Category Archives: Business

Signature Global Secures ISO Certification for Risk Management Excellence

Air India Achieves GDP Certification for Cargo, Elevating Pharma Logistics

Chandigarh 25 April 2025: Air India, India’s leading global airline, has been awarded the Good Distribution Practices (GDP) certification for its Cargo business, reinforcing its commitment to delivering world-class logistics solutions for pharmaceutical products.

Air India is the first and only Indian carrier, and among a few in Asia, to have achieved this global standard for excellence in handling, storage, and transportation of time and temperature-sensitive pharmaceutical shipments.

The GDP certification validates Air India’s compliance with international guidelines for the safe and secure distribution of pharmaceuticals. In the financial year 2024-25, Air India transported over 4,000 tonnes of pharmaceuticals across the globe.

“India is one of the world’s key exporters of pharmaceutical products, demanding specialised logistics and precision for their transportation to other parts of the world. This certification provides a shot in the arm to our expertise and capabilities in this specialised space of logistics, assuring partners globally that we are fully equipped to safeguard the integrity of every shipment,” said Ramesh Mamidala, Head of Cargo, Air India.

In its domestic route network, Air India’s GDP-certified stations include major cargo hubs in Delhi, Mumbai, Hyderabad, Bangalore, Chennai, Ahmedabad, Indore, and Goa. Internationally, the certificate covers major gateways like New York (JFK), Newark (EWR), Chicago, London Heathrow, Frankfurt, Paris, and Amsterdam – ensuring seamless connectivity for pharmaceutical shipments both within India and globally.

Strengthening its ability to transport vaccines, biologics, and other high-value medical goods, Air India has made significant investments in enhancing its pharmaceutical handling capabilities, including:

• Partnering with GDP or CEIV-certified Cargo Terminal Operators at key airports
• Joining hands with container solution providers offering both active and passive temperature-controlled solutions
• Specialised trainings for cargo staff on IATA’s Temperature Control Regulations (TCR)
• Procurement of essential equipment and tools such as thermal blankets and the introduction of a cool dolly at Delhi airport to minimise temperature deviations
• Robust Quality Systems: End-to-end documentation and monitoring processes to guarantee traceability and compliance with global standards.

Air India’s GDP certification was awarded following a rigorous audit that included checks for quality manuals for pharmaceuticals, temperature-controlled warehouse and equipment, change control systems, documentation systems and processes, Corrective and Preventive Actions (CAPA) protocols, hygiene, safety and environment, as well as several assessments for risks and deviation management, etc.

With a fast-modernising fleet and expanding global connectivity, Air India is poised to meet the evolving needs of the pharmaceutical sector while contributing to India’s ambition to become a leading air cargo hub.

Adfluence Hub: Enabling data led influencer marketing solutions for brands/agencies

New Delhi, With the world shifting to a digital first space, successful marketing campaigns demand strategies and insights backed by data and this is where Adfluence steps in. Adfluence is an influencer marketing platform that supports brands by enabling them to make decisions backed by data at every stage of their influencer marketing journey. It simplifies campaign planning and tracking while giving valuable insights into industry trends and competitor strategies so as to create more effective marketing plans.

The platform offers a comprehensive suite of features, guiding brands through every stage of an influencer campaign. As a platform, it is your one stop destination for all your influencer marketing needs including SOV of your brand, competitor influencer strategy analysis and insights.  Adfluence Hub’s AI-powered video quality control (QC) ensures that content is interesting enough to keep viewers engaged while also assisting in maintaining brand consistency. Its data analytics features offer insightful information on campaign performance, audience engagement, and overall impact which in turn helps you scale efficiently.

“At Adfluence Hub, we bridge the gap between creativity and data-driven marketing,” said Amev Burman, Co-founder, Adfluence Hub. “Our platform enables brands to connect with their audiences more effectively, making influencer marketing seamless and effective.”

Adfluence Hub goes way beyond the realm of influencer discovery, while it is  just a small part of what we do, our true potential lies in providing data backed insights at the Industry, Product and Influencer level. By researching market competition and presenting trend based analysis, we empower brands to make a well-informed decision rather than offering just a hit and trial approach. With the help of our platform, companies can work with creators that genuinely understand and share their values and target demographic.This increases the campaigns’ efficacy and helps in channelising a marketer’s focus on building enduring relationships rather than managing complex initiatives.

