Category Archives: Business

OPPO K13x: Engineered for Durability, Powered to Perform

The OPPO K13x is engineered to withstand the rigors of daily life. It boasts an internal shock-absorption cushioning, inspired by the natural resilience of sea sponges, and backed by a high-strength aluminum alloy frame. Its durability—tested against military-grade standards—brings together science, design, and evolution to create a durable device that is built to last.

A Fusion of Nature’s Wisdom and Modern Engineering

Inspired by over 700 million years of natural evolution, the OPPO K13x’s Armor Body incorporates a biomimetic structural design modeled after sea sponges—organisms that have survived harsh underwater conditions thanks to their soft, porous, and flexible frameworks. This design is realized through OPPO’s Sponge Biomimetic Shock Absorption System, which uses elastic materials with high energy-absorbing properties to create buffer zones between critical internal components and the phone’s rigid structure. At the micro level, the casing includes void-rich composite layers that mimic the sponge’s internal stress-diffusing architecture.

Why does this matter?

Sea sponges dissipate external stress through interconnected pores and flexible internal scaffolding—a principle now mirrored in the K13x’s shock-absorption system.
Lab simulations show that biomimetic structures can reduce impact forces by up to 90% compared to traditional damping materials.
By embedding these properties into the K13x, OPPO delivers superior internal protection, especially during accidental drops or impacts.
This allows the device to remain slim and lightweight without sacrificing durability—unlike bulky rugged phones that rely on external Armor.
To further safeguard performance, key internal parts are fully sealed with adhesive, protecting them from vibration-induced wear and minor shocks over time.

With this innovation, the K13x offers not just military-grade protection but a smarter, nature-inspired solution to real-world durability challenges—delivering toughness without the trade-offs.

Built Like a Rock, Engineered to Withstand the Unexpected

At the core of the K13x’s structural integrity is the AM04 high-strength aluminum alloy inner frame—a material derived from aerospace-grade additive manufacturing, renowned for its exceptional rigidity, precision, and durability. Used in high-performance aircraft and simulators, AM04 offers 10% more durability than previous-generation alloys, making it ideal for withstanding real-world shocks and stress. While the outer middle frame is crafted from lightweight plastic to optimize weight and comfort, it’s this robust, aerospace-inspired AM04 skeleton that delivers the K13x’s remarkable shock resistance. The result is a smartphone that feels light in hand, yet stays unflinchingly strong against drops, bumps, and daily wear.

On the front, the Crystal Shield glass, the same cover glass used in flagship smartphones, provides 160% better impact resistance than conventional materials—ensuring enhanced screen durability against accidental drops and daily wear. Each device is also bundled with a specially designed Anti-Drop Shield Case, offering an additional layer of protection from the moment you unbox it.

Certified tough by industry-leading authorities:

SGS Gold Drop-Resistance Certification
SGS Military Standard Certification
MIL-STD 810-H Shock Resistance Certification

Tested for the Toughest

The OPPO K13x goes beyond drop protection—it’s crafted to withstand the elements with an IP65 rating that certifies complete dust protection (IP6X) and resistance to low-pressure water jets from any angle (IPX5). Each device undergoes rigorous testing, including vacuum-based dust simulations and high-velocity water sprays from over two meters. What truly sets the K13x apart is its thoughtfully engineered waterproof enclosure: key components are sealed with precision glue and foam adhesives, while the USB port, SIM tray, and audio jack are fortified with waterproof gaskets and silicone seals. Enhancing usability, OPPO’s industry-first Splash Touch continues on the K Series with the K13x, enabling smooth, responsive touch—even with wet or greasy hands. From coffee spills to rain showers, the K13x is built to handle life’s messes while significantly reducing water-related after-sales issues—proving it’s a device you can count on, rain or shine. The OPPO K13x features Glove Touch, which enables accurate and responsive screen control even when you’re wearing thick gloves, using a waterproof case, or operating the device with wet hands—ensuring uninterrupted usability in any scenario.

A cell phone on the ground

AI-generated content may be incorrect.

