25, Sep 2026
GCCs Could Become the Biggest Driver of India’s Next Office Real Estate Cycle as 75 percent Plan Expansion
India’s commercial real estate market is entering a new growth phase, with Global Capability Centres (GCCs) emerging as one of the strongest drivers of office demand. According to CBRE’s India Office Occupier Survey 2026, 75% of GCC occupiers expect their India office portfolios to grow over the next two years, signalling continued expansion in both the scale and quality of commercial real estate demand.
The broader occupier market is showing a similar expansionary outlook, with 77% of occupiers planning to expand their India office portfolios over the next two years. Notably, 30% plan to increase their office footprint by more than 30%, almost double the 18% recorded in the 2025 survey.
The scale of GCC activity is already significant. GCCs leased more than 123 million sq ft of office space between 2022 and H1 2026, accounting for 36% of total office leasing during the period. India’s GCC ecosystem has also expanded to more than 2,117 firms and 2.36 million professionals, while GCC revenues reached nearly US$100 billion in FY2026.
This momentum is also visible in the wider office market. The first half of 2026 saw office absorption reach a record 45.5 million sq ft, the highest for any half-year, with 24.6 million sq ft taken up in the second quarter alone, according to CBRE. New supply also reached a record 32 million sq ft in H1, pointing to the scale at which developers and occupiers are now operating.
GCCs remain one of the strongest demand drivers. They accounted for 46% of Grade A office leasing in H1 2026, with 16.6 million sq ft leased, according to Colliers.
Sandeep Chhillar, Founder and Chairman, Landmark Group, said, “Global Capability Centres are fast becoming the defining demand driver of India’s next commercial real estate cycle. With India’s GCC count projected to grow by 41% by 2030, and GCCs already accounting for nearly 35% of Grade-A office leasing across top cities, the numbers tell a clear story. Gurugram is firmly at the centre of this shift in NCR, the city’s combination of superior connectivity, mature infrastructure, established corporate ecosystem and deep talent access makes it one of the most compelling GCC destinations in the country. As mandates grow more sophisticated, location decisions are increasingly being made through the lens of the broader business ecosystem: talent availability, infrastructure quality and long-term liveability. The next phase of commercial real estate will be defined not by volume alone, but by the quality and adaptability of environments built for businesses and their people.”
GCC expansion is changing what occupiers demand
The GCC story is also evolving beyond traditional back-office operations. CBRE notes that GCCs are increasingly taking on higher-value mandates across R&D, engineering, product development, AI, analytics, cybersecurity and enterprise transformation. This is creating demand not just for more office space, but for high-quality, technology-enabled and well-connected workplaces.
More than one-third of occupiers expect AI and automation trends to directly influence leasing decisions over the next 12-24 months. At the same time, 93% of occupiers surveyed are already deploying AI in some capacity, indicating that technology is becoming an increasingly important consideration in workplace strategy.
This expansion, however, is not limited to established business centres. Emerging corridors across Noida, Greater Noida and the Yamuna Expressway are also gaining momentum as technology infrastructure and new investments reshape the region’s commercial landscape.
Connectivity increasingly determines where GCCs expand
The NCR numbers show how this landscape is changing. Delhi-NCR recorded 2.8 million sq ft of gross leasing in Q1 2026, with Gurugram accounting for 60% and Noida 37%. Noida Expressway was the largest micro-market, while Udyog Vihar and NH-8 Prime also recorded significant activity. GCC leasing in NCR stood at 0.9 million sq ft during the quarter.
The emphasis on connectivity is becoming particularly important as occupiers look beyond the availability of space. CBRE’s survey found that 70% of occupiers consider access to commute infrastructure a crucial criterion while selecting office space, while 95% view traffic congestion and commute as a threat to operations and employee experience. Further, 18% of occupiers said they would be willing to pay a premium for public transport access.
Retail leasing reached 3.9 million sq ft in H1 2026, up 20% year-on-year, according to CBRE. Delhi-NCR led the major markets, while fashion and apparel accounted for around 40% of leasing. D2C retailers accounted for about 28%, giving high streets and organised retail destinations another source of occupier demand.
