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U.S. Green Building Council Launches Blueprint for Building Decarbonization and Corporate Practice Toolkit

The U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) today released two comprehensive resources during New York Climate Week designed to accelerate decarbonization of the world’s existing building stock. “The Decarbonization Blueprint: Reducing Emissions and Creating Value in Existing Buildings” report and USGBC’s Corporate Practice Toolkit for High-Performance Buildings provide organizations with the frameworks, data, and practical tools needed to transform real estate portfolios into high-performance, low-carbon assets. The two resources come as the United Nations Environmental Program (UNEP) Limiting Overshoot report calls for urgent action to mitigate the effects of exceeding 1.5°C, a likely near-term outcome. “The existing building stock represents one of the most immediate levers we have for carbon reduction – and the challenge isn’t awareness, its activation,” said Sarah Zaleski, Chief products officer, USGBC and Green Business Certification Inc. (GBCI). “Building tenants, owners and operators are asking for higher performing buildings; what they need is a credible, structured pathway that connects ambition to action. USGBC is meeting that need by providing the frameworks, tools and expertise needed to decarbonize existing buildings and helping companies develop internal policies and align procurement with their goals.” LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) is the world’s most widely used green building rating system, and “The Decarbonization Blueprint” report draws on data from nearly 11,000 LEED for Building Operations and Maintenance (LEED O+M) certified projects across 90 countries, representing 5 billion square feet. The projects have achieved an estimated 10.3 million metric tons of annual greenhouse gas emission savings and 81.8 million metric tons of cumulative reductions across a comprehensive view of emissions sources. For example, the report highlights how projects are using low global warming potential (GWP) refrigerants to reduce impacts. They are also working to minimize refrigerant leakage, a critical, yet less frequently discussed component of decarbonization. The report further documents how performance-based frameworks deliver measurable emissions reductions, operational value, and long-term decarbonization outcomes at scale. Featuring data and illustrative examples, the report demonstrates that emissions reduction can be achieved and verified in diverse markets and building types. One example of how verified performance is reshaping existing buildings is the Empire State Building in New York City, the first LEED v5 Platinum project in New York. Beginning in 2009, Empire State Realty Trust (ESRT) implemented one of the most successful deep energy retrofits of an existing building in the world. ESRT designed the energy retrofit, part of a broader renovation, to demonstrate the business case for large-scale decarbonization of existing commercial assets and published all tools and methods as open-source resources for replication. The results are impressive: 59% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions since 2007 As of December 2024, the building achieved a 9.6% reduction in energy consumption relative to its 2023 baseline. The Empire State Building aims to be a net zero building by 2030, with an 80% reduction in operational carbon emissions by 2030. Empowering Corporate Action with Ready-to-Use Tools USGBC’s new Corporate Practice Toolkit for High-Performance Buildings provides practical guidance and model language to help organizations implement policies, procurement decisions, and building-scale actions aligned with their real estate portfolio goals. The toolkit consists of the Corporate Policy Guide for High-Performance Buildings and the Corporate Procurement Guide for High-Performance Buildings. A corporate green building policy establishes internal guidelines that support optimal decision-making across all aspects of real estate—from capital planning and site selection to design, construction, operation, and maintenance of owned or leased assets. Compiling these expectations into a coherent written policy embedded in corporate governance structures is an essential step toward consistent practices that turn one-off green building investments into portfolio-wide strategies. Corporate sustainability leads, building professionals, and other stakeholders can use the free, interactive toolkit to quickly set policies, identify strategies, and utilize sample language to scale portfolio-wide action toward corporate goals such as decarbonization and resilience. The toolkit covers topics such as green building certification, risk and resilience, decarbonization, energy and water, and indoor air quality, among others. The guides feature peer examples to help provide context and make the case to corporate leaders. “Organizations are facing mounting pressure from investors, tenants, and regulators to demonstrate measurable progress on sustainability, yet many lack the in-house expertise to translate goals into practical company-wide actions,” said Elizabeth Beardsley, senior policy counsel, USGBC. “By making it easier for organizations to establish and execute green building policies, we’re accelerating a market-wide transformation toward high-performance buildings.” Financial Returns Align with Climate Goals USGBC’s new tools are designed to help more companies access green building strategies by explaining pathways, illustrating outcomes and co-benefits, and providing examples. Consistently, green building retrofit projects deliver both operational savings and asset value to owners. These tools will help companies position themselves by implementing their decarbonization and resilience goals and achieve positive financial outcomes. The Decarbonization Blueprint report also cites studies showing that energy-efficient commercial buildings can command higher sale prices, rental premiums, and occupancy rates, translating into higher asset valuations and revenue, as well as other benefits such as reduced exposure to building performance penalties and potential for reduced insurance premiums. These financial performance indicators demonstrate that decarbonization is not merely an environmental imperative but a sound business strategy. Pathways for Every Stage of Climate Action USGBC’s pathways for decarbonizing existing assets are structured to meet organizations at different stages of their journey to high performance—from those beginning to track operational performance to those planning deep reductions across global portfolios. Frameworks such as LEED O+M and PERFORM, alongside strategic decarbonization plans, standardize measurement, drive operational improvements, and maintain documentation trails that support credible ESG disclosures and assurance-ready data. Both “The Decarbonization Blueprint” report and the Corporate Practice Toolkit are available on the USGBC website. About the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) The U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) accelerates and scales the transformation of the built environment to minimize climate impacts and enhance the well-being of people, the environment, and communities worldwide. USGBC leads market transformation through LEED and other green building certification and enablement programs, robust educational offerings, an international network of industry leaders, the