Made in India, Tested to the Extreme

The OPPO K13x is built with a 360° Damage-Proof Armour Body that offers all-round protection against everyday drops, bumps, and pressure. This reinforced structure ensures enhanced durability from every angle—making it tougher, smarter, and ready for real-world mishaps. OPPO K13x is more than just talk—it’s tested to prove its mettle:

Drop tests from 1.1m to 1.3m on granite surfaces across all sides:
Extreme drop tests from over 1.4m: No structural damage or failure in performance.
30-40 screen-down drop tests from 1.2m: The phone kept functioning seamlessly.

Watch how the K13x stands up to real-world durability tests.

Durability Redefined, Style Reinforced

With its nature inspired, rock-solid build, nature-inspired engineering, and industry-certified protection, the OPPO K13x isn’t just another smartphone—it’s the toughest and most durable phone in its segment. Whether you’re navigating rugged terrain or just tackling everyday mishaps, the K13x is built to absorb the drops, bumps, and jolts of real life—delivering unwavering durability when you need it most.

Inspired by Nature, Designed to Dazzle

The OPPO K13x brings together expressive design and precision engineering in a form factor that feels as premium as it looks. Available in two stunning colourways—Midnight Violet and Sunset Peach—each shade tells a story of nature and elegance. Midnight Violet evokes the mysterious beauty of distant nebulae glowing in deep cosmic skies, while Sunset Peach is inspired by the soft magenta-gold tones of dawn mist cascading over forested mountains. Together, they offer a choice that’s both visually striking and emotionally evocative.

KLAY Preschools & Daycare launches heartfelt Father’s Day celebrating dads who are imperfect but all in

12th June 2025— This Father’s Day, KLAY Preschools and Daycare- one of India’s most trusted early education and childcare providers, pays tribute to the often-unsung, everyday efforts of fathers with a heartfelt new digital campaign titled “Fathers of today. All in. All heart”

Told through the innocent, observant eyes of a child, the film captures the beautiful messiness of a dad’s morning, mismatched socks, clumsy ponytails, slightly burnt toast and the unwavering love that runs through it all. Each frame is a celebration of the quiet devotion with which fathers juggle work meetings, school runs, and bedtime stories, showing up in big and small ways, every single day.

In a world where the narrative around parenting is still largely mother-. centric, this campaign gently shifts the spotlight to dads, not perfect ones, but the real ones. The ones who try. Who forget the water bottle but never the hug. Who signal “one sec” during Zoom calls but never fail to notice a child’s hand-drawn rocket.

The film culminates in a tender Father’s Day moment, where the little girl gifts her dad a crayon-made card that simply reads: “Happy Father’s Day to the best Appa ever.” It’s a small gesture, but one that encapsulates everything, the joy of being seen, loved, and appreciated just as you are. The final montage reinforces KLAY’s central promise: to support parents who show up, so their children can shine.

Commenting on the campaign, Shireen Sultana, Senior Vice President – Marketing, KLAY Pre-School and Daycare, said, “Parenting has never been a one-person job and today, more than ever, fathers are stepping into roles that go beyond convention. With this campaign, we wanted to honour not perfection, but presence. At KLAY, we believe that every hug, every rushed breakfast, every school drop matters, and we are here to support every parent who chooses to show up, wholeheartedly and every day.”

Backed by the same emotionally resonant storytelling that marked its recent Mother’s Day campaign, KLAY continues to celebrate and support the support systems that raise confident, joyful children

INOX India Limited Launches India’s First Ultra-High-Purity Ammonia ISO Tank Container

Vadodara/ Mumbai, 12th June, 2025: INOX India Limited, one of the world’s leading cryogenic technology solutions providers, has announced the launch of India’s first ultra-high-purity (UHP) ammonia T-50 ISO tank container. This ground-breaking innovation is a significant contribution by INOX India towards strengthening the semiconductor and solar panels ecosystem globally. The ultramodern tank container, designed, engineered and manufactured by INOX India, features an impressive capacity and is engineered to withstand high pressures levels. Built to meet the highest international standards including ASME Sec VIII, Div-1 with U-designated construction, the ISO tank incorporates innovative technology specifically designed for ultra-high-purity ammonia applications.

