and air quality. They are:
- The State of Gujarat (2025 Finalist – Clean Our Air) The State of Gujarat in India has pioneered the world’s first trading scheme for particulate emissions, that lets businesses keep growing while providing clean, healthier air for its citizens.
- S4S Technologies (2023 Winner – Build a Waste-free World) S4S Technologies’ solar-powered dryers and processing equipment combats food waste – enabling smallholder farmers to preserve crops and turn produce, that might otherwise go to waste, into valuable products.
- Boomitra (2023 Winner – Fix Our Climate) Inspired by an event in India, and with multiple projects there (including the URVARA Project, Boomitra’s first and largest project in India involving over 12,000 smallholder farmers across nearly 50,000 acres) Boomitra is removing emissions and boosting farmer profits by incentivising soil restoration and the adoption of regenerative agriculture through a verified carbon-credit marketplace.
- Kheyti (2022 Winner – Protect and Restore Nature) Eight in ten of the world’s farmers are smallholders. Beset by climate-affected harvests, Kheyti’s Greenhouse-in-a-Box is helping them reduce climate risk and increase yields.
- Fleather (2022 Finalist – Build a Waste-free World) Flowers cast into the Ganges River contain highly toxic pesticides. Phool used this floral waste to make a sustainable alternative to leather.
- Takachar (2021 Winner – Clean Our Air) – Globally, we generate US$120 billion of agricultural waste every year, which is often burnt. Takachar’s technology massively reduces these emissions.
- Vinisha Umashankar (2021 Finalist – Clean Our Air) Its solar-powered ironing cart is a clean alternative to the charcoal powered street irons that press clothes for millions of Indians each day.
17, Feb 2026
Sightsavers India and Roche Launch Diabetic Retinopathy Clinic in Bhopal
Bhopal, Feb 17th: Sightsavers India, in partnership with Roche, has launched a dedicated Diabetic Retinopathy (DR) Clinic in Bhopal under the Amrita Drishti – Urban Eye Health Programme. This initiative aims to enhance early detection and management of retinal conditions among underserved urban populations in Madhya Pradesh, with a special focus on women, children and the elderly within marginalised communities.
Diabetic retinopathy remains a significant cause of avoidable blindness. As diabetes prevalence increases, many patients remain unaware of retinal damage until vision loss becomes severe. Early screening and timely referral are essential to reducing long-term complications.
The initiative establishes a dedicated DR clinic at Jai Prakash District Hospital, Bhopal, supported by the installation of a fundus camera to enable early and accurate retinal screening. Patients diagnosed with diabetes are referred for screening at this facility, and those requiring further diagnosis or treatment are directed to Gandhi Medical College, Bhopal, ensuring a streamlined pathway from primary screening to tertiary care.
In addition, Sightsavers India will strengthen referral systems, provide technical support, conduct outreach and awareness activities, and collaborate closely with government stakeholders to ensure sustainability within the urban health system.
The launch event was attended by Dr. Anshul Upadhyay – SPO, NPCBVI Madhya Pradesh; Dr. Vivek Som – Vitreoretinal Surgeon, Gandhi Medical College, Bhopal; Dr. Manish Khichi, Lead – Market Access, Roche Products; Ms. Tasha Mahanta, State Programme Lead – Bhopal, Sightsavers India; and Mr. Mayur Verma, Deputy Manager – DSTG, Sightsavers India, among others.
Dr Monika Puri, Chief Commercial Officer at Roche, said: “Diabetic retinopathy is a silent threat that can steal vision even before symptoms appear. Through Amrita Drishti – a dedicated retina clinic at JP Hospital, Bhopal, we aim to ensure timely screening, early diagnosis, and access to treatment for every person living with retinal diseases. Protecting sight is not a luxury, it is essential to living with dignity and independence.”
