Eugenix Hair Sciences, one of India’s leading specialised hair restoration institutions, today announced its entry into Bengaluru with the inauguration of a new state-of-the-art centre by Karnataka Chief Minister Shri D.K. Shivakumar. The launch marks a significant milestone for Eugenix as it expands its footprint to the Karnataka capital, bringing advanced clinical infrastructure, experienced doctors and a doctor-led approach to hair restoration under one roof.

Karnataka CM Shri D.K. Shivakumar with Eugenix Co-Founders Dr. Pradeep Sethi and Dr. Arika Bansal alongside Dr. Ajay Dharam Singh and Mohammed Azharuddin, at Eugenix Bengaluru

Located at Featherlite Vantage, 100 Feet Road, Indiranagar, the multi-floor centre spans close to 7,000 sq. ft. and is equipped with six operation theatres. The Bengaluru centre is Eugenix’s fifth in the country, following its facilities in Gurugram, Mumbai, Hyderabad and Bhubaneswar, and brings its specialised services closer to patients across Bengaluru and the wider Karnataka region.

Speaking at the inauguration, Chief Minister Shri D.K. Shivakumar said, “Inspite of my demanding schedule, I wanted to be here today to personally congratulate Dr. Pradeep and Dr. Arika for bringing Eugenix to Bengaluru. Karnataka has always dreamed big starting from being the Silicon Valley of India, we led India in IT, aerospace and biotechnology, hospitality and also specialised healthcare as part of that legacy. I was happy to hear how Eugenix emphasises medical tourism, bringing world-class, doctor-led expertise to our city and giving patients from across India and beyond a reason to choose Bengaluru. I extend my warmest welcome to Eugenix, and wish Dr. Pradeep, Dr. Arika and their entire team the very best as they continue to grow this institution.”

The Bengaluru launch is a defining moment in Eugenix’s journey, one that began over 15 years ago in a small basement clinic in Rishikesh and has since grown into an institution serving patients from across India and overseas. The new centre also responds to a long-standing need among the city’s patients, many of whom previously had to travel to Eugenix’s other locations for treatment.

Dr. Pradeep Sethi, Co-Founder of Eugenix Hair Sciences and an AIIMS New Delhi alumnus, said, “Having the Hon’ble Chief Minister inaugurate our Bengaluru centre makes this a deeply meaningful milestone for us. We started two decades ago in a small basement in Rishikesh, with a simple belief that hair restoration deserved the same seriousness, precision and individual attention as any other specialised medical field. Bengaluru is a city that represents ambition and innovation, and we are proud to bring our institution here. The infrastructure may be new, but our responsibility to every patient remains the same.”

Dr. Arika Bansal, Co-Founder of Eugenix Hair Sciences and an AIIMS New Delhi alumna, added, “Expansion is meaningful only when it lets us serve people better. This expansion in Bengaluru brings our clinical expertise closer to patients who’ve long travelled to our other centres. We want every person who walks into Eugenix to feel heard and understood not just as a patient, but as an individual with their own story.”

Adding a touch of artistry to the occasion, Padma Shri awardee and celebrated sand artist Sudarsan Pattnaik created a specially curated sand-art installation to commemorate Eugenix’s arrival in Bengaluru. The event also brought together a distinguished gathering of celebrities and prominent personalities, including Mohammed Azharuddin (Hon’ble Minister of Minorities Welfare & Public Enterprises – Telangana), Dr. Ajaydharam Singh ( Minister for Irrigation, Science & Technology-Karnataka) and more, further adding weight to the significance of the launch.

At the heart of Eugenix’s practice is its doctor-led model, where surgeons personally oversee every critical stage of the process from diagnosis and treatment planning to hairline design, donor mapping, recipient-site creation and surgical supervision. This blend of surgical precision and individualised planning ensures that each patient’s treatment is built around their unique needs, rather than a one-size-fits-all protocol.

With the opening of its Bengaluru centre, Eugenix brings over 15 years of clinical experience and specialised infrastructure to the city, extending its trusted, doctor-led approach to a new community of patients while staying rooted in the principles that have defined the institution since its earliest days.

About Eugenix Hair Sciences
Eugenix Hair Sciences is one of India’s leading hair transplant clinic chains, with centres in Gurugram, Mumbai, Hyderabad and Bhubaneswar, and Bengaluru. Founded by Dr. Pradeep Sethi and Dr. Arika Bansal, both alumni of AIIMS, New Delhi and Fellows of the ISHRS, Eugenix has performed more than 22,000 procedures over 15 years for patients from across the world. The clinic’s signature Direct Hair Transplantation (DHT) technique was introduced through peer-reviewed research published in the Journal of Cutaneous and Aesthetic Surgery in 2013, indexed on PubMed. The Eugenix Gurugram centre is accredited by the National Accreditation Board for Hospitals & Healthcare Providers (NABH), Certificate No. DE-2026-0004.

Five SUVs alone account for nearly two in every five used SUVs sold through one of India’s largest organised resale platforms. The Hyundai Creta, Ford EcoSport, Tata Nexon, Maruti Suzuki Vitara Brezza and Mahindra XUV500 together take 39% of sales, and the Creta alone accounts for 9.7%, the largest share of any single model.
 

