Category Archives: Business

Financial Planning Standards Board Seeks Candidates for 2027 Board of Directors

DENVER, COLO – 31 March 2026 –  Financial Planning Standards Board Ltd. (FPSB), the nonprofit, standards-setting body for the global financial planning profession and owner of the international CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER certification program, is seeking nominations for three open three-year positions on FPSB’s Board of Directors, beginning 1 April 2027. Nominations should be submitted to the FPSB Nominating Committee Coordinator at nominations@fpsb.org no later than 5:00 p.m. Mountain Standard Time on Friday, 22 May 2026.

FPSB is seeking nominees that will complement the talents of its continuing Board members and who can meaningfully contribute to FPSB’s strategic vision and future business development. Nominees must be able to provide tangible value in one or more of the following areas:

1. Financial regulatory experience: As the global standards-setting body operating across diverse regulatory environments, FPSB welcomes nominees with a strong background in financial regulatory matters, such as a former financial regulator. 

2. International business experience: FPSB administers the CFP certification program across the world and welcomes nominees who can bring the perspective of financial services / planning in Africa and Asia, including individuals with a background in building the financial services / financial planning industry in these regions.

3. Perspectives from the next-generation of professionals: To ensure FPSB remains forward-looking and responsive to younger financial planning professionals’ needs, FPSB encourages nominations from the next generation of leaders in financial planning, generally considered to be individuals under 40 years of age.
4. Experience in allied professions: As FPSB seeks to future-proof the financial planning profession, FPSB seeks nominees who have strategic experience with standards setting, education development, and / or credentialing program development and management in allied professions, such as accounting or law.
5. Technology platforms or Education technology (EdTech) solutions expertise: As FPSB and its network of organizations stay abreast of evolving education delivery models, FPSB welcomes nominees who have experience in planning, developing or delivering technology platforms or EdTech solutions, preferably with a focus on AI enabled technologies within the financial services or certification industries. 

6. Public interest / consumer advocate perspective: As a nonprofit association with a public-interest mission, FPSB welcomes nominees who have expertise in understanding how its programs and standards can best be leveraged to benefit consumers, or similar nonprofit experience relevant to the financial services or certification industries.

“FPSB is seeking Board leaders who reflect the profession’s global reach and future direction,” said incoming 2026 FPSB Board chairperson, Caroline Dabu. “From regulatory leadership and international market development in Africa and Asia, to next-generation‑ professional insight, education innovation and consumer advocacy, these capabilities will help ensure FPSB continues to uphold rigorous global standards that expand access to competent and ethical financial planning advice worldwide.”

FPSB’s Board of Directors is responsible for guiding the organization’s administration of its public interest mission and vision; developing governing policies that address the broadest levels of all organizational decisions and situations; identifying needs and advocating on behalf of FPSB’s stakeholders; and overseeing organizational performance and providing strategic guidance to FPSB’s CEO. As the preeminent standards-setting organization for financial planning worldwide, FPSB and its network of organizations span across 29 territories, which together represent more than 236,000 CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER professionals worldwide.

Nominees for FPSB’s 2027 Board of Directors must be able to participate in English-language meetings and cannot be a staff member, director or office holder with an affiliated organization. FPSB strongly prefers that CFP professional nominees have senior-level volunteer experience with FPSB or an FPSB affiliated organization and the endorsement of their affiliate organization. FPSB expects to finalize its selection for the FPSB Board in October 2026.

For more information on FPSB Board member duties and responsibilities, view the FPSB Board Member Role Description.  

Pioneer Fil-Med Limited Files DRHP with SEBI for Up to ₹500 Crore IPO

India/Mar 31: Pioneer Fil-Med Limited (“the Company”), is an established manufacturer and supplier of railway and metro equipment, and allied components for the locomotive and coach applications segment in India, with a strong presence across both diesel-electric and electric platforms (Source: 1Lattice Report). The company commenced its operations in 2001 with the manufacture and supply of filters for railway and automotive applications and have since diversified into the manufacture and supply of traction motors, alternators, brake discs, gangways, stators and rotors for locomotives, platform screen doors for metros, wind generators and allied services.

