Category Archives: Business

A New Wave of Art and Design at Cedars-Sinai Marina Hospital

By  Camille Meggs

LOS ANGELES June 04: Layne Dicker likes a well-appointed home, but when it came time to decorate his rustic Utah house, one of his family’s most treasured possessions wasn’t a good fit.

Dicker, an experienced art collector, made the tough call to exclude a beloved piece from his prized collection from the décor. Rather than storing or selling the 1987 lithograph Kite on Gibson Beach by Malcolm Morley, Dicker gifted the artwork to Cedars-Sinai—a poignant nod to his history with the hospital. He was born at the former Cedars of Lebanon Hospital in 1958 and grew up in Beverly Hills.

The painting’s new home: the new, nine-story Cedars-Sinai Marina Hospital, set to open late this year. Dicker says it’s the perfect spot because of the new hospital’s ocean-inspired design elements that reflect the coastal community.

“When my wife passed away in 2019, I decided to move to the log vacation home we built, and the Morley just didn’t fit in,” Dicker said. “But it’s a piece I’ve always loved and thought it would be better to donate so that more people could enjoy it.”  

Nancy Chaikin knows exactly how Dicker feels. The art advisor and collector has given Cedars-Sinai Marina artwork from her own collection, an oil on linen piece by Sean Landers called Untitled, which exudes ripples of the ocean using a special paint application technique.

“I am thrilled to contribute to the hospital’s environment,” Chaikin said. “Art can activate a space, not only by creating warmth and beauty, but by provoking thought and emotion. I feel fortunate to share Sean Landers’ work with patients, employees and visitors at Cedars-Sinai.” 

Donated works of art have already made a difference to visitors like Gianna Chaisson, whose father recovered at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center after a major heart attack.

“I found myself walking through the hospital and was deeply impacted by the art collection,” Chaisson shared. “In moments when everything felt so uncertain, the artwork helped keep me grounded and, most importantly, hopeful.”

Cedars-Sinai, located in Beverly Grove, has long been known for its donated art collection and now is seeking to extend the art-as-healing philosophy to the new hospital.

“We love receiving art of all genres that enrich the healing spaces Cedars-Sinai is known for and that inspire everyone who enters,”said John T. Lange, curator of the Cedars-Sinai art collection and manager of the Cedars-Sinai Advisory Council for the Arts. “We consider it such an altruistic act to part with valued pieces that beautify, and inform our themes of hope and restoration to soothe those facing health challenges.”

Lange is busy these days, figuring out where to display the donated art. He strategically places every piece to generate and emphasize Cedars-Sinai’s healing environment. For example, a collection of handpicked images graces the walls of the surgical unit, so post-op patients are encouraged to walk a little farther every day to see the next art piece. Studies have proven that walking after surgery can speed a patient’s recovery and discharge.

Lange is also collaborating with Cedars-Sinai’s director of Urologic Oncology research, Timothy Daskivich, MD, to develop an app for patients to monitor their steps by choosing an art tour on their floor.

“Art is not only nice to see,” Lange said. “It is very powerful medicine that plays a huge role in creating a healing atmosphere for those facing health challenges, visitors and, of course, our employees.”

Dubai South emerges as Emirate’s real estate powerhouse

Transaction volumes up 36% since February, developer sales surge 57% as investor confidence holds firm

Dubai, UAE, June 4 The evolution of Dubai South as the emirate’s largest single urban master development is highlighted by a new market analysis today revealing sustained residential real estate growth over the last three months.

For the third consecutive month in May, Dubai South ranked as the best-performing area in the emirate’s property sector, recording 1,357 sales transactions valued at AED 1.6 billion, a 15.9% rise in volume on April and marking its seventh straight month in the top five.

A market report from fäm Properties reveals that residential property sales transactions at Dubai South have surged by 36.4% since the onset of the regional conflict at the end of February.

This growth has been largely driven by developer off-plan sales, which climbed 24.8% last month to 1,233 transactions, following a 35.71% increase in April, adding up to a cumulative rise of 57.87% since the end of February.

“The level of market activity at Dubai South underlines the strength of its fundamentals as a fully integrated, connected urban and business hub propelling growth across the emirate’s broader economy,” said Firas Al Msaddi, CEO of fäm Properties.

