Business - The Purbottar

01 Apr

India pushes outcomes-based financing at global summit, Jayant Chaudhary highlights skilling focus

Business BureauBusiness

India reinforced its commitment to outcome-driven development financing at the Outcomes Finance Alliance (OFA) Summit 2026 in Cape Town, with Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Skill Development and Entrepreneurship and MoS Education Jayant Chaudhary underscoring the need for measurable impact in skilling and human capital investments. Speaking at the March 25–27 summit, Chaudhary participated in a high-level plenary on unlocking public-private funding, alongside representatives from South Africa, Switzerland, and financial institutions. He emphasised aligning public, private, and philanthropic capital to deliver tangible outcomes in education, livelihoods, and workforce development. “The real challenge is ensuring investments translate into measurable outcomes…

01 Apr

Oracle Slashes 12,000 Jobs in India Amid Global Restructuring; More Cuts Expected Within 30 Days

anuprova EditorBusiness

In a massive blow to the Indian tech sector, U.S.-based software giant Oracle has reportedly laid off approximately 12,000 employees across its India development centers as part of a sweeping global restructuring. The move, which surfaced early on April 1, 2026, accounts for nearly 40% of the company's total global workforce reduction of 30,000 personnel. Impacted staff across major hubs like Bengaluru, Hyderabad, and Pune reported receiving "brutal" termination emails as early as 6:00 AM, informing them that their roles were being eliminated immediately due to "organizational changes" aimed at streamlining operations. Sources within the company’s human resources department have…

01 Apr

Cipla Health expands Prolyte ORS range with Masala Guava flavour launch

Business BureauBusiness

Cipla Health Limited has expanded its oral rehydration portfolio with the launch of a new Masala Guava flavour under its Prolyte ORS brand. The product is based on the World Health Organization-recommended Oral Rehydration Salt (ORS) formulation and aims to combine clinical effectiveness with a taste suited to Indian preferences. The company said the new variant is designed to make hydration both effective and enjoyable, blending science-backed relief with a flavour familiar to Indian consumers. With this addition, the Prolyte ORS portfolio now offers eleven flavours, reflecting growing demand for hydration solutions that balance efficacy with taste. Commenting on the…

01 Apr

Truecaller crosses 500 million users globally, India leads growth surge

Business BureauBusiness

Truecaller has announced it has crossed 500 million users worldwide, marking a major milestone in its effort to build safer and more trusted communication. The platform added over 50 million users in 2025 alone, highlighting rising global demand for protection against spam, scams, and unwanted calls. India continues to be the company’s largest market, with over 350 million users, while 150 million users are based outside the country. The platform has also crossed 4 million paying subscribers globally, strengthening its revenue stream. “This is an important milestone for us,” said Rishit Jhunjhunwala, noting that the growing user base reflects increasing…

01 Apr

10,000+ fans register as OutStation plans big ‘Aaj Kal’ launch in Guwahati

Business BureauBusiness

Guwahati is set to host one of its biggest youth music events as teen pop boy band OutStation returns to the city on April 4, 2026, to launch their second single ‘Aaj Kal’ at Silpagram. The free-entry event has already seen over 10,000 RSVPs, signalling massive anticipation among fans and marking a notable moment in India’s emerging pop scene. Organisers expect a large turnout, similar to the band’s previous Guwahati performance in December. The highlight of the evening will be a synchronised crowd sing-along of ‘Aaj Kal’, aimed at creating a record-setting live launch experience. The band said they chose…

01 Apr

Riders complete insurance cover, offer affordable protection against life risks

Business BureauBusiness

In an increasingly uncertain world, insurance riders are emerging as a key tool to strengthen financial protection beyond basic life cover. While traditional life insurance policies primarily cover death, experts say risks such as illness, accidents, disability, and income loss can be equally disruptive during a person’s lifetime. Riders, also known as add-ons, allow policyholders to enhance their base insurance plans by covering specific risks like critical illness or accidental disability. These optional benefits are designed to provide a more comprehensive safety net without the need to purchase multiple standalone policies, making them both cost-effective and easy to manage. Industry…

31 Mar

Kotak Mahindra Prime names Suraj Rajappan as new CEO, Todiwala to retire in May

Business BureauBusiness

Kotak Mahindra Prime Limited (KMPL), the vehicle financing arm of Kotak Mahindra Bank Limited, on Monday announced a leadership transition with the appointment of Suraj Rajappan as Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer effective June 1, 2026. The appointment, approved by the Board, is for a three-year term and is subject to shareholder approval. Rajappan will succeed Shahrukh Todiwala, who will superannuate on May 31, 2026 after more than three decades with the Kotak Group. Rajappan, who began his career with KMPL, brings over 24 years of cross-functional experience within the organisation. Ashok Vaswani, MD and CEO of Kotak Mahindra…

30 Mar

IYM hosts first-ever ‘Mega Mileage Challenge’ for FZ-S Fi Hybrid Motorcycle in Kolkata

Business BureauBusiness

India Yamaha Motor (IYM) Pvt. Ltd. has hosted the Mega Mileage Challenge in Kolkata for the FZ-S Fi Hybrid motorcycle. The event aimed at educating customers about the impressive fuel efficiency delivered by the FZ-S Fi Hybrid’s Smart Motor Generator (SMG) Technology and its benefits. Organized in collaboration with authorized dealerships – Banyan Tree Automobiles, ATC Electronics Pvt. Ltd., Tanushka Auto, and Velocity Motors – the challenge witnessed enthusiastic participation from Yamaha customers, along with their family members who eagerly joined the experience. The Smart Motor Generator (SMG) and Stop & Start System (SSS) optimizes fuel economy and as a…

30 Mar

REDMI 15A 5G launched in India with focus on battery, performance and affordability

Business BureauBusiness

Xiaomi India has launched the REDMI 15A 5G, positioning the device as a reliable, everyday smartphone built for long usage and smooth performance. The new handset is designed to handle daily tasks such as streaming, multitasking and communication without compromising on efficiency. The REDMI 15A 5G comes with a 6300mAh battery, which the company claims can last up to two days on a single charge under heavy usage. It supports 15W charging and 7.5W wired reverse charging. The device features a 6.9-inch display with up to 120Hz refresh rate and brightness of up to 800 nits, along with Wet Touch…

30 Mar

Axis Max Life, YES BANK mark 21 years; eye digital-first insurance push

Business BureauBusiness

Axis Max Life Insurance Limited and YES BANK Limited on Sunday celebrated 21 years of their bancassurance partnership, reaffirming a joint focus on digital-first delivery and hyper-personalised protection solutions. Over two decades, the alliance has evolved into a strong distribution ecosystem, leveraging YES BANK’s network of over 1,300 branches to serve around 18.03 lakh policyholders with a cumulative sum assured exceeding ₹1.50 lakh crore. The partnership has integrated new-age technologies to simplify insurance access, offering solutions across child education, retirement planning, wealth creation and term protection. Key innovations include video-based consultations and agile underwriting systems aimed at faster onboarding and…