Business

A new wave of fintech innovation is targeting one of India’s biggest financial inclusion challenges — making banking, credit and cash services available faster and closer to customers. At Global Fintech Fest 2026, Department of Financial Services Secretary Sanjay Lohiya launched three technology-led solutions, in the presence of UIDAI CEO Saurabh Vijay. The first is an open-source Android ATM that can instantly issue personalised RuPay debit, credit and NCMC cards and merchant UPI QR codes, potentially reducing turnaround time from weeks to minutes. It can also support cheque deposits, account opening and loan applications. Banks are exploring the machines as Digital Banking Units in rural and semi-urban areas, as well as at airports, metro stations, educational campuses and corpora...

Amazon Pay and Kotak Mahindra Bank have partnered to launch the Amazon Pay Kotak Business Credit Card, specifically designed to cater to sole proprietors and small business owners registered on Amazon Business. Aiming to help entrepreneurs manage working capital and delay cash outflows, the new co-branded card offers attractive rewards and enhanced credit flexibility. Amazon Prime members using the card can earn up to 5% cashback on eligible purchases made on Amazon Business, as well as on flight and hotel bookings, while non-Prime members receive 3% cashback on these transactions—effectively turning everyday procurement into a reward-generating activity. To help bridge the gap between paying suppliers and collecting receivables, the card provides an extended interest-free credit period o...

For insurance advisors, choosing the right policy, preparing quotations, completing paperwork and responding to customer requests can involve multiple steps. ICICI Prudential Life Insurance is seeking to simplify that journey with its upgraded ‘ICICI Life Partner Stack 2.0’, bringing AI and digital tools closer to everyday insurance distribution. The platform’s eQuote App uses an AI-based recommender to suggest products according to a customer’s segment and life stage and allows advisors to create personalised quotations. Its AI-enabled chatbot, LIVA, provides product information and quotation support during customer interactions. “ICICI Life Partner Stack 2.0 is aimed to give them digital and AI-enabled tools that make everyday operations simpler and customer friendly – from identi...

Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) and the Department of Electronics, IT & BT, Government of Karnataka, have announced registrations for the 27th edition of the TCS Rural IT Quiz, continuing a programme aimed at strengthening technology awareness and identifying young talent across India’s smaller towns and districts. The 2026 edition, an integral part of Bengaluru Tech Summit 2026, will feature online tests, virtual quiz rounds and in-person competitions for students of Classes 8 to 12. Schools within city corporation limits will not be eligible. The quiz will cover artificial intelligence, cloud computing, business, emerging technology trends and IT applications across banking, education, entertainment, robotics, media, sports, gaming and social networking. Eight regional finals ...

Tilaknagar Industries Limited has launched its Imperial Black Master’s Select Whisky in Meghalaya, expanding its presence in the Northeast and strengthening its push towards premiumisation in India’s evolving IMFL market.The company said Imperial Black is crafted through a blend of select Indian grain spirits and Scotch malts, targeting consumers seeking a more refined whisky experience. The blend features notes of malt sweetness and oak, followed by a rounded, mellow palate and a long finish. Ahmed Ibrahim Rahimtoola, Chief Marketing Officer at Tilaknagar Industries, said the Meghalaya launch marks an important milestone in the company’s strategy to offer premium experiences to quality-conscious consumers and strengthen the Imperial portfolio in the region. Imperial Black Exclusive Co...

ICICI Prudential Life Insurance has announced the launch of the ICICI Prudential Life BSE 500 Momentum Value 50 Index Fund, a new value-plus-momentum investment option designed to offer customers long-term equity opportunities through select unit-linked insurance plans (ULIPs). The fund will provide exposure to a diversified basket of 50 companies selected from the broad BSE 500 universe and follow the ICICI Pru BSE 500 Momentum Value 50 Customized Index. Its rules-based approach combines attractive valuations with positive price momentum, while the portfolio will be reviewed quarterly to respond to changing market valuations and trends. In cases where a stock cannot be selected due to regulatory guidelines, subsequent eligible stocks will be included to maintain a 50-stock portfolio. ...

RCM Consumer Products Private Limited is strengthening its focus on women’s participation and self-reliance through initiatives aimed at building leadership, confidence, health awareness and skills among its associate buyers and leaders. The company’s Special Women’s Academy 2026, held at RCM World, Bhilwara, on August 15-16, brought together women participants from across the country under the theme “Har Naari Samman Ki Adhikari”. The two-day programme combined empowerment activities with sports, cultural showcases and practical skill development. The Independence Day celebrations opened with a march-past and flag hoisting, along with performances by school-going girls and cultural presentations. A felicitation ceremony recognised women achievers, while RCM Founder T.C. Chhabra and Ma...

Salesforce and the Directorate of Information Technology (DIT), Government of Tripura, have entered into a collaboration to strengthen digital workforce readiness in the state, targeting more than 10,000 learners by 2027. The initiative, announced at the Destination Tripura Business Conclave 2026 in Agartala, will leverage Salesforce’s Trailhead learning platform to provide self-paced digital and technology education to students, youth, government employees and entrepreneurs. The programme will offer guided learning paths covering customer relationship management (CRM), business analysis, technology fundamentals and other industry-relevant areas. Salesforce will provide online orientation resources, while DIT will identify participants through government departments, educational instit...

Women looking for life insurance with additional health, wellness and financial flexibility benefits can now consider ICICI Pru iProtect Smart Her, a new term insurance plan launched by ICICI Prudential Life Insurance.The product offers a 15% lifetime premium discount for women and a pregnancy break benefit, allowing greater flexibility in managing premium commitments during pregnancy. Policyholders also get women-specific health management and wellness services worth up to ₹25,000. These include teleconsultations across multiple specialties, annual health check-ups, health risk assessments, wellness content, and pharmacy and diagnostic discounts. The company said overall benefits under the plan are worth up to ₹92,100.For parents planning their children’s education, the plan includes ...

Shree Cement Limited is taking its sustainability-led manufacturing strategy to Meghalaya with its upcoming integrated cement manufacturing project in East Jaintia Hills, as the company seeks to combine industrial expansion with lower-carbon production practices. The company said sustainability remains central to its growth strategy, supported by commitments under the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi) and its RE100 pledge to achieve 100% renewable electricity by 2050. Currently, more than 62% of Shree Cement’s electricity requirements are met through renewable energy and Waste Heat Recovery Systems (WHRS), backed by an installed green power capacity of 634.5 MW. During FY 2025-26, these initiatives helped the company avoid approximately 7.3 million tonnes of CO₂ emissions. The...