N+, the AI-native eLearning platform from Sarder Inc., has continued to gain momentum as more learners seek reliable training. The platform offering 120 Microsoft courses and 48 AI CERTs certifications has now crossed 122,000 installs. Over the last month, another 55,000 people joined the platform, pushing monthly growth to 270%. For the team at N+, this marks one of the clearest signs yet of how quickly the appetite for AI-ready skills is growing.

A large part of this growth is coming from corporate L&D teams, universities, training institutions, technologists, and working professionals who are choosing N+ for its simple, mobile-led learning experience and its clear path to certifications upon course completion. These groups have become the strongest drivers of the platform’s expansion, especially as more organisations around the world begin focusing on skills that prepare their teams for an AI-driven future.

Speaking on the platform’s trajectory, Mr. Abdul Ahad said, “At N+ our focus has always been clear and consistent, we want to empower learners with the skills that matter today and the capabilities they will need tomorrow. The momentum we are seeing across enterprises, institutions, and individual professionals shows that the shift toward AI-native learning is already underway. Being able to stand at the forefront of this transformation and support people as they prepare for the future means a great deal to us.”

N+ is preparing for its next phase of growth with deeper AI-driven personalization features that will introduce adaptive learning paths, smart practice modules, and advanced analytics designed for corporate L&D decision-making. 

The team is strengthening the mobile experience to ensure smooth and reliable learning across all devices. Learners can access content offline, open lessons with faster load times, and engage with short, flexible learning formats that fit varied schedules. At the same time, N+ is building a wider network of partners by working more closely with universities, government skill programs, and global technology organisations. The idea is to make high-quality training accessible at a scale that truly matters.

For more information, please visit: www.nplus.global

India has made significant strides in recycling used beverage cartons, with rates more than doubling over the past decade, according to the sixth edition of the Used Beverage Carton (UBC) Management Study released by The Energy and Resources Institute (TERI). Commissioned by Tetra Pak, the study tracks over 15 years of progress across the surveyed cities, offering a comprehensive view of India’s journey towards circularity.
 

Launch of Used Beverage Carton (UBC) Management Study at the conference themed Closing the Loop: Advancing Carton Recycling for a Circular Economy
 

Recycling of post-consumer cartons has seen a significant rise, with the latest study showing an increase from 29% in 2011 to 63.66% in 2025 across 24 surveyed cities. When extrapolated to a national level, this translates to a 48% recycling rate for India. This progress is largely attributed to sustained efforts by Tetra Pak and the broader industry – ranging from investments in collection infrastructure and partnerships with recyclers to widespread consumer awareness campaigns.
 

In comparison, the previous study published 2022 reported a 62% recycling rate across 22 cities, which extrapolated to 45% nationally. The current findings reflect continued momentum, even in the face of rising consumption. When extrapolated nationally, the study estimates that one in every two cartons in India is now being recycled, marking a major milestone in waste management.
 

The highlights of the study were presented by Dr. Suneel Pandey, Director, Circular Economy and Waste Management Division, TERI. Key insights from the study include:

• Recycling rates have increased to 63.66% in 2025 across 24 surveyed cities

• Cities like Lucknow, Pune, and Bengaluru show very high recycling rates, supported by robust collection centres and active recycler networks.

• The volume of cartons recycled in a pure stream has increased over time, thanks to strengthened dedicated collection and recycling systems.

• A growing network of Material Recovery Facilities (MRFs), substations, and waste dealers is contributing to improved collection and recycling outcomes.
   

Cassio Simoes, Managing Director, Tetra Pak South Asia, added, “These findings reaffirm that long-term partnerships and consistent investment can deliver real environmental impact. While it’s encouraging that nearly half of all cartons are now recycled, our ambition is to go further – to ensure every carton finds its way to a recycler. Together with our partners, we remain committed to advancing circularity and strengthening the recycling value chain across India.”
 

TERI recommends further actions to boost recycling

• Innovate new products from recycled cartons to expand end-use markets.

• Strengthen the waste dealer network with better economic incentives.

• Enhance paper mill capacity and technology to process multi-material packaging.

• Promote source-level segregation and awareness to improve collection efficiency.