Adfluence Hub’s Managed Services for the platform provide comprehensive, end-to-end support for brands in planning and executing successful campaigns.

For influencers, Adfluence Hub is an opportunity to partner with top brands and create impactful content hassle-free. With an intuitive interface and powerful features, it is the go-to resource for both influencers and marketing professionals.

Adfluence Hub empowers businesses of all sizes, whether established brands or emerging startups, to navigate the evolving digital landscape with confidence and success.

IEX Reports Audited Financial Results for FY and Q4 Ending March 31, 2025

Mumbai, THURSDAY, 25 APRIL 2025: Key highlights of the audited financial results for the financial year and fourth quarter ending March 31, 2025, as declared by the Company on 24^th April 2025, are listed below:

FY’25

• Highest ever traded electricity volume of 121 BUs in FY’25, increase of 18.7% YoY

• 178 lac RECs traded during FY’25, increase of 136.3%. Highest ever RECs traded in a financial year.
• Consolidated Revenue in FY’25 increased 19.3% YoY to INR 657.4 Cr from INR 550.8 Cr in FY’24
• Consolidated PAT in FY’25 increased 22.3% YoY to INR 429.2 Cr from INR 350.8 Cr in FY’24
• For FY’25 Standalone PAT increased 21.4% to Rs.414.6 Cr. from Rs. 341.4 Cr in FY’24.

Q4FY’25

• Highest ever quarterly traded electricity volume of 31.7 BU in Q4FY’25, increase of 18.1% YoY
• 68 lac RECs traded during Q4FY’25, increase of 108%. Highest ever RECs traded in a quarter
• Consolidated Revenue in Q4FY’25 increased 17.0% YoY to INR 174.6 Cr from INR 149.3 Cr in Q4 FY’24.
• Consolidated PAT in Q4FY’25 increased 21.1% YoY to INR 117.1 Cr from INR 96.7 Cr in Q4 FY’24.
• Standalone PAT in Q4 FY’25 increased 17.8% to INR 112 Cr from INR 95.1 Cr in Q4 FY’24.

POWER SECTOR UPDATE

On the power sector front, according to government data, India’s electricity consumption in FY’25 reached 1,694 BUs, representing a 4.4% increase on a year-on-year basis. Given the increase in demand, the Ministry of Power took proactive measures throughout the year to enhance power supply like extending the directive for imported coal-based power plants to operate at full capacity, sale of surplus un-requisitioned power on power exchanges, ensuring the availability of gas-based plants and higher availability of generating units to meet peak demand.

On the fuel side, during FY’25, India’s coal production increased by 5%YoY to reach around 1,048 million tonnes and coal dispatch to the power sector increased by 5.9% YoY to 843 million tonnes. The coal premium under Shakti B8 action has come down to around 10%. Coal inventory on 31^st March 2025 stood at nearly 23 days, the highest since 2021.

Overall, the fuel situation has remained stable throughout FY’25. This improved supply scenario resulted in increased sell liquidity at IEX, despite an increase in the country’s energy demand in FY’25. The sell liquidity in the DAM segment increased by 36% on a year-on-year basis, thereby keeping power prices competitive on the exchange. For FY25, the market clearing price in the Day Ahead Market was at Rs. 4.47/unit, as compared to Rs 5.24/unit in FY’24, marking a decline of 14.7% YoY.

On the gas market front, IGX traded highest ever gas volumes of 60 million MMBtu in FY’25, a growth of 47% YoY. The profit after tax for IGX increased 34.3% from INR 23 crores in FY’24 to INR 31 crores in FY’25.

In Q4FY’25, IGX traded a total volume of 20.2 million MMBtu as compared to 8.7 million MMBtu in Q4FY’24, a growth of 132% YoY. The profit after tax for IGX for Q4FY’25 came in at INR 8.9 Cr, compared with INR 4.4 Cr in Q4 FY’24, a growth of 102.9% YoY.