“Growing transaction volumes reflect genuine end-user and investor confidence in the government’s long-term development vision for this dynamic aviation and logistics ecosystem, underpinned by the expansion of Dubai World Central into the world’s largest airport.”

Data from DXBinteract shows that the Dubai real estate market recorded 10,281 sales transactions worth AED28.9 billion in May. The month brought 8,772 apartment sales worth AED14.6 billion, 1,037 villa sales worth AED7.2 billion, along with 133 plot sales valued at AED4.2 billion.

The commercial sector, including offices and shops, recorded 335 sales transactions valued at AED2.9 billion. The average property price per sq ft was up by 3% YoY to AED1,650.

Primary sales again dominated in May, accounting for 7,595 sales transactions totalling AED18.5 billion, compared with 2,686 resales valued at AED10.4 billion. The most expensive villa sold in May was a luxury property at Signature Villas on Palm Jumeriah which went for AED145 million.

The most expensive apartment went for AED113 million at Solaya 5 at Jumeirah First. Other luxury apartments sold for AED106 million at Solaya 6 at La Mer and 101 million at One Casa at Al Wasl on the Dubai Water Canal.

With properties worth more than AED5 million accounting for 8.56% of sales, 8.19% were between AED3-5 million, 12.41% between AED2-3 million, 31.02% between AED1-2 million and 39.82% were below AED1 million.

TOP FIVE PERFORMING AREAS IN MAY 2026

Transactions Sales value

Dubai South 1,357 AED1.6B

Wadi Al Safa 3 983 AED1.7B

Wadi Al Safa 5 631 AED833.9M

Al Barsha South Fourth 551 AED690.4M

Jebel Ali First 541 AED920.9M

BEST-SELLING PROJECTS IN MAY 2026

Primary market apartments

Primary market villas

Lufthansa Group welcomes visa-free airport transit for Indian nationals via Germany

The Lufthansa Group welcomes the decision of the Federal Republic of Germany to abolish airport transit visa requirements for Indian nationals travelling to third countries via German airports, effective 3 June 2026. This policy change, announced by the Embassy of the Federal Republic of Germany in New Delhi, will make journeys via key German hubs more seamless for Indian passengers and further strengthen air connectivity between India, Germany and the rest of the world.

As the largest European airline group in India, the Lufthansa Group currently operates more than 70 weekly flights between India and Europe and has been present in the Indian market for over six decades. In its 100th anniversary year, the Group is further deepening its commitment to India through sustained investment and network expansion. This includes the deployment of Lufthansa’s award-winning Allegris cabins on additional Boeing 787-9 services from Delhi and Hyderabad, the launch of SWISS’s first-ever direct service between Bengaluru and Zurich in the 2026 Winter schedule, and the rollout of FOX (Future Onboard Experience) across all long-haul cabins. FOX is a premium upgrade across all cabins, focused on choice, comfort and individuality, delivering “Lufthansa Signature Moments” that aim to redefine long-haul travel. To meet growing demand, Lufthansa and SWISS are also adding capacity with extra SWISS A330 frequencies between Delhi and Zurich and enhanced Lufthansa Airbus A380 services between Mumbai and Munich.

India is the Lufthansa Group’s largest intercontinental market in the Asia-Pacific region and plays a pivotal role in the Group’s global network. The introduction of visa-free airport transit for Indian nationals travelling via Germany to onward destinations will simplify travel, improve connectivity and further reinforce Germany’s role as a leading gateway between India, Europe and the world.

Auditoria Deepens Autonomous Accounts Payable Operations And Finance Intelligence

New AP agents for supplier risk monitoring and statement reconciliation, enhanced capabilities in SmartResearch, and Workday ASOR certification strengthen Auditoria and Workday partnership

Santa Clara, CA – June 4, 2026 — Auditoria.AI, the leader in agentic artificial intelligence for the Office of the CFO, today announced a major expansion of its SmartResearch platform, strengthening its role as the governed intelligence layer behind autonomous finance operations. Announced at Workday DevCon 2026 in Las Vegas, the expansion extends beyond being a founding member in Workday’s Agent Partner Network to include official certified Workday integration of SmartResearch, expanded accounts payable solutions, and autonomous capabilities, including AP Vendor Watch, and a preview of AP Statement Reconciliation.