The state-of-the-art ISO tank is engineered for unparalleled product integrity. Its core feature is a high-precision internal finish with a surface roughness below 0.3 RA, a standard extended to all piping elements with orbital-welded joints to guarantee the highest level of purity for ammonia. This commitment to quality is matched by advanced rock wool insulation with polished stainless-steel cladding for superior thermal and acoustic protection. Additionally, for providing a fail-safe protection, the ISO tank comes with a spring-actuated emergency shut-off mechanism, facilitating valve closing remotely.

Commenting on the milestone, Deepak Acharya, Chief Executive Officer – INOX India Limited said, “This breakthrough product represents our unwavering commitment to innovation and engineering excellence. By developing India’s first UHP ammonia ISO tank container with world-class specifications, we are not just creating a product, but enabling an entire ecosystem that will accelerate semiconductor and solar panel manufacturing capabilities across the world, and reduce our dependence on imports for critical industrial equipment. We are sure that our ultra-high-purity ammonia tank container addresses a critical supply-chain need in the global market and demonstrates our commitment to supporting the growth of semiconductor manufacturing across the world.”

The ISO tank has successfully undergone all required tests and received a full suite of certifications, including UN Portable Tank T-50, ADR, RID, ISO 1496-3, CSC, US-DOT, and IMDG. These certifications make the tank export-ready and capable for adding strength to the global UHP gas supply chain as well, besides ensuring versatile transportation via rail, road, and ocean, offering customers maximum logistical flexibility.

Surging ahead: Skoda Auto outlines framework to strengthen India growth plan 2025 to become the ‘Biggest Year’ for Skoda Auto India

Mumbai, June 12, 2025 – The year 2025 marks an important milestone for Škoda Auto worldwide, celebrating 130 years of rich history and 25 exciting years in India. Building on the strategy of getting closer to customers, Škoda Auto India has outlined a slew of key brand, product, network, and customer-centric initiatives to drive momentum in the Indian market.

Speaking at the occasion, Ashish Gupta, Brand Director, Škoda Auto India, said, “India is the most important growth market for Škoda Auto outside Europe. We are focused on building a strong, future-ready brand with strength of purpose, clarity of vision, and agility of execution. Our product offensive strategy is in tune with evolving consumer needs and aspirations, fuelling our journey of progress. We are getting closer to customers, strategically expanding our network, and reinforcing our legacy of quality, safety, and value. With the wheels in motion across all our business imperatives, 2025 will be the year where we significantly strengthen the brand and surge ahead in India.”

Product Offensive

Škoda Auto India’s product offensive strategy includes an ‘SUV for Everyone’ and enhancing its sedan heritage. With the Kylaq, Kushaq, and Kodiaq catering to every SUV aspiration and price point, Škoda Auto India will also build its sedan legacy driven by the Slavia and a soon-to-be-launched ‘global icon’.

No alternative text description for this imageExpanding to newer markets

Škoda Auto India continues with its vision of expanding to tier II and tier III markets. From over 165 cities today, the brand targets being present in over 200 cities this year. The company has already grown from 120 customer touchpoints in 2021 to over 290 today, with an aim for 350 touchpoints by the end of 2025.

Exploring new business avenues

Škoda Auto India has a clear intent to further strengthen business complementors like its certified pre-owned business to power its growth. While it already caters to government agencies and other fleets, the brand will focus on renewed actions at garnering further growth from these avenues, while enhancing corporate and rural channels.

Enhance customer experience

A group of men in overalls cleaning a car

Description automatically generatedTogether with expanding the quantity of customer touchpoints, Škoda Auto India is also focusing on the quality of the purchase and ownership experience by increasing loyalty and building trust. With Škoda Supercare as standard across all its cars, the brand now ensures customers pay for their routine service only at the end of their second year of ownership or after completing 30,000kms (whichever earlier). There are also warranty packages and other service offerings, ensuring complete peace of mind while owning a Škoda car.