Best-Selling Used SUVs in India
 

India’s SUV segment has been on an upward run in the new car market for years now, and that shift has followed through into resale. Buyers who once settled for a hatchback are increasingly willing to stretch their budget for the extra ground clearance, road presence, and cabin space an SUV offers, even second-hand. What’s notable is how few models actually capture most of that demand. The same five names keep showing up near the top of used SUV sales, and each one got there for a slightly different reason.

These figures come from Cars24’s internal transaction data, covering the best-selling used SUVs. Within that dataset, Mahindra holds the largest brand-level share of the used SUV market at 20%, ahead of Hyundai at 15.5% and Tata at 12.7%. Maruti Suzuki, Ford, and Kia round out the rest at 10.7%, 9.2%, and 7.2%, respectively. Manual transmissions still dominate across the board, too, with automatics accounting for 25.4% of used SUV sales overall.
 

Which used SUVs sell the most, and why?
 

Hyundai Creta

Topping the individual model list is the Hyundai Creta at 9.7%, the single largest share of any used SUV. Its spacious cabin, long feature list, and Hyundai’s strong resale reputation have made it a default choice for families moving up from a hatchback or sedan. It’s also offered with petrol, diesel, and turbo-petrol engines, one of the widest engine choices on this list. Three in four used Cretas sold in 2026 were manual variants.
 

Ford EcoSport

Just behind it, at 8.7%, is the Ford EcoSport, a car Ford stopped selling new in India in 2021. Its compact footprint and above-average ground clearance made it an early favourite for city driving, and that reputation has outlasted the brand’s exit from the country. Anyone specifically hunting for a used Ford EcoSport will find manual variants make up the vast majority of listings, at 84.5% of all EcoSport sales in 2026.
 

Tata Nexon

The Tata Nexon holds 7.5%, helped along by Tata’s expanding dealer network and the Nexon’s reputation for safety and ground clearance. At 209 mm, it has one of the taller stances in this segment, which matters to buyers dealing with poor roads or frequent speed breakers. Tata has also grown its service footprint nationwide in recent years. Manual variants still lead here too, at 70.3% of used Nexon sales.
 

Maruti Suzuki Vitara Brezza

Maruti’s dealer reach, and the model’s reputation for low running costs help explain why the Vitara Brezza takes 6.7% of used SUV sales. It’s a compact SUV in the truest sense, one of the easiest on this list to park and manoeuvre in dense traffic, which is part of its appeal for buyers who want SUV looks without SUV bulk. Manual variants make up an even larger share here than with the Creta or EcoSport: 89% of used Vitara Brezza buyers in 2026 chose a manual gearbox over the automatic.
 

Mahindra XUV500

Rounding out the list at 6.4% is the Mahindra XUV500, a model Mahindra discontinued in 2021 in favour of the XUV700. Its continued presence here, years after being replaced, says something about how differently the used market values a proven, spacious seven-seater compared to buyers shopping new. Manual variants dominate here too, accounting for 87.9% of used XUV500 sales.
 

What do these five SUVs have in common?

Looked at together, four of the five here are compact to mid-size SUVs built around low running costs rather than outright luxury, and even the XUV500, the largest of the group, has built its reputation on being tough and easy to live with rather than plush. Manual transmissions dominate every single model on this list, which says as much about price sensitivity as it does about buyer preference. None of these five is the newest option in their categories, and that’s arguably the point: buyers here are backing models that have already proven themselves over years of real-world use.

Campus Activewear, one of India’s leading sports and athleisure brands, has unveiled its first reimagined store in Roop Nagar, New Delhi, marking a significant milestone in the evolution of its physical retail experience for the new age consumers. Inaugurated by Head Coach, Indian cricket team, Gautam Gambhir, the new-format store brings together Campus Activewear’s expanding product portfolio with a contemporary, immersive and lifestyle-led retail environment.

From L to R: Mr Gautam Gambhir; Uplaksh Tewary, COO, Campus Activewear; Gaurav Sharma, CMO, Campus Activewear

Spread across 1,640 sq. ft., the Roop Nagar store is the first Campus Activewear store to showcase the brand’s redesigned retail concept, reflecting its evolving proposition and changing consumer expectations. The new format moves beyond conventional product display to create a more curated and engaging environment, with dedicated spaces designed around discovery, styling, interaction and product exploration.

The store takes cues from a modern, minimalist design language, bringing Campus Activewear’s energetic identity into an urban, contemporary setting. From a striking window display and curated product hotspots to styling boards, lifestyle imagery and tactile flooring, the space is designed to make discovery feel more intuitive. Lace customisation and a dedicated photo-op add interactive moments to the experience, while distinct zones create a clear flow across the store.

The assortment brings together lifestyle and sneakers, running, walking, ÉLAN, women’s and kids’ footwear, alongside apparel, accessories, bags, slippers and sandals. Together, the portfolio reflects Campus Activewear’s expanding proposition across sport, fashion and everyday lifestyle, giving consumers a broader range of products to explore within a single retail environment.

