9, Apr 2026
Sleepyhead launches stain & water-repellent BITE sofa, proves comfort can be loud, messy & unhinged with a strong pop culture approach

Sleepyhead launches stain & water-repellent BITE sofa, proves comfort can be loud, messy & unhinged with a strong pop culture approach

New Delhi, Apr 09: Sleepyheadthe modern furniture and sleep solutions brand, has unveiled its latest offering – the BITE Sofa, through a bold, culture-led campaign that merges music, movement, and modern design. At the heart of the campaign is an offbeat music video that captures the unfiltered, unhinged side of everyday life, with the sofa seamlessly stepping in as both prop and protagonist. The campaign leans into irreverence, using music and movement to move away from predictable formats and bring in a more playful, culture-first energy.

 
Designed for a generation that embraces chaos yet seeks comfort, the BITE Sofa emerges as a seamless blend of style, functionality, and everyday ease.
 
Engineered for real life, its soft woven 380 GSM fabric is both stain and waterrepellent, making it one of the most low-maintenance, worry-free choices. Crafted with solid wood, 6 inches of high resilience foam and a sleek tuxedo-style design, it can elevate the vibe of any living room.
 
The tufted upholstery across all the sides adds a sink-in, lounge-worthy feel with a broad seat depth for superior comfort.
 
Thoughtfully designed for compact spaces, the sofa’s raised wooden legs aids effortless cleaning and makes living rooms look more spacious and airy. Put through over 50,000 abrasion tests and backed by a 3-year warranty, the BITE Sofa brings together durability and design, where spills and everyday mess simply become part of the story, not the problem.
 
The soundtrack, composed and produced by Gandhar (@actuallygandhar), the emerging live looping artist known for blending genres with a distinct sonic identity. On screen, Piyush Gurbhele (i_am_piyush_gurbhele), a Dance India Dance 6 Runner-up, celebrated for his dynamic style and storytelling-led performances.
 
Apart from the film, Sleepyhead has extended the campaign through a dance-off with influencers, encouraging creators to share their sofa spill story through a series of social posts that showcases the sofa’s stain-resistant functionality in real, everyday scenarios.
 
Speaking on the launch, Mr. Ullas Vijay, Chief Marketing Officer, Duroflex, said: “With BITE, we set out to create something culturally alive by collaborating with new-age artists who are shaping how young India expresses itself today. Drawing from the popular social media discourse of ‘use of free will’ we brought together movement, and storytelling to reflect a generation that is expressive, unfiltered, and effortlessly at ease.”
 
With the BITE SofaSleepyhead continues to push the boundaries of how furniture is perceived as integral parts of self-expression and everyday storytelling.
9, Apr 2026
Faith in Motion: Over 23 Lakh Pilgrims Flock to Vaishno Devi Shrine in 2026

Jammu, Apr 9 (BNP): In a powerful display of devotion, more than 23 lakh pilgrims have visited the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine so far in 2026, reaffirming its place as one of India’s most cherished spiritual destinations.

Located in the scenic Trikuta hills of Jammu and Kashmir, the shrine continues to attract devotees from all walks of life. For many, the journey is more than a pilgrimage—it is a deeply personal experience of faith, endurance, and hope.

Pilgrims, chanting hymns and walking together along the mountain path, create an atmosphere filled with spirituality and shared purpose. The steady rise in footfall also reflects improved facilities, including better connectivity, enhanced safety measures, and more efficient crowd management.

Authorities say these efforts have made the pilgrimage more accessible and comfortable, encouraging even elderly devotees and families to undertake the journey with greater ease.

Beyond its religious significance, the surge in visitors is also providing a boost to the local economy, supporting livelihoods linked to tourism and services in the region.

The continued influx of devotees highlights the timeless appeal of the shrine, where faith continues to draw millions seeking blessings and inner peace.

9, Apr 2026
Gujarat Titans Register First Win of IPL 2026 with Thrilling 1-Run Victory Over Delhi Capitals

New Delhi,Apr 9: In a high-voltage encounter at the Arun Jaitley Stadium, Gujarat Titans clinched their first win of the Indian Premier League 2026 season, edging past Delhi Capitals by a dramatic one-run margin.

