Category Archives: News

Cosmo First Secures ISO/IEC 27001:2022 Certification

New Delhi, 10 October 2025: Cosmo First Limited, a leading manufacturer in specialty films for packaging, labelling, lamination, synthetic paper, masterbatches and industrial applications, has achieved a significant milestone by obtaining the ISO/IEC 27001:2022 certification. This certification demonstrates Cosmo First strong commitment towards information security, effective risk management, and ongoing improvement in line with global standards across its corporate office and manufacturing plants in India. 

The scope of certification covers the manufacturing of PP/PET/PET-G films, rigid packaging, speciality chemicals, window films, and paint protection films. ISO/IEC 27001:2022 provides a structured framework for identifying potential threats, implementing safeguards, and continuously enhancing information security. The standard emphasises proactive risk management and the use of threat intelligence, ensuring that organisations remain resilient against evolving risks and can manage them effectively.

Mr Pankaj Poddar, Group CEO of Cosmo First, highlighted the importance of information security in the digital era: “In today’s digital landscape, information security is paramount to our business operations and customer trust. This certification reinforces our commitment to maintaining the highest standards of information security and future-ready enterprise, committed to protecting our IPs and providing security and trust to our customers. It also gives us the confidence to seek new markets as we continue to expand our global footprint as well.”

Earlier this year, Cosmo Specialty Chemicals, the 100% subsidiary of Cosmo First and Cosmo Sunshield, a business of Cosmo First involved in Window Films also achieved the ISO 9001:2015 certification for their Quality Management Systems. This recognised the company’s commitment to maintaining high-quality standards in the design, development, manufacturing, and delivery of Adhesives, Coatings, Masterbatch, Window Film products at its MIDC Area facility in Waluj, Aurangabad.

These certifications and recognitions demonstrate Cosmo First’s unwavering commitment to safeguarding sensitive information assets and upholding quality operational and management practices across its diversified business operations.  The company continues to set new benchmarks in the industry through its pursuit of excellence.

SUD Life launches SUD Life NIFTY Alpha 50 Index Fund

India,10th October 2025: SUD Life Insurance has announced the launch of the SUD Life NIFTY Alpha 50 Index Fund, a new fund offering that tracks the NIFTY Alpha 50 Index, a smart beta benchmark designed to identify India’s most consistent outperforming stocks. The New Fund Offer (NFO) is open from October 6 to October 24, 2025.

The index comprises the top 50 stocks from India’s largest and most liquid companies, selected based on their alpha, which measures each stock’s ability to outperform the broader market after adjusting for risk. Each stock’s weight in the index is determined by its alpha score, creating a performance-oriented portfolio rooted in quantitative analysis.

Commenting on the launch, Mr. Prashant Sharma, Chief Investment Officer at SUD Life, said – “This fund is about giving investors access to a more thoughtful way of investing in equities. Instead of simply tracking market size, it focuses on the performance of the companies that have shown an ability to deliver better returns over time. The idea is simple, to stay systematic, to stay invested, and to let data drive decisions. With the added benefit of 0% GST on ULIP charges, policyholders can now enjoy both efficiency and potential upside” 

The index is rebalanced quarterly, ensuring agility in response to evolving market dynamics. The fund targets consistent Alpha with a sector agnostic approach helping balance risk and capture opportunities across the economic spectrum.

With its mid-cap bias and focus on high-alpha constituents, the fund is suited for policyholders seeking to participate in India’s growth story through a smarter, data-led approach to equity investing.

The fund will be available with SUD Life’s unit-linked insurance products like SUD Life Wealth Builder Plan, SUD Life e-Wealth Royale, and SUD Life Star TULIP Plan.

Additionally, with the recent GST exemption on ULIP charges (0% GST), policyholders can now get greater cost efficiency and improved net returns along with a life insurance cover, making this an opportune time to grow wealth through market-linked life insurance solutions.

This launch reflects SUD Life’s continued focus on offering policyholders smarter, research-backed ways to grow their wealth while staying protected through life cover with market-linked life insurance plans.

