Category Archives: Business

Women Apprentices Surge 58percent in Three Years to 197,000: TeamLease Degree Apprenticeship Report

Jan 12: TeamLease Degree Apprenticeship, in collaboration with the GAN Global (a global multi‑sector apprenticeship alliance) and the India Employer Forum, has released its latest report, Her Path, Her Power: Revolutionizing Women’s Careers Through Apprenticeship. The report shows that women apprentices have increased from 124,000 in 2021–22 to 196,914 in 2023–24. This steady growth highlights how structured apprenticeship programmes are bridging gender gaps, expanding access to skills, and driving inclusive workforce participation across India.

Women currently contribute only 18% to India’s GDP, despite their critical role in the economy, and a significant portion remains outside the formal workforce, with 60% of working-age women not participating. The Female Labour Force Participation Rate stands at 29% for ages 15-29, 45% for ages 15-59, and 31.7% overall, among the lowest globally. Projections indicate that India’s female workforce may reach 255 million by 2047, achieving 45% participation, yet leaving 145 million women absent from the workforce needed to meet national growth ambitions. This gap is reflected in sectoral numbers: in 2021, 1.38 million women were employable against a demand of 3.35 million, leaving a gap of 1.97 million. By 2027, employable women are expected to reach 2.01 million, still below the 3.82 million required, leaving a persistent deficit of 1.81 million.

The gap is especially stark in rural areas, where 70% of women are expected to remain outside the labour force by 2047. While 30% of urban and peri-urban women, though better educated, face job-role mismatches, wage disparities, and undervaluation of domestic work. Closing this gap could boost India’s GDP by 27%, improving household incomes, living standards, and productivity. But despite rising female enrolment in higher education, many women still do not transition into the workforce. Between 2014–15 and 2021–22, enrolment increased by 32%, yet gaps persist, especially in STEM. Women make up 42–43% of undergraduate enrolments, but only 28–30% in engineering and technology, mainly in computer science, IT, and electronics. Representation in core engineering disciplines remains below 20%, and workforce participation in STEM roles is just 14–16%, constrained by workplace bias, lack of mentorship, and socio-cultural expectations. Degree Apprenticeships that combine academic learning with hands-on experience are emerging as a critical pathway to help women upskill, reskill, and move into meaningful employment.

Structured apprenticeships are translating this potential into tangible workforce participation, with rising engagement across IT and BPM, retail, automotive, electronics, BFSI, tourism and hospitality, food processing, life sciences, logistics, and healthcare. Hyderabad leads with 42% women apprentices in 2024, while Kolkata and Chennai show steady gains. Yet, challenges remain: 38% of organisations report having no female apprentices, 26% indicate women make up just 1–10% of their apprentice pool, and only 2% achieve over 50% representation, highlighting the need for sustained focus on inclusion and targeted interventions.

The report also provides targeted recommendations to enhance women’s participation in apprenticeships. Government initiatives should scale programmes in high-growth sectors and strengthen schemes such as NAPS and NATS. They should implement recognition of prior learning frameworks to acknowledge existing skills. Enabling infrastructure, including childcare, safe transport, and housing, should be provided to support women apprentices. Public-private partnerships can establish women-centric skilling hubs, Centres of Excellence, and state-specific financial incentives.

Employers should integrate women into core apprenticeship strategies through flexible and hybrid models, mentorship programmes, inclusive work environments, and anti-discrimination policies. Training providers should deliver industry-relevant, women-focused programmes, use hybrid learning to overcome mobility constraints, and ensure clear pathways to employment. Civil society and NGOs can raise awareness, shift mindsets, support underserved women, and advocate for policy inclusion.

Dr. Nipun Sharma, CEO, TeamLease Degree Apprenticeship, said, “Expanding women’s participation through apprenticeships represents a significant opportunity for India’s workforce. Female enrolment has grown by nearly 58 percent over the last three years, yet women continue to account for less than one-fifth of the total apprentice base, indicating substantial untapped potential. At the same time, sectors such as manufacturing, electric mobility, and telecom face skill gaps of 40–50 percent, while high-growth industries including IT, automotive, and healthcare require job-ready talent. Structured, sector-aligned apprenticeship programmes enable women to gain real work experience, strengthen practical skills, and improve employability. For employers, this approach supports a broader, reliable, and more diverse talent pool. When designed around real workplace exposure, apprenticeships help improve workforce participation, productivity, and long-term career outcomes.”

