CoreEL Technologies secured $30 million in a series B funding round

CoreEL Technologies raises $30 million

CoreEL Technologies India Private Limited, a Bengaluru-based leader in the field of advanced electronic systems and sub-system-level products, has officially declared the successful completion of the series B funding round, which has raised a total amount of $30 million. This large-scale capital inflow will be critical in the rapid expansion of the company over its ambitious growth strategies in the Aerospace and Defence industries, which are very specialized sectors. This funding is timely since the company is still trying to cement its status as a global powerhouse offering mission-critical solutions to the local and global markets. With this new capital in place, CoreEL is positioned well to continue its penetration of technology and improve its production capacity, such that it can continue to stay on top of this quickly changing defense electronics market.

Strategic deployment of the capital

The funding round Series B was also marked by the inflow being led by a majority of ValueQuest Scale Fund, and continued to be heavily supported by 360 ONE Asset. Of significant interest is the involvement of 360 ONE Asset since they were the initial institutional investors who led the company through the Series A round of financing. Through augmenting its ownership in this newest round, 360 ONE Asset has further emphasized its strong faith in the maturity of execution, scale of operations, as well as long-term growth outlook of CoreEL. This reinvestment on the part of an already established partner underscores the internal belief in the capability of CoreEL to fulfill the strict requirements of the strategic segments that it caters to.

The decision to introduce the ValueQuest Scale Fund as the first investor introduces an additional institutional confirmation to the business model of CoreEL, which is R&D-oriented. This milestone will be a big milestone for the company, as it shows it is on track thus far, and in its efforts to create some of the most innovative electronics products in India, it will not be far behind the expectations of leading growth investors. The partnership between these financial giants offers CoreEL the financial runway it needs in order to launch into its next stage of growth, which is to expand its operations to meet bigger and more complex program demands.

CoreEL Technologies has presented a detailed plan for the implementation of the newly raised $30 million, based on four core pillars of growth. A sizeable percentage of the proceeds will be used in expanding the manufacturing capacity of the company to accommodate high volume production of the complex electronic systems. The growth is essential because the company will be targeting large domestic and foreign aerospace and defense programs. Through the upgrading of its infrastructure, CoreEL will be assured that it is in a position to ensure that it is able to sustain high standards of precision and reliability expected in strategic applications, besides raising its total output.

Besides producing, the company is also committing itself more to research and development. This involves enhancing product engineering and intensifying the process of research and development in order to achieve sustainable long-term development by developing local intellectual property. The capital will also be used towards the development of engineering processes to enable CoreEL to find entry into more complex programs in the radar, electronic warfare, and avionics industries. This investment in innovation is aimed at making sure the company is competitive in a global market that requires continuous technological development and high-level equipment of electronic warfare equipment.

Financial performance and market presence

CoreEL Technologies is headquartered in Bengaluru, the technology hub in India, and has established a brand name for designing and producing advanced electronic systems in applications with critical strategic value. It is an expert in multiple critical areas, such as Radar, Electronic Warfare, Avionics, and Military Communications (MILCOM).

The company has an established history of producing and delivering premium electronic system-level products to a high-end clientele that comprises the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), different Defence Public Sector Undertakings (DPSUs), and the Ministry of Defence (MoD).

The products of the company are already in operation in parts of most modern next-generation systems in India, such as avionics systems, advanced radar arrays, Indian missile systems, and sonar systems. This extensive penetration into the national strategic plans indicates that CoreEL is significant to the defense infrastructure of the nation. The capacity to provide mission-critical solutions to the armed forces has made the firm a reliable partner to the defense agencies of the state, which is enhanced by the effort of coming up with technologies that promote national self-reliance programs in the aerospace and electronics segments.

The funding announcement is achieved after CoreEL has registered a series of imposing financial results and strategic growth. The company has claimed that it has experienced a drastic increase in its financial indicators, with the revenue of ₹334.9 crore in the financial year that ended in March 2025, as compared to the ₹255.3 crore in the prior year. More remarkable was the increase in net profit, which has gone up to ₹52.3 crore compared to ₹10.9 crore in the FY24. Such a rapid increase in bottom and top lines indicates that not only is CoreEL growing its market share, but it is also becoming efficient in its operations as it continues to expand its specialist engineering services and product sales.

To supplement this organic growth was the recent acquisition of the Aerospace and Defence Systems division of Lekha Wireless. This tactical acquisition has greatly diversified the communication systems offerings of CoreEL with proven wireless technology and specialized engineering resources.