Strategic Investment set to strengthen Kayess Square’s Advanced Taxation Offerings

Kayess Square is known for its superior services, including Accounting, Legal, Secretarial, Valuation, virtual CFO Services, Risk advisory, Due diligence, Investment Banking and transaction advisory. “We are delighted to welcome Consark’s tax compliance & tax advisory division into our family. This integration is a strategic move of Kayess to offer a full spectrum of advisory and compliance services including high-value tax services, all under one roof,” said Sathya Pramod, CEO and Co-founder, Kayess Square Consulting Private Ltd. “With the integration of tax and IT-enabled delivery model, we now have the capabilities to serve our customers with complex requirements in tax-related services that have growing relevance in today’s businesses.”

“We are happy to witness our Tax Compliance and Advisory Division becoming an integral part of a customer-centric organization such as Kayess Square.  Our team of taxation experts have the opportunity to continue their excellent performance and add value to Kayess’ fast-growing business clientele,” remarked Padam Mehta, of Consark Advisory Services LLP.

Kayess will continue to invest in new technology, people, and innovation to establish a future-ready finance, tax and compliance practice, while ensuring client satisfaction at all times.

NMIMS School of Business Management Inaugurates MBA Batch of 2025–2027 at Mumbai Campus

Mumbai, SVKM’s NMIMS School of Business Management (SBM), Mumbai, hosted the inauguration ceremony for its new cohort of the MBA, MBA (Human Resources), and MBA (Pharmaceutical Management) programs for the academic year 2025–2027.

 The ceremony marked the beginning of an exciting journey for the incoming batch and was followed by a comprehensive foundation program aimed at familiarising students with NMIMS’s academic culture, institutional values, and dynamic learning environment.

 The inauguration began with a ceremonial Saraswati Vandana, followed by the traditional lighting of the lamp and the NMIMS anthem. The welcome address was delivered by Dr. Justin Paul, Dean, School of Business Management and Provost – Management Education, NMIMS, who set the tone for the program. Senior leadership from SBM also addressed the students, including Dr. Chandrima Sikdar (Vice Dean – Programs and Student Learning Experience), Dr. Veena Vohra (Vice Dean – Accreditation, Ranking, Industry, and Alumni), and Dr. Mayank Joshipura (Vice Dean – Research and Ph.D. Program).

 The ceremony was further enriched by an inspiring address from the Chief Guest, Ms. Preeti Parameshwaran, Managing Director, Barclays India, and a distinguished alumna of SBM. Sharing her journey and professional insights, Ms. Parameshwaran encouraged students to:

 “Step out of your comfort zones, think globally, and build your dream destinations and designations. Success, much like the Japanese Kaizen philosophy, is rooted in continuous improvement, embracing diverse perspectives, and building networks that shape not just careers but the future of society.”

 Program Chairpersons Prof. Papiya De (MBA), Dr. Hema Bajaj (MBA HR), and Dr. Hari Iyer (MBA Pharmaceutical Management) also addressed the gathering, offering academic guidance and outlining the vision for their respective programs.

 Following the inauguration, students embarked on the Foundation Program —a well-structured series of seminars, panel discussions, and preparatory modules in areas such as finance, marketing, and data analytics. Students also engaged in:
● Mindfulness and emotional resilience sessions
● Career advisory interactions
● Campus orientation and faculty interactions
● The program will conclude with a Mumbai Darshan, offering the students a chance to explore the vibrant city and build meaningful connections with peers.

 Speaking at the event, Dr. Sharad Mhaiskar, Pro-Vice Chancellor, NMIMS, remarked:
“The business world today seeks leaders who can balance analytical rigor with emotional intelligence—leaders who build people as they drive performance. At NMIMS, we are committed to nurturing such leaders—those who are thoughtful, capable, and value-driven.”