During FY’25, our wholly owned subsidiary International Carbon Exchange (ICX) became accredited as India’s first International Renewable Energy Certificate (I-REC) issuer. Over the last 7 months, a total of 59.27 lakh I-RECs were issued by ICX.

For FY’25 ICX made revenues of INR 3.41 crores compared with INR 32 lakh at the end of FY’24, a growth of 964% YoY.

Ather Energy Limited: IPO Opens on Monday, April 28, 2025

Chandigarh, April 25, 2025: Ather Energy Limited proposes to open an initial public offering  of its equity shares of face value of ₹1 each (“Equity Shares”) on Monday, April 28, 2025. The Anchor Investor Bidding Date is one Working Day prior to Bid/Offer Opening Date, being Friday, April 25, 2025. The Bid/ Offer Closing Date is Wednesday, April 30, 2025.

The Price Band of the Offer has been fixed from ₹ 304 per Equity Share to ₹ 321 per Equity Share. Bids can be made for a minimum of 46 Equity Shares and multiples of 46 Equity Shares thereafter.

The initial public offering comprises a Fresh Issue of Equity Shares aggregating up to ₹26,260 million (the “Fresh Issue”) and an Offer for Sale of up to 11,051,746 Equity Shares by the Selling Shareholders comprising up to 980,000 equity shares by Tarun Sanjay Mehta, up to 980,000 equity shares by Swapnil Babanlal Jain (together the “Promoter Selling Shareholders”), up to 6,003,460 equity shares by Caladium Investment Pte Ltd, up to 2,634,514 equity shares by National Investment and Infrastructure Fund II, up to 400,000 equity shares by Internet Fund III Pte. Ltd., up to 31,050 equity shares by IITM Incubation Cell, up to 4,191 equity shares by IITMS Rural Technology and Business Incubator (together the “Corporate Selling Shareholders”) and up to 18,531 equity shares by Amit Bhatia ( “Individual Selling Shareholder”)

The Offer includes a reservation of up to 100,000 Equity Shares of face value of ₹1 each, for subscription by Eligible Employees (the “Employee Reservation Portion”). The Offer less the Employee Reservation Portion is hereinafter referred to as the “Net Offer”. A discount of ₹ 30 per Equity Share is being offered to Eligible Employees bidding in the Employee Reservation Portion (“Employee Discount”).

The Offer is being made in terms of Rule 19(2)(b) of the SCRR read with Regulation 31 of the SEBI ICDR Regulations. The Offer is being made through the Book Building Process in accordance with Regulation 6(2) of the SEBI ICDR Regulations wherein in terms of Regulation 32(2) of the SEBI ICDR Regulations, not less than 75% of the Net Offer shall be available for allocation on a proportionate basis to Qualified Institutional Buyers (“QIBs”, and such portion, the “QIB Portion”) provided that our Company in consultation with the BRLMs, may allocate up to 60% of the QIB Portion to Anchor Investors on a discretionary basis in accordance with the SEBI ICDR Regulations, of which at least one-third shall be available for allocation to domestic Mutual Funds, subject to valid Bids being received from domestic Mutual Funds at or above the Anchor Investor Allocation Price.

In the event of under-subscription or non-allocation in the Anchor Investor Portion, the balance Equity Shares shall be added to the Net QIB Portion.

Further, 5% of the Net QIB Portion shall be available for allocation on a proportionate basis only to Mutual Funds and the remainder of the Net QIB Portion shall be available for allocation on a proportionate basis to all QIB Bidders (other than Anchor Investors) including Mutual Funds, subject to valid Bids being received at or above the Offer Price.

However, if the aggregate demand from Mutual Funds is less than 5% of the QIB Portion, the balance Equity Shares available for allocation in the Mutual Fund Portion will be added to the remaining QIB Portion for proportionate allocation to QIBs.

Further, not more than 15% of the Net Offer shall be available for allocation to Non-Institutional Bidders out of which (a) one-third of such portion shall be reserved for applicants with application size of more than ₹200,000 and up to ₹1,000,000; and (b) two-third of such portion shall be reserved for applicants with application size of more than ₹1,000,000 provided that the unsubscribed portion in either of such sub-categories may be allocated to applicants in the other sub-category of Non-Institutional Bidders and not more than 10% of the Net Offer shall be available for allocation to RIIs in accordance with the SEBI ICDR Regulations, subject to valid Bids being received from them at or above the Offer Price.

