Christopher Nolan, Matt Damon and Tom Holland brought Hollywood’s spotlight to Mumbai as they arrived at Phoenix Palladium for the India premiere of The Odyssey. As part of the film’s global promotional tour, the Academy Award-winning filmmaker chose Mumbai as the only Indian stop, with the premiere held at the state-of-the-art PVR IMAX at Phoenix Palladium.

Emma Thomas, Tom Holland, Matt Damon and Christopher Nolan at PVR ICON, Phoenix Palladium

Recognised as one of the best luxury malls in India, Phoenix Palladium offered a fitting setting for the premiere of one of the year’s most anticipated films. The landmark event further strengthened the mall’s position as a preferred Indian destination for global entertainment, fashion and cultural moments.

The Grand Premiere

The star-studded evening brought together fans, creators, influencers and celebrated names from the Indian film industry, including Riteish and Genelia Deshmukh, Richa Chadha and Ali Fazal, Dimple Kapadia, Boman Irani, Shruti Haasan, Jim Sarbh, Armaan Malik, Nandita Das, Elnaaz Norouzi and Aashna Shroff.

Ahead of the premiere, Christopher Nolan and the cast also met Atul Ruia, Chairman, The Phoenix Mills Ltd., and members of the Phoenix Group family, sharing some warm moments before the screening.

Hosted at one of the biggest malls in India, the premiere added another significant international event to Phoenix Palladium’s growing association with cinema and entertainment. With its world-class infrastructure, luxury ambience and diverse experiences, the destination continues to provide a compelling platform for large-scale global events in Mumbai.

India’s Preferred Destination for Global Icons

The premiere of The Odyssey builds on Phoenix Palladium’s legacy of welcoming some of the world’s most recognised personalities. Over the years, the mall has hosted global icons including Rihanna, Vin Diesel, Will Smith and Paris Hilton.

Rihanna’s visit to Phoenix Palladium for the Fenty Beauty launch was another landmark moment that placed the destination firmly on the global fashion and beauty map. From Hollywood premieres and celebrity appearances to international brand launches, Phoenix Palladium continues to emerge as a preferred luxury destination for global icons visiting India.

As one of India’s best luxury malls, Phoenix Palladium brings together luxury retail, fine dining, entertainment and immersive experiences under one roof. Its distinctive combination of premium brands and world-class hospitality has made it a natural choice for high-profile events of international stature.

Experience Entertainment and Dining at Phoenix Palladium

Beyond hosting global premieres, Phoenix Palladium is regarded as one of the biggest and best luxury malls in India for its expansive mix of entertainment and dining experiences. Visitors can enjoy films at PVR ICON, interactive entertainment at The Game Palacio and Timezone, and an extensive selection of restaurants, cafés and dessert destinations.

From premium dining concepts such as Robata Kuuraku, Ishaara, Bayroute, Punjab Grill, Burma Burma, Foo and Andrea’s Brasserie to popular cafés and dessert destinations including Starbucks, Pret A Manger, Blue Tokai Coffee Roasters, Le15 Patisserie, PAUL, Bateel and Royce’ Chocolate, Phoenix Palladium offers experiences suited to every occasion.

Watch The Odyssey at PVR IMAX, Phoenix Palladium, and experience the cinematic spectacle on the big screen at one of India’s leading luxury and entertainment destinations.

Entertainment and F&B at Phoenix Palladium

Entertainment: PVR ICON, The Game Palacio and Timezone

Restaurants and cafes: Pot Pot, Siciliana, Fountain Sizzlers, Robata Kuuraku, Cream Centre, Earth Café, TAB, Häagen-Dazs, PAUL, Frozen Fun, Blue Tokai Coffee Roasters, Le15 Patisserie, Royce’ Chocolate, Starbucks, Pret A Manger, St. Regis Café, Bateel, The Nutcracker, Ishaara, Bayroute, SOCIAL, Mainland China Asia Kitchen, Punjab Grill, Entisi Chocolatier, Le Pain Quotidien, Burma Burma, Foo, Andrea’s Brasserie, Suzette Bakery & Kitchen, Garden, The Silver Train, Bombay Sweet Shop and Ice Cream Works Gold.