The flight to quality is strengthening
As GCCs expand and take on more specialised functions, the quality and location of office assets are becoming increasingly important. CBRE found that 40% of occupiers are concerned about the availability of high-quality, well-located office space through 2028. At the same time, 41% of leasing during 2025 and H1 2026 occurred in investment-grade assets.
Dr Amish Bhutani, Managing Director, Group 108, said, “Occupiers are becoming more selective about what makes a commercial location work over the long term. Demand will increasingly be driven by factors such as connectivity, accessibility, quality of infrastructure, surrounding development and the availability of well-planned commercial spaces. As emerging NCR corridors improve their connectivity and infrastructure, they will become more attractive for businesses seeking efficient and future-ready locations. The growing availability of quality office and retail spaces in these corridors will further strengthen demand for commercial real estate.”
Investor interest is providing another indication of the depth of the cycle. Institutional real estate investment reached $4.5 billion in H1 2026, up 50% year-on-year, with office assets accounting for more than 40% of the inflows, according to Colliers.
Karan Malik, Regional Director, Realistic Realtors, said, “The expansion of data centres is also opening up a longer development landscape for NCR. Noida and Greater Noida have the existing ecosystem, while the Yamuna Expressway region offers larger parcels and the potential to accommodate infrastructure at scale. The upcoming data centre parks across Noida, Greater Noida and Yamuna Expressway show that this is becoming a wider regional strategy rather than a single-location story. Real estate will increasingly follow the infrastructure that enables the digital economy.”
The next phase of India’s commercial real estate growth is therefore likely to be shaped by the convergence of GCC expansion, technology adoption, talent requirements, connectivity and institutional capital. With 75% of GCC occupiers planning to expand their India office portfolios, the demand story is moving beyond simply adding more office space. It is increasingly about where businesses locate, the quality of the workplace they choose and the infrastructure that enables their workforce to operate effectively.
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- By Neel Achary
25, Sep 2026
Salt Oral Care Hits ₹2 Crore a Month in Revenue
Indian oral-care brand combines design-led innovation with a capital-efficient approach to growth
MUMBAI, India, Sept. 25, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Salt Oral Care, founded by Karan Raj Kohli and Viraj Kapur, has reached approximately ₹2 crore in monthly revenue. The Indian oral-care brand is building its business through a combination of product innovation, design-led branding and disciplined operating economics.
The company’s portfolio spans toothpaste, mouthwashes, whitening and colour-correction products, gum care, sensitivity and remineralisation, along with toothbrushes, electric toothbrushes, water flossers and mouth sprays. Its aluminium toothpaste tubes and textured glass mouthwash bottles reflect its approach to making oral-care products part of the wider personal-care and wellness environment.
Products such as Flash Teeth Whitening Toothpaste, Chamak Whitening Mouthwash and Aura Tooth Color Corrector Serum extend the brand’s focus into appearance-led oral care, while the wider portfolio addresses everyday needs including fresh breath, gum care and sensitivity.
Growth and business model
Salt has reached the revenue milestone without significant external funding. The founders say the business has prioritised sensible unit economics, disciplined spending and reinvestment based on consumer demand, rather than treating fundraising as the primary measure of growth. The company expects to become profitable within the next few months.
“Reaching approximately ₹2 crore in monthly revenue is an important milestone for Salt and validates the demand for oral-care products that combine efficacy, design and experience. The focus remains on building a meaningful, long-term brand while staying close to consumer needs.”
— Karan Raj Kohli, Co-Founder, Salt Oral Care
“Our objective has always been to build a sustainable consumer business with sound economics, rather than pursue scale for its own sake. The next phase will focus on strengthening the portfolio, expanding the brand’s reach and progressing towards profitability with discipline.”
— Viraj Kapur, Co-Founder, Salt Oral Care
Next phase
Salt is also developing a dedicated kids’ oral-care range, expanding its presence into family oral care. The company’s broader vision is to contribute to the evolution of oral care from a primarily functional category into one where efficacy, formulation, design and user experience are considered together.Salt plans to introduce a series of collaborations that bring oral care into new consumer and cultural spaces just like it did with beauty giant Laneige.
