Read the latest press releases from industry, corporates, NGOs, and organizations on biodiversity, climate action, environment, forest, water, and sustainable development actions, highlighting independent initiatives shaping India’s ecological landscape.
New Delhi, March 20, 2026 - TEXMiN, IIT(ISM) Dhanbad, and the Geological Survey of India (GSI), Ministry of Mines, signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for collaboration in research, technology development, and capacity building in mineral exploration. The partnership marks a significant step toward advancing innovation-led exploration of critical minerals and strengthening India’s mineral security ecosystem.
The MoU is aimed at fostering collaborative programmes in the field of critical mineral exploration, with a strong focus on deploying advanced technologies and developing scalable solutions for the sector. It also provides for the onboarding of third-party start-up agencies, wherever required, to accelerate innovation and practical implementation.
Commenting on the collaboration, Prof. Sukumar Mishra, Director, IIT (ISM) Dhanbad and Chairman, Governing Board, TEXMiN Foundation, said, “This collaboration with the Geological Survey of India is a meaningful step toward building stronger capabilities in the area of critical mineral exploration, which is of strategic importance to the country. By combining institutional research, field expertise, and emerging digital technologies, we aim to contribute to a more resilient, future-ready, and self-reliant mineral ecosystem for India.”
Speaking on the partnership, Shri Asit Saha, Director General (DG) of the Geological Survey of India (GSI), said, “This MoU reflects our shared commitment to advancing critical mineral exploration in India through innovation, scientific collaboration, and technology-led approaches. By partnering with TEXMiN, we look forward to strengthening research, pilot implementation, and capacity building efforts that can support the discovery and efficient utilisation of critical mineral resources for the nation.”
Under the agreement, TEXMiN and GSI will work together across several identified areas of collaboration. These include the application of machine learning, artificial intelligence, and deep learning in mineral exploration, particularly for mineral prospectivity mapping, locating deep and concealed deposits of critical minerals, and ore genesis modelling. The collaboration will also extend to pilot projects for the recovery of critical minerals and elements from mineral phases in GSI-explored blocks, along with efforts to recover critical elements as byproducts associated with primary mineral deposits. In addition, the partnership will focus on training and capacity building in the field of critical mineral exploration.
New Delhi, 20 March 2026 – The CII Indian Green Building Council (IGBC) successfully convened the GreenTech Summit 2026 in New Delhi, bringing together industry leaders, policymakers, technology innovators, and sustainability experts to accelerate the adoption of climate technologies across India’s built environment. As India advances toward its Net Zero ambitions and the vision of Viksit Bharat by India@2047, the summit underscored the growing importance of green technologies, low-carbon materials, digitalization, and integrated design approaches in shaping a sustainable and resilient future.
The summit was inaugurated by Mr Harsh Vardhan Bansal, Chair, CII Delhi Chapter & Co-Founder, Unity Group; along with Mr Gurmit Singh Arora, Chairman, IGBC Marketing, Outreach and Strategic Alliances & Managing Director, Rajco Metals; Mr Baljit Singh, Co-Chair, IGBC Delhi Chapter & Executive Vice President, Brookfield Properties; Mr K D Singh, Chair, IGBC Noida Chapter & Managing Director, Aircon Engineers Pvt. Ltd; and Mr M Anand, Dy Executive Director, CII Indian Green Building Council.
A key highlight of the summit was the strong momentum witnessed in green building adoption across North India, particularly in Uttar Pradesh and the National Capital Region (NCR), which are emerging as major hubs of sustainable development. Uttar Pradesh has secured the #2 rank nationally, with 1,673 IGBC-registered projects covering 1.78 billion sq. ft., reflecting the state’s rapid progress in embedding sustainability into its urban growth. Delhi, with 794 projects spanning 0.63 billion sq. ft., reinforcing its position as a key contributor to India’s green building movement.
The broader NCR region has demonstrated even more significant scale, with a total of 2,475 registered projects covering 2.81 billion sq. ft. of green building footprint. This growth is distributed across major urban centres, with Noida and Greater Noida contributing 748 projects (0.83 billion sq. ft.), Gurugram accounting for 651 projects (0.71 billion sq. ft.), Faridabad and Ghaziabad together contributing 282 projects (626 million sq. ft.), highlighting that the Faridabad–Ghaziabad region is also emerging as a significant cluster within NCR’s green building landscape. This cluster-driven expansion highlights NCR’s emergence as one of India’s most influential green building ecosystems.
