8, Oct 2025
IIT Roorkee and Maithri Aquatech Join Hands to Pioneer Sustainable Water Solutions in India
IIT Roorkee, Uttarakhand, October 8, 2025 – The Indian Institute of Technology Roorkee (IIT Roorkee), one of India’s premier institutions for higher learning and research, and Maithri Aquatech Pvt. Ltd., a leading innovator in Atmospheric Water Generation (AWG) technology, signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to collaborate on advancing sustainable water solutions. The agreement was signed in the presence of Prof. K.K. Pant, Director, IIT Roorkee, underscoring the institute’s commitment to research with societal and national relevance.
The partnership will focus on joint research, technology development, and pilot demonstrations, aiming to provide safe and reliable drinking water. Maithri Aquatech will also explore CSR and donor-supported initiatives for IIT Roorkee to expand the social impact of AWG deployment, particularly in water-stressed regions of India.
The collaboration plans to encompass research and innovation, including optimization of AWG systems for varied climatic conditions, integration of AI/ML and predictive modeling for operational efficiency, and advanced water quality analytics. It also emphasizes the possibility of knowledge transfer through internships, workshops, joint publications, and co-supervision. Pilot projects and demonstrations leveraging live installations, hybrid solutions combining AWG with nature-based approaches, and development of scalable, replicable models are planned. In addition, capacity building through technical training, seminars, and sustainability-focused modules will equip students and researchers with future-ready skills, while social and policy impact initiatives will ensure alignment with national water resilience strategies and evidence-based policy frameworks.
This collaboration not only advances research and technology in sustainable water solutions but also aligns with ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) compliance principles, ensuring responsible and impact-driven deployment of AWG systems in communities across India.
Prof. M.L. Kansal (WRDM Faculty, IIT Roorkee) – coordinator of this collaboration, providing technical guidance, and academic oversight in research, and field deployment. The partnership brings together a distinguished team of leaders and experts, including Prof. K.K. Pant (Director, IIT Roorkee), Prof. Thanga Raj Chelliah (HoD, WRDM, IIT Roorkee), Prof. M L Kansal, Professor, WRD&M, Prof. K S Kasiviswanathan, WRD&M from IIT Roorkee, alongside industry leaders from Maithri Aquatech, including Capt. K.K. Sharma (EVP), Sh. Pawan Borle (Co-founder). Together, they merge academic excellence, domain expertise, and proven technological innovation to drive scalable, sustainable, and socially impactful water solutions.
Prof. K.K. Pant, Director, IIT Roorkee, said, “This collaboration exemplifies IIT Roorkee’s commitment to transforming cutting-edge research into practical solutions for society. By combining our academic expertise with Maithri Aquatech’s technology, we aim to enhance water resilience and create scalable models that can benefit communities across India.”
Capt. K.K. Sharma, EVP, Maithri Aquatech, added, “Partnering with IIT Roorkee allows us to integrate our AWG technology with research-led insights, ensuring more efficient, sustainable, and socially impactful water solutions. Together, we can address the urgent water challenges facing India today and contribute to global sustainability goals.”
This initiative supports India’s National Water Mission, Jal Shakti Abhiyan, and other government programs promoting sustainable water management and climate resilience. It also contributes directly to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDG 6: Clean Water and Sanitation; SDG 13: Climate Action). By integrating cutting-edge technology, academic research, and social deployment, IIT Roorkee and Maithri Aquatech aim to enhance water access in underserved communities, develop replicable models for policy adoption, and strengthen India’s climate adaptation and technology-led sustainability agenda.
“I am pleased to support this partnership between IIT Roorkee and Maithri Aquatech, which bridges cutting-edge technology with academic research to provide sustainable water solutions for communities across India,” said Prof. M.L. Kansal, emphasising the importance of coordinated efforts in advancing drinking water and sanitation initiatives.
This MoU positions IIT Roorkee and Maithri Aquatech at the forefront of research-led, impact-driven water innovation, bridging science, technology, and social responsibility. It demonstrates how academic institutions and industry partners can jointly address national priorities and global sustainability challenges, providing scalable solutions for current and future water needs in India and beyond.
- 0
- By Neel Achary
7, Oct 2025
Battle for Glory Begins! Final Four Set for Cue Sports Premier League 2.0
Grand Finale on October 8 at Bowring Institute
Bengaluru, 7th October 2025: The Cue Sports Premier League (CSPL) 2.0 has delivered another thrilling season of high-octane snooker action, bringing together an exceptional mix of International, National, State, and Club players in a unique competitive format.