The match went down to the final ball, where a crucial run-out sealed the victory for Gujarat, marking a remarkable turnaround after losing their first two matches of the season.

Chasing a competitive target, Delhi Capitals put up a strong fight led by KL Rahul, who played a brilliant knock of 92 runs off 52 balls. He was well supported by David Miller, who remained unbeaten on 41 off 19 balls, keeping Delhi in contention till the very end.

The match witnessed a dramatic finish in the final overs. Miller showcased his explosive batting, taking on the Gujarat bowlers with aggressive stroke play. In the 19th over, he struck two sixes and a four against Mohammed Siraj, shifting the momentum in Delhi’s favour.

With eight runs required off the last three balls, the tension peaked. Miller smashed a towering six off Prasidh Krishna, bringing the equation down to the final deliveries. However, Gujarat held their nerve, and a decisive run-out on the last ball denied Delhi a famous win.

Earlier in the over, Vipraj Nigam contributed with a boundary but was dismissed at a crucial moment, adding to the late drama. Kuldeep Yadav also played a role in rotating the strike during the final over.

This thrilling victory marks a significant comeback for Gujarat Titans, boosting their campaign momentum, while Delhi Capitals will look to regroup after a heartbreaking defeat.

9, Apr 2026
Bangalore International Airport Limited, Indigo and Digi Yatra Successfully Conduct Technical Trials of Contactless International Travel Project with IATA

April 09: Bangalore International Airport Limited (BIAL), in partnership with IndiGo, Digi Yatra Foundation, and International Air Transport Association (IATA), successfully demonstrated integrated international travel flow from ticketing, managing bookings to seamless, biometric-enabled journey in technical trials at the Kempegowda International Airport Bengaluru (BLR Airport). This first-of-its-kind initiative in India was part of IATA’s global campaign of conducting Proofs-of-Concept (PoCs) for International Contactless travel journeys in key markets across the globe.

Bangalore International Airport Limited, Indigo and Digi Yatra Successfully Conduct Technical Trials of Contactless International Travel Project with IATA

 Earlier this year, IndiGo and Digi Yatra Foundation had successfully implemented cutting-edge Self-Sovereign Identity (SSI) based ecosystem utilising biometric technology for contactless passenger processing at airports and an app-to-app integration enabling seamless sharing of boarding passes between their-mobile applications. Building on the successful model, IndiGo and Digi Yatra Foundation, in association with BIAL, have demonstrated the viability and scalability of this technology to enable international travel. This marks a significant step towards full‑scale deployment and ushers in the next phase of digital travel.

BLR Airport has been at the forefront of implementing Digi Yatra, setting benchmarks for seamless and secure domestic passenger processing. As international passenger volumes continue to grow, the airport is now advancing the next phase of biometric enabled travel for international passengers. This positions BLR Airport as the only airport in India participating in this IATA-led global initiative alongside leading airports and airlines worldwide.

George Fanthome, Chief Technical Officer, Bangalore International Airport Limited, said:

At BLR Airport, we have taken a phased approach to building a biometric led travel ecosystem, supported by continued investments in seamless, technology enabled passenger flows. These new trials align with the airport’s broader vision of enabling contactless travel at scale, where passenger-controlled data, interoperability, and seamless experiences converge. As the ecosystem evolves, the focus will be on driving standardisation and enabling contactless journeys that can scale across other airports.

Neetan Chopra, Chief Digital and Information Officer, IndiGo, said

“At IndiGo, we are committed to shaping the future of travel through innovation and customer‑centric solutions. These successful technical trials clearly demonstrate the feasibility and scalability of leveraging digital identity and biometric technologies to deliver seamless, contactless airport experience. We are pleased to have collaborated with IATA, Digi Yatra and BIAL to take this initiative a step ahead from the concept stage, and look forward to it playing a meaningful role in the evolution of global air travel.”