Opening the session, Mr Baljit Singh, Co-Chair, IGBC Delhi Chapter & Executive Vice President, Brookfield Properties, emphasised the significance of the summit and the role of the built environment, saying, “This summit brings together policymakers, industry leaders and experts with a common purpose, to accelerate the adoption of climate technologies and sustainable solutions in the built environment. As India moves towards Viksit Bharat 2047, with much of its infrastructure yet to be built, we have a unique opportunity to shape our cities through climate-resilient design, low-carbon technologies and digital innovation. The solutions we adopt today will determine the sustainability and resilience of our future cities.”
Mr. Gurmit Singh Arora, Chairman, IGBC Marketing, Outreach and Strategic Alliances, Managing Director, Rajco Metals delivered the Special address. He said, “Green buildings today are not just about energy efficiency, but about using resources more efficiently, from energy and water to materials. We are already seeing buildings that reduce energy consumption significantly, and in some cases even produce more energy than they consume. Importantly, green buildings today do not cost more, in fact, certified residential buildings would cost less than conventional buildings. With over 15.74 billion sq. ft. of green building footprint being facilitated by CII-IGBC, India has emerged as a global leader, and the focus now is to scale this further and make sustainable construction the norm.”
This accelerated adoption is being actively supported by progressive policy frameworks, particularly in Uttar Pradesh, where the government has introduced a series of incentives to encourage green construction. These include an additional Floor Area Ratio (FAR) for projects that are pre-certified or provisionally certified as IGBC Gold or above, along with an additional 5% FAR offered free of charge by the Greater Noida Industrial Development Authority (GNIDA) for projects achieving similar ratings. Further strengthening the ecosystem, the state’s Tourism Policy 2022–2032 provides 50% reimbursement of IGBC certification fees (up to INR 10 lakh) for hotels and wellness resorts adopting green building practices, thereby improving the financial viability of sustainable infrastructure.
Industry leadership driving climate action was another defining theme of the summit, with several leading organizations showcasing transformative initiatives. Brookfield is accelerating its Net Zero journey by introducing India’s first embodied carbon report for commercial real estate and upgrading its campuses toward IGBC-certified Net Zero Waste standards, setting new benchmarks for the sector. DLF is advancing climate governance and decarbonization across its extensive commercial real estate portfolio, while Emaar India is integrating solar energy, rainwater harvesting, and sustainable design into its residential developments. In the hospitality sector, Accor India is leveraging AI-powered zero-waste kitchens to reduce food waste and enhance operational efficiency, demonstrating how technology can drive sustainability outcomes. Highlighting the importance of addressing the existing built environment alongside new developments, CPWD emphasized that existing buildings hold enormous potential for energy and water savings, and noted that along with new buildings, greater focus must also be placed on upgrading existing built spaces to help achieve net zero and support Bharat’s transition toward becoming a net zero nation.
Energy innovation also took centre stage, with NTPC NETRA leading the deployment of India’s first 3 MWh vanadium redox flow battery, a breakthrough in long-duration energy storage that supports renewable energy integration. At the policy level, Mr. Harsh Vardhan Bansal, Chairman, CII Delhi State, is spearheading efforts to advance sustainable redevelopment and Transit-Oriented Development (TOD) models, contributing to the vision of a future-ready “Delhi 2.0.” Additionally, Mr. Ashish Rakheja’s elevation as President-Elect of ASHRAE marks a significant milestone, underscoring India’s growing influence in global HVAC and smart building engineering.
The summit featured a series of high-impact discussions, including a CXO panel on climate-ready buildings, which explored how integrated design, governance frameworks, and operational strategies are shaping resilient infrastructure. Technical sessions delved into next-generation low-carbon materials and the need for integrated approaches that combine energy efficiency, climate resilience, and occupant wellbeing. Discussions also highlighted the growing role of advanced technologies such as AI, IoT, and digital twins in transforming buildings into intelligent, data-driven ecosystems capable of real-time performance optimization.
The event concluded with a valedictory session that consolidated key insights and outlined a roadmap for scaling climate technologies across India’s built environment. During the valedictory session, IGBC recognized leading contributors to the green building movement, including IGBC’s founding members such as Indiabulls Limited, AGI Infra Limited, Model Economic Township Ltd, and Amchem Products Pvt Ltd, for their pioneering role in advancing sustainability in the sector.
IGBC also highlighted the growing commitment from industry stakeholders through IGBC’s Green Crusaders initiative. In a significant show of momentum, 140 projects were registered, collectively covering over 113.9 million sq. ft. of built-up area. These projects span a wide range of sectors, including commercial buildings, healthcare, factories, educational institutions, interiors, homes, affordable housing, and logistics and warehousing, indicating that sustainability is being integrated across asset classes rather than confined to select segments.
The GreenTech Summit 2026 reaffirmed IGBC’s commitment to accelerating India’s transition toward a low-carbon, resource-efficient, and climate-resilient built environment. With strong policy support, increasing industry participation, and rapid technological innovation, North India is poised to play a defining role in shaping the next phase of India’s green building transformation.