Kathryn Rowan, Executive Director, GAN Global, said, “Empowering women through apprenticeships is not just a matter of equity—it is an economic imperative. This report underscores how structured, work-based learning can dismantle systemic barriers, open doors to high-growth sectors, and create pathways for women to thrive as leaders and innovators. At GAN, we believe that when businesses invest in inclusive apprenticeship programs, it’s a triple win for women, communities, and companies, building a more resilient, adaptable, and diverse talent pipeline.”

Her Path, Her Power underscores that structured apprenticeships can unlock India’s untapped female workforce. These programmes bridge skills gaps and create inclusive opportunities across regions and sectors. They drive career growth for women and generate substantial economic gains, contributing to India’s Vision 2047 target of a $30 trillion economy, of which $18 trillion will be contributed by women.

IIT Roorkee and Masai Launch Technology Programmes to Build Job-Ready Digital Talent

Roorkee, Uttarakhand Jan 12:  The Indian Institute of Technology Roorkee (IIT Roorkee), through its Electronics & ICT Academy (E&ICT Academy), has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Masai to jointly launch a set of online certification programmes aimed at addressing the growing demand for skilled professionals in emerging AI-driven and digital technology domains.

Under this collaboration, the programmes are designed and delivered through the E&ICT Academy, IIT Roorkee, with a focus on providing industry-relevant, application-oriented training in areas such as Data Science and Artificial Intelligence (DS-AI), Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning (AI-ML), Software Engineering with AI, and Prompt Engineering. The programmes emphasise the development of practical, job-ready competencies aligned with evolving workforce requirements.

As India’s digital and AI-enabled economy continues to expand, organisations increasingly seek professionals with a sound understanding of core programming concepts, responsible use of AI and ML tools, workflow automation, and the ability to build production-ready applications. The programmes offered under this initiative aim to support both entry-level learners and working professionals, including those from non-technical backgrounds, through a structured blend of live instructional sessions and hands-on learning.

Each programme will culminate in a capstone project, enabling participants to develop a portfolio that demonstrates their ability to apply technology and AI solutions to real-world business problem statements.

Speaking on the initiative, Prof. Sanjeev Manhas, Chief Investigator, E&ICT Academy, IIT Roorkee, said, “The digital ecosystem today requires professionals who can apply AI, ML, and software development skills to address real-world challenges. Through the E&ICT Academy, IIT Roorkee seeks to strengthen the academic–industry interface by enabling learners not only to understand emerging technologies, but to apply them responsibly. These programmes are structured to support India’s future workforce needs in priority technology domains.”

Prof. K. K. Pant, Director, IIT Roorkee, said, “IIT Roorkee places strong emphasis on capacity building in emerging digital and AI-driven technologies as part of its national responsibility in higher education and skill development. Through the E&ICT Academy, the Institute continues to strengthen industry-aligned training initiatives that combine academic rigour with practical application. Such collaborations are intended to support the development of job-ready digital talent in alignment with national digital and innovation priorities.”

Prateek Shukla, CEO and Co-Founder of Masai, said, “This collaboration with IIT Roorkee enables the delivery of programmes that combine academic depth with practical learning. The initiative aims to help learners build meaningful portfolios and enhance their preparedness for technology roles in an increasingly AI-driven job market.”

Participants who successfully complete the coursework and assessments will receive a certificate from the E&ICT Academy, IIT Roorkee. In addition to the online modules, learners will have the option to participate in a two- to three-day campus immersion programme at IIT Roorkee, including project presentations and certificate and grade sheet distribution

Residential Sales Hold Momentum in 2025; Over 348,000 Units Sold: Knight Frank India

Mumbai, Jan 10: Knight Frank India’s flagship report, India Real Estate: Office and Residential Market July to December 2025 (H2 2025), highlights that the country’s residential real estate market maintained steady momentum in 2025, closing the year with approximately 348,247 units sold across India’s top eight cities a marginal 1% decline year-on-year (YoY).

H2 2025 Performance:
The second half of 2025 saw 178,406 units sold, marking the highest H2 performance since 2013. Despite rising unsold inventory, the quarters-to-sell (QTS) ratio remained stable at 5.8, indicating healthy market absorption.