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Agentic AI Could Redefine How Consumers Discover and Access Credit Journeys in India: Experian Report

Experian, a global data and technology company, today launched its latest report, “Unlocking Enterprise Intelligence: A Journey of Innovation and Transformation with Agentic AI”, exploring how Agentic AI could reshape the future of financial services by supporting more connected and context-aware decision making within governed frameworks across the credit ecosystem. The report highlights the emergence of the Agentic consumer and explores what it means for consumers, lenders and the broader credit ecosystem as financial services become increasingly AI-enabled.   Experian   The report highlights that financial services are entering a new phase of transformation driven by the convergence of digital ecosystems, expanding data availability, advanced analytics and rapid progress in Artificial Intelligence (AI). AI is evolving from primarily predictive and assistive applications towards systems that can increasingly interpret intent, comprehend context and act within defined boundaries. It has the potential to transform how consumers discover, compare and access financial products, while creating new opportunities for lenders to deliver more connected, personalised and seamless customer journeys.   The report considers how an increasingly agent-enabled financial ecosystem could allow AI to support consumers in understanding financial concepts, comparing options and moving from intent towards informed action within clearly defined permissions and controls. As financial institutions navigate this shift, the opportunity is not simply to deploy more agents, but to provide Trusted AI that combines intelligence with reliable information, appropriate financial context and strong governance.   The report emphasises several shifts that could shape the next phase of financial services:   The emergence of the Agentic Consumer, with AI potentially playing a greater role in supporting how consumers discover, compare and access financial products. Trust could become an increasingly important differentiator, as consumers seek intelligence supported by reliable information and appropriate financial context. Product discovery and comparison could become more intelligent, creating opportunities for institutions that are discoverable, responsive and trusted. Agent capability and trust infrastructure need to evolve together, with transparency, governance and accountability becoming increasingly important. Connected and governed platforms could help reduce friction across financial journeys by stitching data, analytics, and decisioning with context. Agent-ready institutions could be better positioned to support more connected customer experiences, while maintaining evidence and accountability across decision-making processes.   Commenting on the findings, Manish Jain, Country Managing Director of Experian in India, said, “Artificial Intelligence has the potential to reshape the next phase of financial services, not simply by making existing processes faster, but by changing how consumers and institutions interact, make decisions and take action within clearly defined boundaries. India’s retail credit market is already operating at significant scale, with lenders sourcing 51.69 crore loans worth Rs.97.7 lakh crore in FY26. As AI becomes more embedded across this ecosystem, trust, governance and clear accountability will be critical to scaling its use responsibly. The next phase of adoption will be defined not by how autonomous technology can become, but by how confidently consumers and financial institutions can trust it.”   “The opportunity ahead is to build a financial ecosystem where technology helps people and organisations make better decisions while trust remains the foundation on which those decisions are made. This means combining innovation with reliable data, transparency, appropriate human oversight and clear accountability. Those that can combine innovation with transparency, accountability and responsible governance will be best positioned to create long-term value and stronger customer relationships.”   As organisations prepare for an increasingly agent-enabled future, Experian believes that trusted intelligence, contextual decisioning and responsible innovation will play a critical role in helping lenders create more seamless customer journeys, make better decisions and drive sustainable growth. Through its data, analytics, decisioning and platform capabilities, Experian continues to help financial institutions navigate this transformation with confidence while maintaining trust, transparency and governance at every stage of the customer lifecycle.

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VELS University Honours More than 2,000 Teachers Across Tamil Nadu

