Business - The Purbottar

09 Jul

AI adoption grows in India, but workforce readiness remains a challenge: Aon study

Business BureauBusiness

India is making steady progress in adopting artificial intelligence (AI) and strengthening workforce data capabilities, but organisations continue to face challenges in translating these investments into improved workforce outcomes, according to the inaugural Human Capital Trends Study released by Aon plc. The study found that 43 per cent of organisations in India have already deployed AI, while another 20 per cent are piloting AI programmes, signalling growing adoption across industries. However, India trails the broader Asia-Pacific (APAC) region, where 74 per cent of organisations have either deployed or are testing AI initiatives. Despite this, India stands out for its ability…

09 Jul

Monsoon highlights the need for more robust, corrosion resistant infrastructure

Business BureauBusiness

As southwest monsoon takes hold on India’s coastline, with heavy rainfall, high humidity and salt-laden winds, infrastructure experts are calling for a rethink in the way public assets are designed and protected in coastal areas.According to Dr. Rahul Sharma, Director, International Zinc Association (India), India’s coastal infrastructure is under far more dire environmental pressures than inland ones and much of it is still being maintained in a more uniform fashion. “Every monsoon reminds us that infrastructure must be designed not only for the loads it carries, but also for the environment in which it operates,” he said.The coastline of India’s…

09 Jul

Irregular periods before 40 may signal premature ovarian insufficiency, says specialist

Business BureauBusiness

Women experiencing persistent irregular or missed menstrual cycles before the age of 40 should seek timely medical evaluation, as these changes could indicate Premature Ovarian Insufficiency (POI), a condition that affects ovarian function much earlier than natural menopause, according to fertility specialist Dr. Kalpana Jain of Birla Fertility & IVF, Guwahati. Dr. Jain said irregular periods in women in their 20s or 30s are often attributed to stress, weight fluctuations, thyroid disorders or hormonal imbalances. However, when menstrual cycles become infrequent, remain irregular or stop for several months, they may point to POI. Unlike natural menopause, ovarian function does not…

08 Jul

MSDE extends Navachar Mantra registration deadline to boost innovation and startup participation

Business BureauBusiness

The Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (MSDE) has extended the registration deadline for its flagship national innovation platform, Navachar Mantra, to July 15, 2026, in response to overwhelming interest from innovators and aspiring entrepreneurs across the country. The move is expected to widen participation and help more innovators transform promising ideas into scalable business ventures. Thousands of registrations have already been received through the official portal, with the extended window likely to attract an even larger pool of applicants and innovative proposals from across India. Implemented by the National Institute for Entrepreneurship and Small Business Development (NIESBUD) under the…

08 Jul

Nothing launches Phone (4b) with Snapdragon 6 Gen 4, 6,000mAh battery and AI features

Business BureauBusiness

London-based consumer technology brand Nothing on Tuesday unveiled the Phone (4b), the first smartphone in its new (b) series, expanding its product portfolio with a device aimed at offering premium features at a more accessible price point. The smartphone comes with Qualcomm's Snapdragon 6 Gen 4 processor, a 6.77-inch 120Hz Super AMOLED display, a 50MP OIS main camera, a 6,000mAh battery and Nothing OS 4.1 based on Android 16. The Phone (4b) retains Nothing's signature transparent design language and refined Glyph Bar featuring 45 individually controlled mini-LEDs for notifications and alerts. The company said the handset also introduces its complete…

08 Jul

PM-SETU expands nationwide as Centre clears ₹1,237.58 crore ITI transformation plans

Business BureauBusiness

The Centre has approved the nationwide rollout of the PradhanMantri Skilling and Employability Transformation through Upgraded ITIs (PM-SETU), marking a major expansion of the flagship skill development programme with Strategic Investment Plans (SIPs) worth ₹1,237.58 crore across Odisha, Gujarat and Telangana. The decision was taken at the 4th National Steering Committee meeting chaired by Debashree Mukherjee, Secretary, Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship, in New Delhi on Monday. The committee approved the transition of PM-SETU from its pilot phase to implementation across all 200 identified Industrial Training Institute (ITI) clusters in the country. It also cleared measures to simplify implementation,…

08 Jul

Flipkart Strengthens Fashion Marketplace with Seller-First Initiative

nanika EditorBusiness

Flipkart has announced a major expansion of its seller-first strategy by removing commission on all fashion products sold through its marketplace, regardless of their price. The Walmart-owned e-commerce company said the move will benefit nearly 90,000 active fashion sellers, including micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs), direct-to-consumer (D2C) brands and homegrown fashion labels. Previously, the zero-commission policy applied only to eligible fashion products priced below ₹1,000. With the latest decision, sellers can now list fashion products across all price segments without paying any commission, allowing them to retain a larger share of their earnings. Flipkart said the initiative is designed…

08 Jul

Renault refreshes Kwid with simpler lineup, Climber now effectively priced at ₹4.99 lakh

Business BureauBusiness

Renault India has launched the refreshed Renault Kwid with a redesigned look, a simplified variant lineup and revised pricing aimed at making first-car ownership more accessible for Indian buyers. The updated hatchback now carries Renault’s new brand identity and is available in just two variants—Evolution and Climber—offering customers a simpler purchase decision. The New Kwid is priced between ₹4.52 lakh and ₹5.60 lakh (ex-showroom) under Renault’s new "All India One Price" strategy. The company has also introduced a digital sales initiative, offering a ₹15,000 cash benefit on online purchases of the fully loaded Climber variant, bringing its effective transactional price…

08 Jul

Sennheiser rolls out up to 40% discounts for Amazon Prime Day shoppers

Business BureauBusiness

Audio technology brand Sennheiser has announced special offers across its premium product portfolio for Amazon India's 10th Prime Day sale, beginning July 4, offering discounts of up to 40% along with No Cost EMI options and additional bank card benefits on select products. The sale covers a wide range of headphones, microphones and creator-focused audio solutions aimed at consumers, professionals and content creators. Among the highlighted products is the MOMENTUM 4 Wireless Special Edition, priced at ₹21,990, featuring 42mm transducers, Adaptive Noise Cancellation and up to 60 hours of battery life. The HD 490 PRO Plus, designed for studio professionals,…

08 Jul

TRAI drive test flags mobile network performance across Dibrugarh and Tinsukia

Business BureauBusiness

The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) has released the findings of its Independent Drive Test (IDT) conducted across Dibrugarh and Tinsukia districts in Assam, offering consumers a detailed assessment of mobile network quality delivered by telecom service providers. The tests were carried out from April 13 to 17, 2026, under the supervision of TRAI's Regional Office, Kolkata, covering 374.5 km of city routes, 13 hotspot locations and 2.2 km of walk-test areas. The exercise evaluated key Quality of Service (QoS) parameters, including network coverage, Call Setup Success Rate (CSSR), dropped call rate, call silence instances, speech quality, and data…