Pioneer Fil-Med Limited has filed its Draft Red Herring Prospectus (“DRHP”) with market regulator Securities and Exchange Board of India (“SEBI”). The Company plans to raise funds through initial public offerings comparing of the total offer size of equity shares (face value ₹1 each) aggregating up to ₹5000 million (₹500 Crore). (“Total Issue Size”).

The offer comprises of fresh issue of equity shares aggregating up to ₹2500 million (250 crore) (The “Fresh Issue”) and offer for sale by Selling Shareholders aggregating up to ₹2500 million (₹250 Crore) (The “Offer for Sale”).

The Company proposes to utilize the Net Proceeds from the Offer towards: (i) Part financing the cost of establishing a gear box manufacturing facility at Salarpur, Bhiwadi, Rajasthan, India and General Corporate Purposes; (ii) Part financing the cost of establishing a wind generator components manufacturing facility at Salarpur, Bhiwadi, Rajasthan, India and (iii) General corporate purposes.

In 2023, Pioneer Fil-Med has strategically diversified its operations, expanding beyond the railways and automotive segments, to commence the production and supply of wind generators within the renewable energy sector. The company aim to build a scalable and sustainable manufacturing platform in the wind energy sector by leveraging the strong structural growth in India’s renewable energy market, supported by national decarbonisation targets, increasing share of renewable energy in the power mix, declining levelized cost of wind power, and favourable regulatory and policy frameworks, including standards prescribed by the Bureau of Indian Standards and the Approved List of Models & Manufacturers framework of the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy, Government of India (Source: 1Lattice Report).

Nuvama Wealth Management Limited and Equirus Capital Private Limited are the Book Running Lead Managers (BRLMs) to the issue.

Airtel, Alpha Wave, and Carlyle Lead 1B Investment in Nxtra

New Delhi, Mar 31: Bharti Airtel  today announced an investment of US$ 1 Billion by Alpha Wave Global, Carlyle  and Anchorage Capital, through their affiliates, in Nxtra Data Limited  a subsidiary of Bharti Airtel engaged in the data center business, to expand its network across India and accelerate growth. Airtel will also participate in this round.

As part of the pact, Alpha Wave Global will invest US$435 million, Carlyle US$240 million, Anchorage Capital US$35 million, with the rest being infused by Airtel. The investors’ final shareholding will be subject to finalized post-closing adjustments. Airtel will continue to retain a controlling stake in Nxtra. The deal is subject to regulatory approvals in India.

Nxtra – the first data center company in India to deploy AI at scale for predictive maintenance, energy efficiency, and automated operations – intends to deploy proceeds from the fund infusion to accelerate its growth plans. It plans to extensively scale its infrastructure and broaden its portfolio of services, catering to the evolving needs of enterprises, hyperscalers, and government organisations across the country.

India’s data center sector is currently witnessing rapid growth, driven by accelerating digital transformation across enterprises, rising adoption of cloud services, and expanding demand from hyperscalers. According to a Savills India report, India’s data center market is expected to grow at a CAGR of around 21% between 2024 and 2030 to reach nearly 3,400 MW of IT capacity.

“At Nxtra, we have built one of India’s most advanced and sustainable data center networks, designed to meet the evolving needs of enterprises, hyperscalers, and government. With ~300 MW capacity today, we aim to scale to 1 GW in the next few years, targeting ~25% market share,” Gopal Vittal, Executive Vice Chairman, Airtel, said.

Strategic partnerships with global investors and technology leaders are central to our growth roadmap, enabling us to accelerate expansion, harness world-class expertise, and deliver next-generation digital infrastructure solutions at scale. With strong market demand, we are committed to stepping up investments and strengthening India’s position as a leading data center hub.”

“We have built a strong partnership with Airtel and continue to believe Nxtra is well-positioned to benefit from India’s long-term digital infrastructure tailwinds. The company has made significant progress in expanding its capabilities, strengthening customer relationships and building a scalable platform, and we look forward to further working with Airtel and Nxtra’s management team to build the company into one of the largest datacenter players in India,” said Kapil Modi, Partner at Carlyle India Advisors.