Rajeev Juneja Appointed President of PHDCCI; Anil Gupta, Sanjay Singhania Join Leadership Team

New Delhi, October 10, 2025: The PHD Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PHDCCI) announced the appointment of its new leadership team. Shri Rajeev Juneja has assumed charge as the President of PHDCCI, succeeding Shri Hemant Jain, who now serves as the Immediate Former President. Shri Anil Gupta has taken over as the Senior Vice President, while Sanjay Singhania has been appointed as the Vice President of the Chamber.

Shri Rajeev Juneja, President, PHDCCI, and Vice Chairman & Managing Director of Mankind Pharma Ltd., brings to the position his extensive experience in steering one of India’s leading pharmaceutical enterprises. Sharing his vision for the Chamber, he said, “It is a privilege to lead PHDCCI at this important juncture. My focus will be on building stronger industry linkages, promoting innovation, and contributing to the vision of Viksit Bharat @2047 through collaborative growth and self-reliance.”

Shri Anil Gupta, Senior Vice President, PHDCCI, and Chairman & Managing Director, KEI Industries Ltd., added,  “I am delighted to be part of this leadership team and look forward to working closely with Shri Juneja and our members to drive impactful initiatives for industry and society.”

Shri Sanjay Singhania, Vice President, PHDCCI, and Managing Director & CEO, Epack Prefab Technologies Limited congratulated Mr. Rajeev Juneja for taking over as the President. He said that he has been the biggest beneficiary of being the member of this esteemed Chamber. The journey of our organisation is testimony of trust, transparency and tolerance, and we assure for taking the baton PHDCCI to newer heights with the same zeal, said Mr. Singhania.

Reflecting on his tenure, Shri Hemant Jain, Immediate Former President and Managing Director of KLJ Group of Companies, said, “Serving as President of PHDCCI has been a deeply fulfilling experience and I am confident that the Chamber will continue to expand its impact under the new leadership.”

Welcoming the new team, Dr. Ranjeet Mehta, CEO & Secretary General, PHDCCI, stated, “We are privileged to have such accomplished leaders at the helm. Their combined vision, strategic insight, and commitment to excellence will help PHDCCI further strengthen its role as a catalyst for national growth and global competitiveness.”

Survey Finds Rising Student Mental Distress in Karnataka & Telangana Schools

India, October 10, 2025 –  GM5 Australia based psychological wellness platform, that has been collaborating on projects in India for the past three years, has released a report highlighting a growing mental health crisis among school students in Karnataka and Telangana through its technology-enabled screening platform.

The GM5 School Survey covered 11 schools in total, engaging 2,464 students across Telangana and 2,536 students across Karnataka to assess the state of psychological well-being among adolescents. The report highlights an alarming surge in psychological distress among government and private school students aged 10-18, results mirror international data contributing to a silent epidemic that is largely overlooked. 

Brendan Fahey, Founder and Chairman, GM5 said, “So far, approximately 5000+ individual students across India have already sought guidance and emotional counselling through the GM5 B2B platform. Our aim through the GM5 survey is to bring visibility to these silent struggles, the insight from this study reaffirms our belief that proactive, data-driven approaches are vital to nurturing emotionally resilient students and communities.”

Alarming Insights from Karnataka and Telangana Schools

According to the GM5 survey in Karnataka and Telangana, nearly 24% of school students aged 10–18 show signs of psychological distress, with 6–10% falling in the high or critical range that requires immediate support. The report is based on responses from over 5,000 students across government and independent schools in the two states. More than 60% reported sleep difficulties, such as trouble falling asleep or waking not well rested, while over 70% faced challenges with focus and concentration in class. Around 40% of students expressed concerns about disappointing important people in their lives like parents and teachers and less than 75% of students feel isolated and disconnected from support networks, placing them at high risk of long-term emotional and academic challenges. The most dominant and recurring stressors were the crippling fear of letting parents down, coupled with the widespread inability to sleep or concentrate. 

“These results highlight that students are open to seeking help however introverted students or those concerned about stigma feel more comfortable turning to digital platforms and mental health applications for guidance and support. There is a need for a structured cohort-based psycho-education programs in schools, as well as technology-driven mental health solutions. With confidential screening, schools can identify issues early and provide the support students need.” said Dr. Lisa Fahey OAM, Founder & CEO, GM5. 

The survey findings point to the importance of regular well-being checks in schools, underscoring the critical value of early screening, better collaboration between students, teachers, and parents, and targeted support for common challenges like sleep, focus, and stress management among youth.

