Category Archives: Business

India Records Highest-Ever 200 Mineral Block Auctions in FY 2025–26

NEW DELHI, March 20: India has achieved a record milestone in its mineral sector with the successful auction of 200 mineral blocks during the financial year 2025–26, marking the highest number of auctions conducted in a single year.

According to the Ministry of Mines, the achievement reflects strong coordination between the Centre and states, as well as the growing maturity of the country’s auction-based mineral allocation system.

Of the total blocks auctioned, 123 are Mining Lease (ML) blocks and 77 are Composite Licence (CL) blocks, indicating a balanced approach between operational mining and exploration activities. In addition, tenders for 70 more blocks—38 ML and 32 CL—are currently underway.

Among states, Gujarat led with 32 blocks, followed by Rajasthan with 30 and Tamil Nadu with 22 blocks. Tamil Nadu conducted its first-ever mineral block auctions, while Uttarakhand entered the framework with the successful auction of its first magnesite block.

Limestone accounted for the largest share with 76 blocks, followed by iron ore (40 blocks) and bauxite (30 blocks), highlighting their importance for core industries.

The year also saw the auction of 22 critical mineral blocks, underlining a strategic push towards securing key resources. States including Rajasthan, Chhattisgarh, Odisha, Karnataka and Maharashtra played a significant role in offering these blocks.

The Ministry said the milestone underscores India’s commitment to building a transparent, efficient and future-ready mineral allocation framework to support long-term economic growth.

NICDC to Lead ‘BHAVYA’ Scheme for 100 Plug-and-Play Industrial Parks

NEW DELHI, March 20: The National Industrial Corridor Development Corporation (NICDC) will anchor the implementation of the ‘BHAVYA’ scheme aimed at developing 100 plug-and-play industrial parks across the country to boost manufacturing and investment.

The initiative, under the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT), Ministry of Commerce and Industry, will be executed as part of the National Industrial Corridor Development Programme (NICDP).

Under the scheme, industrial parks will be developed with pre-approved land, ready infrastructure and integrated services to facilitate ease of doing business. The parks will also feature streamlined approval systems, including single-window clearances, enabling faster establishment of industries.

Aligned with the PM GatiShakti National Master Plan, the parks will emphasise multimodal connectivity and efficient last-mile access. Infrastructure planning will include underground utilities and integrated systems to support reliable industrial operations.

Officials said the BHAVYA scheme builds on NICDC’s experience in developing industrial corridors and smart cities, with a focus on expanding industrial infrastructure and promoting balanced regional growth.

NICDC is currently implementing 20 projects across 13 states, including greenfield industrial smart cities designed to enhance manufacturing competitiveness, attract investments and generate employment. It is also serving as the project management agency for seven PM MITRA Parks under the Ministry of Textiles.

Existing industrial nodes developed by NICDC, such as Dholera, Shendra-Bidkin, Vikram Udyogpuri and Greater Noida, have demonstrated progress in integrated infrastructure development and investor-ready ecosystems.

These industrial smart cities incorporate plug-and-play facilities, multimodal logistics connectivity, digital monitoring systems and sustainable infrastructure, including green energy and water reuse mechanisms.

The government said the initiative is expected to further strengthen India’s manufacturing ecosystem, attract investments from MSMEs and large industries, and support long-term economic growth.

Coal Stocks Rise, Supply Measures Strengthen India’s Energy Security

NEW DELHI, March 20: Coal continues to play a critical role in ensuring India’s energy security, even as the country expands its renewable energy capacity, with production and stock levels remaining aligned with rising demand.

According to the Ministry of Coal, coal remains essential for providing reliable baseload power and supporting key industries such as steel and cement, which are central to economic growth.

Coal production is being maintained to match consumer demand, with adequate stocks being built up at mine sites. Officials said this has been supported by efficient transportation, particularly through the rail network.

At Coal India Limited, pithead coal stock has increased from 106.78 million tonnes (MT) as on April 1, 2025, to about 125.54 MT as of March 18, 2026. Additional stocks include around 5.75 MT at Singareni Collieries Company Limited mines, 15.75 MT at captive and commercial mines, about 12 MT in transit, and 5.49 MT at ports and sidings.

This is in addition to approximately 53.41 MT of coal available at thermal power plants, sufficient for nearly 23 days at current consumption levels.

