3, Jul 2026
Quick Commerce Emerges as a Structural Shift in Urban Retail: Report
July 3: Quick commerce has transitioned from being a convenience-focused service to a permanent structural shift in India’s urban retail landscape, reshaping consumer purchasing behaviour and retail business models, according to a recent industry report.
The report states that rapid delivery platforms are now becoming an integral part of everyday shopping, with consumers increasingly using them to purchase groceries, household essentials, personal care products, electronics, and other daily-use items.
The growth of the sector is being driven by changing consumer preferences, expanding delivery networks, improved last-mile logistics, and a wider range of products available through quick commerce platforms. At the same time, retailers and consumer brands are strengthening their presence in the segment as it emerges as a key sales and customer engagement channel.
According to the report, the continued expansion of quick commerce is expected to accelerate the digital transformation of India’s retail sector, prompting businesses to adapt their supply chains, inventory management, and fulfilment strategies to meet rising demand for faster deliveries.
- 0
- By Neel Achary
3, Jul 2026
Odisha’s Vande Bharat Network Expands, Offering Faster Connectivity Across Key Cities
Bhubaneswar, July 3: Odisha’s rail connectivity has received a major boost with multiple Vande Bharat Express services linking the state with key destinations in eastern and southern India. The semi-high-speed trains have significantly reduced travel time while providing passengers with modern amenities and enhanced travel comfort.
Representational image
The Vande Bharat network now connects major cities including Bhubaneswar, Puri, Brahmapur, Rourkela, Visakhapatnam, Howrah, Tatanagar and Raipur, strengthening inter-state connectivity for business travellers, tourists and daily commuters.
Most of the services operate six days a week, with specific weekly maintenance days depending on the route. Railway authorities have advised passengers to check the train’s operating schedule before booking tickets.
Bhubaneswar–Visakhapatnam Vande Bharat (Train Nos. 20841/20842)
The train departs Bhubaneswar at 5:15 a.m. and reaches Visakhapatnam at 11:00 a.m. On the return journey, it leaves Visakhapatnam at 3:30 p.m. and arrives in Bhubaneswar at 9:30 p.m. The service operates six days a week and remains off on Mondays.
Howrah–Puri Vande Bharat (Train Nos. 22895/22896)
Connecting West Bengal with Odisha, the train departs Howrah at 6:10 a.m. and reaches Puri at 12:35 p.m. The return service leaves Puri at 1:40 p.m., with scheduled halts at Bhubaneswar and Cuttack, before arriving in Howrah at 8:30 p.m. The train does not operate on Thursdays.
Puri–Rourkela Vande Bharat (Train Nos. 20836/20835)
The service starts from Puri at 5:00 a.m., reaches Bhubaneswar at 6:00 a.m., and arrives in Rourkela at 12:45 p.m. On the return trip, it departs Rourkela at 2:10 p.m. and reaches Puri at 9:40 p.m. The train remains off on Tuesdays.
Brahmapur–Tatanagar Vande Bharat (Train No. 20892)
Departing Brahmapur at 5:15 a.m., the train reaches Bhubaneswar at 6:40 a.m. before arriving at Tatanagar at 2:50 p.m. The service operates six days a week, except Tuesdays.
Rourkela–Howrah Vande Bharat (Train No. 20872)
This service leaves Rourkela at 1:35 p.m. and reaches Howrah at 7:50 p.m. It operates six days a week and remains off on Tuesdays.
Raipur–Visakhapatnam Vande Bharat (Train No. 20829)
Running through Titlagarh and Rayagada in Odisha, the train departs Raipur at 5:45 a.m. and reaches Visakhapatnam at 1:50 p.m. The service operates six days a week and does not run on Thursdays.
Equipped with modern features such as automatic doors, comfortable seating, onboard passenger information systems, CCTV surveillance and enhanced safety mechanisms, the Vande Bharat Express trains have emerged as a preferred choice for faster and more convenient travel.
