23, Jan 2026
Silver Rally Calls for Tactical Allocation, Disciplined Entry: Tata Asset Management’s Tapan Patel
By: Tapan Patel, Fund Manager-Commodities at Tata Asset Management.
“While silver’s dual role as a precious and industrial metal positions it as a potent return enhancer, its historical volatility suggests that retail investors should approach the recent rally with caution. Rather than a core hedge, silver is currently best suited for tactical exposure or as a specialized component of a diversified portfolio.
The recent ‘premium-to-iNAV’ episode serves as a vital reminder: during high-demand phases, supply constraints and tariff threats can temporarily disconnect ETF prices from their underlying value. To mitigate this, investors should avoid chasing vertical moves and instead adopt a staggered, systematic entry to benefit from price averaging during inevitable consolidations.
For those already invested, the decision to hold or rebalance should be guided by the Gold/Silver ratio. As the ratio compresses toward the 50 mark—having retraced from the highs of 100 seen in 2025—investors might consider booking partial profits to reallocate into more stable assets like Gold ETFs, ensuring the portfolio remains aligned with their long-term risk appetite.”
- 0
- By Neel Achary
23, Jan 2026
Cadbury Bournville Elevates India’s Dark Chocolate Experience with Two New Orange Variants
Mondelez India, the makers of some of India’s most loved snacking brands, today announced the expansion of its Cadbury Bournville portfolio with the launch of two new variants: Bournville 50% Dark Chocolate with Orange and Bournville 70% Dark Chocolate with Orange.
This strategic portfolio expansion reflects India’s growing taste for premium dark chocolate, offering consumers an indulgent experience that balances cocoa intensity with the zestful notes of orange.
Combining the timeless pairing of citrus and cocoa, the new Cadbury Bournville Orange variants have been crafted to deliver a refined multi-sensory experience. The deep, rich character of premium cocoa harmonizes with bright orange undertones, creating a sophisticated treat for both emerging and seasoned dark chocolate enthusiasts. This launch underscores Mondelez India’s continued commitment to leading the premium snacking segment through meaningful innovation and consumer-centric offerings.
Excited about the launch, Nitin Saini, Vice President – Marketing, Mondelez India, said
“Since introducing dark chocolate to India in 2009, Bournville has shaped the category’s journey, witnessing remarkable growth in recent years. As dark chocolate continues to premiumize in India, we’re expanding the Bournville range with distinct cocoa intensities and flavor pairings that elevate indulgence. The new orange variants bring together our signature richness with the vibrancy of citrus, offering Indian consumers more sophisticated ways to experience dark chocolate.”
The New Range:
- Bournville 50% Dark Chocolate with Orange: An inviting introduction to dark chocolate, this variant blend smooth 50% cocoa with a refreshing hint of orange, perfect for those exploring the category.
- Bournville 70% Dark Chocolate with Orange: The first of its kind in Bournville’s 70% cocoa range, this variant offers an intense dark chocolate experience balanced by subtle orange notes, crafted for a more evolved palate.
23, Jan 2026
Axis Mutual Fund Introduces Axis BSE India Sector Leaders Index Fund
Chandigarh, Jan 23: Axis Mutual Fund, one of India’s leading asset management companies, launches its new fund offering Axis BSE India Sector Leaders Index Fund an open-ended Index Fund that invests in the constituents of BSE India Sector Leaders Index. The NFO will open for subscription on January 23, 2026 and close on 06 February, 2026. The fund will be managed by Karthik Kumar (Fund Manager). The minimum investment amount is ₹100. The fund aims to provide long-term wealth creation solution to investors.
The new fund is designed to offer investors a prudent way to gain broad market exposure to India’s leading companies across 21 sectors from the BSE 500 Index. The constituents of the fund will include the top three companies based on average six month daily total market capitalisation from each of the 21 sectors represented in the BSE 500 Index. This gives the investors an access to established market leaders in their domain across the Indian economy. The fund helps investors contribute to not only the dominant sectors in the index but also niche growing sectors of the economy
Speaking on the launch, B. Gopkumar, MD & CEO, Axis AMC said,
“As markets evolve, investors are seeking innovative investment solutions. At Axis Mutual Fund, we believe that companies who lead their segments, tend to showcase strong fundamentals and resilience. The Axis BSE India Sector Leaders Index Fund provides access to sector-leading and dependable companies in their own field through a diversified framework. We believe, this fund will allow investors to participate in India’s growth-led economy and future.”