VELS Institute of Science, Technology & Advanced Studies (VISTAS), popularly known as VELS University, has been celebrating the invaluable contribution of teachers through its VELS Teachers’ Excellence Award 2026, conducted across its campuses in Chennai.   VELS honoured 2,000 outstanding teachers across Tamil Nadu at the Teachers Excellence Awards 2026, celebrated across Periyapalayam, Thiruvanmiyur and Pallavaram   As part of its Teachers’ Day celebrations, VELS organised a series of Teachers’ Excellence Award ceremonies across Thiruvanmiyur, Periyapalayam and Pallavaram, recognising thousands of educators for their dedication, commitment and tireless efforts in shaping the lives and futures of students.   The series began at the VELS Thiruvanmiyur Campus, where Dr. Tamilisai Soundararajan graced the occasion as the Chief Guest. The second edition was held at the VELS Periyapalayam Campus, with Dr. Sowmiya Anbumani, Member of the Legislative Assembly, Dharmapuri Constituency, as the Chief Guest. The celebrations culminated at the VELS Pallavaram Campus with Tmt. Premalatha Vijayakant, Member of the Legislative Assembly, Virudhachalam Constituency and General Secretary, Desiya Murpokku Dravida Kazhagam, as the Chief Guest.   Celebrating the teachers who shape every profession Addressing the gathering, Dr. Preethaa Ganesh, Vice-President, VELS Group of Institutions, highlighted the unique role played by teachers in shaping individuals and society.   “Teachers work tirelessly for their students, often without expecting recognition or praise. Their contribution goes far beyond the classroom. They guide students, build their confidence, shape their character and help them find the right direction in life.   Our culture has always placed teachers in a position of great respect through the timeless words ‘Matha, Pitha, Guru, Deivam.’ The teaching profession is unique because it creates and nurtures every other profession. Every doctor, engineer, scientist, entrepreneur, administrator and professional begins the journey with a teacher.   Through the VELS Teachers’ Excellence Award, we wish to express our gratitude and recognise educators whose dedication continues to make a lasting difference in the lives of their students,” she said.   Tmt.Premalatha Vijayakant recalls teacher who shaped her journey Speaking as the Chief Guest at the Pallavaram ceremony, Tmt. Premalatha Vijayakant said “Teachers have the responsibility of guiding students in the right direction. Education is one of the most important foundations of a person’s life. Captain Vijayakant strongly believed in the importance of education and supported thousands of students in pursuing their studies.   Behind every successful student, there is the contribution of a teacher. I still remember my teacher Mr. Loganathan, who moulded me and helped me become the person I am today. He is no more, but I continue to remember him with gratitude. I owe a part of all my success to the teacher who guided and shaped me during my formative years,” she said.   She also encouraged students to actively participate in sports and extracurricular activities, highlighting their role in building confidence, discipline and teamwork.   Congratulating the award recipients, she appreciated the immense contribution of teachers to society and extended her best wishes to the entire teaching community.   The Pallavaram event was attended by Dr. Arthi Ganesh, Pro-Chancellor (Administration); Dr. M. Bhaskaran, Vice-Chancellor (FAC), Dr. M. Chandrasekaran, Registrar,, along with university officials, educators and award recipients.   About Vels University VELS Institute of Science, Technology & Advanced Studies (VISTAS) continues to be recognised as one of the prominent deemed-to-be universities in Chennai, distinguished by its prestigious NAAC A++ accreditation and UGC Category-I status. Home to over 20,000 students and supported by a dedicated faculty strength of 1,220 members, VISTAS offers more than 150 undergraduate and postgraduate programmes across a wide spectrum of disciplines. These include Medicine, Engineering, Nursing, Allied Health Sciences, Pharmacy, Management, Law, Mass Communication, Maritime Studies, Aviation, Physiotherapy and Computing Sciences, among others.   With its commitment to academic excellence, innovation and holistic development, VISTAS remains a premier destination for quality higher education in India. With campuses across Pallavaram, Thalambur, Periyapalayam, Thiruvanmiyur and Adyar, VELS provides students with opportunities to pursue academic learning alongside research, innovation, industry engagement, sports, cultural activities and experiential learning.   For more information: www.vistas.ac.in.

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Hyderabad-Built Skincare Science Reaches the World Stage: Boldpurity Named Global Top 5 Finalist at BeautyMatter Awards 2026