Railway officials have advised passengers to verify train timings, operating days and seat availability before planning their journey, as schedules may be revised periodically due to operational requirements.
3, Jul 2026
SEBI Proposes INR Fee Payment for FPIs, FVCIs to Ease Compliance
July 3: The Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) has proposed allowing Foreign Portfolio Investors (FPIs) and Foreign Venture Capital Investors (FVCIs) to pay registration and renewal fees in Indian rupees (INR), aiming to simplify compliance and reduce transaction complexity for foreign investors.
The move is intended to streamline administrative procedures, eliminate foreign currency payment requirements, and improve ease of doing business in India’s capital markets.
The proposal is currently under consideration and will be implemented after regulatory approvals and stakeholder consultations.
3, Jul 2026
Indian Junior Women’s Hockey Team Departs for UK Exposure Tour
July 3: The Indian junior women’s hockey team has departed for the United Kingdom as part of an exposure tour aimed at strengthening international experience and preparing the squad for upcoming global competitions.
The tour will provide the young athletes with an opportunity to compete against high-performance international teams, helping them gain valuable match exposure, improve tactical awareness, and adapt to different playing conditions and styles.
Officials associated with the development program stated that such international tours play a crucial role in building depth in the national hockey pipeline and shaping future senior-level players. The experience is expected to enhance team cohesion, technical skills, and overall game readiness.
The exposure tour is also aligned with Hockey India’s long-term development strategy to provide consistent international match practice to junior players and ensure a smooth transition to elite-level competition.
The team will participate in a series of practice matches and training sessions during the tour, which is expected to contribute significantly to their preparation for upcoming international tournaments.
3, Jul 2026
DJ Group Chairman Rhitik Jassar Presents DJ Medicity Vision to UP Medical Education ACS Amit Kumar Ghosh
Lucknow, July 3: Rhitik Jassar, Chairman of the Jassar Dental Medical Education Health Foundation and DJ Group of Institutions, met Amit Kumar Ghosh, IAS, Additional Chief Secretary, Medical Education & Medical Health, Government of Uttar Pradesh, to present the progress and vision for DJ Medicity, the group‘s integrated medical college and teaching hospital coming up in Modinagar.
During the meeting, the Additional Chief Secretary reviewed the project’s progress and appreciated its vision of strengthening access to quality medical education and private healthcare in Modinagar, a region with significant unmet healthcare needs. He also acknowledged the contribution of the DJ Group of Institutions, which has been serving Uttar Pradesh through healthcare education since 1997.
Amit Kumar Ghosh, IAS, Additional Chief Secretary, Medical Education & Medical Health, Government of Uttar Pradesh, said,
“The Government of Uttar Pradesh continues to encourage quality investments in medical education and healthcare infrastructure. The DJ Group of Institutions has made a meaningful contribution to healthcare education in the state over the past three decades. It is encouraging to see a young leader like Rhitik Jassar carrying forward the vision of Founder Chairman Sardar Ajit Singh Jassar with clarity, commitment and purpose. At an age when many pursue opportunities elsewhere, Rhitik has chosen to return and invest in his home state. Such entrepreneurship and institution-building are vital as Uttar Pradesh advances its vision of becoming a US$1 trillion economy and further strengthens medical education through initiatives such as One District, One Medical College.”
The meeting follows an important milestone for the project. On 8 February 2025, the foundation stone for DJ Medicity was laid by former Chief Secretary of Uttar Pradesh Manoj Kumar Singh, IAS, one of the most influential and respected bureaucrats in the state.. The project is now nearing completion, with partial operationalisation of the completely renovated teaching hospital proposed for 15 September 2026, marking the 70th birth anniversary of Founder Chairman Sardar Ajit Singh Jassar.
The project has been masterplanned by Creative Designer Architects , a leading healthcare architecture firm behind AIIMS Guwahati, AIIMS Gorakhpur, AIIMS Bathinda, and multiple projects for Max Healthcare, Fortis Healthcare, Paras Health and Yashoda Hospitals.