Together, the announcements reflect a broader shift taking place across enterprise finance. Organizations are moving beyond AI experimentation and seeking ways to safely operationalize agents within systems that manage cash flow, supplier relationships, approvals, compliance, and financial reporting. For finance leaders, the challenge isn’t just whether AI can automate work, but whether autonomous agents can operate with the governance, transparency, and auditability enterprise finance requires.

That is the gap Auditoria is closing, as each capability announced today operates within Auditoria’s Governed Autonomy framework, the design philosophy that enables AI agents to execute autonomously within enterprise-defined boundaries, adapt as policies change, and produce a defensible audit trail for every action, without requiring human approval at every step.

“Finance teams do not need more disconnected AI tools. They need intelligence that can operate safely across real financial workflows,” said Rohit Gupta, CEO and Co-Founder of Auditoria.AI. “Everything we announced today builds toward that vision. SmartResearch is becoming the intelligence layer for the Office of the CFO, while Governed Autonomy ensures those agents can operate within the controls, policies, and audit expectations enterprise finance requires.”

SmartResearch reaches general availability
Auditoria announced the general availability of SmartResearch, its conversational AI financial analyst built specifically for the Office of the CFO. SmartResearch enables finance teams to interrogate financial operations using natural language, combining ERP data with external financial intelligence to deliver decision-ready answers and complex financial scenario simulations with full source lineage and reasoning transparency.

“Finance is moving from systems of record to systems of intelligence, and this category of technology is leading that shift,” according to R “Ray” Wang, Founder, Chairman, and Principal Analyst, Constellation Research. “Agentic AI purpose-built for the Office of the CFO, connecting disparate enterprise data, reconciling unstructured context, and delivering continuous cash intelligence that drives autonomous decision-making, demonstrates what’s possible. This is next-gen finance, and the innovators defining it have the DNA, the depth, and the conviction to shape the category.”

As part of the expansion announced today, Auditoria has extended SmartResearch deeper into accounts payable workflows. Finance leaders can now analyze supplier trends, spend patterns, payment risks, and operational exceptions through a conversational interface that brings together internal finance data with external market intelligence.

Certified Workday integration validates governed enterprise deployment
Auditoria also announced official certification in Workday’s Marketplace for SmartResearch which is registered to Workday’s Agent System of Record (ASOR), strengthening the company’s integration with Workday environments and reinforcing its focus on governed enterprise AI deployment.

Workday ASOR provides the governance framework through which AI agents connect into enterprise workflows with centralized identity propagation, lifecycle management, entitlement enforcement, and audit controls. Auditoria’s certification reinforces that its agents are designed to operate within the same governance and accountability standards enterprise finance teams already expect from their core systems.

“Workday’s Agent System of Record creates a necessary foundation for governed, responsible AI at scale. Auditoria’s certification is a testament to our shared commitment to developing agentic AI that operates with the same high standards of security and auditability that our customers expect from Workday’s core systems,” said Mohan Rajagopalan, senior director, AI platform product management, Workday. “This powerful alignment enables the Office of the CFO to confidently scale agentic AI, driving tangible, measurable change across the business.”

Expanding autonomous AP operations
Auditoria also announced the availability of AP Vendor Watch, a continuously operating agent designed to help accounts payable teams monitor supplier risk in real time. AP Vendor Watch automates ongoing tracking of supplier health signals, identifies emerging risks against configurable thresholds, and surfaces actionable alerts without manual intervention across ERP environments.

Finance teams can define the specific supplier risk parameters most relevant to their business while maintaining consistent monitoring across their vendor ecosystem.

Auditoria also previewed AP Statement Reconciliation, which will arrive later this quarter. The capability automates the process of matching supplier statements against internal financial records, helping finance teams identify discrepancies earlier, prevent overpayments, strengthen supplier relationships, and accelerate reconciliation cycles.

Like the broader Auditoria platform, both new AI agent products operate within the platform’s Governed Autonomy framework, ensuring that every autonomous action remains policy-aligned, traceable, and auditable.

Availability
SmartResearch enhancements and AP Vendor Watch are now available through Auditoria. AP Statement Reconciliation is currently in preview and is expected to become generally available later this quarter.

ICBA Releases Community Banker Guide on Artificial Intelligence Security Readiness

Washington, D.C. (June 3, 2026) — The Independent Community Bankers of America (ICBA) today released a new guide to help community banks navigate the artificial intelligence security landscape.

