Business Bureau

NPCI BHIM Services Limited (NBSL), a wholly owned subsidiary of the National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI), has introduced biometric authentication for UPI payments on the BHIM Payments App. The feature enables users to approve transactions up to ₹5,000 using fingerprint or facial recognition, aiming to make digital payments faster and more secure. The facility is available on both Android and iOS devices that support biometric capabilities. With this update, users can complete transactions without entering a UPI PIN for smaller payments, reducing failed transactions caused by incorrect PIN entries. The feature can be used across multiple use cases, including…

Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited (BPCL) has secured a major boost to India’s clean energy push after its joint venture, NeuEN Green Energy Pvt. Ltd., won a contract to supply 10,000 tonnes per annum (10KTPA) of green hydrogen to Numaligarh Refinery Ltd. (NRL) in Assam. NeuEN, a 50:50 joint venture between BPCL and Sembcorp Green Hydrogen India, will develop a green hydrogen production facility at NRL with a long-term offtake agreement. The project is slated to begin commercial operations in 2028 and will integrate renewable energy with advanced storage systems to ensure round-the-clock operations. The contract was awarded at what BPCL…

India’s life insurance sector reported total benefit payouts of ₹6.30 lakh crore in FY2024-25, reflecting strong fundamentals and its growing role in household financial planning, according to the IRDAI Annual Report 2024-25. The data highlights a structural shift in the market, with 92% of payouts attributed to living benefits, indicating increased adoption of life insurance as a long-term savings and liquidity instrument. Industry metrics such as robust persistency ratios, near 100% claim settlement and solvency levels above the regulatory threshold of 1.50 underscore operational stability. Withdrawals and surrenders accounted for ₹2.33 lakh crore, up 1.77% year-on-year, suggesting planned lifecycle exits…

Tata AIA Life Insurance on Monday announced the launch of three new funds—Large Mid Cap Innovation Fund, Large Mid Cap Innovation Pension Fund, and Global AI & Technology Leaders Fund—aimed at helping investors benefit from India’s innovation-led growth and global technology trends through its Unit Linked Insurance Plans (ULIPs). The New Fund Offer (NFO) will remain open from March 24 to March 31, 2026, with units priced at ₹10 for domestic funds and $10 for the global fund. The funds are regulated under IFSC norms and designed to offer a mix of wealth creation and life insurance protection. The Large…

Philips Home Appliances has launched ‘OneChef’, an all-in-one smart cooking appliance aimed at simplifying everyday cooking for Indian households. The product was unveiled at a “Chef’s Tasting Table” event in Mumbai, curated by celebrity chef Ranveer Brar, where guests experienced live tastings and interactive food stations showcasing India’s diverse cuisine. At the launch, Ranveer Brar, along with Gulbahar Taurani, MD & CEO of Versuni India, demonstrated how modern kitchen technology can simplify complex recipes while retaining authentic flavours. The appliance combines 33 cooking functions, including air frying, stir frying, steaming, and boiling, into a single unit. Powered by AmbiHeat™ technology,…

With mosquito-borne diseases continuing to pose a major public health challenge in India, Godrej Consumer Products Limited (GCPL) has launched a public service film titled ‘Machar Hai, Mehman Nahi’ under its CSR initiative Elimination of Mosquito Borne Endemic Disease (EMBED). The campaign urges households to rethink their approach towards mosquitoes, highlighting that they should not be treated as harmless visitors. India reported over 1.13 lakh dengue cases in 2025, alongside widespread cases of malaria and chikungunya, underlining the urgent need for stronger awareness and preventive action beyond the monsoon season. The film draws on India’s tradition of hospitality, flipping the…

Axis Max Life Insurance Limited has entered into a strategic corporate agent partnership with Saarathi Finance and Credit Private Limited to enhance financial security for India’s micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs). Saarathi Finance, a new-age NBFC, focuses on bridging the credit gap for MSMEs, particularly at the grassroots level. Under the partnership, Axis Max Life will offer its Group Credit Life Secure (GCLS) product to Saarathi’s borrowers. The product is designed to act as a financial safety net, ensuring that in case of unforeseen events, the loan burden does not fall on the borrower’s family or disrupt the business. …

Allied Blenders and Distillers Limited (ABD) has announced that its flagship brand, ICONiQ White International Grain Whisky, has crossed a landmark 10 million cases in FY26, marking one of the fastest growth trajectories in the global spirits industry. Launched in September 2022 through a digital-first debut on ABD’s MetaBar in the metaverse, the brand initially rolled out in select East and North Indian markets before expanding nationwide. The whisky recorded 0.32 million cases in FY23, surged to 2.27 million cases in FY24, and crossed 5.7 million cases in FY25. It was recognised as the fastest growing millionaire spirits brand globally…

Glenmark Pharmaceuticals Ltd on Saturday announced the launch of GLIPIQⓇ (semaglutide) in India for the treatment of Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (T2DM), positioning it as a more affordable entry into GLP-1 therapy. The company said weekly treatment with the drug will start at ₹325, significantly lowering cost barriers for patients. GLIPIQⓇ has been approved by the Central Drugs Standard Control Organization (CDSCO) after a multicentre, randomised, Phase III clinical trial in India showed favourable safety and efficacy outcomes. The drug is available in both vial and pre-filled pen formats, offering flexibility in dosing and long-term use. The vial-based formulation, supported…

In a first-of-its-kind initiative in India’s health insurance sector, Niva Bupa Health Insurance has launched a Coffee Table Book highlighting the journeys of 40 advisors, recognising their role in supporting families during medical emergencies and strengthening financial protection. The book documents real-life instances where advisors went beyond policy sales to assist with documentation, hospitalisation, and claims, positioning them as key enablers in critical moments. The initiative comes amid a significant protection gap in India’s insurance landscape. According to IRDAI’s FY25 report, insurance penetration stands at 3.7% of GDP, far below the global average of 7.3%, while non-life penetration remains at…