The league, which commenced on October 2, featured eight dynamic teams vying for the coveted title. After an intense league stage filled with nail-biting finishes and remarkable performances, Hurricane Hawks, Bazooka Blizzards, Summer Tuskers, and Thunderstorm Titans have stormed into the knockout stage.
The Qualifier 1 match will see Hurricane Hawks face Bazooka Blizzards, while Summer Tuskers take on Thunderstorm Titans in the Eliminator – both scheduled for October 7.
While Lightning Legion, Cyclone Crusaders, Tornado Tigers, and Whirlwind Warriors missed out on qualification, they showcased tremendous grit and sportsmanship, contributing to a highly competitive and entertaining league stage.
Powering the passion behind the green baize, the Embassy Group once again leads as Title Sponsor, with Snooker Alley joining the fray as Co-Sponsor. Together, they fuel the growth of Cue Sports Premier League. Fans can catch every thrilling frame live on ClubLiv app, the Official Streaming Partner of CSPL 2.0.
CSPL 2.0 has witnessed some spectacular snooker from world-class players such as Stephen Lee, Harvey Chandler, Kritsanut, Habib Sabah, Aditya Mehta, Paras Gupta, Kamal Chawla, Pankaj Advani, Hussain Khan, and Pushpinder Singh, among many others. Their performances have raised the standard of the tournament and provided fans with an unforgettable experience.
The excitement now builds toward the Grand Finale on October 8, to be held at the state-of-the-art Snooker Arena in the South Pavilion at Bowring Institute, followed by the Awards Ceremony at the Lotus Lawn.
CSPL continues to set new benchmarks in the cue sports landscape by providing a platform where talent meets opportunity — uniting players from diverse backgrounds and skill levels to learn, compete, and inspire one another.
7, Oct 2025
Western Digital to showcase its storage solutions at the India Mobile Congress this October
India, 7th october 2025:Western Digital is showcasing its products to address the evolving storage needs across different sectors at India Mobile Congress (IMC) 2025, scheduled to take place from 8th to 11th October 2025 at Yashobhoomi, New Delhi.
At booth D23, Western Digital is presenting a comprehensive product portfolio that empowers businesses and consumers to capture, preserve, access, and transform data efficiently. Alongside its Ultrastar® DC HC590 26TB HDD and Ultrastar DC HC580 24TB HDD for hyperscale cloud and data center environments, the company will be showcasing its WD Purple and WD Purple Pro HDD portfolio as well as its WD Red Plus and WD Red Pro drives, optimized for NAS.
Western Digital is looking forward to insightful conversations with partners, customers, young talents, and more attending this year’s India Mobile Congress 2025. Furthermore, visitors will be able to experience firsthand howW estern Digital’s innovations are shaping the future of data storage as the brand continues to meet the evolving demands of a data-driven world.
7, Oct 2025
Sundaa Ravaan: Aparshakti Khurana & Barkha Singh Star in Tips Music’s New Romance Track
Mumbai, 7th October 2025: Tips Music Ltd. is thrilled to announce the release of “Sundaa Ravaan,” a vibrant romantic track that brings together the charming Aparshakti Khurana and the vivacious Barkha Singh for the first time on screen. This feel-good anthem of young love drops today across all major platforms, just in time to add some extra sparkle to your festive celebrations.
Pairing Aparshakti and Barkha together for the first time, “Sundaa Ravaan” captures the playful, carefree spirit of modern romance. Their fresh on-screen chemistry brings an infectious energy that today’s youth will instantly connect with – making this the perfect soundtrack for every budding love story.
The song features an engaging music video directed by Nirali Naik. The track comes alive with catchy lyrics by Karan Malhotra and Amar Jalal, and foot-tapping music composed by Karan Malhotra a perfect blend that’ll have you hitting replay.
Mr. Kumar Taurani, Managing Director of Tips Music Ltd, shared, ” Tips has always believed in creating music that connects people. ‘Sundaa Ravaan’ is a feel-good song that captures the energy and playfulness of romance. Aparshakti has surprised us all with his singing talent, and this track is the perfect showcase for it. The song has a refreshing vibe that will appeal to everyone who enjoys music that makes you want to move and celebrate.”