New Delhi, March 20, 2026: Marking World Water Day, Dhanuka Agritech Limited organised a special programme at 1, Lodhi Estate, New Delhi, aligned with this year’s global theme, “Water and Gender.” The discussion underscored the disproportionate gender burden in water access, with women in India collectively spending an estimated 5.5 crore hours daily in water collection. The theme calls for gender-responsive water governance, improved last-mile delivery, and inclusive infrastructure planning to alleviate time poverty and strengthen socio-economic participation within rural and agrarian communities.
The programme commenced with lamp lighting and Saraswati Vandana and witnessed the presence of leading scientists and policymakers including Dr. Debashish Chakraborty (IARI), Dr. Man Singh (Former Project Director, WTC, IARI), Dr. P.S. Brahmanand (Project Director, WTC, IARI), Dr. R.R. Burman (ADG, ICAR), and Dr. M. Madhu, Director, Indian Institute of Soil and Water Conservation, Dehradun.
Addressing the gathering, Dr. Raj Bhushan Choudhary, Minister of State, Ministry of Jal Shakti, thanked Dhanuka Agritech for organising the programme and appreciated Shri R.G. Agrawal’s continued contribution towards climate-resilient agriculture. He noted that under the leadership of Hon’ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi ji, transformative initiatives such as Jal Jeevan Mission have expanded tap water access to over 15 crore rural households, significantly reducing the burden on women and strengthening India’s water security framework.
In his remarks, Dr. R.G. Agarwal, Chairman Emeritus, Dhanuka Agritech Limited, emphasized that India possesses only 4% of the world’s water resources while supporting 18% of its population, making water conservation a national imperative. He highlighted Dhanuka’s sustained efforts in constructing check dams in Rajasthan, promoting rainwater harvesting, reviving groundwater levels, and driving nationwide awareness initiatives. Recalling his impactful slogan given in 2005, “Khet ka pani khet mein, gaon ka pani gaon mein,” he reiterated that “water cannot be created — it can only be conserved,” a message that was widely amplified through the company’s campaign featuring its brand ambassador, Mr. Amitabh Bachchan.
Adding a scientific perspective, Dr. M. Madhu underscored the importance of systematic soil and water management, stressing that strengthening soil health, enhancing infiltration, preventing runoff through field bunding, and creating on-farm water storage structures are essential for long-term sustainability.
The programme concluded with a collective pledge to promote responsible water use and reinforce collaboration between government, research institutions, industry, and farmers to build a water-secure and equitable India.
Dhanuka Agritech reaffirmed that sustainable agriculture and responsible water management remain central to its long-term vision. Through continued investment in water stewardship initiatives and farmer-centric solutions, Dhanuka remains committed to safeguarding this vital resource for future generation.
India, March 19, 2026 – John Crane, a global leader in flow-control technologies and an innovator in solutions for rotating equipment, and a business of Smiths Group plc, is helping the Indian pulp and paper sector significantly improve reliability and sustainability performance. By leveraging proven success from global applications, including a leading mill in the Southern United States, John Crane is demonstrating how to reduce water consumption by 90% and save $75,000 (approx. ₹63 Lakhs) in total cost of ownership through a mechanical seal upgrade in cellulose fiber production processes.
The solution addresses persistent seal failures and excessive water use that impact mill reliability, operating costs, and sustainability performance. By deploying John Crane’s Type SB2 USP heavy-duty dual cartridge mechanical seal with Upstream Pumping (USP) seal face technology, mills can extend seal life from weeks to more than a year while sharply reducing water demand.
Previously, industrial operations have experienced frequent mechanical seal failures, with mean time between repairs (MTBR) averaging just three weeks. These failures cause repeated production interruptions, increased maintenance workload, and higher operating costs. In addition, many existing sealing arrangements consume approximately three gallons (approx. 11.3 liters) of water per minute without conservation measures, creating both financial and environmental challenges.
Following technical reviews, John Crane engineers recommend the Type SB2 USP seal, designed specifically for demanding slurry and abrasive pulp applications. The USP seal face technology enables stable, non-contacting operation, reducing barrier fluid requirements while improving reliability and energy efficiency. The seals are typically installed alongside a John Crane seal reservoir and a 5-micron filtration system, creating a robust and controlled sealing environment.
Since implementation in similar demanding environments, mills have increased mean time between repairs (MTBR) from three weeks to more than 12 months, virtually eliminating unplanned stoppages. Water consumption has been reduced by 90%, from three gallons per minute to 0.3 gallons per minute (approx. 1.1 liters), and total cost of ownership has been lowered by $75,000 through reduced maintenance and operating expenses.
