26, Jun 2026
ASPIRE Scheme Boosts Rural Entrepreneurship with 109 Business Incubators Across India
New Delhi, June 26: The Centre’s ASPIRE (A Scheme for Promotion of Innovation, Rural Industries and Entrepreneurship) initiative is strengthening rural entrepreneurship by supporting innovation and self-employment through a nationwide network of 109 business incubators.
The scheme, implemented by the Ministry of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME), aims to promote entrepreneurship in rural and semi-urban areas by providing aspiring entrepreneurs with access to incubation facilities, skill development, mentoring, and business support.
Officials said the incubators are helping startups and first-generation entrepreneurs transform innovative ideas into viable business ventures, while creating employment opportunities and encouraging local economic development.
The ASPIRE scheme focuses on fostering innovation in the agriculture and rural sectors by supporting enterprises that generate sustainable livelihoods and strengthen the MSME ecosystem.
The government said the initiative is playing a key role in promoting inclusive economic growth by nurturing entrepreneurship at the grassroots level and empowering rural youth to become job creators instead of job seekers.
The scheme continues to expand India’s rural innovation ecosystem, supporting the government’s vision of strengthening the MSME sector and accelerating rural economic development.
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- By Neel Achary
26, Jun 2026
Building the Bengal of Tomorrow: Industry, Innovation and Women’s Leadership
June 26: Bharat Chamber of Commerce, in partnership with the Bharat Chamber Ladies Forum, organised a Special Session on ‘Building the Bengal of Tomorrow: Industry, Innovation and Women’s Leadership’. The Session was graced by Smt. Moumita Biswas Misra, Hon’ble Minister of State for Industries, Commerce and Enterprises and Science, Technology and Biotechnology, Government of West Bengal; and Smt. Shashi Agnihotri, General Secretary, Bharatiya Janata Party, West Bengal, as Guests of Honour.
In her Address, Smt. Shashi Agnihotri observed that concerted efforts are being made to create a conducive environment in West Bengal for industry, investment and entrepreneurship, while simultaneously working towards improving the standard of living of the people. She expressed confidence that through sustained development initiatives and collective efforts, the State would be able to regain its position as a leader in the country’s economic and social progress, reiterating the belief that “What Bengal thinks today, India thinks tomorrow.”
Speaking about women and their participation, Smt. Shashi Agnihotri observed that women do not need any special treatment and are absolutely equal to their male counterparts. She stressed that women possess the capability and determination to excel in every field and expressed confidence that their growing participation would contribute significantly to the progress and development of West Bengal. She also added that the 33 per cent Women’s Reservation Bill will be a transformative step towards ensuring greater representation of women in legislative bodies.
Smt. Agnihotri also emphasised the importance of greater youth participation in politics, stating that educated and committed young people are essential for carrying forward the nation’s ideals and shaping its future. She observed that significant aspects of India’s ancient history and civilisational heritage were not being adequately reflected in the curriculum. Reinstating this knowledge, she noted, would help inspire young minds, strengthen their connection with the nation’s roots, and encourage them to contribute meaningfully to the country’s development.
In her Address, Smt. Moumita Biswas Misra observed that the Government is committed to transforming Pashchim Banga into Sonar Pashchim Banga and intends to implement the commitments outlined in the BJP’s Sankalpa Patra. She noted that one of the first decisions taken by the new Government within fifteen days of assuming office was the allotment of land to the Border Security Force for border fencing, describing it as an important step towards strengthening security and curbing illegal infiltration and related activities.
Speaking about the recently presented Budget, the Hon’ble Minister stated that, for the first time since Independence, an effort has been made to address all sectors comprehensively and create a more conducive environment for businesses to establish new units while ensuring that existing enterprises continue to operate efficiently. Inviting investors to consider West Bengal as a preferred investment destination, she highlighted the Government’s emphasis on a single-window clearance mechanism, ease of doing business and women’s safety. Expressing confidence in the State’s future, she remarked that a new West Bengal based on the vision of ‘Bhoy Out, Bhorsha In’ would pave the way for a ‘Sonar Bangla’.
Earlier in his Welcome Address, Shri Naresh Pachisia, President emphasised that the Bengal of tomorrow will be built when industrial growth, technological advancement and women’s leadership become mutually reinforcing pillars of development. Highlighting that West Bengal has the country’s highest share of women-owned MSMEs and a strong base of enterprises across diverse sectors, he underscored the need to transform women from participants in the economy into leaders of economic transformation through greater support for women-led enterprises, start-ups and technology ventures. He further that if industry provides the engine and innovation the fuel, women’s leadership can provide the direction for creating a prosperous, inclusive and globally competitive Bengal.
