UPES has opened its Placements 2026 season with strong early outcomes, reflecting renewed recruiter confidence and the university’s industry-integrated learning model. Since the start of the current placement season in September, 505 students have been placed with 533 offers extended by 59 recruiting organisations that made selections. Overall, 63 companies have participated in this season’s recruitment drive so far.

Based on the offers received so far, the highest CTC stands at Rs. 52 lakh per annum, with the top 10% average at Rs. 23.79 LPA. Early placements reflect a healthy mix of technology, consulting, digital, manufacturing, legal and energy employers. Salesforce, Oracle, EY, KPMG, Deloitte, Razorpay, Britannia, NielsenIQ and ExxonMobil headline the list of marquee brands on campus, alongside volume hiring from leading technology and consulting firms.

Commenting on the strong start, Mr. Manish Madaan, Registrar, UPES, said, “Placements 2026 have begun on a steady, positive note, reflecting the strength of our industry–academia linkages. At UPES, a transdisciplinary, industry-integrated curriculum, that’s grounded in research, live projects and mentorship, prepares our students to add value from day one. I am grateful for the continued trust of our recruiting partners. Building on UPES’s recent record of 100% placements over successive years, we expect this cycle to close near full placement across schools.”

The start of the season has set a good momentum across schools at UPES, led by the School of Computer Science, which has already recorded 380 placements across IT services, fintech and product roles, with a highest CTC of Rs. 52 LPA and a top10% average of Rs. 26.44 LPA. The School of Business has seen 69 placements so far, anchored by consulting, consumer, digital and analytics roles, at EY, Deloitte, KPMG, Britannia and Nielsen IQ, with an average CTC of Rs. 8.90 LPA, while the School of Law has registered 18 placements at an average of Rs. 8.44 LPA across leading firms and corporate legal teams. The School of Advanced Engineering has begun with 25 placements spanning core engineering, EPC and energy employers, with an average CTC of Rs. 8.19 LPA. Early offers also flowed in for the School of Design, the School of Health Sciences & Technology, and the School of Liberal Studies & Media.

In terms of the sectors, so far placements are concentrated in IT & ITeS (about 75%), spanning software engineering, data, cloud, cybersecurity and platform roles; Research & Consulting (about 9%) across strategy, risk, digital transformation and analytics; and Energy/Power/Utilities & EPC (about 7%), with core engineering, project and operations roles, while Legal (about 3%) and steady hiring across Healthcare/Pharma, FMCG/Consumer, Oil & Gas, Industrial Automation and Manufacturing round out the current mix.

For more information, please visit www.upes.ac.in.

About UPES

Established through the UPES Act, 2003, of the State Legislature of Uttarakhand, UPES is a top-ranked, UGC-recognised, private university. As per the National Institutional Ranking Framework (NIRF) 2025, the Ministry of Education, Government of India, UPES has been ranked 45 among universities, with a rank of 18 in Law, 36 in Management, and a rank of 43 in Engineering. As per the Times Higher Education (THE) World University Rankings 2026, UPES now stands in the 501-600 band globally and 5^th in India, improving from 7^th in 2025. Notably, in Research Quality, UPES climbed 57 positions in just one year to be ranked 299 globally. In addition to this, the university has been ranked the No.1 private university in academic reputation in India by the QS World University Rankings 2025. It is among the top 2% of universities in the world.

UPES has also been accredited by NAAC with a grade ‘A’ and has received 5 stars on Employability (placements) by globally acclaimed QS Rating. The university has had 100% placements over the last five years. 50+ faculty members from UPES feature among the world’s top 2% researchers as per Stanford University list.

UPES offers graduate and postgraduate programs through its seven schools: School of Advanced Engineering, School of Computer Science, School of Design, School of Law, School of Business, School of Health Sciences & Technology, and School of Liberal Studies and Media. The UPES family includes 19100+ students, 1,500+ faculty and staff members and a thriving community of 38000+ alumni.

As the festive season draws near, Tanishq, India’s largest jewellery retail brand from the House of Tata, introduces its festive highlight of the season, ‘Mriganka,’ a collection inspired by mythical worlds and imaginative realms. The latest collection is a gateway into the mystical lands and a realm where floating palaces, celestial gardens, and ethereal creatures come alive in gold. Inspired by India’s age-old love for storytelling and symbolism, each piece in Mriganka is a poetic tribute to the festive spirit. Bringing this world to life is former Miss World and actor Manushi Chhillar, who perfectly embodies the spirit of Mriganka — bold, imaginative, and strikingly otherworldly.