 With a legacy spanning over four decades, NMIMS is a leading university recognised for its academic rigor, global partnerships, and cutting-edge infrastructure. The institution adopts a One NMIMS – One MBA approach, ensuring consistency and excellence in education across all its MBA programs and campuses. This standardisation gives recruiters confidence that every NMIMS MBA graduate is equipped with the same high-quality, industry-relevant training.

X Half Digital Camera Debuts in India with Lightweight 2-in-1 Vertical Design

New Delhi, 12th June 2025: FUJIFILM India – a leader in imaging technology is pleased to announce the launch of the “X half” compact digital camera (Model name: FUJIFILM X-HF1) as the newest model in the X Series, which uses FUJIFILM’s unique color reproduction technology to produce exceptional images with a compact, lightweight camera. Inspired by half-frame cameras, the X half offers new creative expressions and enchanting photographic experiences.

Sharing his excitement about the new launch, Mr. Koji Wada – Managing Director, FUJIFILM India said, “At FUJIFILM India, we are committed to delivering innovative products and solutions that embody our Group purpose of ‘Giving Our World More Smiles.’ By blending diverse ideas, unique capabilities, and extraordinary people, we aim to create solutions that bring joy and smiles to the world. This isn’t just a product launch; it’s a celebration of visual storytelling in a format that feels familiar yet forward-looking. We believe the “X half” will ignite a new wave of photographic curiosity across generations.”

Mr. Arun Babu, Associate Director & Head of Digital Camera, instax™ & Optical Devices Business, FUJIFILM India added, “The “X half” is more than a camera, it’s a tool for self-expression. With intuitive design, iconic film simulations, and playful modes like 2-in-1 compositions and Film Camera Mode, it empowers users to slow down, shoot with intention, and enjoy the creative process. This product brings Fujifilm’s signature color science to a new audience who values both aesthetics and authenticity in their content.”

The “X half” features a rear LCD monitor ideal for vertical composition, allowing vertical shooting and movie recording at a 3:4 aspect ratio. The “2-in-1” 2 feature allows users to combine two still images or movies into one composition in-camera, providing richer storytelling capabilities than single images.

The optical viewfinder evokes the feel of film cameras, recreating and improving upon distinctive rendering capabilities. The camera features our popular “Film Simulation” and “Grain Effect”, which reproduces the unique grain texture of film photos, along with new filters such as light leak and halation, to provide users with a wide range of creative expressions.

Our lightweight design and aesthetics evoke the appeal of classic cameras in a compact 240 g body. The compact size and easy-to-use touch controls on the rear LCD of the X half mean that you are ready to shoot anywhere, anytime.

The new dedicated “X half app” will also enhance the joy of viewing, sharing, and printing. Pairing the camera with Bluetooth mobile devices allows you to transfer still images and movies to smartphones, enjoy various viewing formats, and send images to instax™ Link series smartphone printers 3.

We are also introducing a “Film Camera Mode” to simulate the thrilling experience of film photography. Rediscover the magic and excitement of film photography as you view subjects through the optical viewfinder, pull the frame advance lever on the camera’s top plate after each shot, and digitally develop images through the dedicated “X half app”.

The “X half” offers the joy of photography to everyone.

1. The weight includes a battery and a memory card.

2. A composition created by dividing a 3:2 screen in the center and placing 3:4 vertical still images/movies on both the left and right sides to create a photo composition or movie composite.

3. Compatible models: instax mini Link2™, instax mini Link3™, instax SQUARE Link™, instax Link Wide™

１． Product Features

(1) New Photographic Expressions with X half

・The X half features a 3:4 aspect ratio rear LCD monitor and optical viewfinder for vertical composition. It can take vertical still images and movies commonly taken with smartphones.

・The X half features a 1-inch back-illuminated sensor and a 32mm F2.8 (35mm equivalent) prime lens, providing clear image quality in a compact lightweight design. The focal length is identical to One-Time-Use camera「QuickSnap」, allowing “QuickSnap” enthusiasts to enjoy shooting with a familiar angle of view.