To ensure steady supply to all consumer segments, including small and medium industries, Coal India Limited has scheduled 29 e-auctions in March 2026, offering about 23.56 MT of coal. Of these, five auctions conducted since March 12 have seen 31.96 lakh tonnes booked against 73.1 lakh tonnes offered.

The company is also facilitating coal supply through State Nominated Agencies (SNAs) and coordinating with state governments to meet additional requirements and prevent shortages.

Officials said the government remains committed to ensuring reliable coal availability through policy support, monitoring, and stakeholder coordination, with the aim of meeting growing energy needs and supporting the vision of a developed India by 2047.

Gas Supply Boost Lifts Urea Output by 23%, Strengthens Fertilizer Stocks Ahead of Kharif

NEW DELHI, March 20: The Government has increased natural gas supplies to urea plants, leading to a 23 per cent rise in domestic urea production and improving fertilizer availability ahead of the Kharif 2026 season.

Amid recent developments in West Asia, the Department of Fertilizers has implemented a multi-pronged strategy combining higher domestic production and global procurement to safeguard supplies for farmers.

Through bidding conducted by the Empowered Pool Management Committee (EPMC), the government secured an additional 7.31 MMSCMD of natural gas on a spot basis. This has raised total gas supply to urea plants from 32 MMSCMD to 39.31 MMSCMD.

With increased gas availability, domestic urea production is projected to rise from 54,500 metric tonnes per day to 67,000 metric tonnes per day. Gas supply now meets 76 per cent of the plants’ average requirement, compared to 62 per cent earlier.

Fertilizer stock levels have also improved significantly. Urea stocks currently stand at 61.14 lakh metric tonnes, up from 55.22 lakh metric tonnes in the same period last year.

Stocks of Di-Ammonium Phosphate (DAP) have more than doubled to 24.24 lakh metric tonnes, providing a strong buffer for the upcoming sowing season.

Officials said the measures are aimed at insulating Indian agriculture from global supply disruptions while ensuring adequate and timely fertilizer availability for farmers.

Rs.200-Crore Banana Cluster Approved for Jalgaon, Chouhan Urges Shift to Natural Farming

JALGAON (MAHARASHTRA), March 20: Shivraj Singh Chouhan on Thursday announced the approval of a ₹200-crore ‘Banana Cluster’ project in Jalgaon, aimed at strengthening agricultural infrastructure and enhancing farmers’ income.

Interacting with banana cultivators in Jalgaon on the occasion of Gudi Padwa, the minister reiterated the Centre’s commitment to the development of the agriculture and horticulture sectors. He described Jalgaon, part of the Khandesh region, as a key hub for banana production in the country.

The proposed cluster will include facilities such as Good Agricultural Practices (GAP), mechanisation, bio-control measures, fruit covering, pre-cooling units, cold storage, ripening chambers, refrigerated transport, processing, and export infrastructure. Financial support for these components will be provided under the Mission for Integrated Development of Horticulture and the Agriculture Infrastructure Fund.

Chouhan expressed concern over the disparity between farm-gate prices and retail prices in urban markets, noting that farmers often receive low returns while consumers pay significantly higher prices. He said both the Centre and state governments are working to develop mechanisms to ensure fair pricing for farmers.

Highlighting challenges in procuring perishable crops like bananas under the Minimum Support Price (MSP) system, the minister said the government is exploring alternative compensation models. These would provide financial support to farmers when market prices fall below cost or a pre-determined benchmark, similar to pilot initiatives undertaken for crops such as chillies and mangoes under the PM-AASHA.

The minister also raised concerns about the excessive use of chemical fertilisers and pesticides, warning that it is adversely affecting soil health and reducing organic carbon levels. He urged farmers to adopt natural farming practices, starting on a small scale, and expressed confidence that such methods can sustain productivity while improving soil quality.

Chouhan said a comprehensive roadmap will be prepared to address farmers’ concerns and suggestions. He added that efforts will be made to enhance the global recognition of Jalgaon’s bananas while ensuring long-term sustainability and prosperity for farmers.

JobElephant Recognized for Innovation in Job Advertising and Excellence in Client Success

SAN DIEGO, Calif. March 20, 2026 – JobElephant, a leading recruitment advertising technology company, has been named a finalist in two categories of The Digital Job Advertising Excellence Awards (DJAx Awards). The company earned recognition in the Excellence in Client Success and Support – Niche Job Advertiser category and the Innovation in Job Advertising – Supplier category, with winners to be announced on May 14 at the awards ceremony in London.