For years, a degree was the thing that got you hired. That’s changed. Employers now want graduates who can pick things up fast, understand how a business actually runs, and work comfortably in tech-driven teams that often span several countries at once.

SAP Learning Hub, student edition

A student graduating in Bengaluru or Pune might, within months, be collaborating with colleagues in Berlin or clients in Singapore. Workplaces have moved faster than classrooms in this respect, and that gap is exactly why continuous learning now matters almost as much as the degree itself.

Enterprise technology is a big part of that gap. Large organizations run on integrated systems that touch everything from finance and procurement to supply chains and customer service. Most students never encounter these systems until they’re already on the job, at which point they’re expected to learn them on the fly.

SAP thinks students shouldn’t have to wait that long. Through SAP Learning Hub, student edition, eligible final-year college and university students in India get free access to premium SAP learning resources once they complete academic verification — no subscription, no hidden cost. Students pick learning journeys based on what interests them, sit in on expert-led sessions, get hands-on time with real practice systems, and join a learning community that stretches well beyond their own campus. The program also covers two SAP Certification exam attempts, so students walk away with credentials employers recognize internationally.

“Today’s careers are rarely confined to one geography,” says David Chaviano, Program Manager, SAP Learning Hub, student edition. “Students who understand how businesses operate, and who keep learning throughout their careers, will be better prepared to succeed in an increasingly connected economy.”

None of this is limited to engineering or computer science students, either. Whether you’re studying commerce, management, or a technical discipline, there are learning paths in finance, procurement, HR, supply chain, customer experience, analytics, and business technology. The goal isn’t to churn out software users, it’s to help students understand how modern organizations actually function.

Global careers, it turns out, usually start with local preparation. Getting a head start on industry-relevant skills before graduation can make that first jump from campus to workplace feel a lot less daunting, and considerably more rewarding. For India’s graduates entering an increasingly connected economy, understanding how global businesses work may end up mattering just as much as the degree hanging on the wall.

Eligible final-year students can register for SAP Learning Hub, student edition at https://learning.sap.com/free-student-edition

Glomo, a regulated payment service provider at GIFT IFSC, today announced that it has become the first GIFT IFSC-licensed payment service provider and the first non-bank acquirer in India to receive Visa’s Principal Member status. The development marks a significant step in the evolution of India’s cross-border payments ecosystem and highlights the growing importance of GIFT IFSC for globally connected financial infrastructure. 

Glomo becomes a Visa Principal Member at GIFT IFSC

As Visa’s Principal member, Glomo can process Visa powered card payments directly for merchants acquired on its platform, helping businesses operating across markets accept and settle international card payments through compliant infrastructure based at GIFT City. This will also result in greater control over transaction approval optimisation, fraud and risk monitoring, and enable native dispute and chargeback handling through Visa’s platform. The company has launched these capabilities through its direct merchant acquisition and technology integrations.

The direct acquiring arrangement is also expected to improve operational speed by significantly reducing the time typically required for merchant onboarding and payment processing through traditional banking channels. This faster turnaround, combined with direct access to Visa’s network, will benefit businesses such as exporters, AI and marketplace platforms, SaaS companies, financial services firms and institutions, education platforms, and enterprises serving customers across multiple countries. Glomo also plans to leverage its membership to strengthen its card infrastructure capabilities, including the development of issuing products.

Commenting on the announcement, Akash Arun, Founder and CEO, Glomo, said, “Cross-border card payments often pass through multiple intermediaries, which can create friction across settlement, transaction approvals, risk management and dispute handling. Becoming Visa’s Principal Member gives us direct control over these critical parts of the payment chain. For merchants, this can translate into more predictable settlement, improved control over payment performance and a more consistent experience as they expand across markets. It is also an important validation of the financial infrastructure being built at GIFT IFSC. Our focus now is to use this capability responsibly and help businesses move money across borders with greater transparency, efficiency and control.”