Aparshakti Khurana expressed, “Music has been an integral part of my life ever since I can remember, and getting to bring a beautiful romantic track like ‘Sundaa Ravaan’ to life feels incredible. Karan Malhotra created this song, and Kumar ji instantly appreciated it; I am thankful that I could be a part of it. The entire process was simply exhilarating! Working with Karan on the song was a truly wonderful collaboration. I hope listeners enjoy this song as much as we loved creating it!”
Barkha Singh, sharing her thoughts on the project, “This was my first time venturing into music videos & shooting Sundaa Ravaan was a lot of fun. Apar and I had a blast while shooting & I think that comes through in the video as well. This is the kinda song that makes you smile, and I can’t wait for everyone to experience it.”
Karan Malhotra, Music Composer and Lyricist, added, “Creating ‘Sundaa Ravaan’ was all about capturing that carefree feeling of being in love. We wanted a sound that feels fresh yet familiar, something that celebrates romance in a lighthearted way. Working with Aparshakti as a singer brought a unique charm to the track, and I’m really proud of how it’s turned out.”
Tune in to “Sundaa Ravaan” today, October 6, 2025, and let this charming track brighten your day!
7, Oct 2025
Simplismart and Yotta Partner to Deliver the Next Generation of AI Infrastructure for Indian Enterprises with Shakti Studio
Bengaluru, October 7, 2025 — Simplismart, an Accel-backed company building the fastest MLOps platform for AI workloads, has announced a strategic partnership with Yotta, India’s leading data services provider and NVIDIA Cloud Partner. The collaboration combines Simplismart’s industry-leading inference technology with Yotta’s sovereign GPU cloud infrastructure to power the serverless inference engine behind Yotta’s Shakti Studio, India’s homegrown inference platform for enterprise-scale generative AI.
The partnership marks a significant milestone in India’s AI infrastructure landscape. Simplismart’s ultra-fast, inference-first platform forms the foundation of Shakti Studio’s serverless inference layer, delivering real-time performance, record pod spin-up times, and ultra-low latency even for the largest large language models (LLMs). Yotta, through its Shakti Cloud AI platform, contributes high-performance GPU infrastructure, reliability, and enterprise-grade security, enabling organisations to deploy and scale open-source models within India’s sovereign cloud environment.
“At Simplismart, we’ve always believed that the future of AI depends not just on how powerful models become, but on how easily and responsibly they can be deployed in the real world,” said Amritanshu Jain, CEO and Co-founder, Simplismart. “Enterprises shouldn’t have to choose between performance, security, or sovereignty — they deserve all three. Our partnership with Yotta bridges that gap by pairing India’s most advanced inference platform with sovereign GPU infrastructure. Together, we’re building the foundation for a future where AI is faster, more efficient, and truly made for India enabling every organisation to turn powerful models into practical, real-time impact.”
“With Shakti Studio, we’re bringing the full power of India’s sovereign AI infrastructure to life,” said Sunil Gupta, Co-Founder, MD, & CEO, Yotta Data Service. “By combining Yotta’s Shakti Cloud with Simplismart’s inference technology, we’re enabling enterprises to deploy generative AI at unprecedented speed and scale — securely, locally, and responsibly. This is India’s AI future, built in India, for the world.”
This collaboration is designed to empower Indian enterprises and government organisations with access to locally hosted, production-grade generative AI solutions. By combining Simplismart’s proprietary inference IP and orchestration platform with Yotta’s GPU-backed Shakti Studio & Shakti Cloud, the two companies are setting new benchmarks in scalability, sovereignty, and performance for AI infrastructure in India.
7, Oct 2025
Galgotias Students Secure INR 22 LPA Dream Package at Cisco
Greater Noida, 07 October 2025: For Jai Sindhu and Anushka Raj, final-year B.Tech Computer Science and Engineering students (Batch 2021–2025) at Galgotias University, landing a prestigious role at Cisco with an impressive ₹22 LPA package demonstrates the culmination of passion, preparation, and perseverance. Their journey showcases how an ecosystem built on innovation and experiential learning can empower students to achieve extraordinary results.
Turning Curiosity into Career Success
From their first semester, both Jai and Anushka were fascinated by how networks and systems keep the world connected. Choosing Computer Science at Galgotias was not just about earning a degree, it was about turning their curiosity into opportunity. Through projects, teamwork, and practical learning, they gained the skills and confidence to think beyond books and solve real-world problems like true engineers.