“India is emerging as a global leader in digital and contactless travel, and the work being done by IndiGo, Digi Yatra and Bangalore International Airport Limited clearly demonstrates what is possible when innovation, scale and collaboration come together. This proof‑of‑concept shows how India’s digital identity ecosystem can be extended beyond domestic travel to enable seamless international journeys, built on globally aligned standards. The success of these trials reinforces India’s role in shaping the next phase of passenger experience transformation, with solutions that can be replicated across the world,” said Kim Macaulay, IATA’s Chief Information and Data Officer.

Suresh Khadakbhavi, CEO Digi Yatra Foundation, said

“What we have demonstrated with IndiGo, BLR Airport, and IATA goes beyond a successful PoC, it is a glimpse into the future of international travel. We enabled a seamless, end-to-end digital journey where a passenger’s identity is securely established in advance and verified across airport touchpoints using only their face. Built on Digi Yatra’s privacy-first, consent-led framework, this approach ensures minimal, purpose-bound data usage. By aligning with IATA’s One ID standards, we have also demonstrated true interoperability with other global travel ecosystems, paving the way for faster, more secure, and globally trusted travel experiences at scale”

9, Apr 2026
US Dollar Weakens Sharply, 2026 Gains Vanish on Geopolitical Concerns

Apr 9: The U.S. dollar weakened sharply, with the US Dollar Index falling by more than 1 percent amid rising geopolitical tensions, erasing all the gains it had built up earlier in 2026.

The decline reflects increasing caution among investors, who are reacting to global uncertainties by shifting away from the dollar. This change in sentiment has put pressure on the currency, reversing its earlier upward trend.

The US Dollar Index tracks the dollar’s performance against a basket of six major currencies. Among these, the Euro carries the highest weight, followed by the Japanese Yen, British Pound, Canadian Dollar, Swedish Krona, and Swiss Franc.

A fall in the index typically indicates a broad-based weakening of the U.S. currency against its global peers. The latest drop highlights how sensitive currency markets are to geopolitical developments and shifting investor confidence.

Analysts note that if uncertainty persists, the dollar could remain under pressure in the near term, with investors likely to continue seeking safer or alternative assets.

9, Apr 2026
India’s Robust Growth Cushions South Asia Against Economic Headwinds

Apr 9: India’s strong economic momentum is helping stabilize the broader South Asian region at a time when several neighboring economies are facing slower growth, according to a recent assessment by the World Bank.

The report highlights that India is expected to grow at around 7.6 percent, making it the fastest-growing major economy in the region. This robust performance is playing a critical role in offsetting weaker economic conditions in other South Asian countries, where challenges such as inflation, fiscal pressures, and external debt have weighed on growth.

India’s expansion is being driven by a combination of factors, including strong domestic demand, increased public investment in infrastructure, and resilience in key sectors such as services and manufacturing. These strengths have helped maintain economic stability even amid global uncertainties.

In contrast, several neighboring economies are experiencing slower recovery due to tighter financial conditions and structural constraints. As a result, the region’s overall growth outlook would be significantly weaker without India’s contribution.

The World Bank notes that while South Asia continues to face risks from global economic volatility, India’s sustained growth provides an important buffer. It not only supports regional economic activity but also strengthens investor confidence across the subcontinent.

However, the report also emphasizes the need for continued reforms across the region to ensure long-term, inclusive growth. Strengthening fiscal management, boosting private sector investment, and enhancing resilience to external shocks remain key priorities.

In summary, India’s solid growth trajectory is acting as a stabilizing force for South Asia, helping to cushion the impact of slower growth in neighboring economies while reinforcing the region’s overall economic outlook.

9, Apr 2026
Alfa Laval sharpens focus on serving pharmaceutical production with new Food & Pharma Division

Copenhagen, Denmark, April 9: With its deep expertise in separation, heat transfer and fluid handling, Alfa Laval is ideally placed to partner with pharmaceutical production pace-setters to improve profitability, accessibility and competitiveness, promote social responsibility and reduce environmental impact. Its global presence enables Alfa Laval to assist pharmaceutical producers in their efforts to optimize their global supply chains.