City-wise Highlights:

• Mumbai retained its leadership with 97,188 units sold, up 1% YoY.

• NCR sales declined 9% YoY to 52,452 units due to selective market activity and elevated base effects.

• Chennai and Hyderabad posted robust growth, with sales up 12% and 4% YoY, respectively.

• Bengaluru remained broadly stable, while Pune saw a 3% YoY contraction.

Residential Price Trends:
Prices continued to rise across major markets, led by NCR with 19% YoY growth, followed by Hyderabad (13%), Bengaluru (12%), and Mumbai (7%). Price appreciation was driven by the launch of higher-value properties, rising construction and land costs, and growing demand for premium homes.

Shift Toward Higher-Value Housing:

• Homes priced above INR 1 crore accounted for 50% of total sales in 2025, totaling 175,091 units—a 14% YoY increase.

• Mid-segment homes (INR 50 lakh–1 crore) declined 8% YoY.

• Affordable housing (under INR 50 lakh) recorded a sharp 17% decline, reflecting structural constraints, limited availability, and selective buyer demand.

This trend indicates a polarization in the market, with end-users increasingly opting for higher-quality, higher-value homes, while lower-ticket segments face subdued activity.

Inventory and Market Health:
Supply remained active, with new launches outpacing sales in most cities. Despite this, market health remained stable, supported by manageable inventory levels and efficient absorption. Key metrics:

• Mumbai: 155,604 units unsold (-6% YoY), QTS 6.4

• NCR: 104,969 units unsold (-2% YoY), QTS 7.6

• Bengaluru: 67,518 units unsold (+25% YoY), QTS 4.9

Expert Insights:
Shishir Baijal, International Partner, Chairman & MD, Knight Frank India, said,

“India’s residential market in 2025 has entered a phase of consolidation at elevated levels. Sales reflect genuine end-user demand rather than episodic spikes. While the affordable segment faces pressure, stable inventory levels and low quarters-to-sell indicate a structurally balanced market moving into 2026.”

Gulam Zia, International Partner and Senior Executive Director, Knight Frank India, added,

“Growth appears to be peaking, with premium homes now dominating sales. Cities like Chennai and Hyderabad are growing rapidly, while larger markets like Mumbai and Bengaluru continue absorbing supply steadily. Overall, the sector remains active, disciplined, and structurally sound.”

Outlook for 2026:
While rapid volume expansion may be limited after two years of peak sales, selective price appreciation, stable absorption, and disciplined supply additions are expected to define residential market activity in 2026. Premium segments are likely to continue supporting overall volumes, even as affordable housing segments remain under pressure.

Zaggle Strengthens Senior Leadership Team with Key Appointments

Mumbai, Jan 8: Zaggle Prepaid Ocean Services Limited (“Zaggle”), India’s leading spend management and SaaS-led FinTech company, today announced the strengthening of its senior leadership team with the appointment of Mr. Nilesh Dadpe as Executive Vice President – Cross Sell and Mr. Rajesh Tummalaganti as Deputy Chief Financial Officer (Deputy CFO).

These strategic appointments reflect Zaggle’s continued commitment to building a robust leadership framework that supports sustainable growth, deeper customer engagement and strong financial governance as the company scales its platform, capabilities and diversified portfolio of offerings for all stakeholders.

In his role as Executive Vice President – Cross Sell, Mr. Nilesh Dadpe will focus on enhancing value creation across Zaggle’s existing corporate client base by driving wider adoption of the company’s solutions and strengthening long-term client partnerships. With his extensive experience in enterprise sales, customer engagement and solution- led growth, he will play a key role in improving customer lifetime value and supporting predictable, profitable growth.

Mr. Rajesh Tummalaganti, appointed as Deputy Chief Financial Officer (Deputy CFO), will play a key role in strengthening financial controls, compliance, reporting and strategic capital planning. His experience across financial governance, operational finance and scaling finance functions will reinforce Zaggle’s focus on transparency, fiscal discipline and long-term value creation as a listed fintech company.

