Business Bureau

With summer driving up demand for air conditioners across the country, consumers are being advised to pay closer attention to star ratings, manufacturing year and ISEER values while purchasing ACs, as revised energy efficiency norms introduced from January 1, 2026, promise better long-term savings on electricity bills. The Bureau of Energy Efficiency (BEE) has updated star rating standards for air conditioners for the 2026–2027 period, making new AC models nearly 10 per cent more energy-efficient than those manufactured in 2025 or earlier. Under the revised norms, a 5-star split AC manufactured in 2026 must have an ISEER value of 5.6,…

Illegal mosquito repellent agarbattis used in Indian households may be posing a greater immediate health threat than mosquito-borne diseases like dengue and malaria, according to a new public health study released ahead of National Dengue Day on May 16. The study, commissioned by the Home Insect Control Association (HICA) and conducted by market research firm Kantar, found that 70 per cent of doctors surveyed classified illegal mosquito agarbattis containing unapproved chemicals as a “major respiratory hazard”. The survey, conducted across 12 cities among 1,264 households and 405 doctors, revealed that while 95 per cent of households reported no dengue or…

TVS Motor Company has reported a 30 per cent rise in revenue for the financial year 2025-26, posting its highest-ever annual sales and revenue figures driven by strong growth across motorcycles, scooters and electric vehicles. The company recorded revenue of Rs. 47,270 crore in FY26 compared to Rs. 36,251 crore in the previous financial year. Operating profit before tax (PBT) rose 40 per cent to Rs. 4,975 crore from Rs. 3,563 crore in FY25, while operating EBITDA improved to 12.9 per cent. TVS Motor sold 58.89 lakh two-wheelers and three-wheelers during FY26, marking a 24 per cent increase from 47.44…

Sony has announced the launch of its new BRAVIA 3II television series in India, introducing advanced AI-powered picture processing and next-generation gaming features to its mid-premium smart TV lineup. The company said the new series is powered by Sony’s XR Processor™, designed to analyse content the way humans see and hear to deliver enhanced colour, contrast, depth and clarity. The BRAVIA 3II series comes with XR Triluminos Pro™, Dolby Vision®, Dolby Atmos®, DTS:X® and support for 4K 120Hz refresh rate aimed at improving cinematic viewing and gaming experiences. Sony said the television lineup will initially be launched in 55-inch and…

The University of Western Australia (UWA) has announced a major scholarship initiative through UWA India, marking one of its biggest standalone commitments in the Indian education sector. The move aims to make globally recognised education more accessible for Indian students from diverse academic, socioeconomic and regional backgrounds. Announcing the initiative, UWA Vice-Chancellor Professor Amit Chakma said the scholarship program reflects the university’s long-term commitment to India and its focus on expanding access to quality international education. “We are ensuring that financial constraints do not limit ambition. Our goal is to empower talented students across India to prepare for global careers,”…

India is witnessing a sharp rise in entrepreneurship as artificial intelligence and digital tools reshape the country’s work culture, according to new data released by LinkedIn on May 12. The report showed a 104 per cent year-on-year increase in members adding “Founder” to their LinkedIn profiles in India, the highest growth recorded globally. The study highlighted how younger professionals are moving away from traditional career paths and embracing “portfolio careers” with multiple income streams. Around 75 per cent of Gen Z entrepreneurs in India said they have more than one source of income, compared to 62 per cent of Gen…

Berger Paints India Ltd has reported strong growth in its fourth quarter earnings for FY26, driven by improving domestic demand, higher volumes and better operating margins. The company posted a 38.1 per cent year-on-year rise in standalone net profit at Rs 327.3 crore for the quarter ended March 31, 2026, compared to Rs 236.9 crore in the corresponding quarter last year. According to the company’s financial results, standalone revenue from operations during the quarter rose 6.7 per cent to Rs 2,504 crore, while EBITDA increased 17.8 per cent to Rs 458.7 crore. The company also recorded volume growth of 11.8…

Tata Motors reported a strong financial performance for the fourth quarter and full year FY26, driven by robust commercial vehicle demand, improved operational efficiency and higher exports. The company’s standalone commercial vehicle revenue for Q4 FY26 rose 22 per cent year-on-year to ₹24,452 crore, while EBITDA increased 35 per cent to ₹3,400 crore with margins improving to 13.9 per cent. Profit before tax stood at ₹2,972 crore, up 58 per cent from the previous year. Profit after tax for the quarter surged 70 per cent to ₹2,400 crore. For the full financial year FY26, Tata Motors posted standalone revenue of…

Shillong-based IAS officer and medical doctor Dr. Joram Beda has entered the international academic publishing market with his new book, Nature of Information: Shaping Reality, Life, and Consciousness, published by UK-based Routledge under the Taylor & Francis Group.The title is witnessing growing traction across online academic and retail platforms, signalling rising reader interest in interdisciplinary subjects linking science, consciousness, artificial intelligence and philosophy. The book explores information as a possible foundational organising principle of reality, drawing from fields such as physics, biology, neuroscience, cognition and technology studies.Market performance indicators show strong early momentum for the publication. On Amazon India, the…

Artificial Intelligence (AI) could contribute more than $500 billion to India’s economy by 2030, according to a new study released by the IBM Institute for Business Value and IndiaAI. The report said AI is rapidly emerging as a key driver of India’s economic transformation and could position the country among the world’s leading AI-powered economies. The study, titled ‘From Promise to Power: How AI is Redefining India’s Economic Future’, found that 80 per cent of Indian business leaders believe AI investments will directly influence the country’s GDP growth, while 73 per cent expect India to emerge as a global AI…