Rishi Chhabra, Country Manager, India, Visa, said, “We are pleased to welcome Glomo as a Principal Member of the Visa network. As Indian businesses expand across borders, trusted and secure payment infrastructure becomes critical to enabling commerce that is seamless, reliable and resilient. Visa’s global payments network, built on decades of trust, security and scale, will play a crucial role in supporting this evolution by helping merchants accept payments confidently, manage risk effectively and serve customers across markets. Glomo’s direct participation in the Visa network strengthens merchant acquiring capabilities from GIFT IFSC and expands access to secure, globally connected payment solutions for businesses with cross-border ambitions. We look forward to working with Glomo as it develops solutions for merchants and enterprises with international payment requirements.”

Visa’s Principal Membership further enables Glomo to manage the commercial and operational aspects of acquiring directly rather than processing transactions through another institution’s acquiring licence. This provides the company greater control over merchant onboarding, payment processing, settlement, risk policies and the overall merchant experience. It can also help reduce unnecessary foreign exchange conversion costs and limitations associated with intermediary-led processing.

The announcement comes at a time when more Indian businesses are expanding internationally and seeking a robust payment infrastructure that can seamlessly manage multiple currencies, banking systems and regulatory requirements. Glomo is committed toward building a unified financial platform that brings together global payment collection, payouts, treasury management, outward remittances, identity verification and compliance infrastructure for businesses operating across markets.

Wireless earbuds have become an everyday accessory for listening to music, taking calls, attending online meetings, gaming, and travelling. For shoppers looking for these conveniences without moving into the premium price segment, Boult offers a wide range of feature-rich earbuds in India. Select models combine active noise cancellation, Environmental Noise Cancellation (ENC) for clearer calls, low-latency gaming modes, fast charging, long battery life, and water resistance. With options designed around different listening habits and usage needs, the range makes it easier to find an affordable pair without giving up useful everyday features.

Boult Earbuds in India 2026: Five Reasons They Are the Smartest Budget Pick

After shortlisting a suitable Boult earbud model, shoppers can browse options on Bajaj Mall and compare battery life, calling features, gaming modes, and prices before visiting a Bajaj Finance partner store. A Bajaj Finance Easy EMI Loan offers financing of up to Rs. 5 lakh with repayment tenures from 3 to 60 months, while the Insta EMI Card provides a reusable credit limit of up to Rs. 3 lakh with zero annual fee. Select models may also be available with a zero down payment offer. Both financing options require shoppers to be physically present at a partner store to apply.

What makes Boult earbuds worth buying in 2026?

From long battery life to gaming-friendly features, Boult earbuds pack several premium features into accessible price points.

1. Long battery life for uninterrupted entertainment

Several Boult models offer up to 60 hours of total playback with the charging case. Fast charging delivers hours of listening time in just a few minutes — useful for commuters, students, and professionals who cannot afford frequent recharging breaks.

2. Powerful bass and immersive sound

Boult earbuds use large dynamic drivers, including 13 mm BoomX drivers on several models, tuned for punchy bass and clear vocals. The sound profile suits music, movies, and podcasts without paying a premium price.

3. Low-latency mode for smoother gaming and streaming

Many Boult earbuds feature Combat Mode with latency as low as 45 ms, reducing the delay between on-screen action and audio output for a more responsive gaming experience and better lip-sync during video streaming.

4. ENC-powered calling with dependable wireless connectivity

Boult integrates Environmental Noise Cancellation across several models to reduce background noise during calls. Bluetooth 5.3 or 5.4 on many recent models adds stable connectivity, faster pairing, and reliable everyday performance.

5. Wide range of affordable options

Boult earbuds are priced from under Rs. 1,000 to around Rs. 1,800, with ENC, low-latency gaming mode, large dynamic drivers, and long battery life available across the range.

Best Boult earbuds in the affordable segment in 2026

The models below highlight some of Boult’s best affordable earbuds in 2026, compared by battery life, audio, calling, and gaming features.

Boult W20
Price: Rs. 899

Why it works: Features 13 mm BoomX drivers, up to 32 hours of total playback, Zen ENC for clearer calls, and a 45 ms Combat Mode for gaming and streaming.