• Strengthen the EPR policy framework to catalyze more investment from industry.
   

The report was launched at a conference titled “Closing the Loop: Advancing Carton Recycling for a Circular Economy.” The event focused on strengthening India’s beverage carton recycling ecosystem and identifying collaborative pathways to accelerate circularity.
 

The keynote address was delivered by Mr. N. Subrahmanyam, Scientist ‘E’, Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC), who remarked, “The recycling system is bound to improve – from collection to recycling – as producers increasingly invest a portion of their revenues to purchase EPR certificates. This revenue will enable recyclers to adopt more advanced technologies and improve overall recycling efficiency.”
 

Sharing a global perspective on beverage carton recycling, Ms. Kinga Sieradzon, Vice President, Sustainability Operations, Tetra Pak, emphasized, “Social Responsibility and Extended Producer Responsibility are not just about ticking boxes. It is about real transformation – getting engaged and collaborating to transform the entire value chain of collection and recycling.”
 

Two thematic panel discussions formed the core of the dialogue. The first, moderated by Mr. Jaideep Gokhale, CEO of the Action Alliance for Recycling Beverage Cartons, brought together entrepreneurs and industry leaders to deliberate strategies for scaling UBC recycling through collaboration, technological innovation, and infrastructure development. The second panel focused on policy direction, Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR), and industry collaboration as key enablers to mainstream circular practices and drive large-scale implementation.
 

The report combines scientific rigour with on-ground insights, mapping collection flows, analysing formal and informal sector dynamics, and quantifying recycling rates. It serves as a data-backed roadmap for accelerating India’s transition to a more inclusive, circular, and low-carbon future.
 

Access the full report here: Used Beverage Cartons Management Study 2025.

With India’s education system evolving from traditional classrooms to immersive, technology-driven learning ecosystems, digital literacy is emerging as a critical priority. The National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 and the National Curriculum Framework for School Education (NCF) 2023 underscore digital literacy as a foundational skill essential for democratic participation, employment opportunities, and cognitive development.

OUPxAdobe partnership

In alignment with this transformation, Oxford University Press India (OUP), a department of the University of Oxford, has partnered with Adobe in India. Through this partnership, OUP’s textbook series MegaByte and Cyber Master, designed for Grades III to VIII, will integrate lessons and creative modules based on Adobe Express for Education, a content creation app that helps students and teachers design real-world visuals, animations, videos, and much more. This is designed to support student learning and creativity, including safe search functionality. This collaboration aims to equip new-age learners with world-class digital tools, fostering future-ready skills in creativity and emerging technologies.

In alignment with the transformative vision of India’s National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, the MegaByte and Cyber Master have been developed as pioneering digital learning solutions—crafted to make students smarter, more creative, and future-ready. These textbooks introduce learners to Computer Science through a well-balanced integration of conceptual knowledge and hands-on skills, fostering both understanding and application from an early age. They cover a wide range of emerging domains including Artificial Intelligence, Robotics, Data Science, Internet of Things (IoT), Augmented & Virtual Reality, Digital Creativity and 3D Printing. By laying strong foundations at an early stage, the programs equip students with the confidence, curiosity, and core understanding needed to engage meaningfully with advanced technologies throughout their academic and professional journeys.

Announcing the partnership, Sukanta Das, Managing Director, Oxford University Press India said, “At Oxford University Press, our mission is to equip young minds with the skills they need to thrive in a rapidly evolving world. By integrating Adobe Express for Education into our flagship MegaByte and CyberMaster series, we’re not just teaching students about technology, we’re inspiring them to use it as a canvas for creativity and innovation. This partnership with Adobe in India underscores our digital-first vision and reinforces our commitment to transforming classrooms into dynamic spaces where imagination meets real-world application.”

Mala Sharma, VP & GM, Student Product & Marketing, Adobe said, “Digital creativity and AI skills are essential for the next generation to thrive in an increasingly technology-driven world. Through our collaboration with Oxford University Press India, we’re helping make creative digital tools accessible to young learners across the country. By integrating Adobe Express into the MegaByte and Cyber Master textbooks, students can explore the power of creativity and AI to express ideas, solve problems, and collaborate meaningfully, building the skills they need to succeed in the future.”