Developed by community bankers on ICBA’s AI Task Force to provide practical guidance to their industry colleagues, the Community Banker AI Security Readiness Guide offers an informational overview of the AI threat shift, what it means for local institutions, strengthening third-party due diligence, updating and testing incident response plans, and more.

“The nation’s community banks are leveraging AI to strengthen operations and resilience while they work to address key AI risks and implementation challenges that warrant further attention,” ICBA President and CEO Rebeca Romero Rainey said today. “ICBA’s new Community Banker AI Security Readiness Guide was developed by community bankers for community bankers to help navigate our rapidly evolving security environment.”

Contributors include Andrew Pyles, president and CEO of Eclipse Bank in Louisville, Ky.; David Peterson, chief innovation officer of First National Bankers Bank in Baton Rouge, La.; Ferdinand Feola, senior vice president chief technology officer of The Dime Bank in Honesdale, Pa.; Milton Bartley, co-founder, president, and CEO of ImageQuest in Nashville, Tenn.; Danna Burchess, executive vice president and chief financial officer of First National Bank of Gillette, Wyo.; and Anjelica Dortch, vice president of operational risk at ICBA.

With community banks long serving as adopters of technology to improve operational efficiency and strengthen cybersecurity, ICBA strongly supports responsible AI adoption. In a recent ICBA letter to the Financial Stability Oversight Council and interindustry AI action plan, ICBA called on policymakers to ensure a risk-based, proportionate policy framework and coordinated action to address emerging AI-enabled cyber risk. This week’s executive order on promoting advanced AI innovation and security expressly recognizes community banks as a critical infrastructure component and adopts elements of the action plan in directing federal agencies to secure their systems and promote access to AI security tools.

ICBA looks forward to continuing to work with community bankers, administration officials, lawmakers, and other stakeholders to provide valuable resources to community bankers while ensuring their voice is being heard on these critical issues.

Metal Park UAE Collaboration with SGS, the 22 billion dollar Swiss Public Company

Abu Dhabi, UAE, 3 June: During Make it in the Emirates 2026, Metal Park, the world’s first integrated Asset-as-a-Service ecosystem dedicated exclusively to the metal industry, announced a strategic collaboration with SGS to strengthen inspection, testing, verification, and laboratory capabilities across the growing metal ecosystem in KEZAD.

The collaboration aims to enhance operational confidence, material verification, and quality assurance services for companies operating within Metal Park’s Production Hub and Storage Hub, supporting manufacturers, processors, traders, logistics providers, and downstream metal businesses.

As industrial supply chains continue to evolve, reliable inspection and laboratory infrastructure play an increasingly critical role in ensuring traceability, compliance, operational efficiency, and international market alignment.

Through this collaboration, both parties will explore the development and integration of inspection and laboratory-related services tailored to the operational requirements of the metals sector. The initiative is expected to support a broad range of activities including material testing, certification, verification, quality control, and operational inspections across various metal-related processes and supply chain movements.

Located in KEZAD and strategically connected to Khalifa Port, Etihad Rail, and regional logistics corridors, Metal Park continues to expand its ecosystem through partnerships that strengthen industrial resilience and simplify access to critical support services under one integrated platform.

Vahid Fouladkar, CEO of Metal Park, commented:

“As the metal industry moves towards greater operational transparency and resilience, inspection and laboratory capabilities become an essential part of the ecosystem rather than a standalone service. Our collaboration with SGS reflects our commitment to enabling manufacturers, processors, and supply chain stakeholders with trusted infrastructure and globally recognised expertise directly within the Park.”

Dmitry Nikitin, Head of Middle East and Managing Director UAE, SGS commented:

“As industrial ecosystems continue to evolve, trusted inspection, testing, and verification services become critical enablers of operational confidence and supply chain resilience. Through our collaboration with Metal Park, SGS is proud to contribute its global expertise and technical capabilities to support the growing metals ecosystem in the UAE. Together, we aim to help businesses operate with greater quality assurance, traceability, compliance, and efficiency across the value chain.” 

The announcement was made during Make it in the Emirates 2026, one of the UAE’s leading industrial platforms bringing together manufacturers, investors, industrial enablers, and technology providers to support the nation’s long-term industrial growth strategy.

Further details regarding the scope of services and operational rollout will be announced in upcoming updates.