All potential Bidders (except Anchor Investors) are required to mandatorily utilise the Application Supported by Blocked Amount (“ASBA”) process by providing details of their respective bank accounts (including UPI ID for UPI Bidders using UPI Mechanism) in which the Bid Amount will be blocked by the SCSBs or the Sponsor Banks, as applicable, to participate in the Offer. Anchor Investors are not permitted to participate in the Anchor Investor Portion of the Offer through the ASBA process.

The Equity Shares of the Company are proposed to be listed on BSE Limited (“BSE“) and the National Stock Exchange of India Limited (“NSE”) (the “Stock Exchanges”).  Axis Capital Limited, HSBC Securities and Capital Markets (India) Private Limited, JM Financial Limited and Nomura Financial Advisory and Securities (India) Private Limited are the Book Running Lead Managers (“BRLMs”) to the Offer.

IndiaFirst Life Insurance Backs Indian-Born Kenyan Cricketer Pushkar Sharma

Mumbai, 25  April 2025: IndiaFirst Life Insurance Company Ltd (IndiaFirst Life), continues to support its former employee and Kenyan international cricketer – Pushkar Sharma. The private life insurance company is one of the first organisations to have noticed Pushkar’s talent when he was employed with them. In alignment with their culture of caring for employees, they supported his decision to become a professional cricketer.

Sunder Natarajan, Chief Human Resources Officer, IndiaFirst Life said, “We are immensely proud of Pushkar Sharma. Supporting our employees’ dreams is at the heart of our company and seeing Pushkar excel internationally is a testament to this. His journey from our organization to the global cricket stage is inspiring. We’ll continue to cheer for him as he brings glory to Kenya and popularises cricket in Africa.”

Pushkar Sharma said, “I am grateful to IndiaFirst Life for their unwavering support and belief in my aspirations. Their nurturing environment and #EmployeeFirst culture have been pivotal in my journey. Their sponsorship and mentorship helped me overcome challenges and pursue my passion full-time. With IndiaFirst Life’s ongoing assistance, I am confident in contributing to Kenya’s cricketing history and promoting the sport across Africa. The continent has immense potential, and I aim to inspire the next generation of young cricketers.”

The Indian-born all-rounder made vital contributions for Kenya during the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup Challenge League 2024. The tournament serves as a pathway for qualification to the 2027 ICC ODI Cricket World Cup. He scored his maiden fifty against Denmark, making 60 runs off 75 balls, and followed that performance with 50 runs from 45 balls against Kuwait. Finishing as Kenya’s second top scorer and fifth overall in the league, Pushkar accumulated 195 runs in 5 matches, averaging 39.00.

Pushkar is expected to be a key player for Kenya when the African nation competes in the second round of the ICC Cricket World Cup Challenge League A, scheduled to be played in Jersey in August this year.

IDEMITSU Honda Racing India Riders Land in Thailand for 2025 FIM Asia Road Racing Championship

Mumbai, 25 April 2025: In a strong step towards nurturing homegrown talent and elevating Indian riders onto the global motorsport map, IDEMITSU Honda Racing India has announced its international racing squad for the 2025 season of the FIM Asia Road Racing Championship (ARRC). The riders have arrived in Thailand for the first round of the season scheduled this weekend from 25^th to 27^th April 2025.

The move underlines Honda’s commitment to grooming young Indian riders into world-class athletes while showcasing the brand’s engineering and racing prowess on Asia’s most competitive circuits. As a part of the company’s broader vision to create a pipeline for Indian riders to thrive internationally, this initiative offers young talent the opportunity to race alongside Asia’s best and bring pride to the nation. It also marks Honda’s dedication to building a strong foundation for motorsports in India.

The 2025 FIM Asia Road Racing Championship will feature six rounds, starting with the official test and season opener at the Chang International Circuit in Thailand scheduled from 25^th to 27^th April 2025. The second round will take place in Malaysia from 30^th May to 1^st June 2025, followed by Japan (Round 3) in July and Indonesia (Round 4) in August. While the venue and timeline for Round 5 is yet to be announced, the season finale will be held in December back at Thailand.