Cisco Centre of Excellence: Bridging Academia and Industry
A key catalyst in their journey was the Cisco Centre of Excellence (COE) at Galgotias University, a collaborative initiative with Cisco Systems that provides students access to advanced training in networking and digital technologies.
This centre helps students gain hands-on exposure to Cisco-certified tools and programs, participate in innovation-driven projects, and earn globally recognized certifications. The COE serves as a bridge between classroom concepts and industry practices, enabling students like Jai and Anushka to align their skills with real-world demands and stand out in competitive placement drives.
Where Learning Meets Application
Galgotias University’s strong focus on Data Structures and Algorithms (DSA), hands-on coding labs, and industry-aligned hackathons played a defining role in shaping their technical edge. Regular coding bootcamps and mock technical interviews helped them hone not only their programming proficiency but also their strategic approach to problem-solving.
“The university’s emphasis on practical learning and mentorship gave us the right foundation to tackle real-world challenges,” shares Anushka. “Every project pushed us to go a step further to think deeper, and build smarter.”
Mentorship, Preparation, and Momentum
From early placement guidance to rigorous mock sessions, Galgotias ensured that students were not just job-ready but industry-ready. Faculty mentors offered individualized feedback, ensuring that both technical and communication skills grew in tandem.
For Jai, these structured touchpoints made all the difference. “Continuous mentorship and exposure to competitive coding culture gave me the clarity and confidence to perform under pressure,” he says.
Shaping Future Innovators
Their success at Cisco reflects more than just personal achievement, it’s a testament to Galgotias University’s mission of nurturing global tech talent ready to lead in a rapidly evolving digital landscape.
“At Galgotias University, we are committed to transforming potential into performance through world-class academic excellence and industry collaboration,” said Dr. Dhruv Galgotia, CEO, Galgotias University.
By blending strong academic foundations with real-world exposure and sustained institutional support, Galgotias continues to be a launchpad for future innovators, students who don’t just adapt to technology, but shape it.
7, Oct 2025
Wacoal India Reaffirms Commitment to Breast Cancer Awareness with CPAA in 4th Edition of #WacoalKnowsBreast
Wacoal India Reaffirms its commitment to Breast Cancer Awareness with CPAA in the 4th Edition of #WacoalKnowsBreast Initiative
India, 7th October 2025: Wacoal, the premium lingerie brand from Japan, continues its enduring commitment to breast cancer awareness through the 4th edition of its flagship initiative, #WacoalKnowsBreast, in partnership with the Cancer Patients Aid Association (CPAA). CPAA is a renowned non-profit organization dedicated to ‘Total Management of Cancer’, which encompasses Awareness, Early Detection, Support for treatment, Guidance and Counseling, Rehabilitation, Research Studies and Advocacy.
This year, the initiative is amplified through the #WacoalKnowsBreast social media campaign designed to encourage regular self-checks, debunk myths, and make conversations around breast health more accessible for women across India.
As part of the initiative, a portion of proceeds from every bra purchased in October will go towards supporting CPAA’s breast cancer programs. To further symbolize their commitment, Wacoal India will once again spotlight the 3-finger salute, a symbolic gesture where one places their right hand on their left chest and forms the number 3 with their fingers. This represents a self-check test that individuals can perform to check their breasts for lumps while also embodying the alphabet ‘W’ for Wacoal.
Ms. Pooja Merani, COO-Wacoal India, expressed her thoughts on the initiative, stating, “Breast cancer is one of the most pressing health concerns for women today, but the power of early detection cannot be overstated. At Wacoal, we are committed to going beyond being a lingerie brand, we want to be a partner in women’s well-being. Through this partnership with CPAA and the #WacoalKnowsBreast campaign, we aim to not only spread awareness but also ensure that women feel supported in their journey towards health and confidence. We hope to make a considerable impact in this area and make it accessible to all women in need.”
Ms. Alka Bisen, CEO of the Cancer Patients Aid Association shared her perspective on the collaboration with Wacoal: “Breast cancer continues to be one of the most significant health challenges for women, and the key to overcoming it lies in awareness and early detection. Through our partnership with Wacoal, we are able to amplify this message, encourage regular self-checks, and provide timely support to those affected. Together, we want to create an environment where women feel informed, empowered, and unafraid to prioritize their health.”