Boult Z40
Price: Rs. 1,099

Why it works: Offers up to 60 hours of total playback, 10 mm BoomX drivers, Zen ENC, adaptive low-latency mode, and fast charging that delivers around 100 minutes of playback from a 10-minute charge.

Boult Z40 Pro
Price: Rs. 1,299

Why it works: Delivers up to 100 hours of playback, Zen Quad Mic ENC for clearer conversations, Bluetooth 5.3, and 45 ms low-latency mode for gaming and entertainment.

Boult Klarity 4
Price: Rs. 1,299

Why it works: Brings active noise cancellation and quad microphones to the affordable segment, with Bluetooth 5.4 for improved wireless stability and a more immersive listening experience.

Boult x Mustang Torq
Price: Rs. 1,799

Why it works: Distinctive styling with LED lighting effects, up to 60 hours of playback, Bluetooth 5.4, 45 ms Combat Mode, Boult Amp app connectivity, and fast charging.

How to buy Boult earbuds from a Bajaj Finance partner store

Splitting the cost of a new earbuds into monthly instalments makes the upgrade significantly more manageable. Shoppers can follow these steps to complete the purchase:

1. Browse on Bajaj Mall: Compare earbuds brands across price segments by battery life, calling features, and gaming mode before visiting a store

2. Find a partner store: Visit any of the 1.5 lakh+ Bajaj Finance partner stores across 4,000+ cities, including Reliance Digital, Croma, and Vijay Sales

3. Check in person: Evaluate fit, comfort, and available models with in-store staff before deciding

4. Choose an EMI plan: Financing of up to Rs. 5 lakh is available through the Easy EMI Loan or Insta EMI Card, with zero down payment on select models and tenures from 3 to 60 months

5. Complete the purchase: Once approved, the transaction is processed immediately and the earbuds can be taken home the same day

Bajaj Finance Limited

Bajaj Finance Ltd. (‘BFL’, ‘Bajaj Finance’, or ‘the Company’), a subsidiary of Bajaj Finserv Ltd., is a deposit taking Non-Banking Financial Company (NBFC-D) registered with the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) and is classified as an NBFC-Investment and Credit Company (NBFC-ICC). BFL is engaged in the business of lending and acceptance of deposits. It has a diversified lending portfolio across retail, SMEs, and commercial customers with significant presence in both urban and rural India. It accepts public and corporate deposits and offers a variety of financial services products to its customers. BFL, a thirty-five-year-old enterprise, has now become a leading player in the NBFC sector in India and on a consolidated basis, it has a franchise of 69.14 million customers. BFL has the highest domestic credit rating of AAA/Stable for long-term borrowing, A1+ for short-term borrowing, and CRISIL AAA/Stable & [ICRA]AAA(Stable) for its FD program. It has a long-term issuer credit rating of BB+/Positive and a short-term rating of B by S&P Global ratings.

To know more, visit www.bajajfinserv.in.

The Indian residential real estate market is undergoing a structural shift. While vertical housing has shaped the growth of metropolitan markets over the past two decades, organized plotted developments are emerging as an increasingly important segment of residential investment. Supported by the expansion of economic activity beyond major metros, sustained public infrastructure spending, and changing consumer preferences for lower-density living, Tier-2 cities are attracting a growing share of new plotted developments. Industry data suggests that more than half of recent residential plot launches have been concentrated in these markets, reflecting a gradual realignment of both developer strategy and buyer demand. 

Ashwinder R. Singh is Vice Chairman & Co-founder, BCD Group | BCD Royale

1. Macro-Economic Drivers Steering the Shift to Tier-2 Cities

The rising cost of housing in Tier-1 cities, coupled with infrastructure constraints and limited land availability, has encouraged both developers and homebuyers to look toward emerging urban centres. At the same time, government investment in infrastructure is improving connectivity and supporting new economic clusters across India’s secondary cities. 

• The Fiscal Catalyst: Successive infrastructure-led capital expenditure programmes under the Union Budget, along with initiatives such as the Urban Challenge Fund, are improving the physical and economic foundations of regional growth. The revival of industrial clusters and continued investment in sectors such as semiconductors are expected to expand employment opportunities across several Tier-2 markets.