Unique Features of MegaByte and Cyber Master
For Grades 6–8, these textbook series also introduce learners to real coding environments with HTML5, Python, and JavaScript. This fosters deeper computational thinking and equips students with the digital skills essential for the future workforce. The program ensures seamless compatibility with widely used platforms such as Windows 10/11 and MS Office 2019, 2021, or 365, enabling smooth transitions into higher education and professional settings.

A standout feature of the program is ‘MegaNext’ – a future-skills booklet that bridges classroom learning with real-world tech trends and career pathways in AI, FinTech, and Green Tech. It encourages students to imagine the possibilities of tomorrow and explore how technology can shape a better world.

With far-reaching implications for pedagogy and 21st-century learning, OUP’s new-age series MegaByte and Cyber Master go beyond traditional curricula—they serve as gateways to foundational digital skills in creativity, coding, and emerging technologies. These programs prepare students to thrive in a digital-first future, where innovation, adaptability, and technological fluency are essential.

About Oxford University Press 
Oxford University Press (OUP) is a department of the University of Oxford. It furthers the University’s objective of excellence in research, scholarship, and education by publishing worldwide. OUP is one of the world’s largest university presses with a wide global presence. It currently publishes thousands of new publications a year, has offices in around fifty countries, and employs approximately 5,000 people worldwide. It has become familiar to millions through a diverse publishing program that includes scholarly works in all academic disciplines, bibles, music, school and college textbooks, children’s books, materials for teaching English as a foreign language, business books, dictionaries and reference books, and academic journals.

A Systematic Investment Plan (SIP) allows you to contribute a fixed amount at regular intervals, helping you approach investing in a structured and predictable manner. This approach may support investors who prefer consistency and wish to build investing habits that align with their financial horizon.

How an SIP can potentially help build a regular investing habit

By understanding how it works and the factors you may consider, you may be better placed to make informed decisions that suit your needs.

Understanding how a Systematic Investment Plan works

A Systematic Investment Plan allows you to invest a chosen amount at a set frequency. This method spreads contributions over time, which may help you participate in the market without relying on one-time investment decisions. You may choose the contribution amount based on suitability, your financial horizon, and the level of market participation you are comfortable with.

When you explore how a Systematic Investment Plan functions, you may notice that it encourages regular investing rather than timing market movements. This habit-building approach may support long-term financial discipline for investors who prefer systematic contribution patterns.

Building disciplined habits through regular investing

One of the important aspects of a Systematic Investment Plan is the consistency it brings. When you contribute regularly, you may be able to focus more on building habits that help you stay committed to your long-term financial approach.

For example, contributing Rs. 1,000 every month over a few years may show how regular investing builds momentum over time.

This steady pattern may make it easier to stay aligned with your financial goals, while giving you the flexibility to adjust contributions when required.

*For illustrative purpose only

How a Systematic Investment Plan may support long-term investing

A Systematic Investment Plan may help you stay invested across different market phases. When contributions are spread out, the likelihood of staying invested over longer periods may increase. This approach may offer benefits when combined with a clear understanding of risks, your financial horizon, and your expected contribution pattern.

Investing through a Systematic Investment Plan also aligns with a structured approach to markets. Instead of focusing on short-term changes, you may concentrate on the overall pattern of regular investing. This may make the experience more predictable and may help reduce the impact of short-term volatility on your decision-making.

Key considerations before starting

Before starting a Systematic Investment Plan, you may consider factors such as your monthly budget, your investing horizon, and the kind of exposure you are comfortable with. Assessing these elements may help you choose a contribution amount that feels suitable and sustainable over time.

You may also consider whether you prefer a long-term or medium-term approach. Reviewing your contributions periodically may support better alignment with your financial situation. The objective is to create a steady rhythm that you may comfortably maintain.

Placing a Systematic Investment Plan within your overall financial approach

While deciding how a Systematic Investment Plan fits into your financial approach, you may look at how it works alongside other options you are evaluating. The consistency of contributions may complement your savings behaviour, helping you gradually build a market-linked corpus that reflects your investing style.

