Category Archives: Business

NSE Commands 93 pc Share, Investor Base Hits 12.9 Crore

New Delhi, June 26: The National Stock Exchange of India (NSE) continues to maintain a dominant position in the country’s financial markets, with a 93% market share and a registered investor base of 12.9 crore, according to Centrum Broking.

Centrum said the exchange’s scale and deepening retail participation highlight the strong structural growth of India’s capital markets, supported by rising financial awareness and increasing participation from individual investors across the country.

The brokerage noted that NSE’s expanding investor base underscores the growing penetration of equities and other financial instruments, driven by digital onboarding, simplified investment processes, and broader market access.

Industry data indicates that India’s stock market participation has expanded rapidly in recent years, with retail investors contributing significantly to trading activity across segments such as equities, derivatives, and ETFs.

Analysts said the dominance of NSE reflects its strong ecosystem, high liquidity, and continued preference among market participants, reinforcing its position as the primary trading platform in India.

Centrum’s assessment highlights the broader trend of deepening financialisation of savings in India, with increasing participation from younger investors and non-metropolitan regions.

Fermenta Biotech Limited Ranked 7th Nationwide in India’s Great Mid-size WorkplacesTM 2026

Mumbai, June 26: Fermenta Biotech Limited, India’s leading manufacturer of premium-grade APIs, intermediates, and nutritional premixes for the global markets, today announced that it has been ranked 7th nationwide in the Top 50 category as part of India’s Great Mid-size WorkplacesTM  2026 by Great Place To Work®.

This recognition marks a significant milestone for Fermenta as the company celebrates 75 years of trust, science and service. Over 2,000 organisations partnered with Great Place To Work® India this year to assess and benchmark their workplace culture. To place 7th among them, across a wide range of sectors, reflects the culture we have built together over the years.

The achievement comes shortly after Fermenta was recognized among India’s Best Workplaces™ in Pharmaceuticals, Healthcare and Biotech 2025, further reaffirming the company’s commitment to nurturing an environment where employees feel valued, empowered and inspired to contribute to the organization’s growth journey.

Comment from Prashant Nagre – Managing Director

“At Fermenta, our growth has always been powered by our people and our partners. This recognition belongs to every team member that brings commitment, ownership and pride to work every day, and our partners whose constant support and guidance have helped us reach here. As we celebrate 75 years of Fermenta, being ranked 7th nationwide makes this milestone even more meaningful. It is a reflection of the culture we have built together; one rooted in trust, responsibility, collaboration and the belief that great organizations are created by great people.”

India Real Estate Sees Dollar 1.13 Billion PE Inflow in H1, Office Leads

New Delhi, June 26: Indian real estate sector attracted private equity (PE) investments worth $1.13 billion in the first half of the year (H1), with the office segment accounting for the bulk of inflows, according to industry data.

The report highlights that the office segment captured around 89% of the total PE investments, reflecting strong investor confidence in Grade-A commercial assets and continued demand for premium office spaces across major urban centres.

Analysts said the inflows indicate sustained institutional interest in India’s commercial real estate market, driven by stable rental yields, improved occupancy levels, and long-term growth prospects in key office hubs.

The residential and other real estate segments accounted for the remaining share of investments, though activity remained comparatively moderate.

Experts noted that India continues to remain an attractive destination for global and domestic investors due to its resilient economic growth, expanding corporate sector, and increasing demand for organised real estate assets.

The strong dominance of the office segment underscores the ongoing shift towards formalised commercial spaces and the growing presence of multinational companies in the country.

Digital Payments Drive Women-Led Businesses: 84 Percent of Female Entrepreneurs in India Use Digital Tools, Finds DBS Study

Mumbai, June 26: Ahead of MSME Day 2026, DBS Bank India has unveiled the second report in its Women and Finance series, with Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu India LLP  as the research partner.

The report, The Digital Opportunity: Access, Adoption and Trust, explores how female earners across India are engaging with digital payments, banking, credit and investment platforms. The study draws insights from 1,342 women across North (23%), South (36%), East (14%) and West (27%) India, reflecting the perspectives of female entrepreneurs, High-Net-Worth (HNW) women and rural women earners.

The latest edition focuses on how digitalisation is shaping the financial journeys of women across different life stages, income segments and geographies. It also explores spending priorities, key drivers of digital adoption and awareness of safe digital banking practices across different segments.

The findings highlight that female entrepreneurs are the most active users of digital financial tools and platforms among all cohorts surveyed. Digital payment tools are the most widely adopted, used by 84% of female entrepreneurs. Across cohorts, UPI continues to gain traction, with usage standing at 72% among female entrepreneurs, 77% among HNW women and 54% among rural women earners surveyed, underscoring the growing ubiquity of India’s digital payments infrastructure.