As part of this strategic direction, Alfa Laval has implemented a transformation of its organization to establish the Food & Pharma Division and pioneer positive impact in life-essential industries. Set on helping billions of people get the safe medicine they deserve, Alfa Laval is substantially reinforcing its pharma workforce and committing a significant additional investment into R&D and operations over the next four years. 

Alfa Laval sharpens focus on serving pharmaceutical production with new Food & Pharma Division

 

“Secure supplies of safe and affordable medicine are needed now more than ever before.  At Alfa Laval, we are committed to pioneering and empowering the pharmaceutical industry to push the boundaries of speed and scalability,” says Sammy Hulpiau, President Alfa Laval Food & Pharma Division.

The new structure has been designed to support pharmaceutical operators in tackling a range of challenges: optimizing the production of the rapidly increasing generic and biosimilar medicines while maximizing the patent window of patented medicines when a company benefits from a price premium. This comes on top of a pressing requirement to optimize productivity, sharpen competitiveness, secure compliance, mitigate risks, and build supply chain resilience.

“With our embedded expertise and industry-leading pharmaceutical manufacturing solutions, we will support customers to innovate and produce the medicine of tomorrow, improving health, resilience, longevity and accessibility for a growing and ageing global population,” says Sammy Hulpiau.

Delivering in a world of disruption

Against a backdrop of fierce competition, erratic climate change, and geopolitical turbulence, the pharmaceutical industry is continuously adapting to disruption in markets, supply chains, demographics, regulations, and the environment. It is in these hectic conditions that Alfa Laval thrives, with a proven 140-year reputation for leading the way, through world-class knowledge and experience.

“With class leading technologies and the expertise to apply these solutions to pharmaceutical production, we empower our customers to continuously optimize their processes and achieve a superior TCO and ROI,” says Doug Osman, Strategic Business Developer, Alfa Laval Pharma. “We also have the capacity and commitment for collaborative development to scale up innovations to industrial production quickly, while increasing patent windows and supporting swift regulatory approvals.”

Minimized environmental impact

Alfa Laval has a strong drive to minimize environmental impacts across all the industries in which it operates and leverages its multi-discipline expertise to ensure customers maximize resources and lessen the impact to the environment and local communities. Water efficiency is a practice that has taken up a particularly prominent space in the new Food & Pharma Division, as it is a key focal point in both industries.

“Pharmaceutical production is typically extremely water intensive and is also subject to a number of growing regulations worldwide, driving it to reduce the release of pharmaceutical residues in its wastewater to zero. Thanks to Alfa Laval’s long engagement and expertise in the water sector, we continuously help pharmaceutical producers to enhance water reuse to safeguard water security and comply with regulations for industrial outlet,” says Eline Suijlen, Water Industry & Strategic Partnership Manager at Alfa Laval. 

Inflection point

The Covid pandemic proved an inflection point for the pharma industry and also for Alfa Laval in the joint effort to seemingly achieve the impossible and develop new medicine at an unprecedented pace – all in the name of saving lives.

“In this demanding development environment, we – like many others – were forced to employ new methods to achieve the results desperately needed. It changed our approach to single-use equipment, for example, and how this may be applied to drastically speed up R&D, because of the inherent flexibility and rapid prototyping of single-use systems. We now enjoy the benefits of these learnings as a more capable organization as we face up to new challenges with respect to demographics, geopolitics and climate change ,” says Doug Osman. 

Following the Covid pandemic, the UN  adjusted its assessment of  global  demographics in 2024, recording that the  population  is projected to grow  to more than 10 billion people by 2060, with  the share of people  aged 65 or older expected to double to 20% in that time, while a growing middle class boosting the demand for new, affordable and specialized medicines (UN, 2024).

For pharmaceutical companies this brings a number of challenges demanding reliability, agility  and  resilience, with increased investment in R&D putting  pressure on  profitability, global supply chains  facing more stress-testing from geopolitical tensions, and regulatory and environmental regulations becoming ever stricter.