About Salt Oral Care
Salt Oral Care is an Indian modern oral-care brand focused on innovative formulations, elevated product experiences and a beauty-and-wellness-led approach. Its portfolio includes toothpaste, whitening and colour-correction products, mouthwashes, toothbrushes, electric toothbrushes, water flossers, mouth sprays and travel products. The company currently generates approximately ₹2 crore in monthly revenue and is working towards profitability.
Website: https://saltoralcare.com/
Photo – https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/3009067/karan_and_viraj.jpg
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25, Sep 2026
Guillermo Ochoa fronts new campaign backing BC.Game’s commitment to a regulated Mexican market
Five-time World Cup goalkeeper explains the due diligence behind his partnership, as BC.GAME reinforces its SEGOB-licensed operations, local payment rails, and rapid payouts for Mexican players.
MEXICO CITY, Sept. 25, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — BC.GAME, the crypto and iGaming platform operating in Mexico via BCGAME.mx, today released a new brand campaign featuring Mexican football legend Guillermo “Memo” Ochoa. In the video, the five-time World Cup veteran explains the personal standards he applied before agreeing to represent the platform.
The video campaign features the legendary goalkeeper speaking about his reasons to partner with and endorse BC.GAME, including how he tested the platform himself, established trust and fairness, and why Mexican players can trust BC.GAME.mx.
“Trust is never given to you, you earn it,” Ochoa says in the video. “After five World Cups, if there’s one thing I’ve learned, it’s that. So before I put my name next to any brand, I ask the hard questions first.”
For Ochoa, that meant verifying BC.GAME’s regulatory standing and operational practices first hand. “I asked about their license. BC.GAME holds a legitimate SEGOB permit and operates legally in Mexico. I asked about how people pay. You can deposit at your neighborhood OXXO, or transfer straight from your bank through SPEI. I checked all of it myself.”
The goalkeeper, who is renowned for his longevity, sharp reflexes and read of the game, connected what made him great on the pitch directly to his decision to partner with BC.GAME. “The real question is: do they actually pay you when you win? The answer is yes. Withdrawals take minutes, not weeks. As a goalkeeper, you learn to sense when something’s off. Here, everything was clear.”
The campaign closes on a note of both belonging and responsibility. “In Mexico, football isn’t just something you watch, it’s something you feel. The incredible moments, and the heartbreak, too. But it’s always something we share. Now we get to share that with BC.GAME,” Ochoa says. “One more thing: remember, this is entertainment. Play smart, play responsibly. See you on the pitch.”
A broader bet on Mexico
Ochoa’s campaign lands alongside a wider push by BC.GAME to establish Mexico as a key market for regulated iGaming in Latin America. According to Erick Sapien, BC.GAME’s Mexico Country Manager, the country offers a rare combination of market size, smartphone adoption, digital infrastructure, and a strong football culture, which Sapien describes as “a recipe for success” for the sector.
“Compliance is not an afterthought, it forms a core pillar of sustainable expansion,” Sapien said, highlighting BC.GAME.mx’s alignment with local licensing requirements as the foundation for long-term player trust. “Operating within Mexico’s established regulatory framework gives responsible operators the foundation to build long-term player trust and sustainable local operations.”
Sapien also frames the Ochoa partnership as central to that strategy rather than a standalone marketing play. “Football in Mexico is not merely a sport; it is a shared cultural passion that spans generations,” he said, noting that partnerships with figures like Ochoa allow the platform to build tailored football communications and fan experiences that “standard global campaigns simply cannot match”.
Built on transparency
BC.GAME states that the campaign’s emphasis on fast, reliable payouts reflects operational commitments already built into BCGAME.mx. These include provably fair verification, local payment integration via OXXO and SPEI, and easily accessible responsible gaming resources.
“Securing a foothold in the market is only the first step,” Sapien said. “Long-term user retention depends on intuitive navigation, transparent payment processing, responsive support, and clear account management.”