Healthcare planning and operationalisation are being led by White Hawk Associates with strategic guidance from Bhavdeep Singh (Former CEO, Fortis Healthcare & Reliance Retail), Dr. Rajen Ghadiok (Former Chief Medical Officer, Fortis Healthcare; Former Chairman, Cardiology, Sir Ganga Ram Hospital), Ajay Vij (Former CIO, Fortis Healthcare & Reliance Retail; Former Practice Head, Siemens) and Gurjit Singh (Former CEO, Sakra World Hospital; Senior Director, Alvarez & Marsal), covering hospital planning, operations and medical technology.
DJ Medicity, with a planned capacity of 1,205 hospital beds , is envisioned as a multidisciplinary institution offering undergraduate, postgraduate, doctoral and super-speciality programmes across medicine, allied health sciences, nursing, law, management, science, technology and other emerging disciplines. The campus, masterplanned for over 10,000 people, will also include advanced research centres dedicated to oncology, nuclear medicine, sports medicine and injury rehabilitation, creating an integrated ecosystem for medical education, research and healthcare delivery.
Commenting on the initiative, Rhitik Jassar, Chairman of the Jassar Dental Medical Education Health Foundation and DJ Group of Institutions, said,
“DJ Medicity represents my father’s vision of transforming Modinagar into a destination for quality healthcare and medical education. Our focus is to build an institution that combines clinical excellence, medical education and patient-centric care while serving the healthcare needs of an underserved region. We are grateful for the encouragement and guidance extended by the Government of Uttar Pradesh as we work towards bringing this vision to life.”
The ₹500 crore DJ Medicity project aims to create a world-class integrated ecosystem for medical education and healthcare, aligned with the Government of India’s vision for Institutions of Eminence. Expected to generate approximately 3,000 direct and 10,000 indirect employment opportunities, the project will strengthen medical education capacity, improve access to advanced healthcare in western Uttar Pradesh, and attract significant private investment into the state’s healthcare and higher education sectors.
The initiative also aligns with the Government of Uttar Pradesh’s efforts to expand healthcare infrastructure and medical education while representing the next phase of institutional leadership under Chairman Rhitik Jassar.
3, Jul 2026
Aamir Khan Reportedly Set to Marry Gauri Spratt; Private Ceremony Expected
According to media reports, the wedding is likely to be an intimate affair attended by close family members and close friends. Aamir Khan’s children are also expected to be present to celebrate the occasion.
The actor had earlier introduced Gauri Spratt to the media during his 60th birthday interactions, confirming that the two had been in a relationship for some time. Since then, the couple has largely kept their personal life away from the public eye.
While reports about the wedding have generated considerable interest among fans and the film fraternity, neither Aamir Khan nor Gauri Spratt has officially confirmed the wedding date or shared details of the ceremony.
Aamir Khan, one of Indian cinema’s most acclaimed actors, was previously married to Reena Dutta and later to filmmaker Kiran Rao. Despite their separation, he continues to maintain cordial relationships with both families.
An official announcement from the actor or his representatives is awaited regarding the reported wedding.
3, Jul 2026
US Retains Position as India’s Largest LPG Supplier in June: Report
July 3: The United States continued to hold its position as India’s largest supplier of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) in June, according to industry data, underscoring strong energy trade ties between the two countries.
The report highlights that LPG imports from the US remained robust during the month, supported by competitive global pricing and steady supply availability. India continues to rely on diversified import sources to meet its growing domestic LPG demand, driven by rising household consumption and government-backed clean cooking initiatives.
Energy analysts note that the sustained supply from the US reflects India’s broader strategy of ensuring energy security through a balanced import portfolio across key international suppliers. Alongside the US, other major exporters also contribute to India’s LPG requirements, helping maintain stable supply conditions in the domestic market.