Doug Osman says: “We are acutely aware of the challenges that the industry faces. At Alfa Laval we have the experience, expertise, and with our new Food & Pharma Divisional structure, we are well equipped to support customers and take on these challenges successfully.” 

9, Apr 2026
Scoot Expands Network in Indonesia with New Flights to Belitung and Pontianak

Singapore, Apr 09: Scoot, the low-cost subsidiary of Singapore Airlines (SIA), today announced the launch of new flight services to Belitung and Pontianak in Indonesia. Operated by the Embraer E190-E2 aircraft, these flights will commence in May and June 2026 respectively, offering travellers greater accessibility and more options for travel. 

Belitung is a tropical gem tucked away in the eastern coast of Sumatra, and known for its unique geological formations, rich biodiversity, and pristine coastlines. The island is also home to the Belitung Tarsier, a nocturnal primate subspecies unique to the island. From 3 May 2026, Scoot will launch two times weekly flights to Belitung. 

Pontianak, the capital of West Kalimantan, sits directly on the equator and is home to the Equator Monument, where visitors can stand between the northern and southern hemispheres. This culturally rich riverside city, set along Indonesia’s longest river, the Kapuas River, also enjoys a reputation as a food haven with its wide variety of local specialities. From 29 June 2026, Scoot will operate three times weekly flights to Pontianak. 

One-way Economy Class fares to Belitung and Pontianak, inclusive of taxes. The new flights will be available for booking from today via Scoot’s website, mobile application, and progressively through other channels.

With the launch of services to Belitung and PontianakScoot’s network will increase to 85 destinations across 18 countries and territories.

In addition to the new destinations, Scoot will also be increasing flight frequencies within its network to support the demand for air travel, especially during the upcoming school holiday season. 

From April 2026, flights to Phuket will increase from 17 to 21 times weekly and flights to Sibu will increase from three to four times weekly. From June 2026, flights to Bali and Jakarta will increase from 28 to 35 times weekly. In the same month, services to Labuan Bajo will increase from two to three times weekly, services to Lombok will increase from four to 10 times weekly and services to Manado will increase from six times weekly to daily flights. 

In North Asia, frequencies to Okinawa will increase from three to four times weekly from April 2026. Similarly, frequencies to Changsha will increase from four to five times weekly. In Europe, frequencies to Vienna will increase from three to four times weekly from June 2026. 

Mr Leslie Thng, Chief Executive Officer of Scoot, said, “The addition of new routes to Belitung and Pontianak not only enhances Scoot’s footprint in Indonesia, but also strengthens the SIA Group’s network connectivity through Singapore. The increase in flight frequencies to many popular destinations will also support demand for travel as we head into the school holiday season. We remain committed to providing our customers with more travel options and enjoyable journeys with Scoot.” 

Flight schedules are subject to government and regulatory approvals or changes. For more information on flight schedules.

9, Apr 2026
AAEON’s BOXER-6845-BTL Blends Bartlett Lake Processing with Workstation-Class GPU Support

High-performance GPU support, Intel Core Series 2 processing, and a compact design see AAEON’s BOXER-6845-BTL positioned as a solution for AI inference server, workstation, and robotics applications.

AAEON’s BOXER-6845-BTL Blends Bartlett Lake Processing with Workstation-Class GPU Support

 

(Taipei, Taiwan – Apr 09) Leading provider of industrial PC solutions AAEON announced the BOXER-6845-BTL, an Expansion Box PC powered by up to 65W CPUs from the new Intel Core Processor Series 2 range (formerly Bartlett Lake), including SKUs with dedicated performance-core architecture.

While the selection of supported processors represents a substantial improvement on previous offerings from AAEON’s Expansion Box PC series, the most noticeable advances can be seen in the BOXER-6845-BTL’s expansion options and compact size. At 150mm x 270mm x 225mm, the BOXER-6845-BTL is 43% smaller than its predecessor, which AAEON has indicated is in response to increasing demand for platforms that can offer high-performance computing while still being suitable for deployment in tight spaces, such as cabinets and mobile robotic units.