The success of these projects strengthens industry confidence in the Type SB2 USP seal and opens opportunities for wider deployment across other slurry pump applications as part of ongoing reliability and sustainability strategies in the region.
“This case study highlights how advanced sealing technology can deliver measurable reliability improvements while supporting responsible water management in demanding pulp and paper applications,” said Mike Eason, Chief Technology Officer, John Crane. “By extending seal life and cutting water use by 90%, we helped the mill reduce costs, improve uptime and align operations with long-term sustainability goals.”
Mumbai, January 23, 2026: Moody’s Ratings has issued a Second Party Opinion (SPO) on the Union Bank of India’s Sustainable Financing Framework, assigning a rating of SQS2 – “Very Good Sustainability Quality”. This rating is the second-highest on Moody’s Sustainability Quality Score (SQS) scale, underscoring the Bank’s strong commitment to sustainable and responsible financing.
The Second Party Opinion by Moody’s Ratings is a globally recognized benchmark that provides independent assurance on the credibility and robustness of sustainability frameworks. This opinion fosters transparency for investors and stakeholders, reaffirming alignment of Union Bank of India’s Sustainable Financing Framework with international best practices and meaningful contribution to environmental and social objectives.
Union Bank of India remains steadfast in its mission to integrate sustainability into its core operations and financing activities, reinforcing its vision of creating long-term value for environment, society and the future generations.
Union Bank of India is one of India’s leading public sector banks, committed to delivering innovative financial solutions while promoting sustainable development.
New Delhi, January 22, 2026: SiriNor, a deep-tech aerospace and defence startup developing an emission-free electric jet engine based in India and Norway, unveiled its 2026 roadmap at the Inaugural Global CleanTech Forum on the sidelines of the World Economic Forum’s 56th annual meeting in Davos. The startup was shortlisted as one of only a few globally, initially focusing on rolling out small engines, with a UAV retrofit test planned for India by mid-to-late 2026.
The program is positioned at a critical moment for global climate action, emphasising clean energy, climate innovation, and large-scale collaborations between governments, investors, startups, and institutions. The Global CleanTech Forum brings together founders, investors, policymakers, and climate leaders to accelerate clean-energy solutions through curated access to global decision-makers.
“Davos is the perfect forum to highlight a massive gap. The aviation sector plays an invaluable role in driving the global economy, but it desperately needs a reboot that ditches the emissions of traditional combustion jet engines," said Abhijeet Inamdar, Founder and India CEO, SiriNor.
The aviation sector is predicted to contribute up to 20% of global emissions by 2050 as air travel demand grows. SiriNor is addressing this challenge with a 100% electric (no combustion), zero-emissions jet engine that is power-source agnostic, operable on existing battery tech today and designed to be compatible with hydrogen fuel cells.
The startup is backed by investors including Shell E4, Shriram, and Innovation Norway. The startup has so far signed 11 LOIs and MoUs across regional and international stakeholders. It recently secured a global patent in the USA for its unique tip-driven propulsion architecture, which is being scaled up to cover major aviation manufacturing hubs in the US, Canada, EU, and India.
Noida, 9 January 2026: The Habitats Trust (THT), a leading not-for-profit organisation addressing urgent conservation challenges related to biodiversity loss, climate change, and water scarcity, has announced the launch of the 9th edition of The Habitats Trust Grants, inviting applications from conservation practitioners, researchers, and non-profit organisations across India. Applications open 10 January 2026 and will close on 10 February 2026. Grant recipients will be announced in the first week of August 2026.
India hosts 7–8% of the world’s biodiversity, yet many species and ecosystems remain underfunded and poorly documented, particularly outside formally protected areas. The THT Grants aim to bridge this gap by supporting holistic, innovative, and replicable conservation projects, with special emphasis on lesser-known species and underrepresented habitats.
The ₹3.5 crore funding pool will support projects demonstrating measurable ecological outcomes, strong community engagement, and long-term sustainability. Applications are available at www.thehabitatstrust.org.
Since its inception in 2018, the THT Grants programme has funded over 38 projects across 21 states and union territories, disbursing more than ₹16.2 crore. Supported projects have spanned species recovery, habitat restoration, applied research, and community-led conservation, producing tangible outcomes while building local conservation capacity.
Rushikesh Chavan, Director of The Habitats Trust, said:
"India’s conservation challenges are complex and interlinked with climate pressures and governance issues. Through THT Grants, we aim to support organisations tackling urgent conservation needs with models that are sustainable, replicable, and inclusive. We are particularly keen on initiatives focused on lesser-known species and habitats that often miss mainstream funding."
Grant Categories and Funding
THT Conservation Grants (₹1 crore): For holistic conservation efforts addressing India’s critical habitats and lesser-known species. Administered over three years, two recipients will be selected.