“Being named a finalist demonstrates how we’ve successfully balanced innovation with service excellence,” said Michael Ang, CEO of JobElephant. “These nominations reflect our commitment to delivering solutions that not only advance the industry but also drive measurable results for our clients.”

The DJAx Awards maintain rigorous judging standards that make finalist status a significant industry achievement. Each entry undergoes independent evaluation by at least three expert judges drawn from seasoned job board leaders, digital recruitment innovators, and senior industry practitioners who score submissions using consistent criteria and weighted scoring matrices. Judges work independently to prevent bias and cannot assess categories where they have existing business relationships with entrants. Only entries meeting minimum benchmark scores advance to the shortlist.

The Innovation recognition highlights JobElephant’s solutions that address the fragmentation of recruitment technology where job boards operate independently from applicant tracking systems, creating inefficiencies that cost organizations time, money, and top candidates. JobElephant introduced Surus for Applicant Tracking System (ATS) integration and JobStats, a real-time Business Intelligence (BI) dashboard that tracks performance from view to hire. JobStats connects Apptrkr and Surus data in Microsoft Power BI, giving customizable, shareable dashboards across recruiting teams. This technology provides transparency and end-to-end visibility into the hiring funnel, enabling clients to make informed advertising decisions.

The Excellence in Client Success nomination celebrates JobElephant’s customer success team. The team builds tailored media plans that leverage Horton®, JobElephant’s proprietary predictive analytics tool, to guide ad spend toward the highest-performing job boards and publications. This approach enables organizations to optimize their recruitment advertising investments while attracting diverse, qualified candidates across higher education, government, nonprofit, and healthcare sectors.

JobElephant continues to address recruitment technology fragmentation through innovative solutions and remains dedicated to helping clients achieve maximum ROI through its proprietary Horton® predictive analytics tool and personalized customer success approach.  

National Launch: Strategist Responds to Leadership Development Gap With New Framework

CARMEL, Ind., March 19, 2026 — Scott Abbott, four-time founder and CEO, investor, coach and bestselling author, today announced the national launch of The Leadership Development Experience with Scott Abbott, a high-impact leadership solution designed to help organizations build, run and scale great companies through stronger leaders.

“As business accelerates under the pressure of AI, shifting workforce expectations and economic volatility, many organizations are investing in tools — but underinvesting in leadership skills,” Abbott said, adding that his new offering addresses that gap directly.

The Leadership Development Experience is an integrated program that combines:

• A high-impact keynote: Moments to Momentum • Executive coaching and real-time strategic application • Ongoing leadership learning and development with the BOS-UP Moments book

“This is not just a speech or one-off training,” said Abbott. “It’s a structured leadership experience to create clarity, alignment and disciplined execution inside organizations.”

The program is built for performance-driven CEOs, executive teams, HR leaders and conference organizers seeking more than inspiration. It is designed to produce operational clarity, healthier accountability and measurable performance improvement.

Why Now

• Leadership capability is becoming a competitive advantage. • High performers expect growth, development and meaningful contribution. • Tools cannot replace judgment, clarity and disciplined execution. • Conferences and events are demanding actionable value — not generic inspiration.

The Leadership Development Experience with Scott Abbott is now available for conferences, corporate events and private organizational engagements nationwide.

For more information or booking inquiries, visit: www.leadwithscott.com.

AI Enabled S9 App from SIBY LOGISTICS to facilitate truck transport

KOCHI, KERALA/Mar 19 : Malayali entrepreneur comes up with disruptive online service in cargo transportation in India. The national launch of the Online S9 App by Siby Logistics, in collaboration with truck operators of the country was held in Kochi on 18th March 2026. Mr Siby M. Lukose, Managing Director, said that 10,000 trucks have already been made a part of this platform in three years. The company aims to become the digital backbone of India’s freight transport.
 

S9 App brings together customers, truck owners and drivers on a single digital platform to make freight transportation the fastest and the most transparent. The app has on-time delivery monitoring, tracking of Trucks and easy payment facility. 

SIBY LOGISTICS has built a trusted freight network for excellent customer service. Real time booking and advanced tracking systems are all beneficial for users and drivers alike. Developed with cutting-edge technology through artificial intelligence, S9 logistics app is available on Android play store & Apple app store.