・You can easily create 2-in-1 images in-camera by combining vertical still images and movies with a winding up of the “frame advance lever”. You can also create 2-in-1 images *4 with your favorite still image combinations through the dedicated “X half” app. The app enables simple and intuitive editing, including changing dividing line colors and sizes or swapping left and right images.

・The “X half” is equipped with 13 Film Simulations*5 that provides many different color expressions, including “REALA ACE” to combine faithful color reproduction with dynamic tonal expression. Select different photo films for different subjects and scenes.

4 Creating 2-in-1 images that include movies is only available in-camera, not with the app.

5 X half does not provide PRO Neg. Std, PRO Neg. Hi, ETERNA BLEACH BYPASS, MONOCHROME, or MONOCHROME Ye/R/G.

(2) New Shooting Experiences and Joy inspired by Film Photography

・The “X half” incorporates three new filters inspired by film photography: “Light Leak”, “Halation”, and “Expired Film”. You can enjoy film camera’s unique expression in digital camera, as well as an additional eight popular filters from the instax™ series.

・The “X half” features the “Grain Effect” that adds natural grain to the entire image to create film-like textures. Various film grain textures can be applied to change the texture of still images and movies.

・The “X half” is also equipped with a new “Date Stamp” function, making it possible to imprint dates in the bottom right of images and movies like film photos.

・The “X half” features a “Film Camera Mode.” This mode recreates film photography in digital era, by selecting a film simulation and number of shots at the start, you cannot review images until all shots are taken *6. Winding up the frame advance lever on the camera’s top plate after each shot enables the next shutter release. After taking the selected number of shots, transfer the image data to the new dedicated “X half app” to digitally develop, view, edit, and share the photos you have taken. Contact sheets are also saved after digital development.

・The new dedicated “X half app” will allow users to view still images and movies as if appreciating a gallery or album, directly upload images to social media, print to an instax™ Link series *7, and order photo products *8. The “X half” offers the joys of shooting, viewing, sharing, printing, and creating.

6 The Film Camera Mode can be canceled at any time by double-tapping the sub LCD monitor. When canceled, obtain images captured up to that point by transferring image data to the X half app.

7 Images taken in Film Camera Mode cannot be printed directly through the X half to an instax™ Link series.

8 This service will launch in Japan and expand globally.

(3) Compact and Authentic Product Design

・The “X half” features a lightweight 240 g body that doesn’t require extra lenses, offering a convenient size and weight perfect for everyday use.

・The product design maintains the high quality of the X Series while ensuring operability. It reproduces the appeal of classic cameras, providing an aperture ring, frame advance lever, and other controls to deliver a satisfying tactile response that captures the essence of traditional analog photography.

・The “X half” has a new interface operated by swiping and flicking on the two rear LCD monitors. Smooth touch operations allow the user to intuitively change shooting settings and film simulations, providing comfortable operability in a compact body.

・The camera’s optical viewfinder captures scenes exactly as you see them. With the optical viewfinder, you can shoot up to 880 frames and immerse yourself in photography all day without worrying about battery life.

NeoSOFT Accelerates Growth with Strategic Office Expansions Across India to Power AI Innovation & NeoNXT Platforms

Mumbai, 12th June, 2025: NeoSOFT, a global digital engineering and IT solutions provider, has declared a significant expansion of its footprint with the launch of new office campuses in Mumbai, Airoli (Navi Mumbai), and Pune. The company will also hire 1,100 professionals to work out of these offices. This follows the company’s overall plan to accelerate the build-out of NeoNXT, its next-generation platform, while at the same time bolstering its strength in the domain of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Cloud infrastructure.

The new facilities are a strategic investment to strengthen operational capacity, drive innovation, and attract high-quality technological talent. Spread across three locations, NeoSOFT will add 400 more seats to its existing Mumbai office, its Airoli office will house 400 employees, and Pune will have a 300-seat capacity.

The offices are poised to be up and running at full capacity by June 2025 so that the company can onboard 1,100+ new engineers dedicated to high-priority growth initiatives, such as platform development, AI/ML, and enterprise solutions.