Child Care Aware of Missouri Welcomes Community Leaders to Board of Directors

Three new board members bring expertise in law, workforce development and nonprofit leadership.

(St. Louis, Mo., October 9, 2025) Child Care Aware of Missouri (CCAMO) recently announced the appointment of Ruth Binger, Sarah Kirschner, and Megan Price to its board of directors. Board members are eligible to serve up to three consecutive three-year terms.

Ruth Binger is President and Principal Attorney at Danna McKitrick, P.C., a mid-sized law firm, where she has served as a partner for 30 years. As a private practice attorney, she brings deep expertise in legal strategy, business management, and organizational leadership. Binger has been a board member of the Associated Industries of Missouri (AIM) for 23 years and facilitates multiple peer advisory boards for independent business owners.

Sarah Kirschner recently served as Executive Director of Central Reform Congregation. She brings knowledge of the nonprofit sector and of CCAMO when she previously served as a board member and Board Chair in 2009. Additional prior experience includes leadership positions as Vice President of Human Resources and Vice President of Operations at technology startups, where she oversaw management training, compensation strategy, and recruiting. Kirschner also contributes her time to the community as secretary for MERS/Goodwill and as a board member for the National Council of Jewish Women.

Megan Price is Executive Director of the Missouri Works Initiative, a nonprofit sponsored and supported by the Missouri AFL-CIO. She leads five Apprenticeship Ready Programs that have successfully placed more than 400 individuals into sustainable careers in the skilled trades through Registered Apprenticeships. Price previously served as Chief of Staff in the Missouri State Senate.

“We are thrilled to welcome Ruth, Sarah, and Megan to our board,” said Robin Phillips, CEO of Child Care Aware of Missouri. “Each of them brings a wealth of talent and experience that will strengthen our mission to ensure all Missouri families have access to safe, affordable, and high-quality child care.”

Founded in 1999, CCAMO is a statewide nonprofit that focuses on a comprehensive early childhood education experience through impactful programs and partnerships. The organization’s services include workforce development, child care business supports, advocacy and policy work, and its new Child Care Keeps Missouri Working, a regional campaign offering concierge solutions to businesses undergoing employee recruitment and retention challenges due to the overwhelming shortage of quality child care options. For more information, call (314) 535-1458 or visit www.mochildcareaware.org.

IndusInd Bank Strengthens Its Leadership Team With Key Appointments

Mumbai, October 09, 2025: IndusInd Bank has announced strategic leadership appointments as part of its broader vision to accelerate growth across its banking business. These appointments are aimed at strengthening the bank’s leadership bench, enhance core capabilities, and expand its presence across key business segments, supporting its long-term ambition of sustainable value creation.

The key leadership appointments at IndusInd Bank include:

• Mr. Viral Damania – Chief Financial Officer

Mr. Viral Damania is a seasoned finance leader with over 27 years of professional experience across global financial services. His expertise spans Controllership, Business Planning, Corporate Treasury, Treasury Product Control and Audits. Mr. Viral Damania is a qualified Chartered Accountant, Company Secretary, and Cost & Works Accountant. Till recently, he was the Chief Financial Officer (CFO) for Bank of America India, where he oversaw the Bank branch entity and BofA Securities India Ltd. He served as a member of the country leadership team and was also a non-executive director on the board of BofA Securities India Ltd. Prior to Bank of America, he worked with Citibank N.A. in India, Bangladesh, and Sri Lanka and with Price Waterhouse Coopers. Mr. Damania also holds an ISACA certification in Information Systems and Audit and Control.

• Mr. Anand Vardhan – General Counsel

Mr. Anand Vardhan is a seasoned legal professional with over 26 years of expertise spanning legal documentation, dispute resolution, stressed asset management, regulatory compliance, and strategic partnerships. He has held senior legal leadership roles across Piramal Group, SUN-Apollo Ventures, HDFC Property Fund, ICICI Bank, and Tata Housing, bringing deep experience in handling complex legal and regulatory matters.