Tanishq’s Mriganka festive collection, featuring Manushi Chhillar, celebrates mythical worlds and imaginative realms, alongside the Tanishq Gold Exchange offer

Inspired by mythical creatures and fantastical blooms, Mriganka is crafted to be as spectacular as imagination, as sublime as dreams. Crafted using advanced techniques such as stone-on-stone jadau, Badroom, Chandak, Ras Rava, and intricate jaali layering, the collection features an eclectic mix of coloured kundan, enamel detailing & 3D motifs. Each piece a portal that transports the wearer into the fantastical world of Mriganka, where myth and artistry entwine. Whether it’s cascading harams echoing the grandeur of a palace, statement rings inspired by mythical creatures, or versatile pendant sets designed for multiple styles, Tanishq’s Mriganka offers a diverse yet cohesive experience, reimagining festive jewellery for the modern Indian woman. 

To bring the festive cheer, the first time ever, Tanishq is offering consumers a 0%* deduction on gold exchange across all karatages (as low as 9 KT) till October 21, 2025, making it easier for every Indian to participate in this nation-building effort.Tanishq is also spearheading one of the country’s largest gold exchange campaigns, championing India’s journey towards self-reliance. While India’s true gold reserves lie not in mines but in households estimated to hold around 25,000 tonnes of gold—much of this wealth remains untapped. At the same time, nearly 99% of the country’s gold is imported each year, creating a dependence that slows the nation’s vision of self-reliance. Through this initiative, Tanishq encourages families to unlock the value of their existing gold, transforming it into contemporary designs while collectively reducing the need for imports. To reinforce this vision, Tanishq has partnered with Sachin Tendulkar, a symbol of trust and integrity, to represent the movement’s core values and inspire every Indian to participate in this transformative effort.

Ajoy Chawla, CEO, Jewellery Division, Titan Company Limited, said, “Every time a family exchanges even one gram of old locker gold, they not only unlock value for themselves but also contribute to the nation by reducing imports. That is the power of gold exchange—personal joy with a national impact. With our first-ever 0% deduction offer across karatages (even as low as 9kt) this festive season, we are making it easier for every Indian to participate in the vision of making our nation self-reliant.”

Speaking about the collection, Revathi Kant, Chief Design Officer, Titan Company Limited, said “At the onset of the festive season, we are delighted to introduce ‘Mriganka’ an opulent celebration of imaginative world of our dreams, painted with the rich heritage of our Indian stories and tales. This collection is set in the magical land, where majestic palaces peek through clouds, mystical beings of exquisite beauty, and rare exotic blooms come alive in gold. Every piece is infused with mystical charm, crafted with intricate artistry; from high-brilliance of Kundan, coloured stones and accents of enamel, to sculptural 3D forms and layered textures — help capture the beauty of this magical world in products that are bold, expressive, and fashion-forward in spirit. It is only through Tanishq’s deep design expertise, legacy of intricate craftsmanship, and creative vision that a fantastical universe like Mriganka can be transformed into wearable works of art. With this collection, we offer our consumers not just jewellery, but an invitation into a world of wonder; one that elevates the festive experience with joy, beauty, and awe. Mriganka is imagined from another realm, created to delight the senses and celebrate the many moods of modern festivity.” 

About Tanishq
Tanishq, India’s most-loved jewellery brand from the TATA Group, has been synonymous with superior craftsmanship, exclusive designs and guaranteed product quality for over two decades. It has built for itself the envious reputation of being the only jewellery brand in the country that strives to understand the Indian woman and provide her with jewellery that meets her traditional and contemporary aspirations and desires. To stress on their commitment to offer the purest jewellery, all Tanishq stores are equipped with the Karatmeter which enables customers to check the purity of their gold in the most efficient manner. The Tanishq retail chain currently spreads across 500+ exclusive boutiques in more than 300 cities. 

Ai+ Smartphone from NxtQuantum Shift Technologies has unveiled a new Sparkle Red colour edition across its Pulse and Nova 5G models. Inspired by the vibrance of India’s festive season, the new color brings a bold, high-energy aesthetic to the Ai+ smartphone range, reflecting the confidence and individuality of its users.