“This expansion is both a strategic and cultural milestone for NeoSOFT. It reflects our ambition to not only scale rapidly but also to invest in future-forward capabilities that will shape the next era of digital transformation. These spaces will foster innovation, collaboration, and continuous learning”, said Nishant Rathi, Co-Founder and Director, NeoSOFT.

The office expansion will also serve as the foundation for multiple Centers of Excellence (CoEs), where cross-functional teams will collaborate on building intelligent solutions in areas such as Gen AI, machine learning, data analytics, and automation. Additionally, the new locations will host Global Capability Centers (GCCs) to support NeoSOFT’s growing portfolio of international enterprise clients, providing agile delivery and deep domain expertise.

“As we scale our presence across India, we’re committed to fostering an environment that supports both creativity and talent. These offices will serve as platforms for innovative solutions in AI, cloud, and digital transformation, empowering our dedicated teams to shape what’s next in tech for our clients in India and abroad”, said Nikhil Rathi, Co-Founder, NeoSOFT. 

BITS Pilani Alumni Raju Reddy donate Dollar1 Million to establish Kakatiya Rural Innovation, Technology and Implementation Centre

National, 12 June 2025: BITS Pilani, an institute of eminence, has announced the establishment of the Kakatiya Rural Innovation, Technology and Implementation (KRITI) Centre, a visionary initiative aimed at inspiring and enabling students and alumni to create meaningful social impact across India. KRITI which in Sanskrit means Creation or Work of significance is a pioneering centre that has been made possible by a generous endowment contribution of $1 million from distinguished BITS Pilani alumnus Raju Reddy and his wife Neerja Reddy, both accomplished change makers and deeply involved in rural development initiatives Raju Reddy is a visionary entrepreneur, angel investor, board member, and former Chairperson of BITSAA International. Phanindra Sama former ceo and founder of redBus and an alumnus, is also helping shape the vision and strategy for the centre. He and Sarika, his wife will also join Raju & Neeraja as founding donors for the centre.

KRITI is poised to significantly expand BITS Pilani’s engagement in the social impact sphere, building upon the legacy of successful alumni-led initiatives such as Sattva, Nirmaan, Thinkerbell Labs, and Ashoka Changemakers. By harnessing the creativity, innovation, and entrepreneurial spirit of BITS students and alumni, the Centre will develop sustainable and scalable solutions to pressing rural and social challenges.

“The establishment of KRITI marks a pivotal moment in BITS Pilani’s journey,” stated Prof. Ramgopal Rao, Vice Chancellor, BITS Pilani. “It reinforces our unwavering commitment not only to academic excellence but also to nurturing socially responsible innovators who can transform the future of rural India. This Centre will serve as a vital launchpad for a new generation of change makers dedicated to building an inclusive growth . We are profoundly grateful to Neeraja and Raju Reddy for their visionary support; their commitment is a powerful testament to their belief in the ability of BITS students and alumni to drive meaningful change.”

Speaking on the development, Raju Reddy, Former Chairperson of BITSAA International, added, “For India to become an economic superpower, we believe that the districts of India have to become the engines of economic growth. We hope KRITI will help power the ideas and entrepreneur spirit of BITS students, its alumni and other talented innovators across the nation to make meaningful impact at scale in rural India.

The Centre’s core objectives include cultivating value-based leadership for social transformation, supporting the incubation of high-impact ventures, creating robust pathways for engagement with non-profits, social enterprises, grassroots innovators, and fostering empathy, volunteerism, and responsible citizenship. KRITI also aims to cultivate a vibrant community of faculty and alumni who will collaboratively develop and implement technology driven solutions for rural development.

To achieve these ambitious goals, KRITI will initiate a comprehensive range of activities. These include launching a dedicated Rural and Social Impact Club across all BITS campuses, designing specialized incubation and acceleration programs for non-profit and social ventures, and organizing an annual national showcase of student-led social innovations. The Centre will also offer fellowships to cultivate a new cadre of rural and social impact leaders. Furthermore, it will integrate socially relevant projects into academic curricula, establish a central knowledge hub for the BITS community, and actively raise funds from alumni, corporates, and government bodies to support long-term, sustainable initiatives. Crucially, KRITI will play a vital role in deploying BITS-developed technologies to address critical grassroots challenges.