Boldpurity, a clinical skincare brand founded by cosmetic scientist Khatija Shabana, has been named one of five global finalists in the Best Use of Technology (Brands) category at the 2026 BeautyMatter Awards. Boldpurity is the first Indian skincare brand to reach the finalist list in this category, standing alongside four established international technology-led brands.   Khatija Shabana, M.Pharm, Certified Cosmetic Scientist and Co-founder of Boldpurity   The recognition comes less than two years after the company set up its own research and manufacturing facility in Hyderabad, choosing to engineer its formulations from the molecular level rather than source ready-made bases from contract manufacturers.   “Most skincare brands buy a formula and build a story around it. We did the opposite. We built a laboratory, then spent 18 months solving delivery problems that the industry had accepted as unsolvable at cosmetic scale. Being judged against global technology leaders and placed in the top five tells us that work holds up anywhere in the world,” said Khatija Shabana, M.Pharm, Certified Cosmetic Scientist and Co-founder of Boldpurity.   The Science Behind the Recognition Two proprietary delivery systems formed the basis of Boldpurity’s submission. Both were conceived, developed, stability-tested and manufactured entirely in-house, and both are the subject of patent filings in India.   Nano-scale PDRN with dual-encapsulation — SkinReset™ PDRN Serum Salmon-derived PDRN is conventionally used at kilodalton molecular scale, which limits how it can be formulated and delivered in a topical product. Boldpurity reduced PDRN to nanoparticle dimensions and built a two-layer encapsulation system around it: one layer designed for immediate release on application, the second engineered to release gradually over eight hours. The result is a single serum that delivers PDRN in two distinct phases, a capability standard single-release PDRN formulations do not offer. Developing the carrier chemistry and completing stability work took more than 12 months.   Precision micron spicules with bioactive coating — CellMorph™ 500 Spicule Serum Spicule-based products typically rely on particles around 400 micrometres in size. Boldpurity engineered its spicules down to 0.9 microns, a roughly 444-fold reduction, while preserving structural integrity, and then applied a proprietary coating of apple stem cell bioactives to each particle. Pairing precision sizing with a bioactive surface creates a delivery mechanism that unites physical texture support with skin-conditioning actives. Bringing this level of micron-scale precision from pharmaceutical-style development into a cosmetic product required 18 months of process engineering.   Why It Matters for Indian Beauty India is one of the fastest-growing skincare markets in the world, yet the formulation technology behind most domestic brands is still imported or licensed. Boldpurity’s finalist placement is an early signal that original, patent-pending delivery science can be built in India and evaluated on equal terms with the global industry’s most technically advanced brands.   “This is not a regional or emerging-market award. The category is judged on formulation innovation, delivery engineering and validation, with the same yardstick applied to every entrant. That is exactly the standard we wanted to be measured against,” added Syed Fouzan, Co-founder of Boldpurity.   About the BeautyMatter Awards The BeautyMatter Awards recognise excellence across the global beauty industry, with finalists selected by an independent panel on merit. The Best Use of Technology (Brands) category honours brands whose proprietary formulation, delivery or manufacturing technology represents a genuine technical advance. The full list of 2026 finalists is available at awards.beautymatter.com/finalists-2026. Winners will be announced on December 7, 2026, in New York City.   About Boldpurity Boldpurity® is a clinical skincare brand headquartered in Hyderabad, India. Co-founded by Khatija Shabana (M.Pharm, Certified Cosmetic Scientist) and Syed Fouzan, the company formulates, manufactures and clinically tests every product in its own facility rather than relying on third-party or white-label formulations. Its flagship technologies, SkinReset™ PDRN Serum and CellMorph™ 500 Spicule Serum, are both patent-pending.   Learn more at boldpurity.com.

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Ansell's Investment in India to Strengthen Supply to Key Strategic Markets and Enhance Customer Centricity

Ansell, a global leader in safety, inaugurated its new manufacturing facility in Kovai today, reinforcing the company’s ongoing capital investment in its long-term strategic objectives. The facility is already producing for the local market, with additional capacity coming online in the months ahead to support Ansell’s key strategic markets.    A significant boost for India’s medical manufacturing ecosystem   “Ansell has built its reputation in surgical over decades, and Kovai is an investment in the long-term strength of that business. As the site ramps up, it extends our manufacturing footprint for surgical gloves and deepens our commitment to the markets where we hold the strongest positions and the closest customer relationships, including the United States, Germany, France and the United Kingdom,” said Jennifer Ross-Murphy, Chief Medical Business Officer, Ansell.   Sustainability was a core consideration in the facility’s design, with renewable energy generation and a water recycling system that reclaims a significant share of water used in operations, reflecting Ansell’s ongoing commitment to responsible, environmentally conscious manufacturing across its global sites.   The new manufacturing site in India supports Ansell’s broader mission of protecting healthcare workers and patients by expanding access to high-quality surgical gloves, reinforcing the company’s commitment to reliability and safety across the healthcare environments it serves. About Ansell Ansell (ASX: ANN) is a global leader in safety solutions and an integrated manufacturer of personal protection equipment for healthcare and industrial workplaces. Each day, over 10 million workers in more than 100 countries trust their safety to Ansell brands such as HyFlex, Ringers, MICROFLEX, TouchNTuff, GAMMEX, Kimtech, KleenGuard, and AlphaTec. Driven by a vision to lead the world to a safer future, the company continuously pursues new product and service innovations that predict, prevent, and protect against workplace risk while promoting sustainable sourcing and manufacturing.   Information on Ansell and its products can be found at www.ansell.com. #AnsellProtects

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VERO MODA Unveils Aditi Rao Hydari as the Face of its Autumn/Winter 2026 Campaign