Ochoa backing BC.GAME
BC.GAME announced the signing of Mexican football legend Guillermo “Memo” Ochoa as brand ambassador in July 2026. The partnership represents a significant step in BC.GAME’s localised growth strategy, with Ochoa supporting football-led brand communications, promotions and fan engagement activity designed specifically for Mexican audiences.
As one of the most recognisable figures in Mexican football, Ochoa brings strong local credibility and international profile to BC.GAME at a time when football culture in Mexico is attracting heightened global attention.
You can watch the full video here: https://gosh.com/MemoOchoa/clip?file_id=5001834821236907880
About BCGAME.MX
BC.GAME is a global iGaming platform offering sports betting and casino entertainment built on regulatory compliance, local payment access, and provably fair technology. BC.GAME promotes responsible gaming and encourages players to treat all platform activity as entertainment. Players must be of legal age to participate.
BCGAME.MX operates in Mexico under permit DGAJS/SCEVF/P-06/2005-Ter, held by PRODUCCIONES MOVILES S.A DE C.V, in union with UNOCAPALI LA PAZ OPERADORA S.A DE C.V, in accordance with Dirección General de Juegos y Sorteos (DGJS) authorizations DGJS/1580/2021 and DGJS/DCRCA/2921/2021. BCGAME.MX is managed by PUBLIPLAY MEXICO, S.A. de C.V. (reg. no. N-2024037717).
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25, Sep 2026
L’Oréal Paris to Host Le Défilé at The Eiffel tower, Celebrating Sisterhood, Diversity and Inclusion
- Returns for the 9th edition of Le Défilé at the Eiffel Tower under the theme “Express Your Worth,” featuring ambassador Aishwarya Rai Bachchan alongside an international line-up.
- The brand has teamed up with Amazon (online partner) and Lifestyle Stores (offline partner) to bring the Paris Fashion Week experience directly to Indian consumers.
- The event marks the debut of the new L’Oréal Paris Runway Matte Collection, featuring five bold shades of Infallible Matte Resistance Liquid Lipsticks curated for Indian skin tones, timed perfectly for the festive season.
MUMBAI, India, Sept. 25, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — L’Oréal Paris will return to Paris Fashion Week with its iconic runway show, Le Défilé L’Oréal Paris, on 28th September 2026 at Place Joffre set in front of the iconic Eiffel Tower. Now in its ninth edition, the annual showcase brings together leading global voices from fashion, beauty and entertainment to celebrate women’s empowerment, sisterhood, diversity and inclusion.
Since its debut in 2017, Le Défilé has evolved into a global platform for L’Oréal Paris to champion its belief that every woman should have the confidence to express her individuality and recognise her worth. This year, the show will bring this message to life through the theme “Express Your Worth“, celebrating women across generations, backgrounds and identities.
The ninth edition features an international line-up of L’Oréal Paris ambassadors and personalities, including Aishwarya Rai Bachchan, Simone Ashley, Marie Bochet, Viola Davis, Cara Delevingne, Jane Fonda, Bebe Vio Grandis, Luma Grothe, Kendall Jenner, Aja Naomi King, Eva Longoria and Andie MacDowell.
Aishwarya’s return to the Le Défilé runway reflects the show’s continued spirit of strength, individuality and confidence, while reinforcing L’Oréal Paris’ long-standing commitment to empowering women to define beauty on their own terms.
Extending the celebration beyond Paris, L’Oréal Paris has partnered with Amazon in India as its online partner and Lifestyle Stores as its offline partner, bringing the beauty inspiration from Le Défilé closer to Indian consumers. This year’s event also marks the unveiling of the L’Oréal Paris Runway Matte Collection, featuring 5 bold new shades of Infallible Matte Resistance Liquid Lipstick, curated for Indian skin tones. From deep maroons and rich browns to statement reds and striking plums, the collection introduces – Audacious Red, Sweetheart, Spicy Blush, Love At First Sight, and Envious Plum. Taking centre stage in Paris, 423 Audacious Red will be worn by ambassador Aishwarya Rai Bachchan at Paris Fashion Week, making it the season’s ultimate hero red.