Commenting on the launch, Mr.Gautam Gambhir said, “Sport teaches you to keep moving, adapt and push forward, and I see that same spirit in the way Campus Activewear is evolving. The new Roop Nagar store is a reflection of that journey, bringing a fresh perspective to how consumers experience the brand. It is exciting to see a homegrown brand continue to grow while staying connected to the changing aspirations of young India.”

Nikhil Aggarwal, CEO, Campus Activewear said, “The Indian sports and athleisure market is at an exciting STAGE, with consumers increasingly seeking products and brands that fit seamlessly into their everyday lives. For Campus Activewear, this presents an opportunity to build on our scale and strengthen our relevance across a much broader consumer landscape. Our focus is on investing for long-term growth, expanding our presence across markets and continuing to build capabilities that allow us to serve an evolving consumer. As we enter this next phase, we remain committed to building a strong, enduring homegrown brand with the ambition to shape the future of sports and lifestyle retail in India.”

With 311 exclusive stores across India, including 41 stores across Delhi NCR, Campus Activewear continues to strengthen its presence across major tier 1 and tier 2 cities in India. Delhi NCR remains a key growth market for the brand, with strong consumer spending potential and the capacity to support a footprint of 60+ stores in the coming years. The Roop Nagar launch further strengthens Campus Activewear’s presence in the region as it continues to expand its retail network and bring its evolving proposition closer to consumers.

The launch will also see Campus Activewear take its ‘Move Your Way’ philosophy to students through a shoe truck activation near Roop Nagar and North Campus, Delhi for two weeks featuring engaging fitness challenges and open talent activities, with coupons and merchandise for winners.

The Campus Activewear Roop Nagar store is now open, inviting consumers to experience the brand’s first reimagined retail concept and explore its latest offerings across footwear, apparel and accessories. With the new format bringing together lifestyle and sneakers, running, walking, ÉLAN, women’s and kids’ footwear, apparel and accessories, the store reflects Campus Activewear’s continued expansion into a broader lifestyle proposition while creating a more engaging and contemporary shopping experience for consumers.

Store Name: Campus Activewear – Roop Nagar, New Delhi

Opening Date: 22 September 2026

Store Size: 1,640 sq. ft.

Address: 4/11, Roop Nagar, New Delhi – 110007

Opening Hours: 10:30 AM – 9:30 PM

Launch Offer: Free gift on purchases of Rs. 2,499 and above, subject to applicable terms and conditions.

As part of the store launch, shoppers can avail of a free gift on purchases of Rs. 2,499 and above, subject to applicable terms and conditions.

About Campus Activewear Ltd.

Campus Activewear Limited (NSE: CAMPUS, BSE: 543523) is one of India’s largest sports and athleisure footwear brands by value and volume. Introduced in 2005, Campus offers a diverse portfolio of footwear for the entire family, combining style, comfort and accessibility across multiple price points. With an estimated 17% market share in the Indian branded sports and athleisure footwear market, the company is backed by strong in-house manufacturing capabilities, an integrated supply chain, a robust omnichannel distribution network spanning over 30,000 retailers across 800 districts, 300+ exclusive brand outlets, and a growing e-commerce presence across leading marketplaces and its own website. Through its focus on innovation, design, and consumer-centric product development, Campus continues to strengthen its position as one of India’s most trusted and accessible footwear brands. For additional information and financial results, please visit campusshoes.com.

• One kilometre into the sky – fischer builds the world’s tallest building

• fischer is currently supplying steel and chemical products and is overseeing the construction of the iconic Jeddah Tower – World’s Tallest Building in Saudi Arabia

With a spectacular height of over one kilometre, the Jeddah Tower in Saudi Arabia will eclipse all previous human constructions once completed. In addition to its impressive dimensions, German precision is also evident in what will be the world’s tallest building: fischer products ensure that Jeddah Tower grows safely into the sky.

fischer partners with Jeddah Tower

Where ancient trade routes meet a modern megacity, Saudi Arabia’s new landmark is rising. Jeddah – once a modest port – has catapulted itself into a vibrant metropolis in just five decades. Today, the city is a melting pot of tradition and technology, bazaar and business, past and vision. Nothing makes this clearer than the city’s great tower, which is currently under construction: Jeddah Tower will cost more than one and a half billion euros and is scheduled for completion in 2028. Its proximity to the Red Sea will make it a gigantic beacon for a region that is currently reinventing itself. And right in the middle of it all: the fischer Group of Companies.

The fastening pioneer from the northern Black Forest is supplying steel and chemical products for the mega-project. fischer experts are on site and will accompany those involved in the construction until the project is successfully completed.

The Jeddah Tower is one of a series of record-breaking buildings in the world that feature fischer solutions. These include: the ‘Ain Dubai’, the world’s tallest observation wheel; the Burj Khalifa, at 828 metres the current leader among the world’s skyscrapers; Louvre Abu Dhabi Museum with its striking architecture – and many other landmarks in the region.