In this context, equity mutual funds may be one of the instruments available to implement your Systematic Investment Plan, depending on your suitability and preferences. Understanding how it works within your broader financial framework may support more informed decisions as you plan.

You may explore funds like equity mutual funds to understand how a systematic investment plan could help.

Conclusion

A Systematic Investment Plan offers a structured way to build disciplined investing habits. By making regular contributions, you may stay aligned with your financial approach while gradually participating in the markets. The flexibility to choose contribution amounts, review them periodically, and stay invested over time may support your long-term objectives. Taking the time to understand how it works, and reviewing its place within your broader financial considerations, may help you move towards a more consistent investing pattern.

Mutual Fund investments are subject to market risks, read all scheme related documents carefully.

Esri India, a leader in Geographic Information Systems (GIS), today announced the launch of ‘Bharat ENVI,’ a geospatial image processing and analysis software. This launch of ‘Bharat ENVI’ brings world-class remote sensing and analytics capabilities to ‘Indo ArcGIS’ users, allowing them to make more informed decisions for better governance and economic growth.

ENVI has long been recognized worldwide as a leading solution for extracting actionable insights from remote sensing data from various sources, including satellite, drone, LiDAR, SAR, multispectral, and hyperspectral sensors. It is tightly integrated with Esri’s ArcGIS platform and lets GIS users seamlessly access and analyze imagery to solve critical problems with confidence.

Indian GIS user organizations can now combine the power of Indo ArcGIS with Bharat ENVI, leveraging the large repository of Indian content and AI models in ‘Indo ArcGIS Living Atlas’. This tightly integrated capability is crucial for a range of activities, including land-use planning, resource management, and effective policy implementation.

Bharat ENVI also includes an essential toolset, accessible to both experts and new users. This intuitive toolset allows satellite imagery users to automate the extraction of features like water bodies, mining pits, crops, settlements, etc., from readily available satellite datasets, such as Landsat 8, Sentinel-2, and Sentinel-1. It is also capable of extracting building footprints and detecting ships through advanced deep learning techniques.

Agendra Kumar, Managing Director, Esri India, said, “The introduction of Bharat ENVI strengthens the geospatial technology ecosystem in the country. As organizations increasingly rely on satellite imagery and remote sensing for planning, sustainability, and national development, Bharat ENVI’s advanced analytics will significantly complement the capabilities of Indo ArcGIS, widely used across India.”

The availability of Bharat ENVI will enable more than 1.2 million ArcGIS users from over 6500 organizations in India to access powerful ENVI image processing tools directly within the ArcGIS environment, while benefiting from localized datasets, analytical tools, and AI capabilities.

SPR Construction Private Limited (SPR) has secured Rs. 750 crore of investments from funds managed by Oaktree Capital Management, L.P. (Oaktree), one of the world’s leading alternative investment managers, with USD 209 billion in assets under management. This investment marks a major milestone for SPR City – Chennai’s largest integrated township – and reinforces global investor confidence in the project’s strong fundamentals.

Oaktree Capital Invests Rs. 750 Crore in Market of India at SPR City, Boosting Chennai’s Largest Township

The funds will accelerate the completion of SPR’s flagship developments:

• The Market of India, and

• The Mall of Madras,

together expected to redefine not only Chennai but also Southern India’s Shopping and Trade Landscape.

This investment is projected to unlock value for 3.5 million sq. ft. of commercial assets, mainly covering:

• Mall of Madras Coming with 6-Screen Cinema & over 300+ Branded Stores

• Market of India comprising 3000+ units serving categories like Gems & Jewellery, Electronincs, Building material, Textile & Acessories, Imported items, Packed foods & Multiple commodities

This investment is a very small fraction of the asset value expected to be unlocked in the next 8–12 months. This funding also allows full repayment of existing Altico Capital debt on the project.

Combined, the two assets will form the largest multi-commodity trade and shopping destination across South Asia (SAARC nations).

As per trends, any commercial place generates direct employment for one person and indirect employment for three people for every 100 sq. ft.

With this analogy, 3.5 million sq. ft. of Market of India and Mall combined will generate direct employment for 35,000 people and indirect employment for over 100,000 people, thus transforming the socio-economic landscape of not only North Chennai but the entire Southern India, in terms of trade and shopping.