Speaking about the significance of India’s presence on this iconic platform, Pravallika Bommareddy, General Manager, L’Oréal Paris India, said, “Le Défilé is a celebration of beauty, fashion and the diverse voices that shape culture today. India’s presence on this global platform reflects the growing influence of Indian beauty and our evolving role in the international beauty conversation. Furthermore, through our collaboration with retail partners across online and offline channels, we are bringing that experience closer to Indian consumers and inviting them to discover and express beauty in their own way.”
Siddharth Bhagat, Director – Amazon Beauty, Personal Care and Fashion Accessories, said, “We’re thrilled to bring the essence of Parisian beauty to India with L’Oréal Paris’ Runway Matte Collection, debuting at Paris Fashion Week. Featuring five bold new shades, thoughtfully curated for Indian skin tones, the collection will be available to customers across Bharat just in time for the festive season. For us, this is about bringing a global beauty moment closer to customers while celebrating the diversity of Indian women and giving every woman the freedom to find a shade that feels uniquely hers.”
Mr. Devarajan Iyer, CEO & Executive Director, Lifestyle International Pvt. Ltd., said, “L’Oréal Paris has been a valued and long-standing partner of Lifestyle Stores, and this association marks another significant milestone in our enduring relationship. As the official retail partner for L’Oréal Paris Le Défilé, we are delighted to extend this partnership through the exclusive launch of the Runway Matte collection at Lifestyle Stores. It reflects our shared commitment to bringing global fashion and beauty trends to the Indian consumer and creating experiences that are aspirational, accessible, and relevant to their evolving needs.”
The runway will be brought to life by L’Oréal Paris’ global beauty experts, with Harold James, Global Make-Up Artist, and Stéphane Lancien, Global Hair Artist, and their teams creating the beauty and hair looks for the show. Laetitia Toupet, Global Brand President, L’Oréal Paris, will also be part of the event.
In India, L’Oréal Paris, in partnership with Amazon, will host its first-ever masterclass in Mumbai this October, offering creators and consumers an exclusive, behind-the-scenes glimpse into the world of Le Défilé. The experience will bring them closer to the artistry behind runway beauty, from trend inspiration and backstage techniques to the final look, while spotlighting the five new Runway Matte shades.
With Le Défilé, L’Oréal Paris continues to be a platform celebrating beauty in all its forms and a reminder that every woman is worth celebrating.
About L’Oréal Paris
L’Oréal Paris, the world’s #1 beauty brand, has more than 40 years of pioneering scientific research heritage, and offers a stringent selection of the most advanced beauty care with proven efficacy and safety to its consumers.
Beyond cosmetics, L’Oréal Paris creates a world of Parisian beauty to inspire every woman everywhere.
“Because you’re worth it.” With this world-recognized slogan, and from the beginning, L’Oréal Paris has encouraged women to live their best lives according to their own rules and desires. The brand has a rich legacy of empowering women and working with them to build a more inclusive world of tomorrow. This commitment is expressed through a host of local and international cause initiatives, another such initiative being the Stand Up – Against Street Harassment program.
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25, Sep 2026
Gold Imports Slide Sharply, Raising Questions Over FY27 Outlook
Sep 25: India’s gold import outlook for the current financial year is facing fresh uncertainty after a sharp fall in monthly imports, according to a recent report.
Gold imports declined significantly in August, raising questions over whether the slowdown reflects weaker domestic demand, consumers delaying purchases or a shift towards unofficial channels.
According to the report, India’s gold imports during the first five months of FY27 stood at around $17.5 billion, compared with $16.9 billion during the same period last year. However, the latest monthly trend has raised concerns over the overall import estimate for the financial year.
Gold imports fell 57.75 per cent year-on-year to around $2.3 billion in August, compared with $4.16 billion in July. Despite the August decline, imports during April-August remained higher than the corresponding period of the previous year.
The report said the decline could be linked partly to the increase in gold import duties, which raised the overall import duty to 15 per cent from May 13, 2026. Higher domestic prices may have encouraged some consumers to postpone jewellery purchases.
Another possibility highlighted in the report is that consumers may be waiting for any future changes in import duties before making purchases. It also pointed to the possibility of greater activity through unofficial channels, although this does not necessarily mean that overall gold demand has fallen by the same extent.