Smt. Shivani Binjrajka, Co-Chairperson, BHARAT CHAMBER Ladies Forum, observed that the advent of a new Government has ushered in fresh possibilities for West Bengal’s growth and transformation, and emphasised that women must be placed at the forefront of this journey through greater participation, leadership and equal access to opportunities across sectors. She remarked that empowering women is integral to building a resilient, equitable and future-ready ‘Viksit Bangla’, and noted that the insightful perspectives shared by the Guests of Honour reaffirmed the importance of creating an enabling ecosystem where businesses can thrive and women can lead and excel with confidence and determination.
26, Jun 2026
Brand Confidence Builds as FIFA World Cup 2026 Momentum Accelerates on ‘Z’
Mumbai, June 26: As the greatest show on earth steps into the highly anticipated Round of 32, leading content and technology powerhouse, Zee Entertainment Enterprises Ltd. (‘Z‘) continues to witness strong advertiser momentum, reflecting growing brand confidence in the tournament’s ability to deliver meaningful consumer engagement at scale.
Building on the strong opening weeks of the tournament, several leading brands including Lenovo, Ceat, Jaguar Land Rover, Adidas, Zydus and JBL have partnered with ‘Z‘, further strengthening its advertiser portfolio across categories. These brands join an impressive sponsorship roster led by Mahindra as the Co-Presenting Sponsor, Diageo as the Co-Powered by Sponsor, alongside several other marquee brands including Apple and Pernod Ricard, which have associated with the tournament across platforms. The Company cherishes its partnership with all the brands and acknowledges the support received in uplifting football as a sport across India.
The continued influx of brands underscores the increasing excitement around the tournament as audiences gear up for the high-intensity knockout stages.
The sustained advertiser interest reflects the robust engagement being witnessed across the Company’s integrated ecosystem. Through Unite8 Sports channels and Zee 5, brands are leveraging multiple consumer touchpoints including LIVE matches, studio programming, highlights, analysis and digital activations – to build impactful and contextual connections with audiences. The Company’s ability to offer bespoke advertising solutions across television and digital has enabled brands to align their investments with specific business objectives while maximizing campaign effectiveness.
Following 300+ million omni-platform unique reach, FIFA World Cup 2026™ on ‘Z‘ continues to deliver encouraging performance for advertisers. Zee 5 is seamlessly hosting millions of concurrent viewers, with a notable increase in platform engagement as they consume the LIVE action, highlights and multi-language studio programming. The sporting action, coupled with key programming initiatives has enabled Unite8 Sports 2 to achieve the leadership position amongst all English sports channels in India. Adding to the viewing experience, renowned football experts, former players and celebrated commentators have been engaging fans through comprehensive pre-match, half-time and post-match analysis.
While several marquee brands came on board ahead of the tournament, the excitement generated through the group stages has prompted a fresh wave of advertiser interest as the competition moves into its most anticipated phase. The Company is also witnessing healthy demand from additional brands evaluating partnerships for the Round of 32 (28th June – 3rd July), Round of 16 (4th – 7th July) and the latter stages of the tournament.
Speaking about the continued advertiser momentum, Sandeep Mehrotra, Chief Operating Officer – Advertisement Revenue, Zee Entertainment Enterprises Ltd., said: “The FIFA World Cup has consistently demonstrated its ability to bring together highly engaged audiences at scale, and the momentum we have witnessed over the past few weeks has further strengthened advertiser confidence. Our focus has been on delivering bespoke, outcome-led solutions that enable brands across categories and investment levels to participate meaningfully in the tournament. The response has been encouraging, with several new brands coming on board and continued interest from advertisers looking to leverage the excitement around the knockout stages. We remain committed to creating impactful opportunities that deliver measurable value for our partners.” As the FIFA
World Cup 2026™ moves into its decisive knockout rounds, ‘Z‘ remains well-positioned to further strengthen audience engagement and advertiser participation through innovative, integrated solutions that help brands capitalize on one of the world‘s biggest sporting spectacles.
26, Jun 2026
NSE Commands 93 pc Share, Investor Base Hits 12.9 Crore
New Delhi, June 26: The National Stock Exchange of India (NSE) continues to maintain a dominant position in the country’s financial markets, with a 93% market share and a registered investor base of 12.9 crore, according to Centrum Broking.
Centrum said the exchange’s scale and deepening retail participation highlight the strong structural growth of India’s capital markets, supported by rising financial awareness and increasing participation from individual investors across the country.
The brokerage noted that NSE’s expanding investor base underscores the growing penetration of equities and other financial instruments, driven by digital onboarding, simplified investment processes, and broader market access.
Industry data indicates that India’s stock market participation has expanded rapidly in recent years, with retail investors contributing significantly to trading activity across segments such as equities, derivatives, and ETFs.
Analysts said the dominance of NSE reflects its strong ecosystem, high liquidity, and continued preference among market participants, reinforcing its position as the primary trading platform in India.