Industry Seeks Dedicated Credit Rating Framework for MSMEs

New Delhi, : In a move aimed at strengthening the growth prospects of small businesses, engineering exports promotion body EEPC India has urged the government to introduce a separate credit rating framework for Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs), arguing that the current system often places them at a disadvantage.

The industry body has highlighted that MSMEs are frequently assessed against large corporate players in their respective sectors, making it difficult for smaller enterprises to secure investment-grade ratings despite their operational strengths and growth potential.

According to EEPC India, the absence of a dedicated rating mechanism limits MSMEs’ access to affordable credit, as lower ratings often result in higher collateral requirements and increased borrowing costs. This, in turn, affects their ability to expand operations, invest in innovation, and compete effectively in domestic and global markets.

The proposal calls for a separate evaluation framework that benchmarks MSMEs against businesses of similar size and scale rather than large industry leaders. Such a system, industry representatives believe, would provide a more accurate assessment of an enterprise’s financial health and business performance.

A dedicated rating model could significantly improve access to finance for thousands of small businesses, which form the backbone of India’s manufacturing, exports, and employment ecosystem. Easier access to credit would enable MSMEs to strengthen productivity, create jobs, and contribute more effectively to the country’s economic growth.

Industry stakeholders have also suggested that a specialised framework, developed in consultation with regulators and rating agencies, could help build greater confidence among lenders while ensuring fairer treatment for smaller enterprises.

As India seeks to strengthen its manufacturing and export capabilities, policymakers are increasingly focusing on measures that improve the ease of doing business for MSMEs and unlock their growth potential.

World Environment Day The Westin Gurgaon, New Delhi Reaffirms Commitment to Sustainable Hospitality

New Delhi, Jun 3: As the hospitality industry continues to redefine luxury through the lens of responsibility and environmental consciousness, The Westin Gurgaon, New Delhi is strengthening its commitment to sustainable operations through a comprehensive framework of initiatives designed to reduce environmental impact while enhancing guest experiences.

On the occasion of World Environment Day, the hotel highlights its ongoing efforts to embed sustainability across every aspect of its operations, demonstrating that exceptional hospitality and environmental stewardship can go hand in hand. Guided by the belief that true wellness extends beyond guests to the planet itself, The Westin Gurgaon has adopted a holistic approach that focuses on resource conservation, energy efficiency, responsible waste management and healthier built environments.

Water conservation remains a key priority for the hotel. Through its on-site Sewage Treatment Plant (STP), the property operates a closed-loop system that enables treated water to be reused for flushing and landscaping purposes, significantly reducing freshwater consumption. Additional measures including rainwater harvesting, smart irrigation systems, sensor-based faucets, low-flow showerheads and dual-flush systems further support efficient water management across the property.

The hotel has also invested significantly in energy-efficient infrastructure and smart technologies to optimize consumption and reduce its carbon footprint. The adoption of PNG-based boilers and solar-powered hot water systems has helped reduce reliance on conventional energy sources, while advanced technologies such as the Building Management System (BMS), Energy Management System (EMS) and Chiller Plant Manager (CPM) continuously monitor and optimize energy usage across operations. Intelligent LED lighting equipped with photodetectors, coupled with insulated building materials and natural stone cladding, further contribute to lowering overall energy demand.

Recognising the growing importance of sustainable mobility, The Westin Gurgaon has installed dedicated EV charging stations to support cleaner transportation alternatives for guests and visitors. The hotel also encourages associates to adopt environmentally conscious commuting practices through shared transportation and public transit options, contributing to a reduction in overall emissions.

Aligned with circular economy principles, the property has implemented comprehensive waste management initiatives aimed at minimizing landfill contribution. An on-site Organic Waste Composter converts food waste into nutrient-rich manure, while partnerships with authorised recycling partners ensure responsible disposal and recycling of dry waste. Sustainable materials including recyclable carpeting, eco-friendly furnishings and non-toxic bedding have also been thoughtfully incorporated throughout the property.

Environmental wellness extends beyond resource management to indoor air quality and guest well-being. Advanced air filtration systems, supported by centralised monitoring technologies, help maintain healthy indoor environments throughout the hotel. The use of non-CFC refrigerants, biodegradable cleaning products, eco-friendly laundry detergents and non-toxic pest control solutions further reflects the hotel’s commitment to minimizing environmental impact without compromising guest comfort.