THT Research Grants (₹40 lakh): For interdisciplinary research informing practical conservation solutions. Administered over two years, two recipients will be selected.
THT Action Grants & Action Service Projects (₹25 lakh): For urgent on-ground conservation action targeting lesser-known species and habitats. Administered over two years, three recipients will be selected.
The selection process will be conducted by a panel of 12 experts, evaluating applications on relevance, conservation impact, stakeholder engagement, scalability, replicability, and sustainability.
In 2025, THT received 119 applications, shortlisted 36 for field evaluation, and awarded 12 projects with a total grant of ₹3.8 crore. Notable recipients included Grameen Sahara (Assam) and Hume Centre for Ecology and Wildlife Biology (Kerala) under the Conservation Grant; Coastal Conservation Foundation (Mumbai) and Wildlife Institute of India (Trans-Himalayas) under the Research Grant; and ATREE (Kanchenjunga), Bryan Miranda (Goa & Chennai coasts), Noel Giri (Darjeeling), and Sunil Harsana (Delhi NCR) under Action Grants.
The 2026 edition of THT Grants reaffirms the organisation’s commitment to addressing India’s underfunded conservation priorities by combining research-driven insight with immediate on-ground action, enabling scalable and sustainable solutions that protect biodiversity while empowering local communities.
About The Habitats Trust
Founded in 2018 by Roshni Nadar Malhotra, Chairperson of HCL Technologies, and Shikhar Malhotra, CEO and Vice-Chairman of HCL Healthcare, The Habitats Trust is committed to tackling critical environmental challenges through regenerative models for a thriving planet. THT works across 32 states and union territories in India with over 120 partners, covering more than six lakh hectares, and has pioneered innovations in ecological restoration, species and habitat conservation, and multidisciplinary climate solutions.
New Delhi, 9 January 2026 – A new analysis by the Centre for Research on Energy and Clean Air (CREA) reveals that just 4% of India’s chronically polluted cities are covered under the National Clean Air Programme (NCAP). Nearly half of all Indian cities (44%) remain in PM2.5 non-attainment, with no compliance recorded for over five consecutive years, indicating persistent, year-round pollution from transport, industry, and power plants.
CREA’s satellite-based assessment of 4,041 statutory towns found that 1,787 cities exceeded national PM2.5 standards consistently from 2019–2024 (excluding 2020). Yet only 130 cities are included in NCAP, with just 67 overlapping with these chronically polluted cities. Uttar Pradesh leads with 416 non-attainment cities, followed by Rajasthan (158), Gujarat (152), Madhya Pradesh (143), Punjab and Bihar (136 each), and West Bengal (124).
NCAP progress has been uneven: while 23 cities met PM10 reduction targets, 23 others recorded rising PM10 levels. Funding of ₹13,415 crore has largely gone to road dust management (68%), with limited allocations for industrial emissions, domestic fuel, and capacity building. Infrastructure measures like road paving and waste processing dominate, while emission reductions at source remain insufficient.
The 2025 PM2.5 rankings highlight Byrnihat (Assam), Delhi, and Ghaziabad (Uttar Pradesh) as the most polluted cities, while Delhi also leads in PM10 levels with an annual average of 197 μg/m³. CREA calls for urgent, science-driven reforms including stricter emission standards, revising NCAP city coverage, source-based funding allocation, and airshed-based regional approaches.
“India must strengthen air quality governance by prioritizing PM2.5 and precursor gases, updating non-attainment city lists, and implementing targeted interventions at the source,” said Manoj Kumar, India Analyst, CREA.
About CREA:
The Centre for Research on Energy and Clean Air (CREA) is an independent research organization dedicated to analyzing air pollution trends, health impacts, and clean energy solutions. CREA provides scientific data and research to support governments, companies, and NGOs in advancing air quality and sustainable energy initiatives. www.energyandcleanair.org
New Delhi, January 2nd, 2026: JK Tyre & Industries Limited has been awarded the Silver Rating by EcoVadis. The four pillars adopted by EcoVadis to rate sustainability performance of companies globally are Environment, Labour & Human Rights, Ethics, and Sustainable Procurement. This achievement places the company in the 93rd percentile globally, ranking it among the top 7% of companies worldwide assessed by EcoVadis across industries, reaffirming JK Tyre’s strong commitment to sustainability, ethical business practices, and responsible operations. The Silver rating reflects the significant progress made by JK Tyre in strengthening its sustainability performance across these dimensions.
In FY25, JK Tyre achieved an overall score of 77/100. Environment emerged as the strongest performer with a score of 89 points, reflecting JK Tyre’s initiatives on climate action, energy efficiency, emissions management, and environmental management systems.