Beyond banking and payments, female entrepreneurs are increasingly engaging with a wider ecosystem of digital financial tools and platforms. Among those surveyed, 38% use loan and credit platforms, while 29% use brokerage platforms. Among HNW women surveyed, 28% are actively using brokerage platforms for their investments, reflecting growing comfort and proficiency in using digital investment tools, driven by the convenience and accessibility they offer.

Divyesh Dalal, Managing Director and Country Head, Global Transaction Services, Corporate Banking, Financial Institutions and SMEs said,

 “The findings of this report highlight an encouraging shift in the way women are engaging with their finances. Among female entrepreneurs, digital tools are becoming increasingly integral to business management, supporting everything from payments, credit and payroll to customer acquisition and future planning. The study also underscores the importance of trust, convenience, and accessibility in driving digital adoption.”

“As digital adoption deepens, entrepreneurs are increasingly seeking solutions that enhance operational efficiency and support their growth ambitions. Sustaining this momentum requires going beyond traditional banking to create connected ecosystems that help entrepreneurs at every stage of their business journey. By deepening our understanding of this segment and continuing to innovate in response to evolving needs, we aim to help female entrepreneurs build and scale their businesses”, he added.

Other key insights

Credit card usage is gaining momentum among female earners in urban India

Half (50%) of the female entrepreneurs surveyed report using personal credit cards frequently, including 19% who use them daily and 31% who use them a few times a week. Among HNW women, credit cards are used by 53% of respondents, making them the second most-used payment method after UPI.

Travel rewards top the list of preferred credit card benefits

Travel-related rewards, including hotel offers, air miles, lounge access and travel insurance, are the most preferred credit card benefit among both female entrepreneurs and HNW women, cited by 65% of respondents. Preference for travel-related rewards is particularly pronounced among younger respondents, rising to 70% among HNW women aged 25–30 years and 68% among female entrepreneurs aged 26–35 years.

Spending patterns across segments

Spending patterns were analysed to identify key business expenditure areas among female entrepreneurs and rural women earners, alongside personal spending among HNW women.

• Among female entrepreneurs surveyed, spending is concentrated on people, growth and technology. Beyond staff salaries and contractor payments (65%) and marketing, branding, content creation and customer acquisition (53%), 37% report spending on software, technology tools and platforms.
• For rural women earners, expenditure is largely directed towards day-to-day business operations, with 82% reporting spending on raw materials, 47% on rent and 35% on transportation to market.
• Among the HNW women surveyed, spending patterns are more diversified across both essential and discretionary categories, led by groceries and daily essentials (50%), utility bills (32%), healthcare and medical expenses (28%), and travel and vacations (27%).

This edition builds on the first report in the series, Money Matters: Mindsets, Financial Agency and Behaviour Across Life and Career Stages, released on International Women’s Day earlier this year, which examined the financial autonomy of women earners, key financial drivers and life goals, preferences for engaging with financial institutions, as well as their perspectives on career breaks, work-life balance, retirement planning and long-term financial preparedness.

Piyush Goyal Conferred UK-India Award for Strengthening Bilateral Economic Ties

New Delhi, June 26: Union Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal has been conferred the UK-India award in recognition of his contribution to strengthening economic and trade relations between India and the United Kingdom.

 Pic Credit: https://x.com/PiyushGoyal

The award acknowledges his efforts in deepening bilateral engagement, promoting investment flows, and expanding cooperation across key sectors of mutual interest, including trade, industry, and innovation.

Officials noted that India and the UK have witnessed growing collaboration in recent years, supported by sustained high-level dialogue and efforts to enhance economic partnership frameworks. Goyal’s role in advancing these engagements has been highlighted as a key factor in strengthening ties between the two countries.

The recognition comes at a time when both nations are exploring new opportunities to further expand trade relations and build a more comprehensive economic partnership.

The award underscores the importance of continued cooperation between India and the UK in fostering long-term economic growth and strategic collaboration.

India’s MSME Sector Contributes Over 31% to GDP, Generates 38.9 Crore Jobs

New Delhi, June 26: India’s Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME) sector continues to play a key role in the country’s economic growth, with its contribution to the national GDP crossing 31% and employment rising to 38.9 crore, according to recent official estimates.

The sector remains one of the largest employment generators in the country, supporting livelihoods across manufacturing, services, and trade segments. Officials noted that MSMEs are also a crucial driver of exports and industrial output.