VERO MODA introduces Aditi Rao Hydari as the face of its Autumn/Winter 2026 campaign, The partnership signals VERO MODA’s ambition to deepen its presence and relevance in Indian womenswear, bringing together the brand’s confident spirit with Aditi’s distinctive sense of style, understated elegance and individuality. Aditi embodies the VERO MODA woman who is self-assured, modern and unapologetically herself.   VERO MODA x Aditi Rao Hydari   No woman is just one thing. The campaign captures the many facets of the VERO MODA woman, whose style shifts with every moment while her individuality stays unmistakably her own.   Rooted in the season’s collection, the campaign brings to life pieces spanning dresses and jumpsuits, co-ord sets, denim, blazers and knitwear. Each designed to move easily across a woman’s day.   Speaking about the campaign, Sumit Dhingra, CEO & Country Director, BESTSELLER India, said, “VERO MODA has built a strong position in Indian womenswear, and we see significant opportunity ahead. As we enter the next phase of our growth, this campaign with Aditi Rao Hydari is an important step in strengthening the brand’s relevance and visibility in the market.“   Speaking about the campaign, Aditi Rao Hydari said, “VERO MODA has always stood for quiet confidence, and that’s something I connect with personally. Being part of the VERO MODA AW’26 campaign feels like a natural extension of that philosophy.”   The collection featuring Aditi Rao Hydari, is now available across all retail stores, app, and www.veromoda.in. Alongside this, VERO MODA has also launched its festive line, now available in stores and online, bringing the brand’s signature versatility to festive dressing this season.   About VERO MODA Launched in 1987 as BESTSELLER’s first fashion label, VERO MODA has grown to become one of Europe’s most recognised high-street fashion brands. Built on the belief that everyday style should feel effortless, elevated and empowering; the brand creates versatile collections that celebrate individuality and inspire confidence. With an authentic expression of style and a constant focus on evolution, VERO MODA continues to redefine modern fashion for women who embrace self-expression and effortless dressing.   In India, VERO MODA has established itself as one of the leading destinations for women’s western wear, offering trend-led collections designed for every facet of a woman’s lifestyle. The brand reaches customers through its exclusive brand outlets and shop-in-shops across the country, the VERO MODA App, www.veromoda.in and leading online marketplaces.

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Gold Loans on the Rise as Indians Increasingly Borrow Against Gold

For many years, gold has held important value as a store of wealth among Indian families. But with changing times, the mindset of people has changed. Due to which the, gold which was lying in lockers and cupboards has started being used to raise money.   Gold loans are rising rapidly in India as people unlock the value of their gold to fund education, healthcare, business and other financial needs   Gold loans are seeing rapid growth in India as there has been an increase in borrowers pledging jewellery to meet the funding requirements instead of selling it. The recent data reflects that this trend has accelerated in 2026. Credit against jewellery by NBFCs, including housing finance companies, has increased to 68.5% year-on-year in July 2026 as compared to 43.9% in the previous year. Bank credit against gold jewellery also increased by 88.1% year-on-year. At the end of July, outstanding gold-backed credit was around Rs. 3.54 lakh crore for NBFCs and Rs. 5.52 lakh crore for banks. Gold loans were also amongst the fastest-growing retail loan categories for NBFCs during the month. Rising Gold Prices have Increased Borrowing Capacity One of the major reasons behind the surge is the high increase in gold prices. Domestic gold prices were very high in 2026 compared to the previous year. During Q2 2026, India’s domestic gold price rose by 59% compared to the previous year, despite price easing from its earlier peaks. This played an important role in increasing the demand for gold loans. The amount you can borrow against gold jewellery depends partly on the gold value and applicable loan-to-value (LTV) limit. With a rise in gold prices, you can get a loan of a higher amount with the same quantity of gold. People Don’t have to Sell their Gold Indian families are deeply connected to their gold jewellery due to its financial and emotional value. By selling gold, you can get cash on an instant basis, but the asset is gone forever. A gold loan, however, works very differently. A borrower has to pledge the jewellery as collateral to get a loan. After the loan is repaid, the collateral is released and given back to the borrower. This can make gold loans quite attractive when people need funds for short-term needs like medical emergencies, education, business needs, or any other large expenditures. The trend is particularly notable as gold recycling has reduced despite being 60% higher YoY. Gold holders no longer want to sell their gold for cash and have increasingly opted for collateralised borrowing to monetise their holdings instead. Gold Loans Are Secured Another important reason for the growth in gold loans is their secured nature. A gold loan is backed by physical gold pledged with the lender. This is quite different from a personal loan where there is no asset involved. Collateral gives extra security to lenders against probable repayment concerns. It also helps borrowers to get credit by using an asset they already own. This is quite helpful for those individuals who don’t have a strong credit history or for those who find unsecured borrowing quite expensive. Banks are Increasing their Presence Gold lending was previously an important business for specialised NBFCs. But over time, things have changed, and now even banks are increasingly participating in this segment. The recent data shows that bank lending against gold jewellery has increased very fast, with outstanding credit reaching approximately Rs. 5.52 lakh crore by July 2026.  Earlier, at the end of May 2026, the outstanding gold loans stood at around Rs. 5.1 lakh crore for banks, which reflected 105% YOY growth. Unsecured Lending is Being Watched Closely The rise in gold loans should also be viewed against the broader changes that are occurring in India’s retail credit market. The RBI has brought certain measures in recent years for strengthening risk management around unsecured consumer credit. As lenders start focusing on risks associated with unsecured borrowing, secured products can become an important part of their lending strategy. This never means that people are not taking online loans or other unsecured credit. But the rise in gold loans shows that both lenders and borrowers are increasingly using existing assets to access funds. RBI Has Standardised Gold Loan Rules The rapid expansion in gold-backed lending has also been accompanied by a stronger regulatory framework. The RBI’s Lending Against Gold and Silver Collateral Directions, 2025 introduced standardised requirements that cover areas such as valuation, assaying, LTV limits and the release of pledged collateral. For consumption loans, the framework permits maximum LTV ratios of:   85% for loans up to Rs. 2.5 lakh, up from the long-standing 75% cap. 80% for loans above Rs. 2.5 lakh and up to Rs. 5 lakh 75% for loans above Rs. 5 lakh These requirements are intended to create greater consistency and transparency in gold-backed lending. For smaller borrowers and households in semi-urban and rural India, this is a direct lift in credit accessibility. The Bigger Picture The rapid rise in gold loans reflects the changing role of gold in Indian households. Gold is now not just considered an asset which is purchased, stored, and passed on to generations. It is also used as collateral to get access to formal credit. With NBFC gold-backed lending rising 68.5% YOY in July 2026 and bank lending against gold jewellery also expanding rapidly, the importance of gold loans has increased in India’s retail credit market. The underlying idea is simple: Instead of selling gold when cash is required, households can now use it as collateral to unlock liquidity while retaining the possibility of getting the jewellery back after repayment.  