Commenting on the appointments, Dr. Raj P. Narayanam, Founder & Executive Chairman, Zaggle, said:

“As Zaggle continues to scale, our focus remains on building a leadership team that drives strategic impact and inspires trust across all our stakeholders. Nilesh’s ability to deepen client relationships and unlock cross-sell opportunities strengthens our growth engine, while Rajesh’s financial expertise reinforces our governance and capital discipline. Together, these appointments reflect our commitment to operational excellence, prudent financial management and delivering consistent value to customers, partners and shareholders.”

The expanded leadership team is set to play a dynamic and transformative role indriving  Zaggle’s  strategic  priorities,  including  accelerating  portfolio  expansion, maximizing customer lifecycle value, enhancing operational efficiency and delivering sustained, meaningful value to customers, partners and shareholders alike.

Epigamia Boosts Travel & Expense Accuracy with OfficeNet’s Mobile TMS

Epigamia Automates Travel and Expense Workflows with OfficeNet’s Mobile-First TMS, Achieving 90% Higher Accuracy Over Manual Processing

Mumbai, Jan 08: Epigamia, one of India’s fastest-growing FMCG brands known for its dairy and snacking products, has adopted OfficeNet’s Travel Management Software (TMS) as part of its digital HR transformation strategy focused on strengthening process agility and enterprise-wide efficiency. With expanding teams across 11 offices and over 500 employees, the company required a unified, mobile-first platform to streamline travel and expense workflows and bring greater visibility and governance across functions.

With the deployment of OfficeNet’s TMS, Epigamia now operates a fully digital, centrally governed workflow where submissions, approvals, reimbursements, and documentation are managed end-to-end within a single automated system. The shift has eliminated paper-based dependencies, standardised T&E processes across teams, and improved calculation accuracy by 75% compared to manual processing. The deployment has also delivered measurable operational efficiencies in the early phase. Manual follow-ups have reduced by 20%, significantly improving cross-team coordination, while internal coordination time between teams has decreased by 15-20%. 

Managers now have real-time visibility into 100% of pending and approved claims, improving oversight and removing common processing bottlenecks. For the leadership team, the platform offers unified dashboards, consolidated analytics, and secure role-based access, enabling quicker, data-driven decisions and stronger governance across all travel-related spends.

Ms. Sonali Chowdhry, CEO of OfficeNet said,

“At OfficeNet, our goal is to simplify complex HR workflows through intuitive, mobile-first technology. Epigamia’s adoption of our TMS underscores the growing need for digitized, centrally governed systems that enhance accuracy, compliance, and employee experience. We are proud to support Epigamia in their digital HR transformation journey and look forward to enabling even deeper process efficiencies in the months ahead.”

Ms. Minal Pashte, Executive Assistant to the CEO of Epigamia, said,

“As we continue to scale rapidly, strengthening our internal systems becomes essential to supporting the pace of our growth. Technology plays a critical role in helping us build agile, transparent, and high-ownership processes. Integrating OfficeNet’s TMS is a step in this direction, bringing structure to our travel workflows, enabling faster decisions, and ensuring our teams stay aligned as we expand.” 

This shift supports Epigamia’s broader vision of building scalable, tech-enabled systems that can keep pace with its expanding business and evolving operational needs.

Federal Bank Unveils the Fortuna Wave

Mumbai, Jan 07: Federal Bank unveiled The Fortuna Wave, its refreshed brand identity that reflects the Bank’s evolution and desire to be contemporary and future-ready respectively. The launch took place in the presence of the Bank’s Leadership and the Brand Ambassador Ms Vidya Balan at Mumbai.

Refreshed for Salience to Success.

The Fortuna Wave, represents Authenticity, Prosperity and Togetherness, the Bank seeks for and from its Customers, Investors and Employees. The intent behind the refresh was to enhance the recognition and differentiation for the Federal Bank Brand. This will ensure a distinct, coherent, and continuous visual language across their physical and digital assets. The design aesthetics support the Brand to imprint itself in a contemporary manner amongst the next generation of Customers. The new identity is reflective of the Bank’s steady progression from a locally trusted brand to a national player with an increasing global presence in key businesses and markets.

Consumers, Businesses and Markets.

The brand refresh comes on the back of a strong push to increase wallet share across customer segments, scale new business, and leverage technology to create experiential differentiators. It is also aligned with our efforts to strengthen on-ground market presence bringing emerging markets into prominence and enabling established markets to evolve into dominant contributors to the Bank’s portfolio. The Bank recognises that a brand refresh will enable easier and more consistent connection across these three variables, which need to be addressed simultaneously.