Gartner Predicts that Guardian Agents will Capture 10-15% of the Agentic AI Market by 2030

NATIONAL HARBOR, MD, June 12, 2025 — By 2030, guardian agent technologies will account for at least 10 to 15% of agentic AI markets, according to Gartner, Inc.

Guardian agents are AI-based technologies designed to support trustworthy and secure interactions with AI. They function as both AI assistants, supporting users with tasks like content review, monitoring and analysis, and as evolving semi-autonomous or fully autonomous agents, capable of formulating and executing action plans as well as redirecting or blocking actions to align with predefined agent goals.

Guardrails Are Needed as Agentic AI Usage Continues to Grow

According to a Gartner May 19, 2025 webinar poll of 147 CIOs and IT function leaders, 24% of respondents had already deployed a few AI agents (less than a dozen) and another 4% had deployed over a dozen.

The same poll question found that 50% of respondents said they were researching and experimenting with the technology, while another 17% of respondents said that they had not done so, but planned to deploy the technology by the end of 2026 at the latest. Automated trust, risk and security controls are needed to keep these agents aligned and safe, accelerating the need for and rise of Guardian Agents.

“Agentic AI will lead to unwanted outcomes if it is not controlled with the right guardrails,”

said Avivah Litan, VP Distinguished Analyst at Gartner. “Guardian agents leverage a broad spectrum of agentic AI capabilities and AI-based, deterministic evaluations to oversee and manage the full range of agent capabilities, balancing runtime decision making with risk management.”

Risks Increase as Agent Power Increases and Spreads

Fifty-two percent of 125 respondents from the same webinar poll identified that their AI agents are or will primarily focus on use cases related to internal administration functions such as IT, HR, and accounting, while 23% are focused on external customer facing functions.

As use cases for AI agents continue to grow, there are several threat categories impacting them, including input manipulation and data poisoning, where agents rely on manipulated or misinterpreted data. Examples include:

• Credential hijacking and abuse leading to unauthorized control and data theft.
• Agents interacting with fake or criminal websites and sources that can result in poisoned actions.
• Agent deviation and unintended behavior due to internal flaws or external triggers that can cause reputational damage and operational disruption.

“The rapid acceleration and increasing agency of AI agents necessitates a shift beyond traditional human oversight,” said Litan. “As enterprises move towards complex multi-agent systems that communicate at breakneck speed, humans cannot keep up with the potential for errors and malicious activities. This escalating threat landscape underscores the urgent need for guardian agents, which provide automated oversight, control, and security for AI applications and agents.”

CIOs and security and AI leaders should focus on three primary usage types of guardian agents to contribute towards safeguarding and protecting AI interactions:

• Reviewers: Identifying and reviewing AI-generated output and content for accuracy and acceptable use.
• Monitors: Observing and tracking AI and agentic actions for human- or AI-based follow-up
• Protectors: Adjusting or blocking AI and agentic actions and permissions using automated actions during operations.

Guardian agents will manage interactions and anomalies no matter the usage type. This is a key pillar of their integration, since Gartner predicts that 70% of AI apps will use multi-agent systems by 2028.

Gartner clients can read more in Guardians of the Future: How CIOs Can Leverage Guardian Agents for Trustworthy and Secure AI. Additional details can also be found in the complimentary Gartner webinar CIOs, Leverage Guardian Agents for Trustworthy and Secure AI.

Gartner IT Symposium/Xpo

At Gartner IT Symposium/Xpo, CIOs and IT executives will learn how to execute current technology priorities while preparing for an AI-augmented future, and enable growth today and imagine new sources of value tomorrow. Follow news and updates from the conferences on X using #GartnerSYM, and on the Gartner Newsroom.