• The Infrastructure Effect: Transport infrastructure has historically influenced land values in emerging micro-markets. Industry studies indicate that locations around new expressways, airports and multimodal transport corridors often witness an increase in land values during the early stages of development, with further appreciation depending on project completion, economic activity and local demand conditions.

2. The Structural Anatomy of Plotted Developments
Historically, buying land in India was fragmented, opaque, and fraught with litigation risks. The current boom is fundamentally different because it is defined by corporate, organized layouts rather than unorganized local syndicates.

3. Consumer Preferences and the Appeal of Plotted Developments

Demand for plotted developments reflects changing buyer priorities rather than a single investment consideration.

• Design Flexibility and Lower-Density Living: Many buyers increasingly value the ability to design homes that meet their own requirements while remaining within professionally planned communities offering shared infrastructure and amenities. 

• Investment Potential: Compared with completed residential units, land often responds more directly to improvements in surrounding infrastructure. Since buyers are investing primarily in the underlying land rather than built-up inventory, plotted developments may offer attractive long-term appreciation opportunities, subject to local market conditions.

• Portfolio Diversification: For many buyers, particularly long-term investors, land within organized developments represents a tangible asset that can complement other financial investments while offering flexibility in the timing of construction. 

4. Key High-Growth Tier-2 Hotspots
A geographic analysis reveals specific regional clusters that have transformed into high-yield real estate powerhouses:

A. The Northern & Western Logistics Corridors

• Lucknow & Indore: Evolving rapidly into premium housing hubs where over 20% of residential inventory is testing upscale luxury pricing. Driven by extensive metro expansions and the Delhi-Mumbai Industrial Corridor influence, Indore consistently leads in livability and self-construction home loan drawdowns.

• Surat & Jaipur: Fueled by massive infrastructural milestones—such as the upcoming Ahmedabad-Mumbai High-Speed Rail (Bullet Train) sections—Surat integrates industrial dominance with affordable horizontal options. Jaipur leverages tourism-driven wealth and rapid highway connectivity to the NCR to absorb high mid-income plotted supply.

B. The Eastern & Southern Manufacturing Hubs

• Bhubaneswar & Cuttack: Emerging as the next major growth engines of Eastern India. Bhubaneswar enjoys a unique status as a master-planned IT and administrative capital, seeing unprecedented traction in structured plotted layouts.

• Coimbatore & Nagpur: Driven by robust manufacturing, thriving logistics hubs (e.g., MIHAN in Nagpur), and expanding IT corridors, residential absorption in these markets has maintained an impressive compound annual growth rate (CAGR). Land prices across these key southern and central corridors are projected to see steep upward adjustments as demand outpaces organized supply.

5. Institutional Realignment and Developer Strategy

The growing interest in plotted developments has encouraged several national developers—including DLF, Godrej Properties, Prestige Group and M3M—to expand their presence in this segment. This reflects a broader shift in strategy as developers seek to diversify product offerings and participate in markets where infrastructure investment, urban expansion and housing demand are creating new opportunities.

Institutional land acquisition trends suggest that a meaningful share of recently acquired land banks is being allocated to plotted and low-rise residential projects. Compared with large vertical developments, these projects may offer shorter development cycles, lower execution complexity and access to a wider base of end-users and investors. 

Key Industry Sources & References
To ensure absolute credibility and institutional alignment, this data architecture is synthesized from the following primary analytical frameworks:

• Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) Real Estate Reports: For tracking institutional white-collar employment migration patterns across Tier-2 cities.

• Housing.com & PropTiger Research Insights: For historical land price data points, project absorption metrics, and the quantified 52% launch shift towards Tier-2 micro-markets.

• Union Budget (Capital Expenditure Data): Regarding the ₹12.2 lakh crore national infrastructure layout and multi-modal urban corridor connectivity timelines.

• Knight Frank India Wealth Reports: Evaluating the shifts in HNI/NRI portfolios toward tangible assets and low-density land banking during periods of global volatility.