The property also conducts regular government-approved air and soil quality assessments and remains focused on continuous improvement through globally recognised sustainability standards. Its ISO 10001 Sustainability Certification underscores this commitment and serves as a testament to the hotel’s dedication to responsible hospitality practices.

Recognising that sustainability is a collective responsibility, The Westin Gurgaon actively invests in training and awareness programmes for associates, empowering teams across departments to adopt resource-conscious practices and contribute meaningfully towards the hotel’s environmental goals.

As climate action becomes an increasingly important priority for the hospitality sector, The Westin Gurgaon, New Delhi continues to demonstrate how responsible luxury can create lasting value for guests, communities and the environment alike, setting a benchmark for sustainable hospitality in the region.

Study reveals family offices need to strengthen cyber risk defence

June 03: New global research from Ocorian, the specialist global provider of services for asset managers and owners, including private client, fund administration, capital markets, corporate, and regulatory solutions, shows that many family offices are putting themselves at greater risk of a potential cyber attack and don’t have plans in place to recover if they are hit.

It’s estimated that 43% of family offices globally have suffered a cyber attack in the past two years but Ocorian’s study among family members and senior family office employees handling total wealth of $119.37 billion shows almost a fifth (19%) don’t have any defence plans in place to protect themselves from a potential attack. However, 18% of them say that they do plan to put one in place.

This compares to three quarters (75%) of respondents who have taken steps to strengthen their defences against a potential cyber attack in the past two years. Just 7% say they had plans in place more than two years ago.

Should they suffer a cyber attack more than a fifth (22%) of those surveyed say they don’t currently have an incident plan in place to respond and recover. Around 78% say they do have an incident plan ready.

More than one in 10 (11%) family offices surveyed admit that they feel significantly challenged when it comes to delivering the level and quality of cyber security expertise they need to operate effectively. Almost half (49%) say they currently receive advice and support from third-party professionals over cyber security, but this is set to significantly increase, with 72% saying they see the levels of outsourcing around cyber security to increase over the next three years. Of these 41% say they expect a dramatic increase.

 Ian Rumens, Head of Private Client – Jersey, at Ocorian said: “A cyber security attack is becoming an increasing reality and can have huge implications for family offices, damaging reputations, triggering loss of stakeholder confidence and putting long-term relationships at risk. While many are taking steps to put the necessary precautions and defences in place, such as getting expert third-party advice, there are still too many who are highly susceptible.

 “The financial impact can also be significant, from direct theft and fraud to business interruption, incident response costs, regulatory fines and potential litigation. It’s also vital that family offices work closely with all their service providers and suppliers to make sure those partners have the right protections in place too, helping reduce the risk of a cyber incident spreading through the wider ecosystem.

 “Finally, organisations should ensure strong backup and recovery arrangements are tested regularly to help protect against data loss or corruption, so critical records and reporting can be restored quickly and accurately. On top of this, with no incident plan in place, it could also take those affected by an attack much longer to respond and recover afterwards.”

 Ocorian’s award winning dedicated family office team provides a seamless and holistic approach to the challenges and opportunities families face. Its service is built on long-term personal relationships that are founded on a deep understanding of what matters to family office clients. Its global presence means Ocorian can provide bespoke structures and services for international families no matter where they live.

 Key services include formation and administration of family offices, HR support services, support with lifestyle and luxury assets, family governance, resident and relocation services and specialist support with immigration, visas, payroll, marine and aircraft crew management and financial reporting.

Clean Energy Sector to Generate 44 Lakh Jobs by 2030, Rooftop Solar Leads Growth: CEEW-NRDC

New Delhi, June 3 : India’s 500 GW non-fossil fuel capacity target and goals under the National Green Hydrogen Mission could generate over 44 lakh full-time equivalent  jobs, according to a new independent study launched today by the Council on Energy, Environment and Water  and the Natural Resources Defense Council India. Rooftop solar is projected to be the single largest employment engine, accounting for ~43 per cent of these estimated jobs.