The social media campaign also addresses a common misconception: that eating healthy and staying active alone can safeguard women from breast cancer. By reinforcing that anyone can be at risk, Wacoal positions the simple 3-finger test as a routine practice that every woman can easily incorporate into her daily life. Through these conversations, Wacoal seeks to break taboos, promote early detection, and inspire women across India to take proactive steps toward health, ultimately leading to healthier futures for women across India.
7, Oct 2025
UGRO Capital Launches UtsavKiUdaan with Business Lakshmi Mantra
Chennai, October 7th, 2025: Diwali in India is a season of light and prosperity. But for small businesses, the festival begins much earlier, in the stockrooms where shelves are filled weeks in advance, in the ledgers where cash flows are balanced late into the night, and in the hope that this season will bring growth, not just celebration. It is this reality that UGRO Capital has chosen to spotlight with its festive campaign, #UtsavKiUdaan. At the heart of the initiative are the Business Lakshmi Mantras, a 10-point practical checklist for MSMEs to prepare fully for the surge. From early planning and cashflow discipline to stocking smart, digital readiness, and customer relationships, these mantras are designed as a festive playbook that small businesses can carry forward well beyond Diwali.
The campaign is rooted in research. In a recent readiness poll conducted across platforms by UGRO Capital, nearly 80 percent of MSMEs revealed that they begin preparing one to three months in advance, and over 73 percent said they plan their festive budgets in detail. Funds, not demand, emerged as the single biggest challenge, with over 60 percent citing liquidity as their primary bottleneck. At the same time, more than 90 percent admitted to analysing last year’s performance before planning for this one. These insights confirm a truth UGRO has long believed in – MSMEs are far more disciplined and forward-looking than they are often given credit for.
The Business Lakshmi Mantras were unveiled through an exclusive digital campaign and a podcast conversation between UGRO Capital’s Founder & Managing Director, Shachindra Nath and host Salil Acharya, blending festive spirit with business insight. The Business Lakshmi Mantras booklet, available in seven languages (English, Hindi, Marathi, Gujarati, Tamil, Telugu and Kannada) will reach over three lakh MSMEs directly via WhatsApp and email. The campaign is further amplified through influencer unveilings with a combined reach of 1.5 million, reels under the theme “Main Diwali Ready Hoon” showcasing real entrepreneurs, and a presence in Dainik Jagran and iNext to reach MSME hubs across Bharat. In all, UGRO expects to touch the lives of over two million people this festive season.
Speaking on the launch, Shachindra Nath, Founder & Managing Director, UGRO Capital, said,“Every Diwali, India’s homes light up with diyas but for MSMEs, the real light comes from preparation. If MSME Accha Hai was about recognition, and Bharosa MSME Par was about trust, then #UtsavKiUdaan is about readiness. Prosperity doesn’t arrive by chance; it is created step by step, and UGRO’s role is to stand beside MSMEs in that journey.”
Adding to this, Ankit Chothani, Head – Marketing & Corporate Communications, UGRO Capital, said, “With #UtsavKiUdaan and the Business Lakshmi Mantras, we wanted to give MSMEs more than festive greetings, a toolkit they can act on. By distributing it in seven languages, amplifying through influencers, and engaging three lakh businesses directly, we hope to make readiness the new definition of prosperity. This campaign is not just a celebration; it is a movement to equip MSMEs to take their Udaan.”
This campaign continues UGRO Capital’s brand journey from recognition through #MSMEAcchaHai, to trust with #BharosaMSMEPar, and now to readiness and prosperity with #UtsavKiUdaan. More than a festive greeting, it is a movement that puts MSMEs at the centre of India’s growth story, giving them not only capital but also the confidence to take flight this Diwali and beyond.
7, Oct 2025
QWR and Kaynes Tech to Build India’s First Waveguide & XR Device Manufacturing Hub
QWR and Kaynes Technology Announce Strategic Partnership to Build India’s First Integrated Waveguide & XR Device Manufacturing Hub
Pan India, October 7, 2025 – QWR Interactive Solutions Pvt. Ltd. (QWR), India’s pioneering deep-tech XR and AI wearables company, and Kaynes Technology India Ltd. (Kaynes), leader in Electronics System Design & Manufacturing (ESDM), today announced a strategic partnership to co-develop and manufacture the next generation of head-worn computers (XR Devices) and smart glasses in India.