RN Mohanty, CEO of Sightsavers India, added: “This initiative under our Amrita Drishti – Urban Eye Health Programme is designed to strengthen and complement the government’s efforts to address non-communicable diseases and prevent avoidable blindness. We are working closely with public health institutions to enhance screening systems, build clinical capacity, and establish clear referral pathways for timely treatment. We sincerely thank Roche for partnering with us to advance equitable and accessible retinal care for underserved communities.”
Through this collaboration, Sightsavers India and Roche reaffirm their shared commitment to reducing preventable blindness and expanding access to quality retinal care for vulnerable populations.
17, Feb 2026
Designing Responsibility: How Artisan Rug Brands Are Building Sustainable Global Relationships
Jaipur : In today’s global design economy, sustainability is often spoken about in terms of materials, certifications, and metrics. Yet for rug manufacturers, its true impact is felt elsewhere. In the way partnerships are built. In how trust is earned. And in the longevity of relationships that extend far beyond a single season or shipment.
As international buyers become more discerning, sustainability is no longer a marketing claim. It has become a shared language between maker and market, shaping expectations on both sides.
Moving Beyond Surface-Level Narratives
European and global design partners are increasingly looking past slogans and labels. They want to understand process, people, and purpose. How artisans are engaged. How responsibly materials are sourced. How consistency and accountability are maintained over time.
This shift has redefined what credibility looks like. Brands are no longer evaluated only on aesthetic excellence, but on the integrity of their operations and the transparency of their decisions.
Craft, Continuity, and Care
For Man Made Rugs, sustainability has always been rooted in continuity rather than promotion. Working closely with artisan communities, the brand prioritizes stable livelihoods, controlled production practices, and a design process that respects both heritage and modern use.
“Sustainability is not something you announce. It is something you practice quietly, every day,” says Nirmit Khanna, Founder of Man Made Rugs. “When partners see that consistency over time, relationships naturally become stronger and more collaborative.”
Relationships Built on Transparency
As global trade frameworks and buyer expectations evolve, transparency has become central to long-term partnerships. Documentation, traceability, and ethical clarity are no longer compliance tools alone. They are signals of respect between collaborators.
For artisan rug brands, this means opening up their processes and inviting dialogue. It also means listening carefully to global partners and adapting without compromising the core values of craft.
The Future of Sustainable Partnerships
As sustainability continues to mature within the design industry, its role is becoming clearer. It is less about visibility and more about reliability. Less about performance and more about partnership.
For artisan rug brands, the future lies in designing responsibility as thoughtfully as they design their collections. In doing so, they are not only meeting global expectations, but redefining how meaningful, long-lasting relationships are built across borders.
From Jaipur to the world, sustainability is no longer just a value. It is a way of working together.
17, Feb 2026
Odisha to Showcase ‘AI-to-Impact’ Readiness at India AI Impact Summit 2026 with Dedicated Pavilion
New Delhi, Feb 17: The Government of Odisha will showcase its vision and preparedness in Artificial Intelligence at the India AI Impact Summit 2026 through a dedicated Odisha Pavilion at Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi, from 16 – 20 February 2026.
The Odisha Pavilion will present the State’s “Odisha – From AI to Impact” approach, highlighting how Odisha is moving beyond pilots to real-world deployments across governance, healthcare, agriculture, education, disaster management and urban infrastructure, anchored by a structured implementation model and institutional capacity.
A key focus at the summit will be Odisha’s strategic collaboration with Sarvam, reflecting the State’s intent to build sovereign AI capabilities, enable population-scale Odia-language AI applications, and strengthen its position as an emerging AI hub with long-term ambitions in advanced AI infrastructure and compute.
The Pavilion will feature 10+ innovation startups and ecosystem entities, including a mix of applied AI startups, research organisations, technology partners and government-linked AI initiatives demonstrating Odisha’s expanding innovation pipeline and its approach to democratising access to AI technologies & resources.