Why Oaktree Invested

Oaktree’s decision follows extensive due diligence conducted by leading global advisors including Deloitte (financial & tax), AZB Partners (legal & title), Knight Frank (technical & cost), and Planmaxx (mall advisory & feasibility).

The key factors influencing the investment include:

• Strong asset coverage and high sales visibility

• The rapidly rising prominence of the Perambur Mill area, located just 4 km from Chennai Central — drawing parallels to Mumbai’s Lower Parel mill transformation

• SPR’s leadership in delivering high-rise and integrated township developments in Chennai

SPR has previously raised capital from JM Financial, Piramal, and LIC Housing, all of which have been fully repaid due to the project’s robust revenue generation.

The partnership with Oaktree further enhances SPR’s credibility with institutional investors, lenders, and homebuyers, ensuring timely delivery of the next phase of SPR City. With over 55% of retail space already leased and strong progress across residential and commercial components, SPR City is poised to emerge as the transformative growth hub of North Chennai.

For more details, please visit: www.sprindia.com.

AssisTech Foundation (ATF), India’s first ecosystem enabler for Assistive Technology (AT), is proud to announce that Prateek Madhav, Co-Founder and CEO at ATF, has been conferred the prestigious National Award for the empowerment of persons with disabilities (PwDs) by the Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities (DEPwD), Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment (MoSJ&E), Government of India.

Prateek Madhav receiving the National Award from the President of India, Smt. Droupadi Murmu

Prateek Madhav received the award under the Individual Excellence category: Divyagata ke Kheshtra Mein Sarvshresth Anusandhan / Navpravartan / Utpad Vikas (Best Research / Innovation / Product Development in the Field of Disability). He was honoured with this award at New Delhi by the Hon’ble President of India, Smt. Droupadi Murmu, in recognition of his outstanding achievements and contributions towards the empowerment of Persons with Disabilities (PwD).

The National Awards for Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities are presented annually by the DEPwD and MoSJ&E on December 3rd – The International Day of Persons with Disabilities to honour individuals and institutions that have made exceptional contributions to promoting inclusion and empowerment for Persons with Disabilities (PwDs).

Speaking on receiving the honour, Prateek Madhav, Co-Founder and CEO, AssisTech Foundation said, “This recognition is deeply humbling and reinforces our commitment at ATF to building a more inclusive world through the power of Assistive Technology. It is not just a personal milestone but a reflection of the incredible efforts of our entire ecosystem – our startups, mentors, partners, and the disability community, who continue to drive innovation with purpose and passion. As we step into the next phase of AT ecosystem growth, we are excited to leverage Artificial Intelligence (AI) to further accelerate impact and unlock new possibilities for inclusion.”

The award is a testament to Prateek’s vision and leadership in advancing India’s AT ecosystem. Under his guidance, ATF has established India’s first platform dedicated to fostering innovation in AT, supporting over 500+ AT startups, accelerating 65 AT ventures, and positively impacting the lives of over 1 million PwDs across the country.

About AssisTech Foundation (ATF)

AssisTech Foundation (ATF) is India’s first Assistive Technology (AT) ecosystem enabler that focuses on empowering Persons with Disabilities (PwDs) by enabling Learning, Livelihood, and Living opportunities (3Ls of Empowerment). ATF does this by harnessing the power of AT and supporting the development of innovative technology products and services. In a span of 6 years, ATF has impacted the lives of over 1 million Persons with Disabilities (PwDs) through its high-impact programs and initiatives and has established a network of over 500 AT Startups in the country. ATF is accelerating 65 AT Startups as part of its portfolio, which have collectively developed 120+ AT products and secured over 60 patents.

M5 Mahendra Group, one of Bengaluru’s most trusted and fastest-growing multi-business conglomerates, celebrated a landmark year marked by prestigious recognitions across key sectors. The awards highlight the Group’s rapid expansion, design excellence, customer-first focus, and long-term commitment to social and community development. Together, these honors reaffirm M5 Mahendra Group’s strong and rising influence in South India’s evolving real estate and business landscape.
 