Conclusion & Outlook
India’s Tier-2 cities are expected to play an increasingly important role in the country’s residential real estate landscape. As infrastructure improves and regional economic centres continue to expand, organized plotted developments are likely to remain an important component of future housing supply.

For investors and end-users, these projects offer a combination of land ownership, planning standards and development-ready infrastructure that differs significantly from traditional land purchases. While outcomes will continue to vary across locations, the broader direction of the market suggests that plotted developments will remain an important area of opportunity within India’s evolving residential sector. 

About the Author
Ashwinder R. Singh is Vice Chairman & Co-founder, BCD Group | BCD Royale. A powerhouse in Indian real estate with 30 years of fast-tracked executive leadership, Ashwinder R. Singh is the industry’s premier author, featured on Shark Tank, and a prominent keynote speaker. From shaping national policy as Chairman, CII Real Estate, and advising NAR-India, to mentoring prop-tech via the Earth Fund (backed by Brigade and Nikhil Kamath’s Gruhas), his insights drive the sector forward.

Website Link-  www.ashwinderrsingh.com

Knee replacement surgery is entering a new era where restoring natural knee mechanics is becoming as important as relieving pain. Reflecting this shift, Dr. Vetri Kumar, Senior Consultant Orthopaedic Surgeon at Parvathy Hospital, Chennai, has become the first surgeon in South Asia to complete more than 300 Total Knee Replacement procedures using the Evolution® Medial-Pivot Knee System in less than a year, establishing himself as a leading advocate of personalised knee replacement and kinematic alignment.

Dr. Vetri Kumar and Mr Syed Hussainy with patients

This milestone reflects growing confidence in an approach that prioritises restoring native knee kinematics rather than simply implanting a prosthesis.

Widely recognised for advancing evidence-based practices, Dr. Vetri believes every patient deserves an implant that respects individual anatomy instead of a one-size-fits-all approach. The patented Evolution® True Medial-Pivot philosophy is designed to recreate the stability and biomechanics of the native knee, enabling patients to return to active lifestyles and, in many cases, almost forget they have undergone knee replacement surgery—an outcome reflected in the increasingly recognised ‘Forgotten Joint Score‘.

Mr Syed Hussainy felicitating Dr. Vetri Kumar

Unlike conventional knee designs that focus primarily on mechanical alignment, the Evolution® Medial-Pivot Knee reproduces native knee biomechanics by preserving physiologic medial stability while allowing natural rotational movement, supporting improved function, range of motion and long-term implant performance.

“Modern knee replacement is about far more than pain relief. Every knee is unique, and respecting that individuality helps deliver outcomes that feel natural and stable. With nearly 60 million Indians affected by osteoarthritis, many patients seek treatment only after years of pain. Our aim is to help them walk confidently, return to the activities they love and eventually forget they ever had a knee replacement,” said Dr. Vetri Kumar.

Dr. Mukesh Parmar, Managing Director & Senior General Manager – India and South Asia, MicroPort Orthopedics, said, “These 300 procedures represent 300 lives transformed through personalised arthroplasty. Dr. Vetri has demonstrated how innovation, backed by sound clinical philosophy, can restore natural knee function and improve quality of life. We are proud to partner with accomplished surgeons like Dr. Vetri, whose commitment to improving patient outcomes is helping shape the future of knee replacement in India.”

Dr. Vetri is also a Founding Member of the Personalised Arthroplasty Society (PAS) in India and an active member of its international community, mentoring surgeons and promoting globally proven techniques. He is now preparing to launch a dedicated Knee & Joint Replacement Centre in Chennai to expand access to advanced joint reconstruction and patient care.

As personalised knee replacement gains momentum worldwide, milestones like this reinforce India’s growing leadership in advanced joint replacement, benefiting both patients and the orthopaedic community.

India’s defence drone ecosystem is moving beyond pilots and prototypes into a phase defined by manufacturing scale, procurement visibility and operational deployment. The government’s continued push for indigenous defence production, combined with lessons from recent conflicts and evolving battlefield requirements, is creating a stronger pipeline for homegrown drone manufacturers.