The decline comes ahead of India’s major festive and wedding season, when gold and jewellery purchases generally increase. A recovery in seasonal demand could therefore influence import volumes in the coming months.
From a broader economic perspective, lower gold imports could help reduce pressure on India’s import bill and support the country’s external balances. At the same time, a shift towards unofficial channels could affect government revenue from customs and taxes.
The report had earlier assumed India’s gold imports at around $88 billion for FY27, but the recent decline has created downside risks to that estimate.
The coming festive and wedding season is expected to provide a clearer indication of whether the recent fall represents a sustained change in gold demand or a temporary slowdown in purchases.
25, Sep 2026
India’s Pharma and MedTech Industries Gain New Momentum from PLI Push

India’s pharmaceutical and medical technology sectors are entering a new phase of growth, driven by rising domestic manufacturing, fresh investments and a stronger push towards innovation.
At the centre of this transformation is the government’s Production Linked Incentive (PLI) programme, which is encouraging manufacturers to increase capacity, adopt modern technologies and develop products that were previously heavily dependent on imports.
The impact is becoming visible across the healthcare value chain. Pharmaceutical companies are expanding production of medicines and critical ingredients, while medical-device manufacturers are increasingly producing sophisticated equipment and implants within the country.
From volume to value in pharma
India has long been a major global supplier of medicines, but the next stage of growth is increasingly focused on moving up the value chain.
The pharmaceutical PLI scheme is supporting investments in areas such as complex medicines, high-value products and critical pharmaceutical ingredients. Government data show that the pharmaceutical drugs segment had attracted Rs 45,158 crore in cumulative investment by March 2026, while the bulk-drug segment recorded around Rs 5,070 crore in investment.
The significance goes beyond production numbers. Greater domestic capacity for critical ingredients can make pharmaceutical supply chains more resilient and reduce exposure to disruptions in international markets.
For Indian companies, it also creates room to expand manufacturing capabilities and compete for a larger share of global pharmaceutical demand.
Medical devices emerge as a new manufacturing opportunity
India’s medical-device industry is undergoing a similar transformation.
Under the Medical Devices PLI scheme, 27 projects have been approved, including 14 involving MSMEs, with actual investment of around Rs 1,153 crore.
Manufacturing is expanding into products such as MRI and CT equipment, mammography systems, C-arms, ultrasound equipment, radiotherapy systems, heart valves and stents.
This represents an important shift for India’s healthcare sector. Medical equipment has traditionally been an area where imports have played a significant role. Increasing local production can strengthen supply chains while giving domestic manufacturers an opportunity to develop technology and scale up.
Innovation becomes the next frontier
The government’s approach is also moving beyond factories and production lines.
The Rs 5,000-crore Promotion of Research and Innovation in Pharma MedTech (PRIP) scheme is designed to support research and development in new medicines, complex generics, biosimilars and innovative medical devices.
Emerging technologies such as AI, machine learning, robotics and advanced diagnostics are also becoming part of this innovation push.
This could create a larger role for startups, research institutions and MSMEs in India’s healthcare technology ecosystem, rather than limiting the sector’s growth to large manufacturers.
More investment, more specialised jobs
The expansion of healthcare manufacturing can have a wider economic impact. New production facilities require engineers, technicians, researchers, quality specialists and other skilled professionals.
At the same time, the growth of pharma and MedTech manufacturing can create opportunities for supporting industries involved in components, electronics, packaging, testing, logistics and specialised services.
This makes healthcare manufacturing an important link between industrial policy and employment generation.
Strengthening India’s healthcare supply chain
The PLI programme is also changing the conversation around healthcare security.
A stronger domestic manufacturing base can help India respond more effectively to disruptions in global supply chains and maintain access to essential medicines and equipment.
For hospitals and healthcare providers, a wider domestic supplier base could eventually provide more options for sourcing medical equipment and components. For manufacturers, it offers an opportunity to develop products suited to Indian requirements while building export capabilities.
The road ahead
The larger opportunity for India lies in combining manufacturing scale with research, technology and innovation.