Rick Gerson, Co-Founder & CIO, Alpha Wave Global, said,

“Alpha Wave has a particular focus on identifying and backing AI-first businesses including Anthropic, OpenAI, Cerebras, SpaceX, X.ai, Ramp, Cognition and Long Lake Management. We are excited to partner with Mr. Sunil Mittal and the Bharti Group  a franchise defined by outstanding leadership and a remarkable track record of executing at scale alongside institutional investors – as Nxtra scales to become India’s leading data center business.”

Navroz D. Udwadia, Co-Founder, Alpha Wave Global, added,

“India has an immense AI opportunity ahead of it  Indians already meaningfully interact with and on Chat GPT, Claude and other AI platforms. As such India is set to see its data center capacity grow meaningfully to keep up with hyperscaler and LLM demand.”

Headquartered in New Delhi, Nxtra operates 14 large core data centers and 120+ edge facilities across India, offering co-location, cloud infrastructure, managed hosting, data backup, disaster recovery, and edge computing services. It has a state-of-the-art facility in Pune and is developing additional AI-ready campuses in Chennai, Mumbai, and Kolkata. Nxtra has recently partnered with Google to build a gigawatt-scale AI data center campus, backed by a $15-billion investment.

Government Keeps Small Savings Scheme Interest Rates Steady for April-June 2026

New Delhi, March 30: The government on Monday announced that interest rates for various small savings schemes will remain unchanged for the eighth consecutive quarter, starting April 1, 2026. The decision covers popular schemes such as the Public Provident Fund (PPF), National Savings Certificate (NSC), and Sukanya Samriddhi Yojana (SSY).

A notification from the Finance Ministry stated that the interest rates for the first quarter of FY 2026-27 (April 1 to June 30, 2026) will stay the same as those applicable in the previous quarter (January-March 2026).

Key interest rates include:

• Sukanya Samriddhi Yojana (SSY): 8.2%
• Three-year term deposit: 7.1%
• Public Provident Fund (PPF): 7.1%
• Post Office Savings Deposit: 4%
• Kisan Vikas Patra (KVP): 7.5% with maturity in 115 months
• National Savings Certificate (NSC): 7.7%
• Monthly Income Scheme (MIS): 7.4%

The decision reflects the government’s focus on stability and predictability for small savers, providing a reliable avenue for long-term investment. These schemes continue to play a key role in encouraging financial discipline and savings among individuals, while offering safe returns amid broader economic fluctuations.

Experts note that keeping the rates unchanged benefits retirees, households, and risk-averse investors, who rely on these instruments for regular income and wealth accumulation.

With these measures, the government aims to maintain public confidence in small savings schemes and promote their continued use as a foundation of personal financial planning.

ZEISS India Strengthens R&D Focus by Appointing Sharath Sirivolu to Lead CARIn

Bengaluru,  Mar 31: ZEISS India, a pioneer of science in optics today announced the appointment of Sharath Sirivolu as the Head of Center for Applied Research in India (CARIn). This strategic appointment highlights the company’s commitment to strengthen its leadership to accelerate transformation through its dedicated research and development center in Bengaluru. 

 In this role, Sharath will report to Miguel Gonzalez Diaz, Managing Director, in India, and to Robin Schmidt, Head of Digital Health – MED segment, globally. He will also be a member of the India Leadership Team and a key partner in driving our culture and transformation agenda.

Santana Ramakrishnan, CHRO, ZEISS India shared,

 “Innovation is at the core of ZEISS India’s DNA by shaping how we continuously evolve to meet the needs of a rapidly advancing ecosystem. We are delighted to welcome Sharath to the team at a time when we are strengthening our focus on building a future-ready research ecosystem. His extensive experience in leading global R&D initiatives will be instrumental in advancing ZEISS India CARIn’s journey. We are confident that his leadership will further accelerate our vision while contributing meaningfully to ZEISS’ global growth ambitions.”

Sharath will be responsible for the building-blocks of the MED digital ecosystem, made in India. Supporting the MED segment across devices, platforms and applications, he will lead CARIn’s transformation into a world-class R&D organization, building on its strong foundations and further strengthening CARIn’s value proposition for the ZEISS MED segment globally and in India.