The Siby Logistics S9 app, which starts operations from Kerala, will soon be rolled out across the country. Currently the company has office operations in 10 states (Kochi, Hyderabad, Bengaluru, Nagpur, Delhi, Visakhapatnam, Vijayawada, Coimbatore, Chennai and Pune).SIBY LOGISTICS mainly operates in the B2B category. They also have logistics partnerships with more than 20 leading companies.

Hundreds of trucks carrying goods ply daily from different parts of the country, to Kerala, as it is a prominent consumer state. These trucks return mostly empty. Through the S9 App, these trucks are made available to customers of Kerala at competitive rates. Mr. Siby added that the idea behind this digital app is to make the business of moving goods more customer-friendly.

Hailing from Kottayam, Siby M Lukose is also the founder of Siby Mining and Infrastructure, a leading controlled blasting specialist in the country. He is a mining engineer and had his higher education from Harvard Business School.

India’s Capital Surge: INR 1 Lakh Cr DeepTech Push, 6x Rise in Domestic Investment

New Delhi, Mar 19: At a time when India’s capital landscape is being reshaped by shifting global dynamics and rising domestic conviction, TiE Delhi-NCR hosted the second edition of Capital Connect 2026 atthe Leela Ambience, Gurugram. With 300+ curated participants, including investors, policymakers, family offices, LPs, global funds, regulators, and HNIs, the forum brought together the key drivers of capital in India. The discussions centred on capital allocation trends, deeptech opportunities, and the growing importance of domestic and sovereign capital in the innovation ecosystem.

 Featuring a strong lineup of leaders at the forefront of India’s capital and innovation ecosystem, the second edition included Manoj Mittal (CMD, Small Industries Development Bank of India); Shivkumar Kalyanaraman (CEO, Anusandhan National Research Foundation); Sanjeev Aggarwal (Co-Founder, Fundamentum Partnership & Helion Ventures); Mohit Dhawan (President, Hero Enterprises); Sudhir Rao (Senior Partner, Celesta Capital); Vikram Gupta (Founder & Managing Partner, IvyCap Ventures); Sandeep Sinha (Co-CEO & Co-Founder, Oister Global); Jyoti Sharma (Department of Science & Technology, Government of India); Padmaja Ruparel (Co-Founder, Indian Angel Network), among others.

Speaking on India’s evolving capital landscape, Shri Manoj Mittal, CMD, SIDBI, said,

“We are witnessing the foundations of India’s next growth era being laid, where domestic capital is not just participating, but leading. With a 6x rise in domestic capital since 2016 and transformative instruments like Fund of Funds 2.0, the ₹1 lakh crore RDI Fund, and targeted SME growth capital, the scale of ambition is unprecedented. Yet, to fully unlock this opportunity, the ecosystem must evolve in tandem. We need a significant expansion in AIFs, stronger and more capable incubators, and a robust talent pipeline to power the next wave of innovation. As AI, spacetech, deeptech, and defence emerge as defining sectors, this moment calls for coordinated action. This is more than momentum; it’s the beginning of India’s innovation-led growth decade.”

Capital Connect’s second edition brought together conversations that matter, from decoding where smart capital is flowing and how top investors are allocating in a shifting market, to exploring emerging sectors, new fund strategies, and the evolving role of family offices. The agenda delved into policy signals, institutional capital trends, and founder–investor alignment, offering a clear lens on how India’s investment landscape is being reshaped, and what it means for the road ahead.

Highlighting the role of institutional innovation in deeptech growth,Dr. Shivkumar Kalyanaraman- CEO, Anusandhan National Research Foundation (ANRF) said,

“ANRF is being built as a catalyst for India’s rise as a Research and Innovation powerhouse, creating the field where deep science discoveries happen, deep tech ideas emerge and these can to be funded and scaled via an ecosystem of investors. As a statutory body of the Government of India, ANRF is not just a grant-making institution but an institutional innovation designed to aggregate academia, industry, and startups with autonomy and neutrality.

Through a dual approach, early-stage de-risking and deep science, mission-mode programs and early translation funding via grants and patient capital deployment through mechanisms like the RDI fund to spark an asset class and ecosystem for research-intensive innovation financing, we are building a pipeline from deep science to investable opportunities. With mission-mode MAHA programs, translational initiatives such as ATRI centres, and catalytic partnerships contributing 10–20% of funding to create new non-government research institutions, what we have seen so far is only a trailer of what lies ahead,” he added.