Dr. Raghupati Singhania, CMD, JK Tyre & Industries Limited, said:
“This significant performance in our EcoVadis performance is the outcome of focused initiatives across environmental stewardship, ethical governance, labour practices, and responsible sourcing. The Silver rating is a strong validation of our integrated sustainability approach and the dedication of our teams. It further motivates us to continue strengthening our sustainability journey and creating long-term value for all stakeholders.”
An overall score of 77/100 reinforces JK Tyre’s commitment to combating climate change, fostering a safe and inclusive workplace, upholding high ethical standards, and driving sustainability across its value chain.
New Delhi, Jan 2, 2026: Arya.ag, India's largest integrated grain commerce platform, today announced that it has raised Rs 725 crore (approximately USD 80.58 million) in equity from GEF Capital Partners.
The investment will enable Arya.ag to deepen its engagement with farmers and their organisations to promote climate-smart, market-led agriculture practices. It will accelerate the Company’s effort to build resilience among smallholder farmers against uncertainties of climate change through improved access to technology solutions. The funds will also strengthen Arya.ag’s ability to control post-harvest losses at the farm gate and across the agricultural supply chain.
Founded in 2013 by Prasanna Rao, Anand Chandra and Chattanathan Devarajan, Arya.ag’s model is designed to bridge the trust gap in Indian agriculture, build efficient networks and unlock higher incomes for farmers. Through its integrated value chain approach - spanning pre-harvest to post-harvest solutions - Arya.ag enables the smallest of stakeholders in Indian agriculture to participate equitably in value chains by helping them decide when and to whom to sell their produce to. Its expanding network of Smart Farm Centres, combined with a comprehensive suite of storage, finance and commerce solutions, helps farmers and FPOs sustainably and structurally improve incomes at scale.
"This investment validates our approach of building integrated solutions that address the real challenges faced by India's farming community. GEF as a partner, shares our conviction on profitably building equitable agri value chains by reducing vulnerability to climate and market risks. We will use this capital to reach more farmers and develop products that reward sustainable practices at the farmgate. Our goal is to ensure that the smallest of stakeholders have access to information(data insights), finance and markets, through affordable technology, and in doing so, have the ability to significantly increase their incomes," said Prasanna Rao, Co-Founder and CEO of Arya.ag.
With over 60% of India's workforce engaged in agriculture and more than half of farming households excluded from formal credit sources, Arya.ag's integrated platform addresses a critical gap in the market by providing farmgate-level agri networks and solutions, including farm insights, storage, instant finance, and transparent market linkages. Avendus Capital served as the exclusive financial advisor for this equity round.
Arya.ag continues to grow as India’s only profitable agritech and has cemented its position as India’s leading integrated agri solutions platform. The company reported net revenue of ₹300 crore in H1 FY26, marking 28% growth over last year, while profits rose 39% to ₹31.5 crore during the same period. With rapid growth across storage, finance, and commerce, Arya.ag has been the partner of choice for farmers, FPOs, agri-enterprises, and financial institutions building a more efficient, climate-smart agri-ecosystem.
The company's operations currently span 60% of Indian districts with a network of 12,000 agri-warehouses, aggregating and storing USD 3 billion of grain annually while enabling disbursement of over USD 1.5 billion in loans to agricultural stakeholders.
PwC, Law firm JSA and Aeka also provided advisory support on this round.
Chennai, December 29, 2025: Garuda Aerospace, conducted an ESG Awareness Workshop, reinforcing its commitment to ethical, accountable, and sustainable business practices. The workshop saw participation from over 150 employees and stakeholders, underscoring the organisation’s focus on embedding sustainability across operations.
The workshop aimed to build awareness around Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) principles, with a strong emphasis on responsible practices, data integrity, compliance, and skill-building. Through structured sessions and interactive discussions, participants were sensitised to the role ESG plays in long-term value creation, operational transparency, and responsible innovation within the aviation and aerospace ecosystem.
Rithika Agnishwar, Co-founder and Chief Administrative Officer, Garuda Aerospace, said, “Sustainability starts with awareness and accountability. At Garuda Aerospace, we believe that responsible aviation goes beyond technology, it is about people, processes, and purpose. This ESG Awareness Workshop is a step towards building a culture where ethical practices, data integrity, and governance are deeply embedded in how we operate and grow.”
The ESG Awareness Workshop forms part of Garuda Aerospace’s broader efforts to strengthen responsible business conduct and align with global sustainability standards.
New Delhi, December 24, 2025 - The Indian Institute of Technology (Indian School of Mines), Dhanbad, in close collaboration with TEXMiN, the Technology Translation Research Park established by the Department of Science & Technology, Government of India, at IIT(ISM) Dhanbad, inaugurated the Centre of Research Excellence in Mining and Innovation for Critical Materials (CoRE-MiN), a recognised Centre of Excellence (CoE) on Critical Raw Materials under the National Critical Mineral Mission (NCMM), Ministry of Mines, Government of India.