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PM Narendra Modi Inaugurates SEMICON India 2026

The world is looking for new and trusted manufacturing destinations; India is steadily preparing itself to meet this need: PM Modi Ashok Chandak says India moves from credibility to Capability with Policy Continuity and Commitments The three-day flagship event which runs till September 19th at Yashobhoomi, New Delhi, is tracking toward 40,000+ visitors with involvement of 400+ executives and over 150 speakers, 600+ participating companies with representatives from 52 countries – metrics that reflect India’s repositioning within global semiconductor supply chains   Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated SEMICON India 2026 at New Delhi, underscoring the government’s commitment to establishing India as a semiconductor powerhouse. Against the backdrop of Semicon 2.0 moving into its next phase through six strategic pillars – Design, Machines and Materials, Setting up more Fabs, Strengthening the ATMP/OSAT industry, Research & Development, and Talent Development with expanded budget of Rs 1,27,500 crore, the flagship event marks a watershed moment for the country’s chip manufacturing ambitions.   MoU announcements at SEMICON India 2026   Addressing the inauguration, PM Modi drew parallels between India’s semiconductor trajectory and the semiconductor industry’s concept of “tape-out”—not an endpoint, but the genesis of the next generation. “No nation builds a semiconductor ecosystem overnight; it takes decades of capability-building,” PM Modi said. “Yet with the partnership of industry leaders, India has compressed that timeline into something remarkable.”   Addressing the media during SEMICON India 2026, Union Minister for Electronics and Information Technology, Shri Ashwini Vaishnaw said that investment commitments of around Rs 1 lakh crore (approximately USD 11–12 billion) have already been received under the Semicon 2.0 ecosystem. These commitments are expected to translate into significant economic activity and employment, with close to 1 lakh new employment opportunities expected to be created across the semiconductor ecosystem. The investments are expected to materialize over the next two to three years, with companies announcing their respective investments as and when they receive the required board and shareholder approvals.   Ajit Manocha, President and CEO, SEMI said, “The USD 1 trillion semiconductor target for 2030 is now tracking at more than USD 2 trillion. India’s consumption is doubling annually while global markets grow at 60 percent—that pace is real. As domestic manufacturing scales under Semicon 2.0, India is poised to realize significant economic growth over time. And in the AI era, the global semiconductor value chain needs to extend its geographical footprint to enable new technology breakthroughs, strengthen its resilience, and develop a deeper talent pipeline. India’s strategic focus to establish a recognized hub and critical ecosystem for the global semiconductor industry builds on its existing strengths while developing new ones for the benefit of India and the world. The word for 2026 is indispensability. That’s India’s path forward.”   Ashok Chandak, President, SEMI India and IESA said, “The successful two days of SEMICON India 2026 have demonstrated the growing confidence, commitment and momentum behind India’s semiconductor journey. The inauguration by Hon’ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi ji has given this journey an even stronger national and global dimension. With 50+ MoUs and major announcements, more than USD 7 billion in investment commitments, commercial launches, global CxO participation and strong industry engagement, SEMICON India 2026 has showcased the scale at which the ecosystem is now taking shape. And this is only the beginning—more investments, partnerships and opportunities are in the pipeline. India is moving from building credibility to building capability, and steadily positioning itself as a trusted and competitive player across the global semiconductor value chain.”   First two days of SEMICON India 2026 brought together a total of 28,000 on ground participants including policymakers, global semiconductor leaders, Indian industry, researchers, startups, academia and students for deliberations spanning manufacturing, supply chains, Research and Development (R&D), international partnerships, chip design, advanced packaging, materials and talent, reflecting India’s progress towards an integrated and globally competitive “Silicon to Systems” ecosystem.   Reinforcing the strong momentum that is reflected in the event over first two days Mr. Ashok Chandak, President, SEMI India and IESA said, “The energy at SEMICON India this year speaks for itself — from the exhibition floor to the hackathon, the startup pavilion to the country roundtables and a series of strategic collaborations across semiconductor materials, manufacturing, power electronics, advanced packaging, logistics, design and skilling involving Indian and global ecosystem partners ,it’s clear — this is a movement, not a moment, and India’s semiconductor journey is accelerating.“   The MoU press briefing on day 1 and day 2 of SEMICON India 2026 witnessed a milestone moment with Union Minister for Electronics and Information Technology Shri Ashwini Vaishnaw witnessing several MOU’s and products marking a significant step forward for India’s semiconductor ecosystem.   Major Investments and Commitments at SEMICON India 2026: Applied Materials: Announced a USD 5 billion investment over the next decade covering research, supply chain development, and workforce expansion. Lam Research: Committed approximately Rs 10,000 crore for its first silicon component manufacturing and vertical ingot processing facility in India. Micron stated the company will assemble and test tens of millions of chips at Sanand this year, scaling to hundreds of millions next year.   Focused Sessions Over the two days the event featured focused sessions charting India’s transition from foundational policy planning to large-scale execution across the silicon value chain. These sessions covered AI-enabled chip design and manufacturing, advanced packaging, next-generation manufacturing, equipment R&D and workforce development, strengthening India’s design enablement and test ecosystem amongst others. The State Spotlight session highlighted initiatives of Assam, Odisha, Gujarat and Karnataka in incentives, infrastructure, ease of doing business and industry-linked skilling.   With a bold vision and theme “Transform Tomorrow: “Silicon to Systems: Building the Ecosystem,” SEMICON India 2026 has drawn senior representation from the semiconductor industry’s critical players including – AMD, Applied Materials, BAIN & Company, Intel, KLA, Lam Research, McKinsey, Tokyo Electron, ASML, DISCO, FUJIFILM, KAS, Kaynes, L&T Semiconductor Technologies Ltd, Micron, PwC- SanDisk, SIEMENS, UST, AECOM, BCG, Ecolab, HCLTech, Infineon, Infosys, NXP Semiconductors, Synopsys, Tech Mahindra, Wipro- reinforcing the show’s positioning as a forum for end-to-end value chain participation. The exhibition features six