Centrum’s assessment highlights the broader trend of deepening financialisation of savings in India, with increasing participation from younger investors and non-metropolitan regions.
26, Jun 2026
Fermenta Biotech Limited Ranked 7th Nationwide in India’s Great Mid-size WorkplacesTM 2026
Mumbai, June 26: Fermenta Biotech Limited, India’s leading manufacturer of premium-grade APIs, intermediates, and nutritional premixes for the global markets, today announced that it has been ranked 7th nationwide in the Top 50 category as part of India’s Great Mid-size WorkplacesTM 2026 by Great Place To Work®.
This recognition marks a significant milestone for Fermenta as the company celebrates 75 years of trust, science and service. Over 2,000 organisations partnered with Great Place To Work® India this year to assess and benchmark their workplace culture. To place 7th among them, across a wide range of sectors, reflects the culture we have built together over the years.
The achievement comes shortly after Fermenta was recognized among India’s Best Workplaces™ in Pharmaceuticals, Healthcare and Biotech 2025, further reaffirming the company’s commitment to nurturing an environment where employees feel valued, empowered and inspired to contribute to the organization’s growth journey.
Comment from Prashant Nagre – Managing Director
“At Fermenta, our growth has always been powered by our people and our partners. This recognition belongs to every team member that brings commitment, ownership and pride to work every day, and our partners whose constant support and guidance have helped us reach here. As we celebrate 75 years of Fermenta, being ranked 7th nationwide makes this milestone even more meaningful. It is a reflection of the culture we have built together; one rooted in trust, responsibility, collaboration and the belief that great organizations are created by great people.”
26, Jun 2026
India Real Estate Sees Dollar 1.13 Billion PE Inflow in H1, Office Leads
New Delhi, June 26: Indian real estate sector attracted private equity (PE) investments worth $1.13 billion in the first half of the year (H1), with the office segment accounting for the bulk of inflows, according to industry data.
The report highlights that the office segment captured around 89% of the total PE investments, reflecting strong investor confidence in Grade-A commercial assets and continued demand for premium office spaces across major urban centres.
Analysts said the inflows indicate sustained institutional interest in India’s commercial real estate market, driven by stable rental yields, improved occupancy levels, and long-term growth prospects in key office hubs.
The residential and other real estate segments accounted for the remaining share of investments, though activity remained comparatively moderate.
Experts noted that India continues to remain an attractive destination for global and domestic investors due to its resilient economic growth, expanding corporate sector, and increasing demand for organised real estate assets.
The strong dominance of the office segment underscores the ongoing shift towards formalised commercial spaces and the growing presence of multinational companies in the country.
26, Jun 2026
Digital Payments Drive Women-Led Businesses: 84 Percent of Female Entrepreneurs in India Use Digital Tools, Finds DBS Study
Mumbai, June 26: Ahead of MSME Day 2026, DBS Bank India has unveiled the second report in its Women and Finance series, with Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu India LLP as the research partner.
The report, The Digital Opportunity: Access, Adoption and Trust, explores how female earners across India are engaging with digital payments, banking, credit and investment platforms. The study draws insights from 1,342 women across North (23%), South (36%), East (14%) and West (27%) India, reflecting the perspectives of female entrepreneurs, High-Net-Worth (HNW) women and rural women earners.
The latest edition focuses on how digitalisation is shaping the financial journeys of women across different life stages, income segments and geographies. It also explores spending priorities, key drivers of digital adoption and awareness of safe digital banking practices across different segments.
The findings highlight that female entrepreneurs are the most active users of digital financial tools and platforms among all cohorts surveyed. Digital payment tools are the most widely adopted, used by 84% of female entrepreneurs. Across cohorts, UPI continues to gain traction, with usage standing at 72% among female entrepreneurs, 77% among HNW women and 54% among rural women earners surveyed, underscoring the growing ubiquity of India’s digital payments infrastructure.
Beyond banking and payments, female entrepreneurs are increasingly engaging with a wider ecosystem of digital financial tools and platforms. Among those surveyed, 38% use loan and credit platforms, while 29% use brokerage platforms. Among HNW women surveyed, 28% are actively using brokerage platforms for their investments, reflecting growing comfort and proficiency in using digital investment tools, driven by the convenience and accessibility they offer.
Divyesh Dalal, Managing Director and Country Head, Global Transaction Services, Corporate Banking, Financial Institutions and SMEs said,
“The findings of this report highlight an encouraging shift in the way women are engaging with their finances. Among female entrepreneurs, digital tools are becoming increasingly integral to business management, supporting everything from payments, credit and payroll to customer acquisition and future planning. The study also underscores the importance of trust, convenience, and accessibility in driving digital adoption.”
“As digital adoption deepens, entrepreneurs are increasingly seeking solutions that enhance operational efficiency and support their growth ambitions. Sustaining this momentum requires going beyond traditional banking to create connected ecosystems that help entrepreneurs at every stage of their business journey. By deepening our understanding of this segment and continuing to innovate in response to evolving needs, we aim to help female entrepreneurs build and scale their businesses”, he added.