The Centre was inaugurated by Shri G. Kishan Reddy, Honourable Union Minister of Coal and Mines, Government of India, in the august presence of Shri B. Sairam, Chairman, Coal India Limited, and Prof. Sukumar Mishra, Director, IIT (ISM) Dhanbad and Chairman, Hub Governing Board, TEXMiN Foundation, at the IIT (ISM) Dhanbad campus.
The formal inauguration marks the operational launch of CoRE-MiN, building on TEXMiN, IIT (ISM) Dhanbad’s earlier recognition as one of the nine Centres of Excellence under NCMM. It represents a key milestone in advancing India’s scientific, technological, and industrial capabilities across the critical minerals value chain. CoRE-MiN, which is anchored at IIT (ISM) Dhanbad as the academic hub, is implemented in close collaboration with its Technology Translation Research Park, TEXMiN, serving as the translational and industry-interface backbone of the Centre.
The Centre is supported by a strong consortium of national and international partners, including leading global academic institutions such as IIT Gandhinagar, IIT BHU, Curtin University, the University of Cambridge, and the Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, which contribute advanced research expertise across exploration, processing, and critical mineral systems. Industry collaboration is led by key Indian mining and mineral organisations, including Hindustan Copper Limited, MOIL Limited, Maheshwari Mining, Odisha Mining Corporation, Jindal Steel, Elitech Earth Science, CPI, Novasensa, CODELCO, enabling field validation, pilot-scale demonstrations, and technology deployment. This integrated partnership model ensures that CoRE-MiN delivers scientifically rigorous, industry-ready, and globally benchmarked solutions that are aligned with India’s National Critical Mineral Mission and its strategic objectives for self-reliance.
CoRE-MiN’s research agenda is closely aligned with the objectives of the National Critical Mineral Mission, focusing on AI/ML-enabled mineral exploration, digital rock-core characterisation, real-time traceability of critical raw materials, and advanced beneficiation and recycling solutions. These initiatives aim to strengthen secure and resilient supply chains for minerals essential to clean energy, e-mobility, electronics, defence, and strategic sectors.
Commenting on the inauguration, Prof. Sukumar Mishra, Director, IIT (ISM) Dhanbad and Chairman, Hub Governing Board, TEXMiN Foundation, said, “The inauguration of CoRE-MiN marks a defining moment for IIT (ISM) Dhanbad and TEXMiN. As a recognised Centre of Excellence under NCMM, CoRE-MiN will drive impactful research and technology translation through deep academic, industrial, and international collaboration, contributing meaningfully to India’s goal of self-reliance in critical minerals.”
Prof. Dheeraj Kumar, Deputy Director, IIT (ISM) Dhanbad, Project Director, TEXMiN, and HoC of the CoE, added, “TEXMiN is proud to serve as the translational backbone of CoRE-MiN. Our focus will be on converting high-quality research into deployable technologies across AI-driven exploration, core digitisation, traceability platforms, and pilot-scale beneficiation of critical minerals. This Centre will play a catalytic role in accelerating India’s mineral technology readiness and industry adoption.”
The inauguration of CoRE-MiN marks a significant national commitment to developing indigenous capabilities in critical mineral exploration, processing, recycling, and advanced technologies, while fostering collaboration among academia, industry, and global research institutions.
About TEXMiN IIT(ISM) Dhanbad: Technology Innovation in Exploration & Mining Foundation (TEXMiN) is a Section 8 company with a status of Technology Translation Research Park (TTRP) set up by the Department of Science and Technology, Govt of India, at IIT (ISM) Dhanbad under the aegis of the National Mission on Interdisciplinary Cyber-Physical Systems (NM-ICPS). TEXMiN aims to develop commercially feasible mineral exploration and mining solutions using cyber-physical systems, including IoT, AI/ML, blockchain, drones, robotics, and satellite imagery. It aims to address the issues and challenges of the mining and exploration industry through the intervention of CPS-based technologies, achieving 3S Mining (Safe, Smart, and Sustainable Mining) and ultimately leading to Mining 4.0 through operation & process optimization across the mining value chain.
Bengaluru, December 23, 2025: Zoomcar Holdings, Inc. (OTCQB: ZCAR), India’s largest peer-to-peer car-sharing marketplace, today released its EV Experience Insight Report, arguing that India’s EV adoption challenge is less about intent—and more about first-hand experience.
While policy momentum is building, electric cars remain ~2% of new passenger vehicle sales in India. The report highlights three persistent adoption blockers: charging access friction, battery health concerns, and low real-world familiarity. Zoomcar believes that short, real-life EV trials—beyond showroom test drives—can meaningfully reduce hesitation as the ecosystem matures.