With over 25 years of experience, Sharath brings deep expertise in leading R&D across global organizations such as GE Healthcare and Schneider Electric. He has delivered innovative solutions across healthcare, energy, and industrial automation sectors, as well as driving large-scale technology initiatives and incubating early-stage ventures that enable strategic growth and organizational impact.

ZEISS India remains committed to building a culture rooted in strong values, nurturing future-ready skills, and creating meaningful pathways for growth, while fostering a workplace driven by purpose.

ZF Commercial Vehicle Control Systems India Limited Secures Another ADAS Business Nomination from an Indian CV OEM

Chennai, Mar 31: ZF continues to work on its ADAS roadmap for commercial vehicles. Driven by increasing demand from India’s leading OEMs and evolving regulatory requirements, ZF Commercial Vehicles is steadily investing in and delivering ADAS innovations tailored to the needs of the commercial transport industry.

In India, ZF Commercial Vehicle Control Systems India Limited (CVCS) has recently secured a business nomination from a new-age mobility OEM to develop and supply an Advanced Driver Assistance System (ADAS) suite for its upcoming bus platforms.

At the core of the awarded solution is ZF’s OnGuardMAX, the company’s most advanced driver assistance platform for commercial vehicles. It integrates a front camera, mid-range radar and an image processing module to enable Autonomous Emergency Braking (AEB) along with a broad suite of advanced driver assistance functions.

Complementing OnGuardMAX, ZF’s Short‑Range Radar (SRR) provides near‑field coverage on the sides and front of the vehicle, addressing critical blind spots to protect vulnerable road users (VRU). The latest SRR generation is engineered to support compliance with MOIS and BSIS requirements. SRRs can also interface with OnGuardMAX to deliver extended coverage – an especially valuable capability for large bus platforms.

“ADAS was and remains a strategic priority for ZF Commercial Vehicles in India. With a legacy of deep customer understanding and proven technological competence that make commercial transportation safer, smarter and more efficient, we also offer ADAS solutions that fit the specific driving conditions in India and at the same time have the backing of our global expertise.” said Paramjit Singh Chadha, Managing Director, ZF Commercial Vehicle Control Systems India Limited.

“We see a rapid acceleration in India in the adoption of advanced driver assistance technologies that enhance road safety and operational efficiency. ZF Commercial Vehicles Division offers made-to-fit market solutions that address the specific needs of leading and new-age e-mobility OEMs with the strength of ZF’s global engineering expertise and combining it with deep regional insights. This enables Indian OEMs in meeting rising safety expectations and preparing the industry for the next level of automation.” Akash Passey, Non-Executive Chairman, ZF Commercial Vehicle Control Systems India Limited & President – ZF Group India. 

Integrated Technology Highlights & Safety Benefits for India’s EV Buses

• OnGuardMAX multi-sensor fusion (camera + mid-range radar + image processing) enabling AEBS, LDWS and DDAW.
• Short-Range Radar (SRR) supports BSIS and MOIS requirements while enhancing VRUs protection. Up to three SRRs can be integrated to provide front and side blind spot coverage.
• EBS + ESC integration for precise, faster braking and improved vehicle stability, resulting in shorter stopping distances, controlled deceleration and better rollover resistance for EV platforms.
• Unified ADAS-braking-stability architecture delivers stronger collision avoidance performance, enhanced VRUs safety and improved stability across diverse operating conditions.
• Operational advantages include reduced accident exposure, optimized brake wear, lower downtime and more consistent route performance.
• India‑ready and regulation‑aligned fully compliant with GSR 184(E) requirements for AEBS, LDWS, DDAW, BSIS and MOIS, validated over 4,50,000 km and ARAI‑certified.
• Future‑ready and scalable, with platform architecture capable of supporting a comprehensive set of 16 advanced features which include key features AEBS, LDWS, DDAW, MOIS and BSIS. 

Program Scope & Roadmap

The business nomination covers system supply, vehicle integration, calibration and validation for bus platforms, with SOP targeted for Q1 2027. The architecture is scalable to SAE Level 2 and engineered to support future automation requirements.