The growth has been supported by various government initiatives aimed at improving access to credit, promoting digital adoption, and enhancing ease of doing business for small enterprises.

Experts said the steady expansion of the MSME sector reflects its resilience and its central role in strengthening India’s self-reliant economic framework. The sector continues to support inclusive growth by generating employment opportunities across urban and rural areas.

The latest figures underline the MSME sector’s importance as a backbone of the Indian economy, contributing significantly to GDP while also absorbing a large share of the workforce.

India Hosts First-Ever Mango Promotion Event in Iceland to Boost Exports

June 26: India has organised its first-ever mango promotion events in Iceland as part of efforts to expand the global reach of Indian agricultural exports and promote premium fruit varieties in new international markets.

The initiative aimed to showcase India’s diverse range of mango varieties to importers, distributors, and consumers in Iceland, highlighting the fruit’s quality, flavour profile, and export potential.

Officials said the event is part of a broader strategy to strengthen India’s agri-export footprint in non-traditional markets and create new trade opportunities for Indian farmers and exporters. The promotion also focused on building awareness about India’s horticultural strengths and improving market access for premium produce.

Participants at the event were introduced to several popular Indian mango varieties, along with discussions on export logistics, quality standards, and potential trade partnerships.

The initiative reflects India’s growing efforts to diversify its export destinations and enhance the global visibility of its agricultural products, particularly in high-value international markets.

First Norton Atlas Rolls Out from Hosur Factory, Marking a New Milestone

Chandigarh, June 26: Norton Motorcycles has marked the roll-out of the first Atlas models at TVS Motor Company’s Hosur manufacturing facility in India ahead of the official launch next month.

The occasion was marked by a roll-out ceremony at TVS Motor Company’s Hosur plant on Wednesday 24 June, attended by Dr Sutapa Choudhury, British Deputy High Commissioner for Tamil Nadu, Puducherry and Kerala. Her presence acknowledged the industrial collaboration at the heart of the Atlas: Norton’s brand vision, design leadership and engineering direction anchored in the UK, brought to life through TVS Motor Company’s manufacturing capability and industrial infrastructure in India.

A Global Model for Every Norton Market The Atlas is one of the most significant additions to the Norton range in the modern era, engineered for sale across every Norton market – present and future. Both Atlas and Atlas GT models return the storied marque to the adventure and sport-touring segments respectively  categories that together account for a substantial and growing share of global motorcycle sales.

The Atlas follows the critically acclaimed Manx R as the next in line as part of Norton’s resurgence, which introduced four all-new models at EICMA 2025 across the Manx and Atlas families. Positioned alongside the more road-focused Atlas GT, the Atlas extends Norton’s reach without diluting the character the marque demands: a singular focus on design, dynamics and detail, always placing the rider at the heart of the experience.

Designed at Solihull, Built for the World

The Atlas has been designed and engineered at Norton’s Solihull headquarters. Power comes from a compact 585cc liquid-cooled parallel twin with a 270-degree firing order, mounted in a lightweight steel trellis chassis and managed by Norton’s most comprehensive electronics suite to date. At the core of that package is a Bosch six-axis IMU driving lean-sensitive rider aids, five configurable rider modes, fully adjustable KYB suspension, cornering cruise control, an 8-inch TFT display and Norton Rider app connectivity. The Atlas uses a 19-inch front wheel, reinforcing its more all-terrain orientation; the Atlas GT adopts 17-inch wheels at both ends for a road-first setup on the same platform.

The decision to manufacture both models at the TVS plant in Hosur reflects the benefit of Norton’s wider operating model under TVS Motor Company ownership. Norton defines the brand, design intent, engineering character and rider experience; TVS Motor provides industrial depth, quality systems, supply-chain resilience and a proven global manufacturing base. With Norton’s Solihull, UK facility at full capacity producing the Manx R superbike, Hosur is the obvious choice for production of Atlas and Atlas GT models.

Mr. K. N Radhakrishnan, Director and CEO, TVS Motor Company, said:

“The first Atlas roll-out at Hosur is a proud moment – one that brings together the best of both Norton and TVS Motor Company: British design and engineering capability with Indian manufacturing excellence, and a shared commitment to quality for customers worldwide. Atlas takes Norton into a highly relevant global segment, and it does so as an unmistakable Norton.”

Norton Motorcycles’ CEO, Richard Arnold, said:

 “The Atlas name is emblematic of an era when motorcycling was synonymous with adventure. We are proudly carrying that legacy forward with a line-up of modern, quintessentially British adventure motorcycles. With the first Atlas now rolled out at Hosur, our focus turns to the next steps leading up to customer deliveries over the upcoming few months.”