Sparkle Red

“The Sparkle Red edition reflects what Ai+ Smartphone stands for: individuality, purpose, and performance that lasts,” said Madhav Sheth, CEO of Ai+ Smartphone and Founder of NxtQuantum Shift Technologies. “Our mission is to build technology that inspires confidence and puts control back in the hands of Indian users, combining beautiful design with uncompromising trust.”

Powered by NxtQuantum OS, India’s first sovereign mobile operating system, Ai+ Smartphone ensures users have complete control over their personal data. Every device comes with the NxtPrivacy Dashboard, a real-time privacy control center that shows which apps are accessing your camera, mic, gallery, or location and allows users to revoke access instantly. With no hidden trackers or bloatware, all data is securely stored within India.

Key Highlights

• New Sparkling Red Color: A premium, high-gloss red with luminous metallic undertones – inspired by the vibrancy and warmth of India’s festive palette.

• Performance: Powered by T615 (Pulse) and T8200 (Nova) chipsets for smooth, efficient multitasking.

• Display: 6.7” HD+ screen with 90Hz (Pulse) and 120Hz (Nova) refresh rates.

• Camera: 50MP AI-powered dual camera system for detailed, vibrant images.

• Battery: 5000mAh all-day battery with fast charging support.

• Storage: Up to 8GB RAM and 128GB storage, expandable up to 1TB.

• Software: NxtQuantum OS with the built-in NxtPrivacy Dashboard, focus modes, and a zero-ads interface.

The Sparkle Red edition joins Ai+ smartphone’s existing color range (Black, Blue, Green, Purple, Pink), and will be available from October 15, 2025, on Flipkart and over 12,000 retail outlets, at price parity with existing models – ₹4,999 for Ai+ Pulse and ₹6,999 for Ai+ Nova 5G.

This  new color launch underscores Ai+ Smartphone’s ongoing commitment to user choice, design excellence, and trust-building in the Indian market.  The brand continues to set itself apart by combining vibrant design with India-centric privacy features and robust performance.

Ai+ Smartphone is a next-generation brand built in India to deliver reliable, high-performance mobile experiences. Powered by NxtQuantum OS, India’s first sovereign mobile operating system, Ai+ combines clean design, long battery life, and trusted software performance at accessible price points.

About NxtQuantum Shift Technologies

NxtQuantum Shift Technologies is a deep-tech Indian company building secure, sovereign digital platforms for the mobile-first world. Founded by Madhav Sheth, the company develops NxtQuantum OS, India’s first sovereign mobile operating system, and is committed to building technology that is authored in India and globally competitive.

• For the first time in its history, the IPL has faced two consecutive years of ecosystem valuation decline—from IND 92,500 crore in 2023 to IND 82,700 crore in 2024, and further down to IND 76,100 crore in 2025.

• The drivers of this contraction are structural. The consolidation of media rights under JioStar has ended the competitive tension that once fuelled “auction fever.” Meanwhile, the sweeping ban on Real Money Gaming (RMG) advertising and sponsorship has removed IND 1,500–2,000 crore of annual spend from the ecosystem, leaving a visible void across broadcaster revenues, franchise partnerships, and fan-engagement activations. 

• These twin shocks—the collapse of rivalry in media rights and the exit of the IPL’s most aggressive sponsor category—mark a reset for the league’s business model.

• Compared to the previous edition, the WPL ecosystem’s value has decreased from INR 1,350 Cr to 1,275 Cr, marking a 5.6% decline. In USD terms, this translates from USD 160 million to USD 148 million, reflecting an approximate 7.5% drop.

• Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) finally ended their title drought in IPL 2025, lifting the trophy for the first time and instantly reinforcing their position as the league’s strongest brand.

D and P Advisory, a provider of consulting, advisory, and valuation services, today launched ‘Beyond 22 Yards – ‘The Power of Platforms, The Price of Regulation’, an IPL & WPL Valuation Report for the year 2025.

This has been a landmark year for the IPL, one that combined sporting drama with structural disruption. The season reminded us why the IPL remains the most-watched cricket league in the world, drawing over one billion viewers across TV and digital platforms, with digital audiences now surpassing television for the first time.