ZF Commercial Vehicles continues to advance the development of Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) in India. ZF clarifies that the earlier press note referred specifically to the divestment of ADAS activities within ZF’s passenger car division. This divestment has no impact on ZF’s commitment to developing and supporting ADAS technologies for commercial vehicles.

ZF will continue its driver assistance and autonomous driving initiatives in the commercial vehicle sector with dedicated teams and governance fully retained within the Commercial Vehicle Solutions (CVS) division. These efforts span trucks, tippers, trailers, coaches and bus applications, bringing together global expertise with strong local validation capabilities to meet India-specific operating conditions.

ZF delivers ADAS solutions engineered to meet stringent current and future regulatory requirements. With globally proven reliability, inclusive system design and a strong commitment to road safety, ZF is helping drive India toward smarter, safer and more sustainable transportation – Redefining India’s Mobility 

IESA Hails Kaynes Semicon Inauguration as a Landmark in India’s Semiconductor Execution Journey

Viceroy Properties Launches ‘Brew on Wheels’ for Community-First Marketing

Mumbai, Mar 31: In a category where engagement is often limited to site visits and sales galleries, Viceroy Properties is reimagining how real estate brands enter new micro-markets. With the launch of “Brew on Wheels” on March 28th & 29th in Versova, the developer has introduced a refreshing, on-ground initiative that blends hospitality with hyperlocal brand-building.

 Conceptualized as a moving coffee experience, the Viceroy Coffee Truck travelled through key pockets of Versova, offering residents complimentary cups of coffee – simply as a gesture of appreciation for welcoming the brand into the neighbourhood. More than just a giveaway, the initiative was designed to spark organic conversations, create recall, and build familiarity within the community.

At a time when real estate marketing is increasingly digital-first, “Brew on Wheels” stands out for bringing back the power of physical, human interaction meeting residents where they are, in their everyday environments.

“At Viceroy Properties, we believe that entering a new neighbourhood goes beyond development—it’s about earning a place within the community,” said Cyrus Mody, Founder & CEO, Viceroy Properties. “Brew on Wheels is a simple yet meaningful way for us to say thank you to Versova, while beginning to build relationships that go far beyond real estate.”

The initiative also serves as a strategic extension of the brand’s presence in Versova, driving awareness and footfalls to its newly launched Experience Centre, while positioning Viceroy Properties as approachable, thoughtful, and community-first.

“Our approach to marketing is deeply human,” said Serena Paes, Head of Marketing, Viceroy Properties. “In a market cluttered with transactional messaging, we wanted to create something that feels personal and memorable. Brew on Wheels is about showing up in a way that’s warm, unexpected, and genuinely engaging because the strongest brands are built not just through visibility, but through how they make people feel.”

By merging experiential marketing with a neighbourhood-first mindset, Viceroy Properties continues to demonstrate how real estate brands can move beyond conventional outreach to create meaningful, lasting impressions one cup at a time.

Rupee Hits Record Low Beyond 95 Against Dollar; Sensex Plunges 1,635 Points

New Delhi: The final trading day of the financial year 2025–26 turned out to be highly unfavorable for both the currency and stock markets in India. The Indian rupee weakened sharply, crossing the 95 mark against the US dollar for the first time in history.

This means that more than ₹95 was required to purchase one US dollar during the day’s trading. The sharp depreciation reflects growing pressure on the domestic currency amid global and domestic uncertainties.

One of the key factors behind the decline is the ongoing geopolitical tension in the Middle East, which has now entered its fifth week. The conflict has pushed up global crude oil prices, increasing India’s import bill. At the same time, foreign investors have been pulling money out of Indian markets, adding further strain on both the rupee and equity markets.

As a result, concerns are rising over higher inflation and weakening financial stability in the country.

The rupee had already closed at a record low of 94.81 against the dollar last Friday. On the latest trading day, it opened stronger at 93.59 but quickly lost ground, slipping to as low as 95.20 during intra-day trade. However, possible intervention by the Reserve Bank of India helped the currency recover slightly, allowing it to settle at 94.83 by the end of the session.

To curb volatility, the central bank had recently tightened rules for banks dealing in foreign exchange. It capped their daily net open foreign exchange positions at $100 million and instructed compliance by April 10. While the move initially supported the rupee, the relief proved short-lived.