M5 Mahendra Group wins at AMA Awards 2025
 

Leading this milestone year, Mr. Mahendra Nagaraj, Vice President, M5 Mahendra Group, received the Visionary Leadership Award at the AMA Awards 2025, hosted by the American Management Association, a globally reputed institution with a 100-year legacy. This award reflects his strategic foresight, people-centric leadership style, and his pivotal role in driving innovation-led growth across all Group verticals.
 

This year, M5 Mahendra Group earned multiple honors across its residential, commercial, architectural, retail, and CSR initiatives, including:

Best Residential Community Award

Excellence in Architectural Design Award

Outstanding CSR Initiative Award

Best Shopping Mall of the Year

Visionary Leadership Award
 

These recognitions showcase the Group’s exceptional performance across residential development, architectural innovation, retail excellence, and community-focused initiatives.
 

Speaking on the occasion, Mahendra Nagaraj, Vice President, M5 Mahendra Group, said, “These recognitions reinforce our vision of building future-ready communities and businesses that positively impact the people who engage with them. Every award is the result of our teams’ dedication across residential, commercial, retail, and social-impact initiatives. This milestone year strengthens our commitment to innovate, uphold our values, and create environments that shape the urban future in a meaningful way.”
 

As the Group expands its footprint across Bengaluru and beyond, it remains firmly committed to its mission of creating enriching, sustainable, and forward-looking ecosystems. With award-winning developments, diversified businesses, and strong leadership, M5 Mahendra Group is well-positioned to play a transformative role in India’s real estate and business future.

About M5 Mahendra Group

M5 Mahendra Group is a Bengaluru-based organization with over four decades of leadership in building a fully backward-integrated ecosystem for the construction, real estate, financial services, retail, and manufacturing sectors. The Group has established trusted brands across the value chain, including M5 Mahendra Homes, Mahendra Arto, M5 E-City, JeevanMahendra Chits, Mahendra Souharda Credit Co-operative Limited, Bharath Cement Products, Bharath Blue Metals, and Mahendra Agri Estate.
 

Known for its unwavering commitment to quality, ethics, and customer-centric values, M5 Mahendra Group has empowered thousands of families and enterprises across multiple sectors. The Group continues to strengthen its position as one of Bengaluru’s most dynamic, diversified, and trusted business conglomerates.

• A Partnership Announced at Full Throttle—No Humans Required

• Fast Just Got Faster: Sting Energy ® Enters Speed Culture with Mercedes AMG Petronas F1 Team

• The landmark global partnership with Mercedes-AMG PETRONAS F1 Team begins in 2026

Sting Energy, the electrifying energy drink by PepsiCo and the Official Team Partner of Formula 1®, shifts into a new gear as it partners with the Mercedes-AMG PETRONAS F1 Team. In a first-of-its-kind moment for both Formula 1 and brand partnerships, Sting Energy and Mercedes-AMG PETRONAS F1 Team let the car deliver the news through a digital film. No podium. No script. Just a precision-tuned lap where the engine’s roar sharpened into an unmistakable “STINGGGGGG.”

Sting Energy X Mercedes-AMG PETRONAS F1 Team 

The announcement not only announces the partnership but also sets the tone for what Sting will bring to race weekends – more energy, more speed, and a deeper connection between fans and the Mercedes-AMG PETRONAS F1 Team.

Soon after the video dropped, leading creators took to social media to share their reactions and excitement about the news and the way it was communicated creatively by a car.

“This partnership unites performance, energy, and flavour under one banner – connecting three of PepsiCo’s most iconic brands with the world’s most successful Formula 1 team,” said Eugene Willemsen, Chief Executive Officer, International Beverages at PepsiCo. “Through Gatorade, Sting, and Doritos, we’re inside the culture of the sport, fueling both the athletes and the fans who live for the thrill of F 1. Partnering with Mercedes-AMG PETRONAS Formula 1 Team reflects our shared commitment to performance, innovation, and excellence – values that define both our organizations.”

