Business - The Purbottar

03 Jan

President Murmu launches ‘Skill the Nation Challenge’ to promote AI readiness across India

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President Droupadi Murmu has announced the nationwide ‘#SkillTheNation Challenge’, calling on citizens, policymakers, educators and youth to participate in India’s Artificial Intelligence (AI) learning movement by enrolling in the SOAR (Skilling for AI Readiness) programme on the Skill India Digital Hub. She said the initiative would help India build future-ready talent and move towards a technologically empowered and inclusive society. SOAR, launched by the Ministry of Skill Development & Entrepreneurship in July 2025, offers structured micro-credential AI courses for students, teachers, professionals and lifelong learners. In six months, more than 1.59 lakh learners have enrolled, with thousands receiving certifications in…

02 Jan

Škoda Auto India clocks biggest-ever sales in Silver Jubilee year, records 107% growth in 2025

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Škoda Auto India has reported its strongest performance to date in 2025, coinciding with its 25th anniversary in the country. The automaker sold 72,665 cars during the year, marking a 107% increase from 35,166 units in 2024. The growth was fuelled by strong demand for the Kylaq, continued popularity of the Kushaq, Slavia and Kodiaq, and the return of the Octavia RS, alongside rapid expansion of its network to over 325 customer touchpoints across 183 cities. Brand Director Ashish Gupta said the year reflected the “trust and love” of customers and highlighted the company’s sharper product strategy, wider market reach…

02 Jan

Tata Motors reports 21% sales growth in Q3FY26 with 1,15,577 units sold

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Tata Motors has reported strong commercial vehicle sales for the third quarter of FY26, touching 1,15,577 units in domestic and international markets. This marks a 21% rise from 95,770 units sold in Q3FY25. The company also registered 42,508 units sold in December 2025, up 25% from 33,875 units in December 2024. Segment-wise performance remained robust. Heavy commercial vehicle (HCV) trucks rose 23% in Q3FY26 to 33,401 units, while ILMCV trucks saw a 26% rise to 20,033 units. Passenger carriers grew 7% to 10,691 units, and SCV cargo and pickups increased 15% to 43,793 units. Total domestic commercial vehicle sales reached…

02 Jan

Kaushal Manthan charts skilling roadmap for 2026 with focus on outcomes and industry alignment

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The Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (MSDE) has concluded its week-long Kaushal Manthan, held from December 23 to 31, 2025, to shape the national skilling agenda for 2026. The closing session was chaired by Shri Jayant Chaudhary, Hon’ble Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Skill Development and Entrepreneurship and Minister of State for Education. Senior officials, institutional heads, and key stakeholders participated in the deliberations, which aimed to identify priority reforms aligned with national goals. The discussions stressed the need for a more responsive and outcome-driven skilling ecosystem, with stronger convergence between the Centre, State Governments, and industry. Key…

02 Jan

ICICI Bank launches capital gains account scheme for tax exemption benefits

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ICICI Bank has announced the launch of the Capital Gains Account Scheme (CGAS), allowing customers to deposit un-invested long-term capital gains or sale proceeds from specified capital assets to claim tax exemptions while earning interest. The scheme is available from January 1, 2026, following the Government’s approval of ICICI Bank as an authorised institution to manage CGAS deposits. The facility is currently open to resident individuals and Hindu Undivided Families (HUFs), with availability for non-individuals and NRIs to follow. It is designed for taxpayers who are unable to reinvest capital gains before the Income Tax Return filing deadline. Accounts can…

02 Jan

Renault India records 33% jump in December sales as H2 CY2025 recovery gains pace

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Renault India announced strong sales momentum in the second half of calendar year 2025, reporting 18.2% year-on-year growth during the period, backed by refreshed products and strategic initiatives. The company’s performance strengthened further in the fourth quarter with sales rising 27.3%, marking a clear turnaround in customer demand. December 2025 became one of Renault India’s best-performing months of the year with 3,845 units sold, reflecting a 33.4% increase over the same month in 2024. The recovery trend began in the third quarter and accelerated in Q4 as the new Triber and Kiger variants reached dealerships across the country. Speaking on…

01 Jan

TVS Motor partners with Manba Finance to boost three-wheeler financing across India

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TVS Motor Company has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Manba Finance Limited to expand retail financing options for its commercial mobility customers across India. The agreement covers the full range of TVS passenger and cargo three-wheelers, including both internal combustion engine and electric models, and aims to make vehicle ownership simpler and more affordable for small businesses and fleet operators. Under the partnership, Manba Finance will provide EMI-based loan solutions with competitive funding schemes and faster loan processing. The companies said the move is expected to improve access to structured finance, especially in rural and semi-urban areas, supporting last-mile…

31 Dec

AODH Irish Whiskey debuts in India as ABD Maestro enters fast-growing premium segment

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ABD Maestro Pvt. Ltd., the super-premium and luxury spirits subsidiary of Allied Blenders & Distillers (ABD), has launched AODH Irish Whiskey in India, marking its entry into one of the fastest-growing categories in the country. The company, co-founded by Superstar Ranveer Singh, who also serves as creative partner, aims to build world-class brands for Indian and global consumers. AODH, meaning “flame” in Irish, is positioned as an authentic Irish expression crafted using triple distillation. The whiskey features a bright gold hue with copper glints and offers notes of vanilla cream, light honey and toffee from ex-bourbon cask maturation, with a…

31 Dec

JSW MG Motor India launches industry-first assured buy-back program for electric vehvicles

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JSW MG Motor India has announced a first-of-its-kind Assured Buy Back Program for its electric vehicles, extending guaranteed resale value benefits from 3 years to up to 5 years. With this initiative, MG becomes the first car brand in India to offer assured buy-back for such a long ownership period, aimed at boosting confidence among EV buyers. Customers can receive a guaranteed resale value ranging between 40% and 60% at the end of the selected tenure. The program also covers commercial MG ZS EV fleet vehicles up to three years old or with mileage up to ₹60,000 per year. The…

30 Dec

Samsung certifies 450 youth in AI and coding under innovation campus programme in Hyderabad

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Samsung has certified 450 students in Artificial Intelligence and Coding & Programming under its Samsung Innovation Campus (SIC) initiative at the NSIC Technical Service Centre in Hyderabad, reinforcing its commitment to developing India’s digital talent pipeline. The felicitation ceremony was attended by NSIC Hyderabad Centre Head Rajivnath, who stressed the importance of continuous investment in technology-led skilling to support India’s digital transformation. Of the total students certified, 100 completed advanced AI training, while 350 were trained in coding through structured, industry-relevant modules. Samsung Innovation Campus aims to skill 20,000 youth in India in 2025, in alignment with the Government’s Skill…