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Doctor-Led Hair Restoration and The Science Behind Hairline Design

A hair transplant may appear straightforward from the outside: hair is taken from one area and placed where it is needed. But behind a natural-looking result lies a far more intricate story, one shaped by hundreds of clinical and aesthetic decisions, made one graft at a time. For someone considering hair restoration, the obvious question is often, “How many grafts will I need?” But perhaps the more important question is, “Who is making the decisions that will shape my result?“   As hair restoration becomes increasingly accessible, the role of the doctor in the surgical journey is becoming an important consideration for patients. At Eugenix Hair Sciences, the answer is rooted in a doctor-led approach where medical expertise and surgical artistry come together at every critical stage of the transformation.   The journey begins with the patient, not a predetermined graft count. The lead surgeon evaluates the scalp, pattern of hair loss and donor area, while considering hair characteristics, facial proportions and how hair loss may progress over time. This assessment determines how the available donor hair can be used thoughtfully. Then comes the Planning & Designing session, the point where science meets the surgeon’s eye. A natural hairline cannot simply be replicated from a template. Its position, irregularity, density and direction have to complement the individual face. At Eugenix, the surgeon personally draws the hairline and creates the recipient slits, determining the angle, depth, density and direction of each incision.   This is where the artistry of surgery comes into play. Every graft has a place, every angle has a purpose and every transition contributes to the final picture.   The process then moves to extraction and implantation. The team at Eugenix performs Direct Hair Transplantation (DHT), closely integrating both stages so that each graft is implanted within minutes of extraction, keeping its out-of-body time under 30 minutes. Extraction is performed by the doctor, assisted by other doctors, senior surgical assistants and nurses, while implantation is carried out by senior surgical assistants under the guidance and supervision of the lead surgeon.   For Eugenix, technology and teamwork support the process, but the surgeon brings together the science, precision and artistry that turns individual grafts into a natural-looking result.   Because hair restoration is not simply about moving hair. It is about knowing where every graft belongs, understanding why it belongs there, and having the clinical expertise and artistic judgement to make it look as natural as possible.   About Eugenix Hair Sciences Eugenix Hair Sciences is one of India’s leading hair transplant clinic chains, with centres in Gurugram, Mumbai, Hyderabad and Bhubaneswar, and an upcoming centre in Bengaluru. Founded by Dr. Pradeep Sethi and Dr. Arika Bansal, both alumni of AIIMS, New Delhi and Fellows of the ISHRS, Eugenix has performed more than 20,000 procedures over 15 years for patients from across the world. The clinic’s signature Direct Hair Transplantation (DHT) technique was introduced through peer-reviewed research published in the Journal of Cutaneous and Aesthetic Surgery in 2013, indexed on PubMed. The Eugenix Gurugram centre is accredited by the National Accreditation Board for Hospitals & Healthcare Providers (NABH), Certificate No. DE-2026-0004.