The collaboration marks a first-of-its-kind fusion of Independent Design House (IDH) expertise and world-class EMS capabilities, designed to localize critical technologies such as waveguide optics, AI-integrated AR/VR headsets, and smart glasses components. Together, QWR and Kaynes aim to build the only end-to-end XR manufacturing ecosystem outside of China, redefining the global XR landscape from India
Key Highlights of the Partnership
- Strategic IDH-EMS Collaboration: QWR will serve as the IDH and ODM partner, contributing proprietary IP, manufacturing SOP, Industrial and Mechanical Designs, CMF R&D, calibration protocols, and product designs (VRone Pro, VRone Edu, HUMBL AI Glasses). Kaynes will scale manufacturing with new SMT and Optical calibration lines in India.
- Job Creation & Skill Development: The partnership will create 1,000+ skilled jobs by 2027, addressing India’s ESDM talent gap while training engineers to design and build next-generation XR and AI-powered computing devices.
- Global Competitiveness: Kaynes, in partnership with QWR is also planning to collaborate on waveguide optics, reducing reliance on imported components by 40–50%, positioning India as a global XR export hub.
- Strategic Market Impact: By localizing critical technologies, the partnership strengthens India’s ability to serve defense, education, enterprise, and consumer sectors, positioning the country as a hub for innovation, production, and export in AR/VR devices.
Suraj Aiar, Founder & CEO, QWR said,“With Kaynes, we’re building deep-tech infrastructure that fuses design, waveguides, and device manufacturing – giving India full-stack ownership of the XR value chain. It’s a declaration: India will no longer be an afterthought in the future of computing. By integrating these critical layers under one roof, we’re positioning India to lead in a global XR market.”
Himanshu Verma [AI/XR BU Head @Kaynes] Kaynes Technology added:“We’re proud to partner with QWR to bring advanced optics and spatial computing devices to industrial scale. This collaboration enables global-grade hardware to be built in India while also training a new generation of engineers and technicians in frontier technologies.”
Long-Term Impact
The partnership will roll out in multiple phases:
- Immediate Manufacturing: AR/VR headsets and waveguides to meet domestic and global demand.
- Expansion into AI-Powered Smart Glasses: Serving defense, education, enterprise training, and industrial applications.
- Co-Innovation Programs: Developing next-generation XR components from sensors to holographic displays and pushing India to the forefront of XR research and manufacturing.
With strong government support for ESDM and XR, and a global AR/VR market projected to surpass $150 billion by 2030, the QWR–Kaynes collaboration represents a defining leap for India’s role in the global XR technology landscape, driving innovation, exports, and workforce development simultaneously.
7, Oct 2025
Imarticus Learning Launches ISFB, India’s First School of Finance & Business
Mumbai, 07 October 2025: Imarticus Learning, India’s leading professional education company, today announced the launch of the Imarticus School of Finance & Business (ISFB), the country’s first dedicated institution focused on bridging the persistent quality gap in finance education. Backed by a ₹25 crore venture fund in partnership with BLinC Invest, ISFB will empower entrepreneurial students with seed capital from day one to build and scale their ventures. For aspirants aiming for global B-schools, ISFB’s collaboration with Ambitio opens pathways to elite institutions such as NYU, Cambridge, MIT, and Carnegie Mellon, leveraging AI-powered admissions tools and mentorship from top admissions experts.
India produces over one million commerce graduates every year, yet less than 10 percent transition into sector-relevant finance roles. The issue is not supply, but quality. Recruiters consistently report that only one in ten candidates they meet is job-ready, with over 80 percent lacking the applied skills employers demand. Outdated curricula, rote-led education, and limited exposure to global practices have left graduates holding degrees but not careers. This is happening at a time when demand for finance talent is set to touch 16 million new jobs by 2030 across banking, investment, insurance, asset management, and fintech. Globally, finance education is racing ahead, embedding AI, fintech, and ESG at its core, while India lags.
ISFB has been established to close this gap by creating an institution where finance education is not just theoretical, but applied, practical, and benchmarked against international standards.
At the heart of ISFB is its proprietary R.E.A.L. pedagogy (Reflect, Experience, Apply, Learn), a framework where academic depth and industry exposure constantly reinforce each other. Reflection happens in classrooms led by industry leaders, where students examine real-world problems and decision frameworks. Experience comes through global and domestic immersions such as a week in Singapore with SP Jain School of Global Management, bootcamps at IIM Visakhapatnam, and grassroots finance explorations through the Explore India Mission. Application is built into the journey with M&A negotiations, Big4-led competitions, and simulation-driven trading labs that pressure test every concept. Learning is anchored throughout by academic leaders from IIMs, ISB, Ivy League schools, and leading economists, ensuring every concept is grounded in research and rigor.