Osama Farhat, General Manager Sales KSA at fischer said “Being selected for the Jeddah Tower is a testament to our engineering excellence and our commitment to the region. Our chemical and steel anchors were chosen not just for their load-bearing capacity, but for their proven reliability in extreme conditions. We provide the safety and precision that a project of this height demands, ensuring that our solutions meet the rigorous standards required for the world’s tallest building.”

“Jeddah Tower is a landmark achievement that reflects the trust placed in fischer solutions for the world’s most demanding construction projects. Being part of the world’s tallest building is a proud moment for the fischer Group and reinforces our commitment to delivering global engineering excellence and proven reliability to customers in India,” says Mayank Kalra, Managing Director, fischer India.

Online: www.fischer.in/en-in

Contact: fischer Building Materials India Private Limited 

Ward No. 76, Unit 101, First Level, New No. 3, Old No. 4, Prestige Sigma, Vittal Mallya Rd, Richmond Town, Bengaluru- 560001, Karnataka

Bangalore Watch Company, an Indian luxury watch brand has announced the raise of a 1.4M USD seed round from a group of its own customers, comprising of family office principals and HNIs from India and overseas. The brand plans to use these funds to expand into the burgeoning independent watch scene globally.

Bangalore Watch Company

Founded in 2018 by tech-executives turned entrepreneurs Nirupesh Joshi and Mercy Amalraj, BWC has been building high-quality mechanical watches in India, exporting them to over 30 countries. With a focus on modern-Indian themes like Aviation, Space, Cricket, and the Outdoors the brand emphasizes on Swiss-quality watchmaking, with Indian narratives that can be presented to a global audience without the stereotype of the usual grammar of watch designs from India.

Recently, the brand has been in the spotlight for making the only Indian-made watch to be qualified in a spaceflight, making watches using fighter-plane aluminum, and most recently, capturing carbon from the atmosphere for its watch dials. The brand has received global acclaim by participating in Dubai Watch Week 2025, Geneva Watch Days 2026, and have been listed for the GPHG Awards (Grand Prix d’Horlogerie de Genève) three times in a row.

“The independent watch industry has shown that great watch brands can come from anywhere. Brands like MING and Christopher Ward have built global communities by having a clear point of view. We believe India can be part of that global independent watch story, with a distinctly modern Indian perspective,” says Nirupesh Joshi, Co-Founder of Bangalore Watch Company.

Operating with a single flagship boutique in Bangalore, the brand sells watches priced between 150,000 INR and 300,000 INR. The business boasts a 30% repeat purchase rate, and a concierge style service model that has allowed them to sell limited-edition watches without the usual retail footprint. With an annual production capacity of 1500 watches, the brand intends to quadruple this in the next three-five-year timeline.

“India is at an exciting point in its journey, with the world paying greater attention to what is being built here. We want to be part of that story, while also taking an Indian brand to a global audience. We have always believed that a world-class watch brand can be built from Bangalore, and the opportunity now is to take that belief, and the watches we have built around modern India, to collectors around the world,” added Mercy Amalraj, Co-Founder of the brand.

The timing of this fundraise is interesting as India becomes one of the fastest growing importers of Swiss luxury watches, with the average selling price of watches in India steadily growing into the premium category as disposable incomes rise.

As the brand looks to build its presence internationally, the approach will remain deliberately focused. The brand currently operates from a single flagship boutique in Bengaluru and does not plan to build a large retail network across India. Instead, it wants to take the same considered approach to its global expansion, with two to three strategic overseas locations in key markets and, potentially, one more location in India. The aim is not to be everywhere, but to be present in the markets where there is already a strong community of collectors and a genuine interest in the brand.

About Bangalore Watch Company

Founded in 2018, Bangalore Watch Company creates high-quality mechanical watches that tell stories of a 21st-century India. Drawing inspiration from Aviation, Cricket, Space, and the Great Outdoors, each collection captures modern Indian narratives that go far beyond stereotypes.

With several firsts to its name including watches made from recovered fighter planes and aircraft carrier materials, India’s first watch qualified for Spaceflight, and a proprietary Cerasteel material that is a fusion of Steel and Ceramic, the brand blends storytelling with technical innovation and contemporary design. Recognised by leading global publications such as The New York Times, Forbes, and Hodinkee for its originality and craftsmanship, Bangalore Watch Company stands at the forefront of modern Indian watchmaking.

Founded by husband-and-wife team Nirupesh Joshi and Mercy Amalraj who left their tech careers overseas to pursue a passion for modern Indian storytelling, the brand has built a quiet but enthusiastic following with customers in over 30 countries.

• Ahead of Diwali, Ai+ Smartphone brings a festival of accessibility, expanding the ecosystem with new devices spanning smartphones and tablets 

• Sales go live on Flipkart at midnight on October 7
   

Ahead of the festive season Ai+ Smartphone today announced its portfolio expansion with the launch of Pulse 2 FE, NovaTab and LapTab, bringing three new technology experiences to consumers across communication, learning, entertainment and productivity.
 