Key attributes of the fund:
- Allocation to sector leaders: The fund is designed for investors who seek broad market exposure to established leaders across sectors. Drawing from the BSE 500 Index, it will invest in top three companies from each of the 21 sectors. The sectors in this index include financial services, information technology, industrials, commodities, FMCG, healthcare, among others.
- Index Composition: The fund offers diversified exposure across large, mid, and small caps, preventing concentration risk and providing weightage, regardless of the size of the sector. It will be reconstituted on a semi-annual basis which allows the portfolio to be periodically rebalanced.
- Balanced Risk: The index is subject to minimum stock weight of 1% and maximum stock weight of 5% that are rest quarterly.
Commenting on the Ashish Gupta, CIO, Axis AMC said,
“The methodology for the Axis BSE India Sector Leaders Index Fund is designed in a way that its base universe, captures companies across the breadth of the Indian Market. By systemically identifying leading companies within each sector, the fund seeks to provide investors with a diversified exposure to established businesses through a transparent and rules-based passive approach.”
23, Jan 2026
Saatvik Green Energy Subsidiary Wins INR 10.15 Cr Solar Module Order
Saatvik Green Energy’s Subsidiary Secures ₹10.15 Crore Solar Module Order, Strengthening Position in India’s Solar Manufacturing Market
Chandigarh, Jan 23: Saatvik Green Energy Limited today announced that its material subsidiary, Saatvik Solar Industries Private Limited, has received and accepted orders aggregating ₹10.15 crore from a reputed power EPC player for the supply of solar photovoltaic (PV) modules. The orders are scheduled to be executed by February 2026.
The order win highlights the growing preference for Saatvik Solar’s world-class manufacturing capabilities among leading industry players. It further reinforces the company’s strong position in India’s rapidly expanding solar manufacturing ecosystem, reflecting continued customer confidence in Saatvik’s product quality, advanced technology, and reliable execution capabilities.
Commenting on the development, Mr. Prashant Mathur, CEO, Saatvik Green Energy Limited, said,
“These orders underscore the sustained demand for high-quality and reliable solar modules, while reaffirming the trust customers place in Saatvik’s manufacturing capabilities. As India accelerates its clean energy transition, we remain committed to delivering efficient, future-ready solar solutions and strengthening domestic manufacturing in line with the Make in India vision.”
The latest order adds to Saatvik Green Energy’s strong momentum over recent months. The company has achieved several significant milestones, including its material subsidiary securing a ₹13.80 crore solar PV module supply order from a renowned IPP/EPC player, scheduled for execution by February 2026. Additionally, its subsidiary Saatvik Cleantech EPC Private Limited won a ₹20.84 crore turnkey solar EPC order, alongside securing a substantial ₹486 crore solar module order from a leading IPP/EPC player. The company has also received solar pump orders aggregating approximately ₹30.24 crore from MSEDCL under the PM-KUSUM scheme.
On the manufacturing front, Saatvik recently commissioned a 2 GW in-house EPE film manufacturing facility, further strengthening vertical integration and reinforcing its leadership in India’s solar manufacturing landscape under the Make in India initiative.
22, Jan 2026
India’s Housing Market Normalises in 2025 as Sales Dip but Prices Stay Firm: PropTiger
India’s residential real estate market entered a phase of measured normalisation in calendar year 2025, with housing demand moderating gradually while prices remained resilient, according to Real Insight – Residential CY 2025, the annual housing market report released by PropTiger.com.
Across the top eight cities, all-India residential sales declined 12% year-on-year to 3,86,365 units in 2025, compared to 4,36,992 units in 2024, marking the lowest annual sales volume since 2022.
In the fourth quarter of 2025 (Q4 2025), housing sales fell 10% year-on-year and 0.5% quarter-on-quarter to 95,049 units—the lowest quarterly sales recorded since Q2 2023. Quarterly sales during 2025 moderated steadily from 98,095 units in Q1 to 95,049 units in Q4, indicating a re-timing of demand rather than a structural contraction.
Commenting on the trend, Mr. Onkar Shetye, Executive Director, Aurum PropTech, said,
“2025 was not a year of demand destruction, but one of recalibration. Buyers remained active but more deliberate, while developers responded with disciplined supply management. This prevented inventory stress and helped prices remain resilient despite softer volumes.”