For the 2025 season, IDEMITSU Honda Racing India will be represented by two promising Indian riders in the Asia Production 250cc (AP250) class: the 19-year-old Kavin Quintal and 18-year-old Johann Reeves. While Kavin has already participated in the previous season of ARRC, Johann has been announced as a new rider for this season in the championship.

Kavin Samaar Quintal’s performance in the 2024 ARRC season has been a testament to his skill and determination. The reigning champion of Honda India Talent Cup 2023, he joined Honda Racing India in 2019 and also represented India in Asia Talent Cup 2022. As we gear up for the 2025 season of the Asia Road Racing Championship (ARRC), Honda Racing India is also thrilled to spotlight Johann Reeves Emmanuel, a promising talent who made waves in the IDEMITSU Honda India Talent Cup (HITC) in 2019. Over the years, his performance improved significantly in domestic racing, highlighting his potential and earning him a coveted spot in the Thailand Talent Cup 2024.

Sharing his thoughts, Kavin Samaar Quintal said, “Having raced in the previous season of the ARRC, I have gained invaluable experience and insights into what it takes to compete at this level. In 2025, I am determined to take all my learnings, sharpen my skills further, and aim for a strong finish in the top 10 rankings. I sincerely thank Honda Racing India for this continued opportunity and their unwavering support in helping me grow as a racer.”

Johann Reeves Emmanuel said, “Being a part of the 2025 ARRC is a huge opportunity for me. It’s not just about racing—it’s about learning, growing, and proving that I can compete with the best in Asia. This will be my very first ARRC season, and I am beyond thrilled to be on this journey. I will give it my all to secure a place in the top 10 rankings, and I am truly grateful to Honda Racing India for believing in me and giving me this platform.”

Max Estates Takes Over Delhi One Project via IBC; Adds INR 2000 Crore Sales, INR 120 Crore Rental Potential

Noida, April 24, 2025: Max Estates Limited (Max Estates), a leading real estate developer in the NCR, had received the final approval from the National Company Law Tribunal (NCLT) and National Company Law Appellate Tribunal (NCLAT) and now with the successful closure, Max Estates has taken over the Delhi One Project. This marks a significant turnaround for the long-stalled site, bringing relief to homebuyers and unlocking fresh momentum for NCR’s most strategically located integrated campus.

The development of the Delhi One project will consolidate Max Estates’ position as a leading premium real estate developer in Noida and NCR. Max Estates will bring its experience and expertise in premium commercial real estate and high end residential real estate to create a state-of-the-art integrated development that will seamlessly host ultra-luxury residences, premium office spaces, curated high street retail and exclusive club facilities.

Situated at the edge of South Delhi and directly connected via the Delhi-Noida-Direct (DND) Flyway, the development is just steps from key metro stations, benefitting from unparalleled connectivity across Delhi NCR. The project spans approximately 2.5 mn sq. ft. of development part of around 10-acre land parcel constituting ~34,696 sq. mt. of area.

Sharing his vision about the development, Sahil Vachani, Vice Chairman and Managing Director, Max Estates, said, “We are delighted to announce that Max Estates has taken over Delhi One. We believe that we will provide a world class real estate experience to the residents and office goers of the NCR. We look forward to bringing to life our first integrated campus, weaving Max Estates’ philosophy of LiveWell, WorkWell, PlayWell, and EatWell into a holistic downtown experience.”

In line with Max Estates’ core vision of bringing real wellbeing to real estate, the project is being developed with a strong emphasis on wellbeing. The development will integrate green building practices, energy-efficient systems, and biophilic design to foster a harmonious relationship between residents, professionals, and their surroundings. Art and nature are seamlessly woven into the spatial experience, creating a community that is both inspiring and mindful. The serviced residential offerings would be designed to maximize space, natural light, and comfort while preserving residents’ ability to customise the space to suit their unique needs and preferences. On the commercial front, the office spaces would provide flexible layouts equipped with state-of-the-art technology and collaborative zones, catering to both emerging businesses and established enterprises.