The study, Driving Energy Transition: Workforce, Skills, and Gender in India’s Renewable Energy Sector, was conducted with technical guidance from the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy  . It is based on a primary survey of companies conducted in 2024–25 across the solar, wind, bioenergy, and hydropower sectors. The study developed new FTE employment coefficients to estimate workforce intensity across different clean energy technologies and business phases across solar, wind, bioenergy, and hydropower sectors, and estimates direct jobs created during component manufacturing, project deployment, and operations. India now ranks third globally in renewable energy installed capacity and achieved its target of meeting 50 per cent of cumulative electric power installed capacity from non-fossil sources in 2025, five years ahead of schedule.

Speaking about the prospects of job creation in clean energy sectors, Shri Santosh Kumar Sarangi, Secretary, MNRE said,

 “The element of people’s involvement is intrinsic to a successful green transition. The positive externalities involved in keeping people as the focus of this green transition is intrinsic, and India has shown that our economic growth trajectory as well as sustainability goals can be pretty well aligned. Last year, we achieved about 51 gigawatts of solar and wind, and hopefully, this momentum will continue and expand in the subsequent years..”

Dr Arunabha Ghosh, CEO, CEEW, said,

“India’s energy transition must also be a workforce transition. The opportunity is about creating livelihoods, building skills, deepening domestic supply chains, and ensuring that the benefits of clean energy reach households, farmers, workers, and entrepreneurs while also adding gigawatts. Rooftop solar shows why distributed renewables matter: they generate clean power while creating more jobs per MW than utility-scale projects. To convert India’s clean-energy ambition into a durable employment engine, India must continue to invest in high-quality skilling, transparent workforce data, and inclusive participation.”

Rooftop solar leads workforce addition

The findings are significant as rooftop solar gains momentum. The CEEW-NRDC study finds that of the 6.5 lakh clean energy workers added between FY23 and FY26, the largest share came from rooftop solar, which accounted for 62 per cent of the total workforce addition. This was followed by PM-KUSUM at 16.3 per cent, biomass power at 12.6 per cent, ground-mounted solar at 6 per cent, etc.

Rooftop solar creates more jobs because it has to be installed home by home, shop by shop, and building by building, unlike large solar or wind projects that are built at a single site. This means more workers are needed for customer outreach, site surveys, design, installation, grid connection, and maintenance. For instance, rooftop solar generates 44 times more FTE job-years per MW than utility-scale solar. The study estimates that rooftop solar generates ~45 FTE job-years/MW, compared to 1 FTE job-year/MW for ground-mounted solar and ~0.6 FTE job-year/MW for wind. Decentralised clean energy systems were found to be significantly more jobs-intensive than large-scale systems.

Dipa Singh Bagai, Country Director, NRDC India, said,

“Clean energy jobs are essential to India’s economic growth, energy security, and climate goals. This study shows that distributed renewable energy, especially rooftop solar, can create employment across cities, small towns, and rural areas. But job creation will require deliberate planning, credible workforce reporting, and stronger industry-training partnerships so that workers are ready for the next phase of India’s energy transition.”

Women remain underrepresented in solar and wind energy jobs

The CEEW-NRDC study finds that women account for only 11 per cent of the total workforce in solar and wind deployment and manufacturing sectors. Women’s participation is highest in rooftop solar at 15 per cent, followed by solar module manufacturing at 13 per cent, floating solar at 12 per cent, and ground-mounted solar at 11 per cent. The study also finds that 61 per cent of women in the clean energy workforce are employed in non-technological roles such as human resources, accounting, and administration.

Clean energy jobs will require higher skills

The study also finds that ~13 lakh FTE jobs could be in operations and maintenance and manufacturing roles, sustained over the lifetime of projects or manufacturing facilities. However, realising this employment opportunity will require a stronger skills ecosystem. Around 60 per cent of jobs in clean-energy project deployment require highly skilled or semi-skilled workers. In manufacturing sectors, this rises to 80–90 per cent, underscoring the need for technical training, practical field exposure, and career progression pathways.

Recommendations

The study recommends that MNRE and related institutions institutionalise mandatory workforce reporting through existing processes such as subsidy disbursement, tenders, and regulatory frameworks. It also calls on clean-energy companies to invest in gender inclusion and career advancement programmes, while training institutes should strengthen hands-on learning and keep curricula aligned with changing industry needs. As India scales towards its 2030 clean-energy targets and long-term net-zero goal, the CEEW-NRDC report emphasises that workforce planning, skilling, gender inclusion, and reliable jobs data will be essential to ensure that the clean-energy transition creates not just capacity, but quality livelihoods.