• Ms. Pragati Gondhalekar as Head – Internal Audit (HIA)

Ms. Pragati Gondhalekar brings over 27 years of global audit and consulting experience within the financial services sector. She brings wealth of expertise in strategic audit leadership, regulatory compliance, risk management, digital transformation, and Board governance. Prior to this, she served as Country Head – Group Audit, India at Deutsche Bank and has held leadership roles at L&T Financial Services, PwC and other reputed organizations. She is a Chartered Accountant from India and Canada, Certified Internal Auditor (CIA) and Certified Public Accountant (CPA) from USA.

• Mr. Pankaj Sharma – Head, Business Transformation

A seasoned banker with over 25 years of experience in the financial sector specializing in driving transformation, digital banking, and payments business, Mr. Pankaj Sharma will be leading the business transformation agenda across IndusInd Bank, ensuring scalable and sustainable growth of business. Previously, he served as Chief Strategy and Transformation Officer at Yes Bank and has held leadership roles at Axis Bank, RBL Bank & ICICI Group.

• Ms. Sheran Mehra – Chief Marketing Officer

Ms. Sheran Mehra is a veteran marketing leader with over 27 years of experience driving consumer growth and digital transformation across top global brands. Most recently, Sheran was Chief Business Officer at Tata Digital, where she spearheaded the launch and scale-up of Tata Neu, India’s first super-app, and led the pivot of acquisition and loyalty. Further, she has held senior leadership roles at DBS Bank, Barclays, HSBC, and Ogilvy.

Through these appointments, IndusInd Bank aims to reinforce the depth and diversity of its leadership team to drive efficiency, deliver wider pool of financial solutions, and create greater value for its customers and stakeholders. The Bank remains committed to building a future-ready organization anchored in trust, innovation, and customer-centricity.

Sanjay Dutt Launches Getepay’s ‘Vega’: A Next Gen Payment Switch Powering Digital Bharat

Mumbai, India, 9 October 2025: Bollywood legend Sanjay Dutt officially launched Vega, the indigenously developed payment switch by Getepay, at Taftoon Lounge, BKC, Mumbai. He was joined by Pravin Sharma, Founder and Managing Director, Getepay. Headquartered in Jaipur, Getepay is a leading payment aggregator committed to simplifying and strengthening India’s digital payments ecosystem.

Vega by Getepay is a certified next-generation payment switch that empowers banks, payment service providers, and merchants with seamless, scalable, and secure payment capabilities. Built on a robust microservices architecture, Vega enables high transaction throughput, real-time settlements, automated reconciliation, and intelligent merchant management, delivering reliability and speed at every stage.

Speaking at the launch, Sanjay Dutt said: “I’ve always believed in backing things that are real, solid, and made with heart and that’s exactly what Vega is. Launching Vega with Pravin and the Getepay team is special because this is about more than technology; it’s about giving every entrepreneur  from a street vendor to a shop owner the confidence to go digital. That’s the Bharat I want to cheer for.”

Pravin Sharma added: “Vega is a proud milestone for all of us at Getepay. It’s not just a technological leap; it’s a bridge for millions of micro and small entrepreneurs who power India’s economy. With Vega, we aim to simplify digital payments for banks and merchants alike, enabling every corner of India to participate confidently in the digital revolution. We chose Sanjay Dutt to launch Vega because he embodies resilience, strength, and relatability — qualities that resonate with small business owners across India.”

Designed for the future, Vega ensures instant transaction routing and processing even during peak load periods, while adhering to regulatory and banking standards for security and operational integrity. Its rapid deployment framework allows institutions to modernize without disruption.

With Vega, Getepay reinforces its commitment to Make in India, financial inclusion, and digital empowerment, enabling banks, fintechs, and payment partners to reach deeper into Bharat. The platform ensures that every entrepreneur, regardless of size, has access to world-class digital payment solutions.

Deposit Accounts Lead Financial Information Queries in India’s Account Aggregator Ecosystem: Finarkein Report

Deposit Accounts Dominate 88 Percentage of Financial Information Queries in India’s Account Aggregator Ecosystem: Finarkein Report 

Mumbai, India, October 09, 2025: Financial institutions primarily request deposit account information, representing 88.1% of all queries coming through India’s Account Aggregator (AA) framework. Investment products (equities and mutual funds) account for 10.7% of requests, demonstrating growing capital market integration, according to the Finarkein report, ‘AA in Action: How India is Using AAs’, released on the sidelines of the Global Fintech Fest 2025 in Mumbai. 