Ai+ Smartphone brings a festival of accessibility, expanding the ecosystem with new devices spanning smartphones and tablets, Sale live on Flipkart midnight October 7
 

The launch comes at a time when consumers across India are preparing for one of the year’s biggest periods for technology purchases, upgrades and gifting. With the new portfolio, Ai+ Smartphone is expanding the choices available to consumers across different needs and price segments from someone purchasing their first smartphone to students looking for a connected learning device and consumers seeking a larger screen that can move seamlessly between entertainment and productivity.
 

Each product has been built around a distinct consumer need. Pulse 2 FE, positioned as the “First Step to a Smarter World,” brings essential smartphone experiences to consumers entering or upgrading their digital journey. The launch also marks Ai+ Smartphone’s entry into the 5G tablet category and the next phase of its connected ecosystem strategy with NovaTab and LapTab. NovaTab brings 5G connectivity to a larger screen, with a strong focus on education and learning. LapTab, on the other hand, combines entertainment with productivity through a large 13.2 display, and supports stylus and an attachable keyboard that enables a laptop-like working experience.
 

Across the portfolio, Ai+ Smartphone brings together Android 16 with nxtQ OS, high-refresh-rate displays, large batteries and 4G/5G connectivity, with the aim of making relevant technology accessible to a wider set of consumers.

All three devices will go on sale on Flipkart from October 7, 2026, 11:59PM onwards, giving consumers new options as they upgrade their personal technology or choose devices for their families this festive season.

“The festive season is a time when millions of consumers make important technology choices whether it is their first smartphone, an upgrade, a device for education or something that brings work and entertainment together,” said Madhav Sheth, CEO, NxtQuantum Shift Technologies (Ai+ Smartphone). “With Pulse 2 FE, NovaTab and Nova Nova LapTab, we wanted to create products for these different moments without losing sight of accessibility. This is also an important step in taking Ai+ Smartphone beyond smartphones and building a connected technology ecosystem designed in India with the ambition to compete globally. As families prepare for Diwali, we want more consumers to have access to technology that adds meaningful value to their everyday lives.”

Ai+ Pulse 2 FE: First Step to a Smarter World

Built around “First Step to a Smarter World,” Pulse 2 FE is designed for first-time smartphone users and consumers looking to upgrade this festive season. It combines a 6.67-inch 120Hz display, MediaTek G81 processor, 50MP AI camera, 5000mAh battery and IP64 protection, with 4GB RAM, 64GB storage expandable up to 1TB, and Android 16 with nxtQ OS. Available in Black, Blue, Green and Purple, it brings together the everyday essentials for a simple, dependable smartphone experience.

Ai+ NovaTab: A Bigger Screen for Smarter Learning

Designed as an accessible 5G learning companion, NovaTab combines an 11.97-inch 90Hz display, 5G connectivity and an 8000mAh battery to give students a larger, connected canvas for classes, reading, research and entertainment. Powered by the T760 processor with 6GB/8GB RAM and 128GB storage, it also features dual speakers, 13MP and 8MP cameras, and Android 16 with nxtQ OS. NovaTab will be available in Dark Blue and Cinnamon Brown.

Ai+ Nova LapTab: From Entertainment to Productivity, in a Tap

Nova LapTab brings entertainment and productivity together in one versatile 5G device. Its 13.2-inch 2.4K 90Hz display, stylus support and attachable keyboard allow it to move effortlessly from streaming and entertainment to note-taking, study and laptop-like productivity. Powered by the MT8755 processor with 8GB RAM, 128GB storage and a 10,000mAh battery, Nova LapTab also features quad speakers, 33W charging and Android 16 with nxtQ OS. It will be available in Teal Green and Dark Blue.

Pricing and Festive Availability

Pulse 2 FE, NovaTab and Nova LapTab have been launched in India today, September 28, 2026.

Ai+ Pulse 2 FE (4 GB/ 64 GB): INR 9,999 onwards
Ai+ NovaTab (6 GB/ 128 GB): INR 17,999* (including bank offers)

Ai+ NovaTab (8 GB/ 128 GB): INR 20,999* (including bank offers)
Ai+ Nova LapTab (8 GB/ 128 GB): INR 24,999* (including bank offers)

Ai+ Nova 2 Pro (6 GB/ 128 GB): INR 16,999* (including bank offers)

Ai+ Nova 2 Pro (8 GB/ 128 GB): INR 17,999* (including bank offers)

Ai+ Nova 2 Ultra (6 GB/ 128 GB): INR 18,999* (including bank offers)

Ai+ Nova 2 Ultra (8 GB/ 128 GB): INR 19,999* (including bank offers)

Ai+ Nova 2 Power (6 GB/ 128 GB): INR 15,999* (including bank offers)

Ai+ Nova 2 Power (8 GB/ 128 GB): INR 16,999* (including bank offers)

All three devices will go on sale on Flipkart from October 7, 2026, 11:59PM onwards, in time for consumers looking to upgrade, gift or bring home new technology ahead of Diwali.

