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India’s life insurance industry reported robust growth in FY26, with total new business premium (NBP) rising 15.7% year-on-year to ₹4,59,713 crore, compared to ₹3,97,337 crore in FY25, signalling strong demand and improving market confidence. In March 2026, insurers collected ₹75,872 crore in new business premium, up from ₹61,439 crore in March 2025, reflecting sustained traction across both individual and group segments. Growth was led by the group business segment, with Group Single Premium increasing 17.5% to ₹2,49,766 crore and Group Yearly Renewable Premium surging 39%. Group Non-Single Premium also registered notable gains, though on a smaller base. The individual segment…

The global energy landscape continues to be defined by the economic fallout of the 2026 Iran war, as Shell becomes the latest major to report a significant jump in quarterly earnings. On Thursday, the London-listed firm announced first-quarter profits of $6.92bn (£5.1bn), comfortably exceeding analyst projections of $6.36bn. This performance marks a sharp increase from the $5.58bn recorded during the same period last year, a growth trajectory driven almost entirely by the geopolitical premium now baked into every barrel of crude. The ongoing maritime blockade of the Strait of Hormuz—a critical artery that historically facilitates 20% of the world’s oil…

Swiggy announced the Kolkata winners of the Swiggy Restaurant Awards 2026, marking its largest-ever nationwide edition with over 1.3 crore votes from 6.43 lakh users—a sharp 2.2X increase from last year. The awards spanned 160+ cities, 110 categories, and recognised over 15,000 brands, driven by strong engagement including 43.8 lakh shared voting links and participation from 25,000 new users. In Kolkata, a mix of legacy favourites and emerging brands dominated both delivery and dineout segments. Leading names in food delivery included Oudh 1590, Arsalan, WeFit – Protein Bowls, Salads & Sandwiches, Chowman and Mio Amore – The Cake Shop. In…

Indian professionals are becoming increasingly cautious about online job scams, with 82 per cent now pausing to assess whether a job opportunity is legitimate before applying, according to new research released by LinkedIn. The study, titled “Job Search Safety Pulse,” found that 53 per cent of Indian professionals are now more likely to question whether a job posting is fake compared to a year ago. However, the report highlighted that Gen Z job-seekers remain particularly vulnerable despite growing awareness. According to the findings, 54 per cent of Gen Z respondents admitted ignoring warning signs during high-pressure job searches when opportunities…

Allied Blenders and Distillers Limited (ABD) has secured the Best Factory/Management Award for its integrated manufacturing facility at Rangapur in Wanaparthy district, Telangana. The honour was conferred by the Labour, Employment, Training & Factories Department during International Labour Day celebrations on May 1, 2026, recognising excellence in manufacturing and management practices. The Rangapur unit is one of ABD’s key production hubs, comprising an Extra Neutral Alcohol (ENA) distillery, an IMFL bottling unit, and a PET bottle manufacturing plant commissioned in September 2025. The integrated setup allows tighter control over production cycles, costs, and supply chain logistics. The company is also…

Tata Motors has launched the all-new Ace Gold+ XL, marking 21 years of its iconic small commercial vehicle, the Tata Ace. The launch also coincides with the rollout of the nationwide ‘Ikkis Saal Bemisaal’ campaign, celebrating entrepreneurs who have built livelihoods around the ‘Chota Haathi’. Designed for higher payloads and longer applications, the Ace Gold+ XL features an 8-foot load body and 1-tonne payload capacity, aimed at boosting cargo volume and earnings. Powered by a 700cc turbocharged diesel engine delivering 22 PS power and 55 Nm torque, the vehicle uses Lean NOx Trap (LNT) technology, eliminating the need for Diesel…