A key highlight of the forum was the Exclusive Startup Showcase at Capital Connect 2026, featuring Talkfever, Olbrain, and Gabify. Three early-stage startups pitched to a curated room of active investors, including VCs, family offices, angel investors, and HNIs, followed by sharp Q&A and focused engagement. With curated introductions facilitated by TiE Delhi-NCR, the showcase enabled meaningful investor-startup connections and set the stage for potential growth partnerships.

Speaking on advancing India’s research and innovation landscape, Dr. Jyoti Sharma, Head – RDI Cell, Department of Science & Technology, GoI, said,

“The RDI Fund represents a significant step towards strengthening India’s deep technology ecosystem, with a proposed outlay of ₹1 lakh crore. It is designed to support high-risk, high-impact projects and to help de-risk early-stage and deep-tech investments that often face constraints in accessing capital. By providing support of up to 50% of project costs, the Fund aims to crowd in private investment and accelerate the progression of technologies from research to deployment. Early traction has been encouraging, with multiple projects at advanced stages of consideration and a strong pipeline under review.”

Capital Connect 2026 marked the unveiling of the GP Watchlist 2026, a curated recognition in partnership with Oister Global, honouring India’s most promising fund managers. Mitin Jain of India SME Fund has been announced as a honouree, building on last year’s cohort spanning deeptech, SaaS, and growth-stage investing.

Speaking on the significance of the platform, Geetika Dayal, Director General, TiE Delhi-NCR, said,

“Capital Connect 2026 reflects a clear shift in how capital is engaging with India’s innovation ecosystem, moving beyond short-term momentum to back long-term institutions, deeptech, and founders solving complex global problems. At a time when India is entering a decisive decade for innovation, such platforms enable meaningful dialogue between investors, policymakers, and founders.”

The event was supported by SIDBI and Khaitan & Co. Through curated discussions, investor-only sessions, and founder showcases, Capital Connect 2026 reinforced the expanding role of private capital in shaping India’s startup ecosystem.

Indigo Appoints Ilex Content Strategies as its Marketing and Communications Agency of Record

London, UK, March 19 – Indigo Telecom Group, a strategic partner for critical digital infrastructure, has appointed Ilex Content Strategies, a global B2B marketing and communications agency, as its marketing and communications agency of record. Ilex will support brand and messaging development, account-based marketing, content creation, internal communications, and Borderless PR as Indigo drives global growth.  

Indigo serves critical digital infrastructure providers, from hyperscalers, subsea networks, cloud and OTT players, carriers and fixed and mobile network providers.  It designs, deploys, supports and scales critical digital infrastructure through a unified global operating model that delivers consistency, control and assured performance across operations.

“Indigo has a proven model for delivering critical infrastructure right first time and at scale. As we accelerate our global growth, it’s essential that our story reflects the quality, maturity and operational excellence our customers experience every day,” said Michel Robert, CEO at Indigo. “Ilex understands complex, technical businesses and how to position them with clarity and confidence. Together, we will sharpen our messaging, strengthen our brand presence, and ensure Indigo is recognised not just for what we do, but for the strategic value we bring to hyperscalers, carriers and digital infrastructure leaders worldwide.”

Ilex will work closely with Indigo’s leadership team to undertake a brand and messaging refresh, undertake international media relations and support account-based marketing and sales enablement. Using its Borderless PR model, Ilex will ensure consistent messaging and maximum return on investment across priority markets, without the need for multiple local agencies.  

“Indigo Telecom plays an important role in the global digital infrastructure landscape, and communicating the scale and complexity of that work requires deep sector understanding,” said Lucia Barbato, CEO and Co-Founder at Ilex Content Strategies. “We’re proud to have been selected as Indigo’s agency of record and look forward to helping the business strengthen its market position, support sales and build momentum internationally.”

Founded in 2012, Ilex Content Strategies works with telecoms, cloud, cybersecurity, data centre and digital infrastructure organisations at key moments of growth, repositioning and market expansion. Its clients range from fast-growing regional specialists to billion-dollar global enterprises. It enables organisations to build credibility, visibility and sustained momentum through strategic communications that ultimately drives sales