About Ai+ Smartphone

Ai+ Smartphone is a next-generation brand built in India, delivering reliable and high-performance mobile experiences. Powered by NxtQuantum OS, India’s first sovereign mobile operating system. The brand focuses on delivering a clean design, ensuring long battery life, and maintaining trusted software performance, all while keeping prices accessible without compromising the user experience.

From redefining smartphones to pioneering AIoT products as part of the company’s Connected Ecosystem, Ai+ Smartphone is creating a new standard for trust, immersive experience, and accessibility. Rooted in a privacy-first architecture and a commitment to equitable access, Ai+ Smartphone stands for more than specs — it stands for India’s next era of user-owned, future-ready technology.

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

International School of Design (INSD), one of India’s Largest Design and Aviation Institute, received two prestigious awards at the 15th National Education Excellence Conclave, organised by the Centre for Education Growth and Research (CEGR) at Hotel Eros, New Delhi. At a distinguished ceremony attended by eminent personalities from the education, skilling and public policy sectors, INSD was recognised with two awards – “Best Design Institute in India 2026” and “India’s Most Promising Aviation Academy 2026” for its latest initiative, INSD Aviation.

Pranav Raaj Aggarwall receives the National Awards at the 15th National Education Excellence Conclave 2026

The event was attended by several distinguished dignitaries including Dr. Amit Dutta, Director, All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE); Dr. Alka Gurjar, Honourable Member of Parliament, BJP; Mr. Varun Tandan, CEO, Water Management and Plumbing Skill Council, and many other eminent personalities from the education and skilling sector. The prestigious awards were received by Mr. Pranav Raaj Aggarwall, Group CEO, International School of Design.

The “Best Design Institute in India 2026” award acknowledges INSD’s contribution to design education and its continued focus on developing skilled, industry-ready creative professionals. INSD has built its education model around skill-first learning, industry-driven curriculum, practical exposure, live projects, internships, portfolio development and career support. The institution offers programmes across disciplines including Fashion Design, Interior Design, Graphic Design, Jewellery Design, Animation & VFX, UI/UX, Textile Design, Photography, Beauty & Makeup and Luxury Education.

The second recognition, “India’s Most Promising Aviation Academy 2026”, was awarded to INSD Aviation, the latest initiative from International School of Design. The initiative marks INSD’s expansion of its skill-first education philosophy into air hostess training, cabin crew for business class training, hospitality, travel, retail and customer support, with a focus on creating professionally trained, industry-ready talent for these rapidly growing industries.

The institution today has a network of 75+ centres across 23 states and has trained more than 30,000 students. Its career ecosystem includes 500+ industry recruiters and placement partners, with INSD reporting a successful placement track record for thousands of students.

INSD students have gone on to work with leading organisations across design, fashion, interiors, jewellery, retail, technology and allied creative industries. Its industry and placement ecosystem includes names such as Lifestyle, Lenskart, Malabar Gold & Diamonds, Asian Paints, Lakmé, Gaurav Gupta, Jaipur Rugs and other leading brands. INSD provides students with career and placement support backed by practical training, live projects, internships, portfolio development and industry exposure. The highest salary package offered to INSD students has reached Rs. 18 lakhs per year (Rs 1 lac 50 thousand per month), reinforcing the growing career opportunities available to professionally trained creative talent.

Over its 15-year legacy, International School of Design has evolved from a design education institution into one of India’s largest networks for skill-based creative education, positioning itself as “India’s New Age Skill-School.” INSD has received multiple recognitions over the years for its contribution to design education and skill development, including recognition as the “Fastest Growing Design Institute in India” in 2023, presented by Shri Yogendra Upadhyay, Honourable Minister of Higher Education, Uttar Pradesh, and recognition for “Excellence in Design Education” in 2025by the Times of India Group. The two honours received at the 15th National Education Excellence Conclave 2026 — “Best Design Institute in India 2026” and “India’s Most Promising Aviation Academy 2026” — mark the next phase of INSD’s growth as it expands its skill-first education model beyond design into aviation, hospitality, travel, retail and other high-growth service sectors.

For more information, visit www.insd.edu.in.

On World Heart Day, Universal Sompo General Insurance highlighted a sustained rise in cardiac claims from non-metro locations over the past three financial years. Claims from Tier 2 cities have more than doubled during this period, while Tier 3 cities continue to account for a significant share of the insurer’s cardiac claims outside the metros.
 

Universal Sompo General Insurance
 

Cardiac care in India is increasingly extending beyond the country’s metropolitan centres, with nearly seven in ten cardiac claims received by Universal Sompo General Insurance originating from non-metro locations. The insurer’s claims experience highlights the changing geography of cardiac healthcare, with Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities accounting for a growing share of cardiac-related hospitalisations.
 

The trend reflects the growing need to view cardiac care beyond the traditional metro-centric lens. Improved access to diagnostic facilities, greater availability of specialised treatment, rising health awareness and increasing healthcare utilisation in smaller cities may be contributing to more cardiac conditions being diagnosed and treated outside major urban centres.
 