Meanwhile, the stock market also faced heavy selling pressure, with the Sensex tumbling 1,635 points, reflecting investor anxiety and capital outflows.

Overall, during the financial year 2025–26, the rupee has depreciated by around 11.4% against the US dollar—marking one of its steepest declines in over a decade.

Ultraviolette Adds to its Growing Network with Second Experience Centre in Kolkata

Kolkata, Mar 31: Ultraviolette Automotive recenty announced the launch of a new UV Space Station in Kolkata, a significant step in expanding its retail footprint across emerging mobility markets in India. The expansion follows a series of recent product and technology milestones, including the launch of the X-47 Crossover, UV Crossfade carbon-fibre helmet, and the company’s recently announced, ‘Battery Flex’ (BaaS) platform. This further emphasises Ultraviolette’s focus on building a comprehensive performance-driven electric mobility ecosystem. With this addition, the company further strengthens customer access to its performance electric motorcycles in Kolkata and reinforces its growing national presence.

The newly established UV Space Station, in partnership with dealer M/s. KGN Automobiles EV, will provide customers a comprehensive experience to explore Ultraviolette‘s performance motorcycles – the X-47 Crossover and F77s. The UV Space Station is designed to offer an immersive experience, including test ride opportunities, sales consultation, and access to a range of motorcycle accessories – all under one roof. The Experience Centre will display the company’s performance motorcycles, the X-47 and F77s. The products redefine electric performance with a powertrain boasting 40.2 hp and 100 Nm of torque, accelerating from 0 to 60 kph in just 2.8 seconds. Equipped with a 10.3 kWh battery, it boasts an IDC range of 323 kms on a single charge.

Commenting on the launch, Narayan Subramaniam, CEO & Co-founder at Ultraviolette, said, “Kolkata is a strategic market for us as we expand our national footprint. The launch of the UV Space Station in Kolkata, our second in the city, marks an important milestone as we strengthen our presence in Eastern India. It reflects a growing, aspirational audience that is increasingly aligned with performance, technology, and design in mobility. This expansion enables us to deepen our engagement with customers while making our products and brand experience more accessible. As Ultraviolette continues to scale across India, our focus remains on building a future-ready, high-quality network that supports the next generation of performance mobility while delivering a truly world-class ownership experience.” 

Built on Ultraviolette’s deep engineering and platform-led innovation, the X-47 Crossover is the world’s first electric motorcycle in its segment that offers radar as a standard, marking a decisive shift in how performance electric motorcycles are designed and experienced. The motorcycle features a rider-focused interface with a 5-inch TFT display, three distinct ride modes, long-travel suspension, and industry-first radial all-terrain tyres, delivering confidence, stability and control across varied riding conditions. 

Advanced safety and intelligence are delivered through Ultraviolette’s UV Radar Intelligence, powered by a 77 GHz rear radar and the UV HyperSense Advanced Rider Assistance System, enabling functions such as blind-spot monitoring, lane change assist, overtake alerts, and rear collision warnings. The X-47 also incorporates the world’s most power-dense air-cooled onboard charger, engineered, developed, and designed in-house by Ultraviolette, alongside an integrated dashcam system. This engineering-led approach has earned recognition across the automotive industry, including honours from leading automotive awards as EV Motorcycle of the Year, reinforcing Ultraviolette’s ambition to build globally competitive electric mobility solutions from India. 

In line with Ultraviolette’s commitment to making advanced electric mobility more accessible, the company recently introduced its ‘Battery Flex’ (BaaS), a flexible ownership model designed to lower entry barriers for performance electric motorcycles while providing customers with greater flexibility in battery usage and ownership. With this new initiative, customers can now own an Ultraviolette X-47 starting at just ₹1,49,000, while subscribing to the battery beginning at just ₹2499 per month. This model allows customers to pay for the bike chassis while financing the battery separately under a steady monthly subscription fee. The initiative further strengthens Ultraviolette’s ecosystem-led approach to accelerating EV adoption in India.

Address of the UV Space Station in Kolkata: 225/2, AJC Bose Road, Minto Park, Kolkata – 700020