Other key insights
Credit card usage is gaining momentum among female earners in urban India
Half (50%) of the female entrepreneurs surveyed report using personal credit cards frequently, including 19% who use them daily and 31% who use them a few times a week. Among HNW women, credit cards are used by 53% of respondents, making them the second most-used payment method after UPI.
Travel rewards top the list of preferred credit card benefits
Travel-related rewards, including hotel offers, air miles, lounge access and travel insurance, are the most preferred credit card benefit among both female entrepreneurs and HNW women, cited by 65% of respondents. Preference for travel-related rewards is particularly pronounced among younger respondents, rising to 70% among HNW women aged 25–30 years and 68% among female entrepreneurs aged 26–35 years.
Spending patterns across segments
Spending patterns were analysed to identify key business expenditure areas among female entrepreneurs and rural women earners, alongside personal spending among HNW women.
- Among female entrepreneurs surveyed, spending is concentrated on people, growth and technology. Beyond staff salaries and contractor payments (65%) and marketing, branding, content creation and customer acquisition (53%), 37% report spending on software, technology tools and platforms.
- For rural women earners, expenditure is largely directed towards day-to-day business operations, with 82% reporting spending on raw materials, 47% on rent and 35% on transportation to market.
- Among the HNW women surveyed, spending patterns are more diversified across both essential and discretionary categories, led by groceries and daily essentials (50%), utility bills (32%), healthcare and medical expenses (28%), and travel and vacations (27%).
This edition builds on the first report in the series, Money Matters: Mindsets, Financial Agency and Behaviour Across Life and Career Stages, released on International Women’s Day earlier this year, which examined the financial autonomy of women earners, key financial drivers and life goals, preferences for engaging with financial institutions, as well as their perspectives on career breaks, work-life balance, retirement planning and long-term financial preparedness.
26, Jun 2026
Piyush Goyal Conferred UK-India Award for Strengthening Bilateral Economic Ties
New Delhi, June 26: Union Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal has been conferred the UK-India award in recognition of his contribution to strengthening economic and trade relations between India and the United Kingdom.
Pic Credit: https://x.com/PiyushGoyal
The award acknowledges his efforts in deepening bilateral engagement, promoting investment flows, and expanding cooperation across key sectors of mutual interest, including trade, industry, and innovation.
Officials noted that India and the UK have witnessed growing collaboration in recent years, supported by sustained high-level dialogue and efforts to enhance economic partnership frameworks. Goyal’s role in advancing these engagements has been highlighted as a key factor in strengthening ties between the two countries.
The recognition comes at a time when both nations are exploring new opportunities to further expand trade relations and build a more comprehensive economic partnership.
The award underscores the importance of continued cooperation between India and the UK in fostering long-term economic growth and strategic collaboration.
26, Jun 2026
India’s MSME Sector Contributes Over 31% to GDP, Generates 38.9 Crore Jobs
New Delhi, June 26: India’s Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME) sector continues to play a key role in the country’s economic growth, with its contribution to the national GDP crossing 31% and employment rising to 38.9 crore, according to recent official estimates.
The sector remains one of the largest employment generators in the country, supporting livelihoods across manufacturing, services, and trade segments. Officials noted that MSMEs are also a crucial driver of exports and industrial output.
The growth has been supported by various government initiatives aimed at improving access to credit, promoting digital adoption, and enhancing ease of doing business for small enterprises.
Experts said the steady expansion of the MSME sector reflects its resilience and its central role in strengthening India’s self-reliant economic framework. The sector continues to support inclusive growth by generating employment opportunities across urban and rural areas.
The latest figures underline the MSME sector’s importance as a backbone of the Indian economy, contributing significantly to GDP while also absorbing a large share of the workforce.
26, Jun 2026
India Hosts First-Ever Mango Promotion Event in Iceland to Boost Exports
June 26: India has organised its first-ever mango promotion events in Iceland as part of efforts to expand the global reach of Indian agricultural exports and promote premium fruit varieties in new international markets.
The initiative aimed to showcase India’s diverse range of mango varieties to importers, distributors, and consumers in Iceland, highlighting the fruit’s quality, flavour profile, and export potential.
Officials said the event is part of a broader strategy to strengthen India’s agri-export footprint in non-traditional markets and create new trade opportunities for Indian farmers and exporters. The promotion also focused on building awareness about India’s horticultural strengths and improving market access for premium produce.
Participants at the event were introduced to several popular Indian mango varieties, along with discussions on export logistics, quality standards, and potential trade partnerships.
The initiative reflects India’s growing efforts to diversify its export destinations and enhance the global visibility of its agricultural products, particularly in high-value international markets.
