Business & Economy
ADB-Shriram Finance Partnership
The Asian Development Bank (ADB) signed a $150 million loan agreement with Shriram Finance to support MSMEs and EV-linked financing in India. This multilateral development bank funding strengthens financial inclusion, enterprise credit access, and green mobility transitions.
Business & Economy
Axis Bank Blockchain USD Clearing
Axis Bank became India’s first bank to provide 24/7 programmable USD clearing using J.P. Morgan’s Kinexys blockchain-based platform. This enables round-the-clock near-real-time settlements with conditional/automated payment logic, improving cross-border transaction certainty.
Business & Economy
Sahkar Cooperative Taxi Platform
Sahkar, a cooperative taxi initiative, was introduced to compete with Ola and Uber, emphasizing driver ownership and profit-sharing. This cooperative model focuses on member-ownership and shared benefits rather than platform-led commission structures, offering an alternative to traditional ride-hailing services.
Business & Economy
BOI-New India Assurance Bancassurance
Bank of India (BOI) partnered with New India Assurance to distribute general insurance products through BOI’s large branch network. This bancassurance arrangement leverages existing customer relationships and branch reach to expand insurance penetration.
Business & Economy
India’s Tea Export Growth
India’s tea export volume reached 254 million kg in 2024, up from 231 Mkg in 2023, making it the world’s second-largest tea exporter. This growth reflects India’s strong position in global tea markets despite competition from larger exporters.
Defence
Techkriti 2025 Defence Tech Focus
CDS Gen Anil Chauhan inaugurated Techkriti 2025 at IIT Kanpur, emphasizing AI, cybersecurity, and quantum technology for defence modernisation. This highlights the integration of emerging technologies in India’s military strategy and capabilities development.
Business & Economy
Hitachi Cash Management Leadership
Yusuf Pachmariwala was appointed MD & CEO of Hitachi Cash Management Services, effective April 1, 2025, taking over from retiring Anup Neogi. This leadership transition ensures continuity in cash logistics and ATM management operations.
Education
PM-Vidyalaxmi Education Loan Scheme
Bank of Baroda launched PM-Vidyalaxmi, providing education loans for higher studies to ensure finances don’t become a barrier for meritorious students. This scheme expands access to higher education by easing financial constraints for deserving candidates.
Defence
MoD NAMIS and Vehicle Contracts
The Ministry of Defence signed βΉ2,500 crore contracts for Nag missile systems (NAMIS) and 5,000 light vehicles under the Buy (Indian-IDDM) category. This procurement strengthens indigenous defense manufacturing and military modernization.
International
Roshni Nadar Global Richest Women
Roshni Nadar became the first Indian woman to enter the world’s top 10 richest women list in 2025 according to the Hurun Global Rich List. This milestone reflects the growing prominence of Indian women business leaders globally.