Business Bureau

Edtech company Great Learning has called for a more balanced approach to taxation on digital education services and improved access to affordable education loans, saying these steps are critical to accelerating upskilling efforts across India. Highlighting gaps in the current Goods and Services Tax (GST) framework, the company noted that while core educational services offered by formal institutions are exempt from GST, many online courses, coaching programmes and digital learning offerings continue to attract an 18 per cent tax. This, it said, adds to the financial burden on learners and education providers, particularly in a price-sensitive market focused on skill-based…

As artificial intelligence rapidly transforms the way organisations collect, analyse and use data, protecting personal information has become a major business priority, according to a senior executive at Aon. Sharing her views on Data Privacy Day, Apurva Gopinath, Cyber Leader and Vice President, Financial Services & Professional Group, India at Aon, said the financial and reputational impact of data breaches has reached unprecedented levels. Citing publicly available sources, she noted that in 2025 the global average cost of a data breach was estimated at between $4.4 million and $4.9 million. At the same time, global cybercrime losses are projected to…

The HortiConnect India Expo 2026 will be held from October 1 to 3 at the Bangalore International Exhibition Centre, marking a significant expansion as the platform begins engaging more directly with India’s wider agriculture sector. The trade fair will be co-hosted by Messe Muenchen India in partnership with Bengaluru-based HortiConnect Global Pvt. Ltd., the organisers said. Originally positioned as an international-standard exhibition focused on horticulture, the 2026 edition reflects growing convergence across crop segments. Technologies pioneered in horticulture—such as protected cultivation, precision irrigation, climate-resilient inputs and post-harvest infrastructure—are increasingly being adopted across field crops and mixed farming systems. Horticulture will…

With cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) emerging as a major public health concern in Assam, especially among adults above 40 and increasingly among younger urban populations, Gurgaon-based Medanta – The Medicity showcased the future of advanced heart treatment in Guwahati on Wednesday. Studies indicate that people living in urban and hilly regions are becoming vulnerable to heart ailments well before the age of 40, underscoring the need for early detection and timely intervention. Addressing doctors and patients, Dr. Praveen Chandra, Chairman, Interventional Cardiology, Cardiac Care at Medanta, highlighted recent advances in the treatment of Coronary Artery Disease (CAD) and Valvular Heart Disease…

Renault India has unveiled the all-new Renault Duster, marking the return of the iconic SUV that once defined the mid-size segment in the country. The new-generation Duster retains its rugged DNA while introducing modern design, advanced powertrains, connected technology and enhanced safety, tailored specifically for Indian customers. Unveiled at Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Chennai before a gathering of over 15,000 people, the new Duster is the first product reveal under Renault Group’s International Game Plan 2027 for India. Built on the new Renault Group Modular Platform (RGMP), nearly 90 per cent of the vehicle is India-specific and engineered for extreme…

slice Small Finance Bank (slice SFB) has extended support to early-stage startups at IIT Guwahati, strengthening Assam’s growing startup and innovation ecosystem. As part of its continued engagement with young founders, the bank awarded non-dilutive startup grants to two ventures—Picapool and ImpactWeaver—during Disrupt, the startup pitching platform of UDGAM, the annual entrepreneurship festival organised by the Entrepreneurship Cell of IIT Guwahati. The selected startups were recognised for developing technology-driven solutions addressing real-world challenges. Picapool is building a collaborative commerce platform that allows users with similar purchasing needs to pool demand and access better prices. ImpactWeaver, an Assam-based venture, focuses on…

Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. has unveiled the Galaxy Z Flip7 Olympic Edition, a special smartphone designed exclusively for athletes competing in the Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games Milano Cortina 2026. As a Worldwide Olympic and Paralympic Partner, Samsung will provide the device to nearly 3,800 Olympians and Paralympians from around 90 countries to support them throughout their Games journey, from life in the Olympic Village to medal celebrations. The Olympic Edition device will play a key role during official podium moments through the Victory Selfie, which will make its Winter Olympic debut at Milano Cortina 2026. For the first time,…

Member of Parliament and former Foreign Secretary Harsh Vardhan Shringla today unveiled “Vibrant Siliguri – Vision 2047,” a comprehensive roadmap aimed at transforming Siliguri from a transit gateway into a national hub of growth, connectivity and innovation. The vision document was presented at a programme organised by the Siliguri Citizens’ Forum at Hotel Highland on Sevoke Road, in the presence of policymakers, industry representatives, civil society members and citizens. Highlighting Siliguri’s strategic location as India’s gateway to the North East and its proximity to Nepal, Bhutan, Bangladesh and China, Shringla said the city occupies a central place in India’s Act…

Tata AIA Life Insurance has enhanced its long-term savings plan, Fortune Guarantee Supreme, to make disciplined saving easier and more affordable for customers facing rising household expenses and changing financial priorities. The enhanced plan introduces a ‘Premium Offset’ feature, under which policyholders need to pay premiums only for the first six years of a 12-year premium-paying term. The income benefit offered by the insurer can be used to offset the remaining six premiums, reducing the out-of-pocket burden and helping customers stay invested for the long term. The plan also offers a guaranteed income option known as the ‘Power of 6’,…

Axis Mutual Fund on Thursday announced the launch of the Axis BSE India Sector Leaders Index Fund, an open-ended index fund that will track the BSE India Sector Leaders Index. The new fund offer (NFO) will open for subscription on January 23, 2026, and close on February 6, 2026. The fund will be managed by Karthik Kumar and is available with a minimum investment of ₹100. It aims to provide a long-term wealth creation option by offering broad exposure to India’s leading companies across sectors. The scheme will invest in the top three companies from each of the 21 sectors…