If the IPL is grappling with maturity and recalibration, the WPL is still in its growth arc. In its third season, the league has proven that women’s cricket is no longer an experiment but a premier sporting platform in its own right. Stadiums were filled across expanded venues, with travel data showing surges in bookings to WPL host cities during match windows. Television ratings jumped by ~150% year-on-year, and digital viewership grew by ~70%, in the opening game of WPL 2025. The overall Television viewership increased by ~142% year on year, making the WPL one of India’s fastest-growing broadcast properties.

IPL Ecosystem Valuation

According to the report by D and P Advisory, for the first time in its history, the IPL ecosystem has recorded two consecutive years of valuation decline. The overall value dropped from IND 92,500 crore in 2023 to IND 82,700 crore in 2024 (≈ -10.6%) and has now further contracted to IND 76,100 crore in 2025 (≈ -8.0%). In USD terms, the ecosystem has slid from USD 11.2 billion in 2023 to USD 9.9 billion in 2024, and now to USD 8.8 billion in 2025.

IPL Ecosystem Valuation

There are 2 drivers responsible for this contraction-

A Plateau Triggered by Media Rights Consolidation in 2024

The first decline came in 2024, when the Disney Star–Viacom18 merger created JioStar, consolidating IPL’s television and digital rights under one roof. This eliminated the fierce two-horse race that had driven rights inflation and “auction fever” in prior cycles. While the league still drew record audiences, the prospect of a monopolised rights market signaled lower escalation in future auctions. The valuation dip was therefore interpreted as a plateauing of growth after years of steep climb.

A Structural Shock from the RMG Ban in 2025

The 2025 decline is sharper in its commercial impact and more structural in nature. Fantasy and gaming platforms had become the IPL’s most aggressive advertiser cohort, contributing IND 1,500–2,000 crore annually across league, franchise, and broadcaster deals. With the Promotion & Regulation of Online Gaming Act 2025 banning money-game advertising and sponsorship, this entire revenue stream has vanished

According to Santosh N, Managing Partner of D and P Advisory, despite the contractions discussed above, IPL fundamentals remain resilient because of the following reasons-

• Over one billion viewers in 2025, with digital audience now surpassing TV.

• Engagement strengthened by regional language streams, connected TV adoption, and interactive formats.

However, Santosh reiterates that the growth model is shifting. With auction-driven surges less likely, future valuations will depend on:

• Diversified sponsor bases (auto, fintech 2.0, healthcare, esports),

• New monetisation models (subscription bundles, regional packages, commerce integrations), and

• Entry of global tech players (Netflix, Amazon, Apple) to restore competitive tension in rights auctions.

The IPL has moved from an era of competitive escalation into one of structural recalibration. The challenge ahead is to replace volatile categories with more stable, diversified value streams — ensuring that India’s premier sports league continues to compound sustainably, even without auction fever or RMG-fueled spend.

WPL Ecosystem Valuations 

Compared to the previous edition, the WPL ecosystem’s value has decreased from INR 1,350 Cr to 1,275 Cr, marking a 5.6% decline. In USD terms, this translates from USD 160 million to USD 148 million, reflecting an approximate 7.5% drop.

WPL Ecosystem Valuation

A drop in value is expected because of the same headwinds that are affecting IPL – a shifting broadcast landscape after the Disney Star-Viacom 18 merger and the ban on real-money gaming platforms, which might weigh heavily on sponsorship inflows.

According to Santosh, in 2025, WPL teams are increasingly focusing on broader community-driven campaigns and innovative digital engagement. WPL is also driving conversations around inclusivity, representation, and empowerment, while creating new opportunities for women athletes to build sustainable careers.

The report goes on to emphasise that the two leagues reveal the new economics of cricket. Scale and reach are no longer in doubt—the IPL and WPL together draw well over a billion viewers, fill stadiums, and dominate cultural conversations. What is in flux is the architecture of value: who pays, how much, and under what conditions. The forces of platform consolidation and regulatory intervention have rewritten the rules of the game. The challenge now is to re-engineer revenue streams; nurture diversified sponsor bases and leverage digital innovation to sustain long-term compounding.

If the past decade was about breaking records, the coming decade will be about building resilience. Cricket in India is no longer just a sport; it is a platform economy shaped by audiences, technology, and policy. Those who adapt to this reality will define the next chapter—not just in valuations, but in cultural and economic impact far beyond 22 yards.

Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) finally ended their title drought in IPL 2025, lifting the trophy for the first time and instantly reinforcing their position as the league’s strongest brand.

The report also carries insightful inputs from prominent personalities from the field of cricket including Harsha Bhogle (Leading Commentator from India), Satyam Trivedi (CEO of GMR Sports) and James Howlett (Representing Emerging Media Ventures, the majority owners of Rajasthan Royals). Harsha Bhogle shares his thoughts on the IPL & WPLs future, its impact on Indian society, the shifting dynamics of franchise loyalty, and the league’s role in shaping cricket’s global narrative. James and Satyam shares insights on the ownership model, the shifting IPL media and sponsorship landscape, the rise of women’s cricket, and how the Royals and Delhi Capitals respectively are shaping their long-term identity and global journey.

• The new influencer films by the PEDIGREE® brand in India, featuring popular cricketers, aims to educate pet parents about the importance of balanced nutrition for dogs, as part of the brand campaign ‘Love Them Like Family, Feed Them Like Dogs.’

• The influencer films highlight the nutritional value of the PEDIGREE adult dry dog food of which, daily serving provides protein of 8 chicken livers, the calcium of 9 cups of milk, and the Vitamin E of 64 carrots.

• Insights from a vet survey by Eval360 revealed that Indian parents are keen to learn about pet nutrition but lack the awareness.

India’s leading dog food brand PEDIGREE® from Mars Petcare has joined forces with India’s most admired cricketers KL Rahul and Suryakumar Yadav (SKY) for their ongoing campaign that raises awareness about the complete and balanced nutritional needs of dogs.

New & Improved Pedigree with a new multi-grain mix and gut-friendly ingredients

Featuring KL Rahul and SKY the influencer films draw comparisons to show how a daily serving of the PEDIGREE adult dry dog food provides the nutrition equivalent to protein of 8 chicken livers, the calcium of 9 cups of milk, and the vitamin E of 64 carrots. It highlights the importance of providing dogs with proper, science-backed appropriate nutrition. With this campaign, the PEDIGREE brand in India has unveiled the New & Improved product that comes with a new multi-grain mix and gut friendly ingredients. This ia coupled with a refreshed pack bringing sharper focus to front of the pack with dogs’ daily nutritional needs, underlining the PEDIGREE brand’s long-standing belief that feeding right is the purest expression of love.

This builds on Mars Petcare’s broader campaign, “Love Them Like Family, Feed Them Like Dogs” designed to help Indian pet parents make the shift from emotional feeding to informed feeding. Through this film, PEDIGREE® reinforces its role as a trusted partner in raising healthier and happier pets.

Kl Rahul & SKY’s Secret To 100% Nutrition For Their Dogs!

YouTube Link

The campaign draws insights from a nationwide veterinary survey. The survey revealed that 90% of the vets recommend packaged food for balanced nutrition and 86% state that feeding certain human food can cause nutritional imbalance and toxicity. Over 70% of vets reported better weight control, 66% noted improved energy, and 61% observed fewer digestive issues when pets transitioned to science backed packaged food.

Commenting on the new campaign, Ayesha Huda, Chief Marketing Officer, Mars Petcare India, said, “ India is witnessing a transformative shift in pet ownership, led by Gen Z and millennials who view their dogs not just as pets but as a cherished family. Profound love is undeniable, yet a significant gap persists in understanding dogs’ nutritional needs that are distinctively different from our own. Our new film and the new & improved product and packaging are a direct extension of our campaign ‘Love them like family, feed them like dogs.’ It reinforces how our science backed packaged food provides the nutritional requirement while also celebrating the depth of care and love pet parents share with their furry companions.”

On the launch of the influencer films, KL Rahul, Indian Cricketer, said, “As a pet parent, I know the love we have for our dogs, and it is the right nutrition that keeps them healthy and active. This campaign is a powerful platform to communicate on the importance of adequate care & precise nutrition for our beloved pets’ good health.”

Suryakumar Yadav, who is represented by RISE Worldwide, said “As someone who has been around dogs, I know the joy and love they bring into our lives. Just like athletes need the right nutrition to perform at their best, our pets also need balanced food to stay healthy and happy. Through this association, I’m glad to spread this message and help pet parents give their furry friends the right start every day.”

For more information about Mars, please visit www.mars.com. Join us on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn and YouTube.