Gamma Rotors

The policy direction has become increasingly clear. Addressing the National Defence Industries Conclave, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh said India must become a global hub for drone manufacturing, describing indigenous drone production as critical for strategic autonomy and defence preparedness. The government also highlighted that 676 startups, MSMEs and innovators are now part of the iDEX ecosystem, with 58 prototypes worth Rs 3,853 crore receiving procurement clearance and 45 procurement contracts valued at Rs 2,326 crore already signed. (via Press Information Bureau)

This policy push is beginning to translate into procurement. India is preparing what could become its largest-ever military drone acquisition programme, with domestic orders expected to exceed USD 2 billion (over Rs 17,000 crore) this year. (as per Reuters)

Operational capability becomes the new differentiator

To bring this vision to life, manufacturers are increasingly being judged not only by technology but also by their ability to manufacture, deliver and support systems at scale.

Delhi-based Gamma Rotors is among the companies benefiting from this shift. The defence UAV manufacturer recently announced that its order book has crossed Rs 60 crore, while projecting FY26 revenue of approximately Rs 30 crore.

The company had earlier raised Rs 27 crore in January 2024 by issuing 19.72 lakh shares at Rs 137.42 per share, implying a post-money valuation of approximately Rs 180 crore based on its 1.30 crore outstanding shares. The capital has since been deployed towards expanding manufacturing capacity, strengthening in-house R&D, and building a resilient supply chain to cater to rising demand from the Indian Armed Forces, central paramilitary forces and state police units.

Gamma Rotors says its growth has been underpinned by operational deployments rather than demonstration projects. During Operation Sindoor, the company executed urgent deliveries of its Nighthawk, Powersorous and Striker UAV platforms for the Indian Army, leveraging its in-house 3D printing and digital manufacturing capabilities to significantly compress production timelines.

The company has also accumulated more than 10,000 flight hours, delivered over 650 drones, serviced more than 2,000 UAVs (including third-party platforms from ideaForge, Asteria Aerospace, Prox Dynamics and DJI), while training over 3,000 defence personnel.

Strengthening investor confidence with large order books

Listed drone manufacturer ideaForge Technology continues to remain one of the largest organised players in the segment.

For FY26, the company reported its highest-ever annual order bookings of approximately Rs 530 crore, while executing nearly 40% of its open order book during the fourth quarter. Importantly, ideaForge has announced its entry into the combat drone segment, including long-range strike drones and loitering munitions, to address upcoming military procurement opportunities beyond its traditional intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR) portfolio.

Investor confidence in the sector is also reflected in market valuations. ideaForge currently commands a market capitalization of around Rs 4,268 crore against annual revenue of approximately Rs 226 crore, translating to a price-to-sales multiple of nearly 18x. Such premium valuations indicate that the market is pricing in strong long-term growth expectations, driven by expanding defence procurement, a robust order pipeline and the increasing role of indigenous drone manufacturers in India’s evolving defence ecosystem.

Another rapidly expanding player is Raphe mPhibr, which has invested heavily in manufacturing infrastructure. The company recently expanded its production footprint in Noida through the acquisition of an additional 11.5-acre industrial site, complementing its existing defence manufacturing facility where it has reportedly invested around Rs 800 crore. Raphe has also developed indigenous military-grade autopilot systems and drone engines, with its platforms seeing operational deployment during Operation Sindoor.

Manufacturing depth will define the next phase

The competitive landscape is also evolving beyond startups. Larger defence companies including Tata Advanced Systems, Larsen & Toubro and Adani Defence have expanded their unmanned systems capabilities, while DRDO-backed programmes continue to create opportunities across surveillance, logistics, loitering munitions and armed UAV platforms.

For emerging manufacturers, however, competitive advantage is increasingly shifting towards manufacturing readiness rather than simply platform development. The ability to rapidly fulfil defence orders, maintain indigenous supply chains, support lifecycle maintenance and train operators is becoming as important as technological innovation.

As India’s procurement pipeline expands and the military increasingly favours indigenous platforms under the Atmanirbhar Bharat framework, companies that combine proven operational performance with scalable manufacturing are likely to capture a growing share of the market.