The comprehensive analysis examines query patterns across the ecosystem, which processed 145.6 million consent requests in 2025 alone. While financial institutions primarily access basic banking data, the growing integration of capital market information signals enhanced credit assessment capabilities.  

Regional adoption shows sharp disparities, with Maharashtra leading AA penetration at 12.31%, followed by Delhi and Telangana at 9.58% each. Four high-penetration states account for 40.36% of total AA distribution, while 16 northeastern states and Union Territories show minimal penetration below 0.5%, highlighting significant digital infrastructure gaps. 

The report, based on proprietary ecosystem data from Finarkein, supporting over 50 use cases across banking, lending, insurance and wealth management, reveals a mobile-first adoption pattern with 98% of users engaging through smartphones. Language patterns show English dominating at 94.94% of AA interactions, with Hindi representing the largest regional language at 3.82%.    

Dheeraj Kumar, CTO and Co-Founder, Finarkein, said, “The Account Aggregator journey has redefined how trust moves through data. What began as an RBI-led initiative is now a cornerstone of Open Finance, powering millions of verified, purpose-bound data flows monthly.”  

The ecosystem now encompasses 16 operational Account Aggregators, 180 active Financial Information Providers, and 748 Financial Information Users. Account linking reached 88.72 million accounts in 2025, representing a 501.4% year-over-year increase since April 2023.  

Performance analysis shows Anumati, Finvu, and Onemoney as leading AA providers based on API reliability, customer support, and feature coverage metrics. The framework targets 100 million monthly consents by 2027, positioning India as the global benchmark for Digital Public Infrastructure innovation in financial services.

40 Years of Digitizing Indian Drug Discovery: From Palm Leaves to ChemDraw

INDIA, 9th october 2025:For centuries, Indian chemists have visually communicated their ideas through hand-drawn illustrations—from ancient palm leaf manuscripts depicting herbs and minerals in Rasa Shastra texts to the detailed lab notebooks of pioneers like C.V. Raman at IISc Bangalore. This rich tradition reflects humanity’s enduring drive to record and share knowledge. As India has grown into a global pharmaceutical powerhouse, the methods of documenting chemical ideas have evolved dramatically, moving from manual artistry to digital precision.

Today, celebrating 40 years since ChemDraw’s invention in 1985, this software has become central to how Indian scientists conceptualize, design, record, and communicate complex chemical structures, thereby transforming the landscape of generics, biosimilars, and digital R&D workflows in India’s pharmaceutical sector.

The Pressure Cooker: Indian Pharma’s R&D Challenge

India’s pharmaceutical industry, valued at over $50 billion, operates in a high-stakes environment where speed, accuracy, and regulatory compliance are critical. The pressure to quickly launch complex generics and develop affordable biosimilars demands:

• Accelerated development timelines to meet growing domestic and global demand 
• Management of increasingly complex molecular and biologic structures 
• Comprehensive traceability aligned with CDSCO, GMP, and ICH regulations 

Traditional manual methods, hand-drawn molecular structures, scattered notes, and fragmented documentation, introduce errors, delay audits, and compromise data integrity, making it difficult for India’s pharma innovators to keep pace with evolving market and regulatory demands.

ChemDraw: 40 Years as the Digital Backbone for Indian Pharma

Inspired by the revolutionary shift ChemDraw introduced to chemical illustration globally in 1985, Indian scientists now leverage its digital capabilities to address several critical processes.

Streamline Molecular Design: ChemDraw enables seamless drawing, annotating, and sharing of complex chemical structures, reducing the frustration and errors of redrawing. Its precise, scalable templates accelerate research communication. 

Manage Biosimilar Workflows: As a leader in biosimilars, India’s pharma benefits from ChemDraw’s ability to depict large molecules and biologics, track modifications through development phases, and integrate structures with experimental data to ensure batch consistency. 

Support Regulatory Compliance: ChemDraw files integrate into compliant documentation systems, supporting 21 CFR Part 11 readiness, CDSCO inspections, and alignment with ICH Q10 quality standards—forming a foundation for audit-ready R&D records. 