The continued dominance of the US in June reinforces its role as a key energy partner for India, particularly in the liquefied petroleum gas segment, where demand is expected to remain strong in the coming months due to seasonal and structural consumption trends.
3, Jul 2026
Japan Emerges as Leading Contributor to India’s GCC Ecosystem in Asia Pacific: Report
July 3: Japan has emerged as the largest contributor to India’s Global Capability Centre (GCC) ecosystem in the Asia Pacific region, according to a new industry report highlighting the country’s expanding role in offshore business operations.
The report states that Japanese companies are increasing their presence in India’s GCC landscape, driven by the need for greater operational efficiency, access to skilled technology talent, and growing demand for digital transformation capabilities. Key sectors seeing rising participation include automotive engineering, manufacturing support services, financial services, and IT-enabled operations.
India continues to strengthen its position as a preferred global GCC hub, supported by cost advantages, a strong talent base, and rapid improvements in digital infrastructure. The growing involvement of Japanese firms also reflects deeper economic and technology collaboration between the two countries.
The report further notes that this trend is part of a broader shift among Asia Pacific enterprises, which are increasingly diversifying their global delivery networks and expanding capability centres across new geographies.
Overall, India’s GCC ecosystem is expected to see continued expansion, with rising participation from developed Asian economies reinforcing its role as a key hub for global business operations and innovation.
3, Jul 2026
State-Level Reforms Set to Triple India’s Commercial & Industrial Renewable Energy Capacity by 2032: Report
July 3: India’s commercial and industrial (C&I) renewable energy capacity is expected to nearly triple by 2032, rising from about 32 GW in 2025 to nearly 100 GW, driven by sustained policy reforms at the state level, according to a new industry report by the India Energy Storage Alliance (IESA) and Customized Energy Solutions (CES).
The report highlights that progressive state initiatives—particularly Green Energy Open Access (GEOA) frameworks, streamlined regulatory approvals, and incentives for renewable procurement—are enabling faster adoption of clean energy among industrial and commercial consumers.
According to the findings, state governments are emerging as key enablers of India’s decentralized energy transition by improving market access and allowing large consumers to directly procure renewable power. This shift is expected to reduce energy costs for industries while helping them meet renewable purchase obligations (RPOs) and long-term sustainability targets.
The study also projects strong growth in energy storage within the C&I segment, which is expected to reach 28–31 GWh by 2032. This expansion will be driven by the increasing integration of variable renewable sources such as solar and wind, necessitating reliable storage solutions to ensure round-the-clock power availability and grid stability.
Industry experts cited in the report note that improving cost competitiveness of renewable energy, combined with corporate net-zero commitments, is accelerating demand across manufacturing, IT, and large commercial sectors. However, the report also flags uneven policy implementation across states and grid infrastructure limitations as potential challenges that could affect the pace of growth.
India’s broader clean energy transition goals, including achieving over 500 GW of non-fossil fuel capacity by 2030, are expected to be significantly supported by the rapid scaling of the C&I renewable energy segment.
3, Jul 2026
India’s Consumer Goods Sector Projected to Grow 17.3 pc in Revenue Through 2030
New Delhi, July 3: India’s consumer goods sector is projected to register strong growth, with revenues expected to rise by 17.3 per cent through 2030, according to industry estimates.
The outlook is driven by steady demand across both urban and rural markets, supported by rising disposable incomes, evolving consumer preferences, and greater adoption of branded and packaged products.
Key categories expected to contribute to this growth include packaged foods, personal care, home care, and lifestyle products. Expansion of modern retail channels and rapid growth in e-commerce are also expected to support wider product reach and availability.
Industry experts note that premiumisation, convenience-led consumption, and increased brand awareness are shaping purchasing behaviour across segments.
While the long-term growth trajectory remains strong, analysts caution that inflationary pressures, input costs, and global supply chain fluctuations may influence short-term performance.
Overall, the sector is expected to remain a major driver of India’s consumption-led economic growth over the coming years.