Pilot takeaways: Zoomcar’s EV pilots across select metros showed strong renter interest, with EVs performing best in urban mobility, airport runs, and short-distance trips. The pilots also surfaced recurring constraints, including charging anxiety on longer routes, uneven fast-charger availability across highways/tourist corridors, limited home-charging access for apartment-dwelling hosts, and higher downtime driven by charging cycles.
2026 outlook: With the next phase of EV policy support under discussion, continued expansion of charging infrastructure, and growing private network coverage, Zoomcar sees 2026 as a practical window to scale EV access through its marketplace. The company plans to work with OEMs, charging partners, and policy stakeholders to build a structured EV experience program—enabling more consumers to live with an EV before buying one.
Deepankar Tiwari, CEO - Zoomcar said “India doesn’t have a demand problem — it has an experience gap. Giving people access to EVs for just 2–3 days can accelerate adoption more effectively than any marketing campaign. As India scales toward its 2030 EV goals, experience-led mobility will be the foundation.”
About Zoomcar: Founded in 2013 and headquartered in Bengaluru, Zoomcar is India’s largest peer-to-peer car-sharing marketplace. Through its digital-first platform, Zoomcar connects individual vehicle owners (Hosts) with users (Guests), offering flexible access to vehicles for self-drive carsharing. The company’s mission is to promote smarter, shared mobility that is both economically empowering and environmentally sustainable.
Bengaluru, December 22, 2025: redBus, the world’s largest online bus ticketing platform, has launched its latest Christmas ad film, ‘Everyone’s Christmas’. The campaign continues to celebrate togetherness and highlights the message that differences should never divide people. The film reinforces the idea that acceptance and empathy help create truly inclusive journeys. The campaign message is that journeys should foster a welcoming and respectful environment for all communities, such as the transgender community, ensuring that every traveller feels comfortable. At its core, the film serves as a gentle call to action - urging people to change their mindsets, embrace inclusivity - during festive seasons like Christmas and in everyday moments of travel.
The film follows a simple yet emotional bus-journey moment: a passenger expresses discomfort when he realises his co-traveller is a transgender person. What begins as discomfort slowly unfolds into an eye-opening experience, as the people around him choose empathy over judgment. Subtle, everyday gestures—sharing space, exchanging seats, sharing a smile, acknowledging someone’s presence—shift the atmosphere from tension to warmth.
With the message to change regressive mindsets, the film drives home a clear thought: on the occasion of Christmas - and any joyous occasion - every traveller deserves dignity, comfort, and respect for who they are. By spotlighting the experiences of communities which may not be in the mainstream such as transgender individuals, redBus aims to spark conversations around acceptance in public spaces and drive home the message ‘Make this christmas, everyone's christmas'
About the Film
The film opens with Mihir, a 40-year-old traveller absorbed in his work and mobile game as he gets onto the bus. Inside, the festive mood is light and cheerful, but it shifts when he realises his co-passenger is a transgender woman, Kamla. Uncomfortable with the situation, he immediately asks for a seat change.
This moment creates a brief but palpable tension inside the bus. The bus operator politely asks if anyone is willing to switch seats, but the other passengers remain hesitant, highlighting societal stigmas.
Rahul, a young child, raises his hand, offering to exchange seats with Mihir. This simple, thoughtful gesture transforms the atmosphere of the bus, and all the other passengers also raise their hands - volunteering to sit next to Kamla. In a powerful moment, Mihir realises his error and sits back down next to Kamla.
The film’s underlying philosophy is clear: “Make this Christmas everyone’s Christmas.” It reinforces that the holiday spirit is not just about physical space or gifts—it’s about opening our hearts, embracing diversity, and fostering an inclusive environment where every traveller, including transgender passengers, feels respected and valued.
Through this narrative, redBus beautifully conveys that travel can be more than a journey from one city to another; it can be a space for empathy, acceptance, and meaningful human connection, especially during the season of celebration and togetherness.
Speaking about the campaign, Pallavi Chopra, CMO, redBus, said “Every Christmas, we try to capture the real human moments that unfold on India’s buses, because these stories reflect the world our customers travel in. Our film captures the real spirit of Christmas - goodwill, love, kindness, and selfless giving.
With Everyone’s Christmas, we wanted to show how a small shift in perspective can transform a shared journey through generosity. Today’s travellers increasingly seek experiences that feel warm, welcoming, and kind — and so much of that comes from how we relate to one another on the move. This film encourages people to pause, reconsider their first instinct, and bring a little more Christmas joy and cheer into shared spaces. If the story prompts viewers to reflect, even briefly, on how they engage with those around them, it will have served its purpose.”
Link to Ad: https://www.instagram.com/reel/DSeNhm2CHLA/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==