What Comes Next

The Atlas will be introduced to the India market later in the year. TVS’ new retail experience for premium products  TVS Paddock, is scheduled to be launched in Q2 FY27 through an exclusive premium retail channel, purposefully designed to deliver a bespoke and elevated customer experience, reflecting the brand’s heritage, craftsmanship, and premium positioning.

Carrying a Storied Name Forward

The Atlas name carries a clear place in Norton history. Introduced in 1962, the original Atlas was an export-focused machine built around a 745cc air-cooled parallel twin a deliberate step up in displacement and torque from the 650cc Dominator, aimed at the American market’s appetite for performance and long-distance ability. Initially produced only for export, it became known simply as the Mighty Atlas, earning a reputation for versatility and high-speed touring capability that few British rivals could match. The name endured until 1968, when it gave way to the Commando.

The all-new Atlas reconnects that spirit with the expectations of the modern adventure rider  updated in every technical detail, but recognisable in intent.

India’s Grocery Market Set to Reach Dollar 992 Billion by FY30: Report

New Delhi, June 26: India’s grocery market is projected to grow to nearly $992 billion by financial year 2030, according to a recent industry report, reflecting strong growth prospects in the country’s fast-expanding retail sector.

The report highlights that the growth will be driven by rising household consumption, increasing urbanisation, and a shift in consumer preferences towards organised retail and digital grocery platforms.

It notes that the sector continues to be dominated by traditional retail channels, but organised retail and quick-commerce platforms are rapidly gaining market share, supported by improved logistics, digital payments, and wider internet penetration.

Industry experts said that changing lifestyles, growing disposable incomes, and expansion of e-commerce are expected to further accelerate the transformation of India’s grocery market over the next few years.

The report also pointed out that India remains one of the fastest-growing consumer markets globally, with the grocery segment forming a significant share of overall retail consumption.

The projected growth underscores the long-term potential of the sector and the increasing role of technology-driven retail models in shaping consumer buying behaviour.

itel Power 451 Debuts with AI ENC, Type C Charging and 2500 mAh Battery

June 26: itel, one of the leading tech brands known for democratizing technology for Bharat, has recently launched its latest feature phone, the itel Power 451, bringing innovative technology generally found in premium smartphones to the feature phone category. With the introduction of AI Environmental Noise Cancellation (AI–ENC) – only provided by itel in Feature Phones in India – the itel Power 451 ensures clear and uninterrupted conversations by intelligently reducing surrounding noise from crowded markets, busy streets, workplaces and other noisy environments. The itel Power 451 phone is available in super stylish colours of Blue, Green, Purple and Black – now available at retail stores. itel also offers an exciting 1-year Counter Replacement offer for any manufacturing defect in feature phones

Commenting on the launch, Arijeet Talapatra, CEO of itel India, said, “At itel, our focus has always been to bring meaningful innovations that solve real consumer challenges while keeping technology accessible for every Indian. AI ENC technology was introduced in feature phones by itel and we are continuing this further with Power 451. For us, innovation has always has been about what makes the daily lives of consumers better.”

Continuing the brand’s commitment to delivering tangible benefits to consumers, the phone comes with a free back cover inside the box that is only offered by itel in the feature phone industry, allowing users to protect their device from day one without any additional expense. Further elevating the experience, the Power 451 features Type–C charging support, bringing the convenience of a universal, modern charging solution that is commonly associated with smartphones. It is also equipped with a powerful 2500 mAh battery that delivers up to 55 days of standby time with Super Battery Mode, ensuring uninterrupted connectivity for users who depend on their phones throughout the day. The latest Cyber Media Research (CMR) report on The Rising Role of Durability, Reliability, and Affordability in India’s Device Market has demonstrated strong all-round performance of itel – securing impressive scores of 0.65 in feature phones and 0.86 in smartphones – highest in the segment. Additionally, 85% of consumers feel they get great value for money, 81% associate itel with strength and durability, 79% appreciate its design, and 74% consider it a trustworthy and reliable brand.

The Power 451 is a well-rounded device, built for sustained outdoor use. Equipped with a big 2.4-inch display, Bluetooth connectivity, wireless FM radio with recording, 60 call logs, and 32GB of expandable storage, Built around the evolving needs of feature phone users, itel POWER 451 combines meaningful innovation, everyday convenience and exceptional value. By combining advanced call clarity, reliable battery life, modern charging convenience and thoughtful additions like a complimentary protective back cover, the device strengthens itel’s vision of making innovative technology accessible to millions of consumers across India.