The slowdown was most pronounced during Q2 2025, which emerged as the weakest quarter for new supply due to seasonal factors and heightened buyer caution. However, deferred demand was steadily absorbed in the second half of the year, particularly across southern markets.
City-wise Performance Highlights
City-level divergence widened through the year. Hyderabad and Chennai emerged as consistent outperformers, registering sustained quarterly and annual growth. Mumbai and Bengaluru showed volatility during the year but closed 2025 on a firmer footing. Delhi NCR remained the only major market to record year-on-year sales declines across all four quarters, reflecting prolonged consolidation.
Supply Trends
Total new housing supply across the eight cities declined 6% year-on-year to 3,61,096 units in 2025, compared to 3,85,221 units in 2024 the lowest annual supply recorded since 2021.
In Q4 2025, however, new launches rose 4% year-on-year and 0.2% quarter-on-quarter to 92,007 units, signalling cautious supply reactivation by developers.
Despite moderated sales volumes, residential prices continued to firm up across key markets. Limited ready inventory, elevated construction costs, and calibrated supply additions enabled developers to maintain pricing discipline, with minimal reliance on aggressive discounting.
“The housing market is transitioning into a more mature, execution-led phase,” added Mr. Shetye. “Growth in 2026 is likely to be driven by affordability, infrastructure-led micro-markets, and city-specific fundamentals rather than broad-based acceleration.”
22, Jan 2026
Vedanta ESOPs Create INR 2,500 Crores in Employee Wealth Over 5 Years, Empowering Freshers and Young Professionals
New Delhi, Jan 22: Vedanta Limited (NSE: VEDL), India’s leading metals, oil & gas, critical minerals, power, and technology conglomerate, has generated a cumulative financial impact of nearly ₹2,500 crores for employees through sustained Employee Stock Option (ESOP) grants over the past five years. The most recent ESOP 2025 cycle, worth over ₹500 crores, has empowered nearly 1,200 first-time recipients, including freshers, highlighting one of India’s most inclusive and broad-based wealth creation initiatives.
Vedanta’s ESOP program covers nearly 40% of its workforce across plants, functions, and career levels, making it one of the most inclusive schemes in the country. For more than 20 years, ESOPs have been a core part of Vedanta’s culture, extending grants even to freshers and early-career professionals—eligible for allocations worth up to 30% of fixed pay over a standard three-year vesting period. This makes Vedanta one of the few conglomerates in India offering equity ownership from the start of a career.
A key differentiator of Vedanta’s ESOP structure is that shares are allotted at a deeply discounted price of Re 1, reinforcing the company’s commitment to shared ownership and long-term value creation. With Vedanta’s shares reaching all-time highs, ESOPs have enabled employees to achieve significant milestones such as buying homes, funding higher education, purchasing vehicles, supporting family needs, and building long-term savings.
Employee Stories Highlight Impact
-
Neeraj Kumar, Manager, Smelting Operations, Hindustan Zinc, shared,
“When my family was registering our home in Patna, my ESOPs became our biggest support. Granted three years ago, they vested at the perfect time as Vedanta’s share price hit record highs. It allowed me to support my family and made my father immensely proud. Very few organisations offer such inclusive wealth-creation opportunities for middle management.” -
S M Rahaman Kasim, Associate GM, Quality Management, BALCO, Vedanta Aluminium, said,
“Vedanta ESOPs gave me the confidence to fund my children’s education—one son pursuing MBBS in Russia, the other studying in Guwahati—without financial stress.” -
Nilesh Bhor, Associate Manager, Finance, Sterlite Copper, added,
“When my father’s car met with an accident and insurance was rejected, my ESOP savings helped us manage the situation with dignity. It was truly a lifeline for my family.”
The recent ESOP 2022 vesting cycle delivered over 80% share value appreciation, generating more than ₹300 crores in wealth for employees, demonstrating the strong link between Vedanta’s performance and employee rewards.
Vedanta Chairman Anil Agarwal’s vision underpins this approach—empowering employees, accelerating career progression, and creating equitable financial opportunities, particularly for young professionals and women. The program also rewards contributions in areas critical to Vedanta’s future, including automation, digitalisation, AI-driven innovation, operational excellence, and sustainability.
By placing equity ownership in the hands of engineers, young professionals, plant teams, and middle management, Vedanta is reshaping compensation norms in Indian manufacturing. This democratization of wealth creation ensures that employees directly benefit from the value they help generate, reinforcing Vedanta’s commitment to shared success and long-term growth.