The Government of Odisha will share a detailed announcement on 18 February 2026 during the Pavilion engagements, offering deeper visibility into showcased use-cases, ecosystem partnerships and future opportunities. Event: India AI Impact Summit 2026 Dates: 16-20 February 2026 Venue: Hall No. 5, First Floor, Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi
16, Feb 2026
Cotiviti India Expands Footprint with Fifth Office in Uppal
Company to hire hundreds of new employees across healthcare and technology operations
HYDERABAD, India, Feb 16 – Cotiviti India Pvt Ltd (Cotiviti India), a subsidiary of U.S.-based Cotiviti, Inc., a leader in data-driven healthcare solutions, is significantly expanding its presence in India with a new office located in Uppal. The new office will represent Cotiviti’s fifth location in India and feature 900 workstations.
“This state-of-the-art office represents Cotiviti’s continued commitment to expanding in India with employee-centric offices,” said Peter Csapo, chief international and business services officer for Cotiviti. “After expanding several existing offices within the past year, we look forward to extending our presence in the Hyderabad metro area and hiring new team members to fill positions across healthcare, technology, and more.”
The new Uppal office complements Cotiviti’s long-standing office in the Hi-Tech area of Hyderabad, which currently employs 2,200 Cotiviti team members. The Uppal office will primarily support continued expansion of healthcare payment integrity operations, medical coding, retail operations, software development, global IT support, and clinical policy content development and deployment.
In May 2024, Cotiviti introduced Cotiviti Prosperiti, a broad-based ownership program to ensure that every team member has a stake in the organization’s collective success, creating a work environment where everyone is motivated to contribute their best. All full-time employees are eligible to participate across all Cotiviti India locations.
In addition to the two Hyderabad offices, Cotiviti India operates in Pune, Mohali, and Coimbatore. Applicants are welcome to learn more about Cotiviti’s culture and benefits and apply for openings at www.cotiviti.com/careers.
16, Feb 2026
IIM Bodh Gaya Hosts International Research Conference on Mindfulness, Advancing Global Dialogue on Mindfulness in Research and Leadership
Bodh Gaya, Feb 16: The Indian Institute of Management Bodh Gaya inaugurated the International Research Conference on Mindfulness (IRCM) 2026, the third edition of its flagship biennial conference dedicated to advancing interdisciplinary research on mindfulness. Held over two days in a hybrid format, the conference brought together academicians, researchers, practitioners, and students from across India and abroad, including participants from Japan, Vietnam, and New Zealand.
The conference witnessed a global response, receiving over 255 paper submissions, reflecting a more than threefold increase from its previous edition. The strong participation underscores the growing relevance of mindfulness-based research across management, social sciences, and allied disciplines.
The event was inaugurated by Dr. Vinita S. Sahay, Director, IIM Bodh Gaya, in the presence of conference conveners Dr. Remya Lathabhavan and Dr. Teena Bharti. Distinguished speakers, including Dr. Jyoti Bachani, Saint Mary’s College of California, Dr. Vishal Gupta, IIM Ahmedabad, and Dr. Ramya Tarakad Venkateswaran, IIM Calcutta, delivered keynote addresses emphasising the integration of contemplative practices with modern research to enhance organisational effectiveness and societal well-being.
In her address, Dr. Vinita S. Sahay underscored the enduring value of contemplative traditions, noting that the “acid test of the greater good is the test of time,” and describing mindfulness as a time-tested philosophy that continues to guide meaningful ways of living and leading. Dr. Jyoti Bachani stated, “Wisdom is eternal, while AI is ephemeral,” and highlighted the importance of convening such dialogue in Bodh Gaya, the land historically associated with the origins of mindfulness.
Organised around 12 thematic tracks, the conference explored mindfulness in leadership, organisational behaviour, finance, education, decision-making, and sustainability. Scholars presented empirical and conceptual work that examined how reflective awareness can bridge research gaps and generate solution-oriented outcomes across disciplines.