The insurer’s claims experience also highlights that cardiac conditions can involve ongoing treatment and healthcare expenditure. Conditions such as rhythm disorders, coronary artery disease and congenital heart diseases may require regular monitoring, medication and, in some cases, repeated medical intervention. This makes timely diagnosis and appropriate long-term disease management important aspects of cardiac care.
 

Cardiac treatment can carry significant financial implications

While access to specialised cardiac care is expanding, the financial implications of treatment can remain significant for households. Indicative treatment costs can range from approximately Rs. 1-2.5 lakh for coronary angiography and medical management and Rs. 2.5-4 lakh for coronary angioplasty, to Rs. 4.5-6.5 lakh for bypass surgery and Rs. 12-16 lakh for aortic valve replacement. Actual treatment costs can vary depending on factors such as the hospital, location, complexity of the procedure and individual clinical requirements.
 

For families, an unexpected cardiac event can therefore have both health and financial implications. Adequate health insurance can provide financial support against eligible hospitalisation expenses, helping individuals and families access appropriate treatment without having to bear the entire cost of a major medical event themselves.
 

Varsha Gujarathi, Chief Customer Officer, Universal Sompo General Insurance, said, “We are seeing cardiac care needs increasingly emerge from smaller cities and towns, reflecting the changing healthcare landscape in India. While improved access to diagnosis and specialised treatment is encouraging, it also reinforces the need to focus on prevention, regular health screening and early intervention. Equally important is financial preparedness. Adequate health insurance coverage can help families manage the financial impact of a serious cardiac event and focus on recovery without the added burden of unexpected medical expenses.”

About Universal Sompo General Insurance
Universal Sompo is a joint venture of Indian Bank, Indian Overseas Bank, Karnataka Bank, Dabur Investments, and a global insurer SOMPO. The company is headquartered in Mumbai and has 132 offices nationwide, with representation through its digitally enabled employees across over 300 cities. It has a strong distribution network of agents, point of salespersons, bank branches, automobile dealers, brokers, common service centres, and digital platforms/e-commerce players. The Company offers a diverse and comprehensive portfolio comprising 183 products and 2,127 add-on covers, serving customers across retail, SME, and corporate segments through solutions spanning motor, health, property, marine, engineering, liability, employee benefits, and other specialized insurance lines of business.

The Indian Foundation for Quality Management (IFQM), established by a consortium of India’s leading enterprises, will host the third edition of its annual two-day IFQM Symposium, focusing on how Quality & Innovation can make India globally competitive. The event is to be held in New Delhi on October 5–6, 2026, under the central theme “Quality, Innovation and Excellence as India’s Force Multiplier”.

IFQM (Indian Foundation for Quality Management) 2026

Instituted in September 2023, IFQM is an industry-led movement committed to catalysing Indian organisations to become globally competitive and export-capable through Quality, Innovation, and Excellence. Over the years, the IFQM National Symposium has grown into India’s principal platform for the quality and innovation agenda. The inaugural edition of the IFQM National Symposium in 2024 opened with sector-specific discussions across Automotive, Engineering, Aerospace, Defence, Electronics and Digital Engineering R&D. The next edition in 2025 focused on how Quality & Innovation can make India globally competitive. It identified “Needle Movement,” anchored in a Nation First ethos, and brought together top industry leaders and national and international speakers.

The 2026 edition will debut the Pharma and Life Sciences track and, along with Infrastructure, feature an enhanced focus and a wider sectoral net. Pharma and Infrastructure sectors have long operated at scale, but neither has been part of a structured national quality conversation. In this edition, Pharma and Life Sciences will explore ways for India to move beyond generics toward innovative medicine. The panel will discuss and debate infrastructure issues to reimagine India’s infrastructure for global leadership.

The event will witness participation from industry leaders such as Venu Srinivasan (Chairman Emeritus, TVS Motor & Chairman, IFQM), N. Chandrasekaran (Chairman, Tata Sons), Dilip Shanghvi (MD, Sun Pharmaceuticals), Dr. Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw (Executive Chairperson, Biocon Group, (Virtual presence)), S.N. Subrahmanyan (Chairman & MD, L&T), TV Narendran (CEO & MD, Tata Steel), Dr. Randhir Thakur (CEO & MD, Tata Electronics), K.N. Radhakrishnan (Director & CEO, TVS Motor Company), Salil Gupte (President, Boeing India & South Asia), Dr. Randhir Thakur – Managing Director and CEO, Tata Electronics.

The symposium will feature keynote addresses and special sessions by a distinguished line-up of leaders, bringing perspectives from automotive, technology, manufacturing, infrastructure and quality management.