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Manav Rachna's School of Leadership & Management Debuts in QS Global MBA Rankings 2027 Alongside IIM Udaipur, MDI, XLRI and IIFT

Manav Rachna International Institute of Research and Studies (MRIIRS) has marked another significant milestone in its growing global academic footprint, with its School of Leadership & Management (SLM) making its debut in the QS Global MBA Rankings 2027.   SLM-MRIIRS has been placed in the 301+ global band, making it one of only five Indian institutions to enter the QS Global MBA Rankings for the first time this year. The School has also been placed 51st in Asia and 9th in India, while securing the 2nd position in India for Diversity.   A total of 19 Indian business schools feature in the QS Global MBA Rankings 2027. The five new Indian entrants this year include O.P. Jindal Global University, Jaipuria Institute of Management, School of Business and Management at CHRIST (Deemed to be University), School of Leadership & Management at MRIIRS, and Vikrant University Gwalior.   In the 301+ global band, SLM-MRIIRS features alongside several long-established names in Indian management education, including IIM Udaipur, IIFT Delhi, Management Development Institute Gurgaon, XLRI – Xavier School of Management, IMT Ghaziabad and K J Somaiya Institute of Management, among others.   The latest Global MBA ranking represents a further expansion of Manav Rachna’s presence across QS benchmarks—from international trade and online management education to the flagship global full-time MBA rankings. It’s Online MBA had gained global recognition through the QS Online MBA Rankings 2026, entering the 76–100 global band, securing the 9th position in the Asia-Pacific region, and being ranked 1st globally for Class Experience.   Dr. Prashant Bhalla, President, Manav Rachna Educational Institutions, said, “Our entry into the QS Global MBA Rankings is an important recognition of the direction in which management education at Manav Rachna has evolved. We have consistently worked towards creating a learning environment that brings together academic rigour, industry engagement, global exposure, research, entrepreneurship and diversity. This recognition encourages us to further strengthen an ecosystem that prepares our students for meaningful leadership in an increasingly interconnected world.”   Dr. Amit Bhalla, Vice President, Manav Rachna Educational Institutions, said, “Management education today must remain closely connected with the realities of industry and the changing nature of business. At Manav Rachna, we have consciously built mechanisms that bring practitioners, corporate leaders and academic experts into continuous dialogue with our students and faculty. The QS recognition is an encouraging validation of this approach.”   A distinctive pillar of this industry-integrated approach is the Strategic Mentoring Board of Manav Rachna, founded and first chaired by the late Padma Shri Dr. Pritam Singh, one of India’s foremost management thinkers and former Director of MDI Gurgaon and IIM Lucknow. The Board was conceived to deepen the interface between academia and industry and to ensure that management education remains continuously informed by changing business realities. Over the years, it has brought senior leaders and practitioners into academic deliberations, mentorship, curriculum inputs and industry engagement at Manav Rachna.   The Strategic Mentoring Board continues to serve as a critical bridge between academic direction and industry practice at the School of Leadership & Management. Its contemporary agenda includes deeper faculty-industry immersion, strengthening Professors of Practice and mentorship-led learning, building thought leadership, workforce readiness, knowledge partnerships and sustained institutional collaboration.   Prof. (Dr.) Sanjay Srivastava, Vice Chancellor, MRIIRS, said, “Global rankings benchmark institutions not only on academic outcomes, but on their ability to create measurable impact across employability, research, entrepreneurship, international engagement and diversity. SLM’s debut in the QS Global MBA Rankings reflects years of sustained institution-building and an academic model that deliberately brings together scholarship and practice. We see this recognition as an impetus to raise these benchmarks further.”   The School of Leadership & Management follows an industry-integrated and globally oriented approach to management education. Its portfolio includes MBA programmes with specialisations and industry-linked learning, along with global pathways including the MBA Global dual-degree programmes with KEDGE Business School, France, and Queen Mary University of London. The School also offers programmes incorporating specialised academic and industry collaborations in areas such as business analytics, finance and emerging business domains.   The QS Global MBA Rankings assess programmes across key dimensions including Employability, Return on Investment, Entrepreneurship & Alumni Outcomes, Thought Leadership and Diversity. The strong performance of SLM-MRIIRS on Diversity, where it stands 2nd among Indian institutions, reflects the School’s emphasis on varied perspectives and an inclusive management-learning environment. The 2027 ranking comes at a time when India’s presence in global management education is expanding substantially. Nineteen Indian institutions now feature in the QS Global MBA Rankings 2027, pointing to the increasing international visibility of Indian business education.   For MRIIRS, the achievement also forms part of a wider global-ranking trajectory. The University made its debut in the QS World University Rankings 2026 and is also ranked in the QS Asia University Rankings, further strengthening its international academic presence.

Manav Rachna's School of Leadership & Management Debuts in QS Global MBA Rankings 2027 Alongside IIM Udaipur, MDI, XLRI and IIFT Read More »