Case in Point: Indian CROs Embracing ChemDraw

From Hyderabad to Ahmedabad, Contract Research Organizations (CROs) across India are adopting ChemDraw not just as a drawing tool, but as a strategic asset. Its use fosters:

• Shared molecular design 

• Clear communication across labs and partners 
• Reliable documentation supporting IP protection 

These capabilities enhance collaboration and data quality, strengthening India’s strategic position in the global pharmaceutical R&D landscape.

Real-World Success: Indian Pharma’s Transformative Use of ChemDraw

Indian pharmaceutical companies developing biosimilars and generics are increasingly turning to ChemDraw to overcome R&D challenges. According to recent case studies, Indian customers report significant benefits using ChemDraw:

• Accelerated Molecular Design: Teams experience reduced time spent on drawing and validating complex structures, speeding early-stage development and product formulations. 
• Enhanced Data Accuracy: ChemDraw is the only solution that supports the precise representation of chemicals, including those exhibiting complex stereochemistry, and sophisticated biopolymers using the HELM standard. Additionally, ChemDraw minimizes errors in transferring molecular structures, ensuring that analytical data and formulations remain tightly connected—an essential feature for regulatory submissions to CDSCO and other global agencies. 
• Streamlined Compliance: ChemDraw’s audit-ready features help maintain comprehensive, time-stamped records, easing adherence to ICH Q10 and GMP standards and smoothing regulatory reviews. 
• Improved Collaboration: Standardized drawings enhance communication between cross-functional teams, reducing iterations and fostering alignment during biosimilar development. 
• Augmented Security: In today’s world, where industrial espionage is a real threat, capturing and sharing chemical information in a secure environment is essential. Signals ChemDraw, the latest offering in the ChemDraw product family, addresses this critical need by providing a secure cloud platform for capturing, storing and sharing information with authorized users. 

The Future: From Traditional Drawings to Digital Decisions

From ancient palm-leaf manuscripts to ChemDraw’s precise molecular structures, India’s 40-year journey with digital chemical documentation reflects its evolution in science and technology. As Indian pharmaceutical science continues to advance, ChemDraw remains an indispensable tool, empowering chemists to reduce errors, enhance decision-making, and meet rigorous global regulatory standards.

As Indian pharma evolves, ChemDraw remains an essential tool, bridging tradition with digital transformation for the next 40 years of innovation.

NIT Team Wins First Place in IIMCIP-TIC Smart Dustbin Challenge

Kolkata, 8th October 2025: Team Alpha Entity from Narula Institute of Technology (NiT), a JIS Group educational initiative emerged as the winner of the prestigious Smart Dustbin Challenge organised by IIM Calcutta Innovation Park (IIMCIP-TIC). The team clinched the top spot for their one-of-a-kind innovation, a smart dustbin equipped with advanced sensors for automated waste segregation, marking a proud moment for both the students and the institution.

The winning project stands out for its innovative & intelligent system that can automatically identify and segregate metal, wet and dry waste. By leveraging sensor-based technology, the innovation significantly enhances the efficiency of waste management ingeniously, minimizing manual labor and exposure to hazardous materials besides promoting better recycling practices.

The Smart Dustbin Challenge, organised by IIMCIP-TIC, was aimed at encouraging creative and practical solutions in the realm of waste management and sustainability. The initiative provided a platform for young innovators to translate their technical knowledge into meaningful real-world applications, driving progress toward a cleaner, more sustainable future.

Team Alpha Entity, led by Anirban Saha (Final Year), included members Ankita Debnath (2nd Year), Anuja Mondal (2nd Year), and Prachi Shaw (3rd Year) all students of Electronics and Computer Science. The team’s efforts were guided by Dr. Bikas Mondal, Assistant Professor, Department of Electronics and Computer Science, and Mrs. Sanghamitra Layek, Assistant Professor, Electronics and Computer Science, Narula Institute of Technology.

Speaking on the achievement, Sardar Simarpreet Singh, Director, JIS Group, said, “This accomplishment truly embodies the spirit of innovation and excellence that defines JIS Group. Our students consistently push the boundaries of creativity and technical expertise, developing sustainable solutions with meaningful real-world impact. We are immensely proud of Team Alpha Entity for bringing this well-deserved recognition to the institution.”