22, Jan 2026
Vergo Makes National Debut on Zee TV’s IdeaBaaz, Flags the Productivity Cost of Poor Seating in India
New Delhi, Jan 22: Ergonomic furniture startup Vergo made its national television debut on Zee TV’s IdeaBaaz, the reality show featuring India’s most disruptive startups, by drawing attention to one of the most overlooked workplace health challenges—prolonged sitting and poor seating ergonomics.
During the episode, Vergo highlighted the hidden costs associated with traditional office seating. Studies cited revealed that over 56% of Indian office workers sit for more than eight hours daily, while musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) impact nearly 72% of IT professionals, leading to absenteeism rates almost three times higher than in ergonomically optimised workplaces. Research further indicates that Indian businesses lose over ₹8,500 crore annually due to productivity losses linked to poor seating, while poor sleep alone costs organisations ₹2.1 lakh per employee per year. For every 100 employees using suboptimal seating, losses can reach ₹28 lakh annually due to reduced productivity, absenteeism, and healthcare expenses.
The founder explained that most conventional chairs are designed around static postures, restricting natural spinal movement and causing back, neck, and shoulder discomfort within minutes. According to studies, 68% of office workers report lower back pain, 52% experience neck pain, and 45% suffer shoulder pain—largely attributed to rigid backrests and fixed lumbar support that prevent essential micro-movements.
Vergo’s approach centres on adaptive seating that responds to individual body movement rather than forcing the user to adapt to the chair. Active seating solutions that support dynamic posture have been shown to improve body engagement and reduce attention-task errors by 20%. However, 77% of Indian offices continue to rely on static seating. The brand showcased three key solutions: adjustable ergonomic chairs, active stools that encourage movement, and dynamic chairs using springs or elastomers to absorb and return force—making extended sitting healthier and more productive.
Harsh Wadhwani, Founder, Vergo, said,
“People tend to normalise discomfort because the damage occurs gradually. Once individuals experience seating that supports natural movement, their expectations shift permanently. Our mission is to make ergonomics preventive rather than reactive. Chairs are not merely furniture—they are tools for health, productivity, and long-term well-being.”
The episode also addressed the broader challenge of ergonomic adoption in India. Despite 68% of employees reporting musculoskeletal pain and more than half sitting over eight hours daily, workplace seating remains underinvested due to cost sensitivity and limited awareness. Research shows that organisations save ₹289 in healthcare costs and ₹241 in absenteeism for every rupee invested in workplace wellness, demonstrating a strong return on investment.
Vergo challenged the misconception that ergonomics is a luxury, illustrating how poor seating contributes to stress, fatigue, and reduced efficiency. The founder explained how design innovations—such as a 120-degree anterior hip tilt, split-seat pans, elastomer lumbar ribs, and dynamic armrests and footrests—can reduce gluteal pressure by up to 30%, support natural spinal alignment, and promote healthy micro-movements.
Vergo’s appearance on IdeaBaaz resonate strongly with viewers, reflecting a growing shift among younger professionals who increasingly view ergonomic seating as a long-term investment in health, comfort, and productivity.
22, Jan 2026
Fibe Extends Consumer Credit to E-commerce, Partners with Flipkart
Pune, Jan 22: Fibe, has forayed into the consumer lending space for e-commerce through a strategic partnership with Flipkart, India’s homegrown e-commerce marketplace. Through this integration, Fibe’s Buy Now, Pay Later (BNPL) solution is now live on Flipkart, enabling its customers to access a convenient checkout finance option.
As India’s digital commerce ecosystem continues to evolve, affordability remains a key driver of online purchase behaviour. Through this partnership, Fibe is extending its credit solutions to e-commerce to solve this. The integration of BNPL directly at checkout is designed to provide digitally savvy shoppers with financial flexibility. With Flipkart’s scale and deep reach across customer segments, the partnership brings Fibe’s credit solutions to a wider base of online shoppers.
Whether it is upgrading gadgets, buying gifts for loved ones, or finally making a long-awaited big-ticket purchase, Fibe’s credit offering ensures a smooth shopping experience. It enables users to convert their purchases into simple repayment plans
“This partnership allows us to integrate our consumer financing offering into an e-commerce checkout experience. Working with Flipkart aligns with our focus on building technology-led credit solutions for everyday use cases,” said Akshay Mehrotra, MD & Group CEO, Fibe.