The School launches with a three-year Bachelors in Finance & Business and will soon add an 11-month PG in Global Finance & AI. Both programmes are structured to deliver deep specialisations in fintech, financial analysis, and global accounting, with integrated CFA and ACCA pathways.
Industry integration is a defining feature of ISFB. Partnerships with Ambit (Investment Banking), Motilal Oswal (Asset & Wealth Management), and Cognizant (Digital Finance & AI) ensure students graduate with the exact skills employers demand.
Under the leadership of Joy Parekh, CEO of the Imarticus School of Finance and Business (ISFB), the institution is guided by a distinguished Advisory Council, chaired by Nikhil Barshikar (Founder & CEO, Imarticus Learning), and co-chaired by Ajay Srinivasan (Financial Services Veteran). Council brings together leaders such as Ajay Rajan (Country Head of Transaction Banking and New Economy Business, Yes Bank), Ravindra Pandey (Dy MD & CIO, State Bank of India), Garima Batra (MD and Partner, BCG), , Vikas Khattar (MD, Ambit), Dr. Avantika Tomar (Partner, EY Parthenon), Rajat Mathur (ex-MD, Morgan Stanley), along with policy experts, fintech innovators, and global academic leaders.
Beyond academics, ISFB equips students with career pathways at a scale rarely seen in Indian education. Preparation is shaped by 200+ industry experts who bring the boardroom into the classroom, and a hiring network of 1,000+ companies that translates training into real jobs. AI-driven mock interviews and masterclasses ensure graduates are job-wanted, not just job-ready. Structured internships with BFSI firms, fintechs, VC funds, and startup incubators give learners hands-on experience that often converts into full-time roles. Mentorship is woven into the journey, with 15+ personal mentors and access to an active alumni community that includes leaders at Goldman Sachs, PwC, and BlackRock. A ₹25 crore venture fund with BLinC Invest supports entrepreneurial ambitions, providing seed capital for student-led startups from day one. And for those who dream of attending global B-schools, ISFB’s partnership with Ambitio opens pathways to elite institutions such as NYU, Cambridge, MIT, and Carnegie Mellon, with AI-powered admissions tools and mentorship from top admissions officers.
The credibility of ISFB is rooted in Imarticus Learning’s decade-long legacy in finance education, having trained over 7,50,000 learners, placed 50,000+ professionals into Fortune 500 companies, and powered by a network of 3,500 hiring partners worldwide. Today, one in five investment bankers in India is an Imarticus alumnus. This placement record and employer trust provide ISFB with a strong foundation that few institutions can claim.
The campus, located at Hiranandani Knowledge Park, Powai, Mumbai, places students at the heart of India’s financial capital, surrounded by banks, fintechs, regulators, and investors. With smart classrooms, simulation labs, deal studios, ESG forums, and fintech clubs, the campus is designed to provide not only academic learning but also a professional environment that supports innovation and leadership.
Nikhil Barshikar, Founder of Imarticus Learning and Chairman of the Advisory Council, ISFB, said: “India doesn’t suffer from a shortage of graduates. It suffers from a shortage of graduates who are prepared for the future of finance. Outdated curricula and degree-led education no longer serve the needs of an industry that AI, digital lending, ESG, and globalisation are reshaping. ISFB has been created to address this gap. We’ve built an institution where practice is as important as theory, where global exposure is integral, and where industry sits inside the classroom. Our vision is simple: to give students a launchpad into careers that are globally relevant, future-focused, and real-world ready.”
Ajay Srinivasan( Executive and former CEO of Aditya Birla Capital Ltd), Co-Chair of ISFB’s Advisory Council, added: “Having spent over three decades helping to build large financial institutions, I know how critical talent is to driving and sustaining growth. ISFB is a bold response to a gap that exists. By bringing together top talent from academia and industry, it aims to create a new generation of professionals who can help shape the future of finance, both in India and on the world stage.”
With its cutting-edge pedagogy, strong industry partnerships, and the credibility of Imarticus’ legacy, ISFB represents a new chapter in higher education. More than a school, it is an institution built to prepare India’s next generation of finance professionals for the opportunities ahead.