Foundation Focus. Future Fresh.

Federal Bank’s strength has been its multi-generational relationships and years of being in franchise in key geographies of India.  All through its evolution the Brand has taken efforts to be Human at the Core, Digital at the ForeTM. The Bank has achieved a balance between being the ‘Go-to friend’ and technologically progressive company, and in doing so, earned the trust of the customers, shareholders and employees. The Brand refresh leans into the strengths while vaulting it for continued present day credibility and visibility. The “familiar yet fresh” look carries forward the legacy that generations of customers recognise, while aligning with the aspirations of a younger, digitally empowered audience.

Action oriented Aesthetics.

The word mark – FEDERALBANK, now has a more fluid, forward and round edge approach. These symbolise being approachable, ready with solutions and welcoming everyone with high levels of service delivery. The upper case has given way to well-rounded typeface which balances sharpness with warmth- symbolising precision without authority. Retaining the italicised style preserves the Bank’s unique visual DNA, and the familiar yellow underline continues to stand for partnership and support- reinforcing the Bank’s role as a trusted platform for customers. The boxed structure has been freed, allowing the logo to adapt fluidly across mediums and digital touchpoints.

 Ubiquitous Insignia

The Fortuna Wave is the brand’s insignia which is redefined and modernised as a central asset to all outreach and engagement efforts. The three waves represent authenticity, togetherness, and prosperity; the values that guide Federal Bank’s journey of progress. The emblem serves as a symbol of collective growth, optimism, and forward movement. Simplified for seamless digital expression, the insignia now becomes a living vessel for the brand’s storytelling.                                     

Upending the Brand.

The new logo and insignia enhance visibility, legibility, style, tone, colour usage and adaptability. It underlines the warmth and approachability of the Bank’s Business Philosophy. The sentence-case format has given way to balance between professionalism and friendliness.

The Fortuna Wave will have multiple variations optimized for different backgrounds, contexts and moment marketing initiatives. This flexibility ensures consistent brand representation across digital and physical touchpoints. 

The primary colours are more distinct, vibrant, and youthful, ensuring that the brand stands out to establish a strong, standalone identity. The updated palette reflects its commitment to a modern, dynamic brand image while preserving the essence of trust and reliability associated with the BFSI sector.

Commenting on the brand refresh, the MD & CEO KVS Manian said:

“Our refreshed brand identity represents a gentle evolution rather than a change in direction. This renewed expression brings a more contemporary and dynamic presence. It signals our preparedness for the future, without losing sight of the principles that have always defined us. While the look and feel have been renewed, the heart of Federal Bank remains the same. The core values that have shaped us over decades—trust, authenticity, and a deep commitment to our customers—continue to guide us”.

Speaking on the Brand intent, the Chief Marketing Officer M V S Murthy said,

“Being a legacy brand gives us a vantage point to bring the best of our past, into the present and fuel our future progress. Across the time lapse, a Brand Refresh is a great opportunity to be contemporary as we enhance our product and service propositions. Visual connect, though has many an unspoken word, it is the first impression for a brand. Discerning generation of customers coming up seek for more intuitive expressions of communication. Our refreshed identity morph into the Fortuna Wave promise Authenticity, Prosperity and Togetherness. These are Brand Values we cherish and demonstrate our intent through our engagements and experiences curated out for the Brand.”

Vidya Balan, the Brand Ambassador during the event said,

“Federal Bank reflects an institution secure in its foundations, clear in its direction, and committed to building a strong, sustainable franchise for the future. In my profession, there is a constant need to refresh and reinvent oneself. You are as good as your last hit. I feel overjoyed when the Brand whom I represent, take equal amount of conscious effort for strengthening relevance. Their effort comes at a time when discernment is sharp amongst audiences.”

The refreshed identity was shaped in close collaboration with Sideways, bringing together strategic clarity and creative expression to articulate Federal Bank’s evolving role as a digitally confident, nationally present institution with human connection at its core.

Sharing perspective on the brand’s evolution, the founder of Sideways, Abhijit Avasthi, said,

“At Sideways, our role was to help Federal Bank express who it has already become. This refresh is not a reinvention but a considered evolution: one that carries forward the trust the Bank has built over decades while giving it a more contemporary, digital-first expression. Every element of the identity was designed to balance progress with familiarity, ensuring it feels confident and future-ready without losing its human core. The result is a brand that is clear in its purpose, secure in its foundations, and ready to serve a growing, changing nation.”