PLI incentives have helped create an investment framework, but long-term growth will also depend on companies developing globally competitive products, improving quality, investing in R&D and building skilled talent.
As pharmaceutical and medical-device manufacturing expands, India’s healthcare industry could increasingly move from being primarily a large consumer market to becoming a stronger global production and innovation hub.
The PLI push is therefore not just about increasing factory output. It is helping reshape India’s healthcare manufacturing ecosystem around domestic capability, technology, investment and global competitiveness.
25, Sep 2026
1,741 Corrections Flagged in Odisha SCERT Textbooks, Minister Tells Assembly
Bhubaneswar, Sept. 25 (UDN): A total of 1,741 errors and suggested corrections have been identified in Class I to VIII SCERT textbooks introduced during the current academic session, Odisha’s School and Mass Education Minister Nityananda Gond informed the Assembly on Friday.
Representational Image
Responding to a question from MLA Kalikesh Narayan Singh Deo, the minister said the issues have been documented through an official corrigendum that has already been circulated to schools.
Majority Were Language and Printing Errors
According to the minister, the identified issues include:
5 factual or conceptual errors
1,075 grammatical, typographical and spelling errors
661 suggestions for improvement
He said the textbooks had undergone preparation through workshop-based drafting, followed by proofreading and a one-day review by subject experts before receiving final approval from the Core Committee.
Corrections Issued to Schools
Among the significant mistakes detected were errors related to a photograph of the Odisha Legislative Assembly, the location of the Niyamgiri Hills, and the identification of the Konark Sun Temple.
The minister said a corrigendum containing the corrected information has been distributed to schools to help teachers and students refer to the revised content.
Officials Face Action
The government has taken disciplinary action over the lapses. The former Director of DTE & SCERT and three Assistant Directors have been suspended, while disciplinary proceedings have also been initiated against six other Assistant Directors of DTE & SCERT.
Measures to Improve Future Editions
Gond told the House that the department has initiated measures to strengthen the textbook review process and improve quality control before publication. He said future revised editions would place greater emphasis on ensuring the accuracy of Odisha’s history, geography, language and cultural heritage.
25, Sep 2026
Enso Powers Tokenized Stock Execution for ether.fi’s New Consumer App
Integration marks Enso’s largest consumer-facing deployment to date, giving ether.fi Cash users cross-chain access to tokenized equities and metals in a single transaction
ZURICH, Switzerland, Sept 25 — Enso, the execution infrastructure platform for on-chain finance, has announced it is powering execution for tokenized stocks and metals inside ether.fi’s new consumer app. The integration makes Enso the exclusive minting and redemption provider for xStocks-based tokenized assets within ether.fi Cash, and represents Enso’s largest consumer-facing deployment to date.
The integration underpins tokenized-asset access introduced as part of ether.fi’s broader Summer 2026 release, which added tokenized stock and metals trading, portfolio-backed borrowing and expanded fiat on-ramps to its self-custodial app. Enso operates as the execution layer underneath ether.fi Cash, handling routing, minting, redemption and settlement in a single route interface.
With the integration live, ether.fi Cash users can buy and redeem tokenized stocks and ETFs, as well as tokenized metals, directly from their Cash balance in a single transaction, without manually bridging, selecting a chain or holding an intermediate asset.
The integration builds on an existing relationship between the two companies: Enso already powers one-click, cross-chain deposits into ether.fi’s liquid vaults, live since 2025. This expands that infrastructure into ether.fi’s largest and most consumer-facing product to date, and extends Enso’s broader real-world asset execution track record, which includes serving as an approved minter for Ondo Finance andas a dApp recommended by Porto, Anchorage Digital’s institutional self-custody wallet.
“Tokenized assets have lived in a DeFi niche for too long,” said Connor Howe, Co-Founder and CEO of Enso. “This integration puts them inside a product hundreds of thousands of people already use every day, without asking any of them to think about routing, liquidity or which chain an asset happens to live on. It’s the clearest proof yet that execution infrastructure built for DeFi is ready for mainstream consumer finance.”