Toto Wolff, Team Principal & Chief Executive Officer, Mercedes-AMG PETRONAS F1 Team, said, “Welcoming a company with a portfolio as strong as PepsiCo’s into our partner ecosystem is another sign of the strength of our team and our sport. As a brand, they align perfectly with our ethos of chasing ultimate performance through innovation and excellence. Gatorade’s expertise in sports science, Sting’s youthful energy, and Doritos’ cultural relevance each bring something unique. Together, they create a partnership that not only supports our team’s performance but also enhances the experience for our fans around the world.”

Richard Sanders, Chief Commercial Officer, Mercedes-AMG PETRONAS F1 Team, said, “We’re delighted to welcome PepsiCo to the team. Their expertise in this sector will help us deliver great experiences for our guests and fans at the track and beyond. It’s a partnership that adds real value to how we operate day-to-day and how we connect with people around the world.”

With growing confusion around which cooking oils are truly healthy, the ongoing podcast series aims to help Indian households make informed, science-based choices. An episode that features nutritionist Sakshi Lalwani, who clarifies everyday concerns about cooking oil selection, label reading and safe cooking practices. The episodes blend relatable food conversations with evidence-led insights on fats, nutrition and the important role palm oil plays in Indian kitchens.

Nutritionist Sakshi Lalwani Debunks Myths on Palm Oil, Labels and Everyday Nutrition

Episode Highlights

In the first Episode, Sakshi explains the basics of palm oil, a plant-based oil extracted from the fruit of the oil palm tree. She breaks down how palm olein is naturally trans-fat free, stable at high temperatures, and contains Vitamin E tocotrienols and, the red palm oil contains beta-carotene, a source of provitamin A. She highlights palm oil’s balanced fatty acid mix (around 50% saturated, 40% monounsaturated and 10% polyunsaturated fats) and emphasizes that smart cooking habits, not the elimination of any one oil, are key to healthier meals.

In the next Episode, she unfolds the increasing appearance of “No Palm Oil” labels and explains how these tags are largely marketing-led, designed to create a perception of being healthier without reflecting true nutritional value. She advises listeners to look beyond front labels, check the ingredients list, and understand what oils are used as a replacement when palm oil is removed.

What Science Says About Palm Oil

The series highlights that palm oil, when used as part of a balanced diet, contains beneficial compounds such as tocotrienols and carotenoids (in red palm oil), which are powerful antioxidants. Food science shows that palm oil is stable at high temperatures, resistant to oxidation, neutral in flavour, has a long shelf life, less chances of forming harmful compounds as compared to other vegetable oils, and is naturally trans-fat free and does not need to go through the process of partial hydrogenation. It also absorbs less oil into food, leading to crisp and evenly fried dishes.

Aligned With ICMR Dietary Guidelines

Sakshi reinforces the ICMR–NIN Dietary Guidelines (2024), which recommend keeping visible fats to 25–30 g per person per day and rotating different plant-based oils to maintain a balanced fatty acid profile. Within this approach, palm oil is positioned as one of several suitable options for everyday Indian cooking.

Supporting India’s Edible Oil Goals: NMEO–OP

The episodes also briefly reference India’s broader edible oil needs. Under the Government of India’s National Mission on Edible Oils – Oil Palm (NMEO–OP), multiple states are expanding oil palm cultivation due to its high productivity, yielding 5–8 times more oil per hectare compared to many other oilseeds crops, helping strengthen domestic supply and reduce reliance on imports.

Understanding ‘No Palm Oil’ Labels

The conversation also aligns with recent views from industry bodies such as IFBA and OTAI, which have noted that “No Palm Oil” claims can mislead consumers. The episodes encourage shoppers to prioritise the overall nutrient profile, ingredient quality, rather than relying on a claim on the front of a pack.

Link to Episode 5: www.instagram.com/p/DQx7TR7gZH6/
Link to Episode 6: www.instagram.com/p/DRmZs1TgSH9/

About the Series

This is a six-episode podcast series by the Malaysian Palm Oil Council (MPOC) designed to address misinformation and share scientific facts about palm oil in a simple, relatable way.

Each episode brings expert voices and everyday perspectives to topics like nutrition, health, and sustainability  helping listeners replace myths with understanding. With these conversations, MPOC hopes to encourage balanced, fact-based discussions and highlight palm oil’s rightful place as a versatile, nutritious, and sustainably produced edible oil.