Pre-conference workshops featured applied learning sessions. Mr. Shishir Arya, an IIT, IIM alumnus-turned mindfulness coach, conducted experiential sessions linking professional effectiveness with mindful living. Dr. Surbhi Dayal, faculty at IIM Indore and an expert in Madhubani art, facilitated an interdisciplinary dialogue connecting mindfulness, artistic expression, and lifestyle transformation. These workshops encouraged participants to align theoretical frameworks with lived emotional and cognitive experiences.
The conference concluded with addresses by Dr. Oleg Medvedev, University of Waikato, New Zealand, Dr. Prachi Thakur, JAGSoM, India & Sunway University, Malaysia, and Dr. Yanki Hartijasti, Universitas Indonesia, who highlighted emerging global research collaborations and the role of mindfulness in shaping resilient institutions and societies. The valedictory session included an expression of gratitude to contributors, participants, and the organising committee for fostering a vibrant platform for dialogue and discovery.
As the world accelerates in complexity, IRCM 2026 reaffirmed the importance of reflection, clarity, and conscious engagement. Mindfulness remains a core value of IIM Bodh Gaya, and the institute is committed to embedding it across teaching, research, and leadership development to nurture responsible, self-aware, and socially conscious leaders.
14, Feb 2026
Dassani Brothers Launches ‘Eternal Love’ A Valentine’s Day Collection Celebrating Affordable Solitaires and Yellow Diamonds
Mumbai, Feb 14: Marking the season of love, Dassani Brothers unveils ‘Eternal Love’, a specially curated Valentine’s Day jewellery collection that reimagines the classic solitaire with a modern and accessible approach. The collection seamlessly blends yellow diamonds, traditional solitaire diamonds, and innovative pie-cut setting diamonds to create pieces that are timeless, radiant, and thoughtfully priced.
At the heart of Eternal Love lies a celebration of enduring commitment. The collection showcases luminous yellow diamonds symbolising warmth, optimism, and joy, qualities synonymous with meaningful relationships. Alongside these are classic solitaires that reflect sophistication and everlasting elegance.
A standout feature of the collection is the use of pie-cut setting diamonds, a refined technique designed to create the visual appeal of a solitaire while offering a more accessible price point. The precision of the pie-cut arrangement enhances brilliance and surface reflection, delivering the grandeur of a solitaire look with greater affordability. This innovation allows customers to experience the essence of a solitaire without compromising on impact or craftsmanship.
“Valentine’s Day is about celebrating meaningful connections with jewellery that carries emotion and value,” said Sumit Dassani, Partner, Dassani Brothers. “With Eternal Love, we have focused on offering affordable solitaires through our pie-cut setting diamonds, while also introducing the warmth of yellow diamonds. The idea was to create a collection that feels luxurious, timeless, and within reach.”
The collection features rings, pendants, earrings, and versatile statement pieces crafted in fine gold settings that enhance the brilliance of both white and yellow diamonds. Each design reflects Dassani Brothers’ legacy of precision craftsmanship and fine jewellery excellence, tailored for modern gifting.
14, Feb 2026
NBCC Preparing to build RERA approved Projects in J&K, says its Chairman
New Delhi, Feb 14: Shri Satish Chandra, IAS (Retd.), RERA Chairman, J&K on Friday disclosed that National Building Construction Corporation (NBCC) is most likely undertake housing and real estate projects in the UT of J&K.
Addressing a Panel Discussion on RERA Reforms in Housing Sector under the aegis of National Urban and Real Estate Development Conclave-2026 here Mr. Chandra added that RERA of J&K is in talks with its multiple agencies to effectively undertake approvals for a few real estate projects both in Jammu and Sri Nagar region for which parcels of land are being identified.
He, however, added that the NBCC is planning to effectively take part in constructing such housing projects after the details are worked out without disclosing much of details on this front.
Mr. Chandra has also added that RERA has been allotted office space both in Sri Nagar and Jammu to approve real estate projects in the two regions which currently number in five and lot of enthusiasm is being seen to construct such projects under the eyes of RERA regulations.