Commenting on the partnership, Nishant Kurup, Vice President, Fintech, Flipkart Group, said,
“Flipkart is committed to expanding access to convenient and affordable purchase options for customers across India. Our partnership with Fibe enhances the financing choices available at checkout, supporting shoppers, including mobile-first and value-conscious customers, in planning their purchases with confidence. By integrating flexible credit solutions into the payment journey, we continue to simplify online shopping.”
Fibe has been offering BNPL solutions across essential use cases such as healthcare and education/upskilling and is now extending this capability to the e-commerce space as part of its broader consumer financing offerings.
This collaboration will allow eligible users to avail credit approval during checkout, with minimal documentation and no hidden charges. Eligible consumers will be able to convert cart value of up to ₹1 lac into EMIs and repay over tenures ranging from 3 to 12 months. The credit journey is 100% digital offering eligible users a seamless checkout experience.
With this integration, Fibe continues to deepen its distribution across digital channels.
22, Jan 2026
Equity Infusion of Rs.5000 crore in SIDBI by Government of India
Today, the Union Cabinet chaired by the Hon’ble Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi has accorded approval for an equity infusion of INR 5,000 crore in three tranches (`3,000 crore in FY2026, `1,000 crore each in FY27 and FY28), aimed at significantly enhancing the flow of affordable and timely credit to India’s vast Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME) sector.
In the recent years, SIDBI has expanded its operations rapidly and its balance sheet as on September 30, 2025 crossed `5.8 lakh crore. SIDBI has opened 65 branches in the last two FYs and its present branch network is 161 branches covering 195 identified major MSME clusters by MoMSME, GoI.
The equity infusion is expected to significantly scale up SIDBI’s ability to serve MSMEs across the country by further reaching out to all major MSME clusters. The equity support will be leveraged by the Bank to scale its business further through expansion of its branch network, introduction of more innovative digital products for working capital, invoice discounting, specialized products for defence sector, machinery loans, etc., SIDBI shall also scale up its efforts in ecosystem development. Further, theme-based refinance support, co-lending with NBFCs and RRBs, equity support at incubation and Pre-IPO stage as well as anchor investments will also be scaled up.
Shri Manoj Mittal, CMD, SIDBI stated that
“I would like to sincerely thank the Government of India for reposing its trust in SIDBI. I am confident that SIDBI shall play a significant role in empowering the MSME sector as truly identified as a growth engine of the nation to achieve the goals under Viksit Bharat, 2047”.
The Bank would also enhance formalization process of Informal Micro Enterprises (IMEs) and support ecosystem development through energy efficient and cluster interventions in the form of financing as well as outreach programs with industry associations.
22, Jan 2026
Nirala World to Develop 2 Lakh Sq. Ft. of Office Space in Sector 154, Noida Expressway
The total development cost of Nirala 154 is estimated at 80 crore, reflecting the group’s commitment to creating a state-of-the-art office destination. Scheduled for completion on January 2028 Nirala 154 is poised to become a landmark address offering modern workplaces designed for efficiency, sustainability
Suresh Garg, CMD of Nirala World, said, ‘This will be our second commercial project in the Noida–Greater Noida region, marking another milestone in our expansion strategy. The project is being developed on a pure leasing model, which ensures long-term value creation for both the company and our stakeholders. Once operational, it is expected to generate a lease rental value of approximately ₹ 1.5 to 2 crore monthly, reaffirming our confidence in the region’s real estate growth potential. With this initiative, Nirala World aims to offer world-class commercial spaces designed to meet the evolving needs of modern businesses.
Nirala World features two residential projects: Nirala Estate, a fully delivered development with 4,050 units across 25 acres in Greater Noida West, The project has 2-4 BHK apartments and amenities like a 40,000 sq. ft. clubhouse. Nirala Trio, Sector-2, Greater Noida west under construction on 3.4 acres land with 378 units of 3 BHK and 3 BHK + Servent room homes. Trio will be completed till this year end. The group’s commercial project, Nirala Gateway, offers retail, offices, and studios on 2.5 acres. The group also plans to launch another commercial project Nirala Diadem in sector 10 Greater Noida West.
Nirala World also holds ISO 9001, ISO 14001, and ISO 45001 certifications, recognising its quality management, environmental sustainability, and occupational health & safety standards.