Eraaya Lifespaces’ EbixCash Ties Up with Lotus India Pay to Launch Co-Branded Legend Card

Eraaya Lifespaces Indian Flagship Subsidiary EbixCash Partners with Lotus India Pay to Launch Co-Branded Legend Card

Eraaya Lifespaces Indian Flagship Subsidiary EbixCash, one of India’s leading digital financial services providers, has announced the launch of the Legend Card, a co-branded prepaid card developed in partnership with Lotus India Pay. The strategic move strengthens the company’s prepaid and digital payments portfolio & reflects its focus on collaborating with established brands to deliver high-impact financial solutions. The partnership combines EbixCash’s payments and prepaid capabilities with Lotus India Pay’s customer-facing ecosystem, bringing together card issuing, processing, and transaction management under a single, integrated framework. Built on a secure ledger-based architecture, the solution supports end-to-end settlement and reconciliation while remaining fully aligned with existing payment networks and regulatory frameworks.

To address consumer spending needs, the Legend Card is designed to enhance the shopping and lifestyle experience of Lotus India Pay customers. The card works across merchant outlets and digital platforms, supporting point-of-sale (POS) transactions, e-commerce purchases, QR-based payments, and UPI linked usage, enabling seamless cashless transactions. As an open-loop prepaid card, the company will serve customers the flexibility to transact across a broad merchant base, within applicable regulatory limits, making it suitable for a wide range of everyday payment requirements.

Speaking on this new offering, Mr. Sharan Pardeshi, AVP Product & Alliance, EbixCash World Money, said,

“This is a strategic addition to our prepaid portfolio, enabling us to address a wider range of routine and high-frequency payment needs. Through this partnership, we are providing customers to enjoy hassle-free transactions both online and offline, along with benefits such as exclusive brand offers, faster checkout experiences, and enhanced control over spending. The card is made for today’s digitally inclined customers who seek secure, convenient, and seamless payment solutions.” 

Following a digital-first issuance approach, users can complete onboarding online and instantly access a virtual card for digital and QR-based transactions, with the option of a physical card for POS usage. Security remains central to the offering, with features such as real-time transaction alerts, instant card blocking and unblocking, and configurable spend limits to ensure a safe and transparent payment experience. 

Mr. Bhavin Dedhia, Founder, Lotus India Pay added,

 “Partnering with EbixCash allows us to elevate our customer engagement through a seamless and rewarding payment solution. The co-branded Legend Card aligns perfectly with our objective of offering added value and convenience to our customers.”

 Introduced as part of EbixCash’s ongoing product and partnership roadmap, the Legend Card strengthens the company’s prepaid portfolio by extending its presence across everyday payment use cases. This highlights the company’s focus on developing scalable and compliant payment solutions that respond to evolving consumer behaviour, as digital payments continue to become an integral part of routine transactions across India.

Ingersoll Rand Launches LS Series Oil-Free Air Compressors in India

Gurugram, Jan 6: Ingersoll Rand India, a global leader in mission-critical industrial solutions, has announced the launch of its LS Series Low-Pressure Oil-Free Screw Air Compressors in India. Designed for applications requiring high air volumes at low pressure, the LS Series delivers 100% certified oil-free air while optimizing energy efficiency, reliability, and total cost of ownership.

Ingersoll Rand’s LS Series low-pressure oil-free screw air compressors are engineered to deliver high-efficiency, contamination-free compressed air for demanding, continuous-duty industrial applications, featuring a robust design tailored for Indian operating conditions. The LS Series ensures a clean air supply while optimizing energy consumption and overall system performance. As Indian industries grapple with rising energy costs, stricter sustainability requirements, and increasingly complex production processes, the demand for efficient, application-focused low-pressure compressed air solutions is growing across sectors such as cement, power, food and beverage, pharmaceuticals, and petrochemicals.

Certified to ISO 8573-1 Class 0, the LS Series ensures zero oil contamination in the compression chamber, making it ideal for applications where air purity directly impacts product quality, safety, and regulatory compliance. The compressors are engineered to provide clean, dry air with high energy efficiency and maximum reliability.