AAEON’s BOXER-6845-BTL Blends Bartlett Lake Processing with Workstation-Class GPU Support

 

The BOXER-6845-BTL is available in two system SKUs, each equipped with a riser card offering either a PCIe x16 + PCIe x4 configuration (A1 SKU) or a PCIe x4 + PCI slot configuration (A2 SKU). As such, the BOXER-6845-BTL’s A1 model is built to host exceptionally powerful GPUs, such as the NVIDIA RTX PRO 4000 Blackwell SFF Edition, for heavy edge AI inference workloads. Meanwhile, its A2 SKU offers support for legacy PCI cards like motion controllers, frame grabbers, and industrial communication cards.

Additional expansion for Wi-Fi and 5G is available through an M.2 E-Key slot and two M.2 B-Key slots, one of which also offers a front-access Nano SIM slot. For storage, the system is equipped with two 2.5” SATA drive bays with RAID support alongside two M.2 2280 M-Key slots for NVMe. As such, the system is designed to handle both the heavy real-time processing and long-term data retention required by industrial robotics and machine vision applications.

The BOXER-6845-BTL’s I/O features three lockable RJ-45 LAN ports, two USB 3.2 (10 Gbps) ports, two DB-9 ports for RS-232/422/485, as well as a DB-15 port for 8-bit digital I/O. For operating system support, the system is compatible with Windows 10 IoT 2021 LTSC, Windows 11 IoT LTSC, and Ubuntu 24.04.

9, Apr 2026
PFRDA and Industry Partners Introduce “NPS Swasthya” to Integrate Retirement Savings and Healthcare Accessibility

Bengaluru, India  Apr 09: The Pension Fund Regulatory and Development Authority (PFRDA) launched the second POC(under regulatory sandbox) of NPS Swasthya, an initiative intended to provide for healthcare funding alongwith retirement planning. NPS Swasthya is a multi-partner initiative structured to provide comprehensive financial and health security. The Pension Fund Regulatory and Development Authority (PFRDA) serves as the regulatory authority. Medi Assist Healthcare Services acts as the core technology partner, providing digital infrastructure. CAMS KRA supports subscriber onboarding and KYC enablement. Tata Pension Fund and Axis Pension Fund serve as the designated pension fund managers. Aditya Birla Health Insurance provides the integrated top-up insurance cover, and Medi Assist TPA manages claims administration.

The initiative addresses a growing gap in India’s retirement landscape, where healthcare costs are projected to rise by 11.5%–14% in 2026, significantly outpacing inflation and putting long-term financial security under pressure for millions. This comes at a time when the pension ecosystem is rapidly scaling, with National Pension System (NPS) and Atal Pension Yojana (APY) having a cumulative subscriber base of 9.64 crore and combined assets under management pegged at INR 16,55,655 crore (as of 29 March 2026).

National Pension System (NPS) funds have traditionally remained locked until the subscriber reaches retirement age. NPS Swasthya is designed to provide subscribers access to a “Net Eligible Balance” up to 25% of their contributions. Subscribers can access these retirement units for immediate medical expenses through the MAven App, developed by Medi Assist Healthcare Services, which features direct integration with the CAMS Central Recordkeeping Agency (CRA) API.

Key Highlights

● NPS Swasthya funds managed by Tata Pension Fund and Axis Pension Fund. NPS Swasthya is being launched under the Multiple Scheme Framework (MSF) of the National Pension System, which enables subscribers to allocate their investments across multiple schemes offered by different pension fund managers. This framework enhances flexibility and choice, allowing investors to tailor their retirement portfolio to their evolving needs while seamlessly integrating features such as healthcare preparedness within the broader NPS structure.

● Health Coverage Integration: The program combines NPS savings, standard health benefits, and a Group Health Super Top-Up insurance plan from Aditya Birla Health Insurance.