“What stood out about Enso was how they work. From the first conversation they focused on the outcome we needed, then built the execution around our architecture rather than asking us to bend to theirs” said Charles Mountain, Head of Ecosystem, ether.fi.
Access to tokenized stocks and metals through ether.fi is gated at the issuer level and subject to eligibility and jurisdictional restrictions; the feature is not available to users in the United States.
25, Sep 2026
Huntswood launches Complaints 360 to help financial advisers and investment firms transform complaints into better customer outcomes
Sept 25: Huntswood, a ResultsCX company that delivers resourcing, outsourcing and advisory services from complaints to customer service, remediation to resilience, has launched Complaints360, a new integrated complaints solution that will help organisations transform complaints into customer loyalty. Huntswood helps manage over 280,000 complaints for UK financial services companies, which includes investment firms, every year.
Complaints360 has been built on the foundations of Huntswood’s extensive complaints handling expertise. For more than 30 years, the company has helped UK organisations improve the way they manage complaints.
Financial advisers, wealth management and investment firms are under increasing pressure to deliver consistently good customer outcomes as regulatory expectations continue to evolve, client expectations rise and firms navigate increasingly complex advice, investment and servicing journeys.
Research from Huntswood released today, underlines the scale of the challenge facing UK organisations around their handling of customer complaints. The study reveals that around one in three consumers (32%) make a complaint to a UK company over a 12-month period, and around 46% of those who complain make more than one complaint.
Amongst those who say they are complaining more than they did five years ago, 64% cite worsening service or poor product experiences as the main reason, while almost a third (29%) say improved complaints processes have encouraged them to speak up and 22% believe social media and review platforms make it easier to effect change in their favour.
Complaints360 enables organisations to move beyond reactive complaint handling towards a proactive, insight-led model that strengthens compliance, reduces operational risk and improves customer trust.
The comprehensive complaints transformation service blends specialist human expertise, AI-powered technology and scalable delivery. The solution will help organisations deliver good customer outcomes at scale, identify root causes and improve speed and accuracy across the entire complaints’ life cycle.
James Tattersall, Senior Director, Advisory, Huntswood said: “Complaints360 helps firms move beyond simply resolving complaints to understanding and preventing them. By combining experienced complaints specialists with AI-enabled technology, organisations can identify root causes more quickly, improve consistency and regulatory compliance, and use complaint insight to drive continuous improvement across the business.”
Siddharth Parashar, Managing Director, UK & Europe, Huntswood/ResultsCX said: “For financial advisers and investment firms, every complaint represents an opportunity to strengthen client relationships and improve the quality of advice and service. In an industry built on trust, how firms respond to complaints is just as important as how they prevent them.
“The FCA’s Consumer Duty has placed an even greater emphasis on delivering good customer outcomes and demonstrating that firms are learning from client feedback. Complaints can reveal recurring issues with communications, administration, servicing or client journeys that might overwise go unnoticed until they become more significant regulatory or reputational risks.
25, Sep 2026
Landslide Halts Train Services on Koraput-Rayagada Line as Heavy Rain Batters Odisha
Rayagada, Sept. 25 (UDN): Train services on the Koraput-Rayagada railway line were disrupted on Friday after a landslide triggered by heavy rainfall blocked the tracks near Tunnel No. 29 between Keutguda and Sikarapai stations.
Representational Image
Mud and large boulders slid onto the railway line, forcing authorities to suspend rail movement on the route and affecting both passenger and long-distance trains.
Trains Stranded on Route
The disruption left several trains halted at different stations, with the Intercity Express stranded at Sikarapai and the Hirakhand Express stopped at Keutguda, causing inconvenience to passengers.
Restoration Work in Progress
Teams from East Coast Railway (ECOR) rushed to the site with heavy machinery soon after the incident was reported. Restoration crews are working to remove debris and clear the tracks to resume train operations at the earliest.
Rain Keeps Authorities on Alert
The latest disruption comes after another day of rain-related disturbances along the railway corridor, where several minor landslides had been reported earlier.
With heavy rainfall continuing across the region, railway officials are maintaining close surveillance of tunnels, hill slopes and other vulnerable stretches along the mountainous route to minimise the risk of further disruptions.