The LS Series integrates several reliability-enhancing technologies, including Ingersoll Rand’s V-Shield™ leak-free design and Ultra Coat™-protected oil-free screw air ends. Additional features such as cooling jackets, stainless-steel hot-end piping, and high-efficiency IP55 motors enable dependable operation in ambient temperatures of up to 50°C, ensuring stable performance even in harsh and dusty industrial environments.

Available in fixed-speed and variable-speed configurations, with both air-cooled and water-cooled options, the LS Series offers flexibility to meet diverse site requirements. Intelligent controllers with IoT connectivity via the HELIX™ platform allow real-time monitoring, predictive maintenance, and improved uptime. Despite the traditionally higher upfront investment associated with oil-free systems, the LS Series is engineered to deliver the lowest total cost of ownership through optimized energy efficiency, extended maintenance intervals, and simplified servicing.

The LS Series is ideally suited for low-pressure, high-flow applications such as:

• Pneumatic conveying in cement, power, metallurgy, petrochemical, food, and pharmaceutical plants
• Ash handling and limestone conveying in thermal power stations
• Powder and granule conveying in petrochemical and polymer processing
• Aerobic fermentation in pharmaceutical, food & beverage, biotechnology, and enzyme industries
• Bulk material handling in construction materials and specialty manufacturing

Commenting on the launch, Rajesh Fotedar, Senior Product Manager Plant Air Centrifugal & Industrial Oil-Free Rotary, India, Ingersoll Rand, said,

“Our focus is on developing technologies that align with the way Indian industries operate. The LS Series reflects our commitment to delivering efficient, application-specific oil-free solutions that help customers improve reliability, reduce energy losses, and support sustainable growth.”

With its strong emphasis on efficiency, sustainability, and application-driven innovation, the LS Series further reinforces Ingersoll Rand’s position as a trusted partner to Indian industries. Backed by global expertise, local manufacturing capabilities, and a nationwide service network, Ingersoll Rand continues to support customers in building resilient and future-ready operations.

Honda Motorcycle & Scooter India Records Strong Momentum with 4.46 Lakh Unit Sales in December 2025

Mumbai, Jan 06: Honda Motorcycle & Scooter India (HMSI) reported total sales of 4,46,048 units in December 2025, reflecting strong demand and the company’s ongoing efforts to make mobility safer, cleaner, and more accessible for millions of customers. This includes 3,92,306 units in domestic sales and 53,742 units in exports.

HMSI registered a 45% year-on-year (YOY) growth compared to December 2024. This performance reflects strong demand across domestic and international markets for HMSI’s product portfolio.

For the Year-to-Date (YTD) period of FY26 (April–December 2025), HMSI recorded total sales of   46,78,814 units. This includes 42,04,420 units sold domestically and 4,74,394 units exported, recording a 3% YOY growth compared to December 2024.

HMSI’s Key Highlights of December 2025:

Road safety: Aligned with its vision of “Safety for Everyone,” HMSI organized nationwide road safety campaigns across various locations including New Delhi, Jaipur, Solapur, Meerut, Bhopal, Ranchi, Rajkot, Goa, Calicut, Rajahmundry, Ludhiana, Samastipur and Hassan. These campaigns encouraged responsible riding and community awareness to create safer roads for all.

Additionally, HMSI hosted a Road Safety Convention in Raipur, engaging educators to instil safe riding habits among children, building a culture of safety from an early age.

Network expansion: Honda Motorcycle & Scooter India also expanded its presence with new authorized dealerships in Auraiya, Bengaluru, Delhi and Jhargram. The dealerships are supported by a specially trained sales and service team, ensuring personalized guidance and support, reflecting its commitment to customer-centric mobility solutions. As HMSI moves forward, its focus remains clear – delivering mobility that empowers customers, prioritizes safety, and contributes to a sustainable future.

Holiday Inn Express Strengthens Hyderabad Leadership with Appointment of Sandesh Parab as General Manager

 “I am truly excited to take on this role and join the team at Holiday Inn Express Hyderabad Banjara Hills. The brand has always stood for smart, efficient, and guest-centred hospitality, and I look forward to building on this promise. My focus will be on creating a supportive environment for our colleagues and delivering a consistently seamless experience for our guests.”