Integrated Technology Platform: The technology architecture powering NPS Swasthya combines the strengths of CAMS and Medi Assist to deliver a seamless subscriber experience. The CAMS platform will enable subscribers to easily select suitable schemes, complete enrolment, and make informed decisions on the level of health coverage and sum insured required, including options for top-up policies. Complementing this, the Maven platform by Medi Assist Healthcare Services will facilitate instant verification through CRA-authenticated secure OTPs and enable fully digital withdrawals for healthcare expenses. The platform will also enable automatic registration and processing of claims in the top-up policies.

● Network Access: Medi Assist offers access to a network of more than 15,500 hospitals across 1,264 cities to process cashless payments for inpatient (IPD) and facilitates outpatient (OPD) services as a technology aggregator.

● Investment Continuity: Unused contributions continue to accumulate market-linked returns while remaining accessible for medical emergencies.

Speaking at the occasion, here’s what the leaders had to add : “Currently 10% of Indian Population falls in the category of senior citizens and this demographic is expected to climb to over 20% by the year 2045-50. The fact of the matter is that several elderly remain outside the medical insurance net, making them extremely vulnerable to expenses beyond their reach. The idea of retiring with dignity cannot be alienated from a strong sense of medical security for the elderly. It is not often that we find two regulatory systems coming together to create something for the customers’ benefit. The entire premise of NPS Swasthya Pension Scheme rests on the feasibility of integrating health-related benefit mechanisms with the existing NPS architecture and to assess the associated operational, technological and regulatory aspects. While the first proof of concept launched in January 2026 was for outpatient services, the second proof of concept launched today is about inpatient and hospitalization bills. When put together, we can actually appreciate the consolidated service from the Swasthya Account. NPS Swasthya Pension Scheme not only grows the subscriber’s corpus at a rate that is comparable to other popular instruments available in the market, but also provides financial support for out-patient and inpatient medical expenses in case of medical emergencies. – Shri Sivasubramanian Ramann, Chairperson, Pension Fund Regulatory and Development Authority It is gratifying to see the potential fusion between a pension account and the concept of a top-up medical insurance clubbed for the larger good of the elderly who otherwise remained outside the ambit of medical insurance in the sunset phase of their life.””NPS Swasthya reflects our commitment to evolving retirement solutions that address the realities of longer life and rising healthcare costs. It enables investors to build a robust retirement corpus while staying financially prepared for medical needs, bringing greater balance and resilience to long-term financial planning.”

– Kurian Jose, CEO, Tata Pension Fund Management.

Subrat Mohanty, Executive Director, Axis Bank, said: “India is witnessing a steady rise in awareness around healthcare and financial planning. As awareness and long‑ term financial planning continue to grow, customers are increasingly looking for solutions that deliver flexibility alongside protection. Axis NPS Swasthya Top Up Plus Fund addresses this need by seamlessly integrating healthcare coverage with retirement planning, ensuring investments remain market‑ linked and continue to generate returns if not utilised for medical expenses without compromising long‑ term retirement goals.”

Sumit Shukla, MD & CEO, Axis Pension Fund, said: “NPS Swasthya is unique since it offers a very different health and hospital proposition. A hospitalisation cover of  up to ₹30 lakh at a cost of under ₹10 per day, making healthcare preparedness more accessible within the NPS framework. With this launch, we are strengthening the relevance and adaptability of long-term savings and appreciate PFRDA’s progressive approach in enabling health-linked solutions with NPS.”

Satish Gidugu, CEO, Medi Assist Healthcare Services, said, “At Medi Assist, we believe that technology is the ultimate equaliser in healthcare. By powering the NPS Swasthya ecosystem through our MAven platform, we are transforming a long-term retirement asset into a real-time health resource. We are proud to work alongside PFRDA to ensure that as India’s pension assets grow, so does the health security of every individual contributing to that growth.”

The NPS Swasthya Scheme is available to Indian citizens aged 18–85. Enrollment is subject to a “Good Health Declaration,” ensuring a streamlined onboarding process for members without major pre-existing conditions like heart disease or diabetes.

Through this partnership, PFRDA and industry partners are setting a new standard for social security in India – where technology enables not just a healthier, more secure retirement, but also advances the vision of Viksit Bharat 2047 and health insurance for all.