• Mr. Euisung (Ernie) Kim – Executive Vice President & Head of Quality Division, Hyundai Motor Group

• Mr. Akinori Onodera – President & CEO, EARTHBRAIN Ltd

• Mr. Frank Sieren – China Specialist and Bestselling Author

• Mr. Masahiko Mori – President & Group CEO, DMG MORI

• Mr. Stefan Grosch – Member of the Board of Management and Director of Industrial Relations, Robert Bosch GmbHr

• Mr. Yugo Miyamoto – Managing Director, Kaizen Saudi Arabia, Abdul Latif Jameel

• Special address by Mr. Masato Onodera – Managing Director, JUSE

Panel discussions are planned around:

• Pharma & Life Sciences: Moving Beyond Generics

• From Scale to Excellence: Reimagining Infrastructure

• IFQM as force multiplier

• Humble beginning to Global Standards

• Transforming India into a Trusted Global Electronics Hub

• Making Business Smart: Deploying AI for Manufacturing and Services

An exclusive session, “Creating Force Multipliers for the Industry-led Movement – Boardroom Vision to Shop Floor Excellence,” will bring together senior CEOs and CXOs to discuss how boardroom vision can translate into measurable improvements and excellence on the shop floor.

Sharing his thoughts about the Symposium, Mr. Soumitra Bhattacharya, CEO & Director, IFQM, said, “India’s aspiration of Viksit Bharat demands that quality and innovation become national force multipliers. The Symposium is a call to action for industry, government, and academia to embed excellence into every process, product, and partnership. Through insights from eminent speakers and collaborative dialogue among leaders, we aim to identify measurable milestones and practical pathways that help organizations achieve greater impact on this industry-led movement, with enhanced intent, speed, and effectiveness. By driving broader participation from Indian industry and academia, we can accelerate economic growth through the twin engines of Quality and Innovation, ensuring our enterprises lead with credibility, resilience, and impact.”

Major takeaways from last year’s symposium included the critical role of MSMEs in India’s growth and the need to strengthen their quality culture through better access to finance, technology, skilling, infrastructure and simplified compliance. Despite challenges such as low R&D and digitalization, MSMEs have strong potential across emerging sectors and global value chains. Strengthening their capabilities is key to improving India’s competitiveness, exports and sustainable growth.

The 2026 symposium agenda, building on last year’s takeaways, will feature a broad spectrum of sessions exploring how India can accelerate its journey toward becoming a self-reliant, inclusive, and globally respected nation. Discussions will examine India’s current standing in global quality, productivity, and innovation; the pathways to achieve ambitious 2030 targets; the role of industry–academia partnerships in enabling growth; and how innovation can be deployed to address systemic barriers.

Over two days, the symposium will feature 25+ sessions, 50+ speakers covering national priorities, sectoral deep dives and cross-cutting enablers.

• Day 1 will feature key sessions on Pharma & Life Sciences, Infrastructure, IFQM’s cross-sector impact, and India’s ambition to become a trusted global electronics hub, preceded by a keynote on:

• “Enabling Viksit Bharat: Quality as National Force Multiplier” by Shri Ashwini Vaishnaw, Hon’ble Union Minister, and Mr. N. Chandrasekaran, Executive Chairman, Tata Sons

• “Powering Viksit Bharat – ‘Scale without boundaries” by Shri Jyotiraditya M. Scindia, Hon’ble Minister of Communications; and Minister of Development of North-Eastern Region, Government of India and Mr. Venu Srinivasan – Chairman, IFQM

• Day 2 will begin with a keynote on “Wings of Viksit Bharat: Transforming India into a Global Aviation Hub” by Shri Kinjarapu Rammohan Naidu, Hon’ble Minister of Civil Aviation, and Mr. T. V. Narendran, CEO & MD, Tata Steel. Other highlights include AI for manufacturing and services and the IFQM–JUSE global partnership.

• The symposium will conclude with key takeaways from Mr. Soumitra Bhattacharya, CEO & Director, IFQM, and speakers from TVS Motor Company and Tata Steel.

About IFQM

Instituted in the year 2023, IFQM is the Indian Foundation for Quality Management (IFQM) that is committed to the promotion of transformative changes across Indian industries. It seeks to institutionalize a culture of quality that meets and exceeds global standards. It is about bringing in continuous improvements of both products and services, thereby elevating the perception about Brand India. Committed to the prosperity and quality of life of all, IFQM functions as a catalyst in making Indian businesses globally respected with cooperative trust, respect, empathy, and mutual sharing. Through its initiatives, IFQM supports India’s journey towards becoming a developed nation by 2047, with an emphasis on innovation, excellence, and stakeholder engagement across sectors.

The IFQM Governing Council: Mr. N. Chandrasekaran, Chairman, Tata Sons | Mr. Dilip Sanghvi, MD, Sun Pharmaceuticals | Ms. Kiran Mazumdar Shaw, Executive Chairperson, Biocon Biologics | Mr. TV Narendran, CEO & MD, Tata Steel Limited | Mr. K.N. Radhakrishnan, Director & CEO, TVS Motor Co | Dr. Randhir Thakur, CEO & MD, Tata Electronics Pvt. Ltd. | Mr. Salil Gupte, President, Boeing India & South Asia | Mr. SN Subrahmanyan, Chairman & MD, Larsen & Toubro | Mr. Venu Srinivasan, Chairman Emeritus, TVS Motor Co & Chairman, IFQM |

IFQM on Web: ifqm.org.in

IFQM Events: events.ifqm.org.in

IFQM on social media: www.linkedin.com/company/ifqm