The purchase in particular has enhanced the company’s capability in the MILCOM field, secure data connections, and SATCOM-enabled systems. The incorporation of this indigenous intellectual property into its current system has helped to enhance its capability to provide end-to-end vertically integrated solutions to its customers, which have made it a force to be reckoned with in the international military communications market.

Conclusion

The successful completion of the Series B funding of $30 million is a groundbreaking achievement for CoreEL Technologies. The company has developed the capacity to expand its manufacturing and research and development operations by acquiring the support of ValueQuest Scale Fund and 360 ONE asset, which has provided it with the needed financial base to take its manufacturing and research and development capabilities to unprecedented heights. This investment not only justifies the previous successes of this company, but also gives a clear mandate for future expansion both in the domestic and international markets.

With CoreEL keeping up with the innovation in the field of radar, avionics, and military communications, its dedication towards the development of indigenous communities will be crucial to enhancing the technological independence of the aerospace and defense industry. A sound financial base, a well-conceived growth plan, and an established management team have enabled CoreEL Technologies to become the next generation of strategic innovation in electronics.

At three significant Indian airports, EaseMyTrip offers free  airport meals to passengers

EaseMyTrip free airport meals

One of India’s top online travel services, EaseMyTrip, has announced the introduction of a  free airport food service for passengers leaving from the nation’s three main airports: New  Delhi, Hyderabad, and Goa. The program was launched with the goal of improving passenger  comfort and the overall airport experience by tackling one of the most prevalent issues that  travelers encounter: lengthy wait times in airport food courts. 

The service has been launched in partnership with Hoi, a digital platform that specializes in  airport experience management, according to an official press release. Through this  collaboration, EaseMyTrip hopes to assist travelers in saving time at crowded airports,  particularly during rush hour when lines at food stations frequently last more than thirty  minutes. 

A smooth and efficient journey 

Travelers who purchase their airline tickets through the EaseMyTrip website now have the  opportunity to pre-order a free lunch. After completing the airline reservation, travelers are  sent to the Hoi platform, where they may choose the cuisine and restaurant of their choice. In  order to guarantee that the food is ready and cooked when they arrive, travelers can also  select a convenient time frame for meal collection. 

The airport food outlet and the traveler may easily coordinate thanks to the system’s  integration of flight and passenger data. This makes it possible for travelers to manage their  airport time more effectively and have a more comfortable pre-flight experience by removing  the need to stand in lengthy lines or hurry through meals before departure. 

Strategic cooperation with Hoi 

This service is made possible in large part by the collaboration with Hoi. Hoi’s proficiency in  overseeing airport-based services guarantees smooth customer service and operational  effectiveness. The partnership creates a value-added service that meets the changing demands 

of contemporary travelers by fusing EaseMyTrip’s wide internet reach with Hoi’s on-ground  airport expertise. 

Leadership viewpoint 

EaseMyTrip CEO and co-founder Rikant Pittie commented on the project, emphasizing the  company’s emphasis on streamlining travel-related choices. He pointed out that spending  time at airports frequently requires making a number of minor but stressful decisions, and this  free food service attempts to lessen one such source of contention. He claims that the project  embodies EaseMyTrip’s overarching goal of building a cohesive travel ecosystem in which  different businesses collaborate to make travel more seamless, effective, and customer focused. 

Using technology to improve passenger comfort 

As part of its continuous attempts to use technology for useful travel solutions, EaseMyTrip  has introduced pre-ordered airport meals. The startup aims to provide travelers—especially  regular flyers—with a more pleasant and hassle-free experience by eliminating the annoyance  of standing in line at airport kiosks. 

This project also demonstrates how ordinary travel touchpoints may be improved via the  efficient application of digital innovation. EaseMyTrip continues to solidify its position as a  travel platform dedicated to enhancing Indian travelers’ whole journey by emphasizing ease,  time efficiency, and customer satisfaction. 

All things considered, the free airport food service is a deliberate move toward reinventing  airport experiences, enabling travelers to start their travels with more comfort and tranquility.

Goldman Sachs projects that India would expand by 6.7% in  2026 and 6.8% in 2027, above consensus growth predictions

Goldman Sachs India growth forecast

According to Goldman Sachs‘ Global Economics Analyst Report – Macro Outlook 2026,  India is predicted to maintain its robust economic pace over the next two years, surpassing  both global and consensus projections. Even if the world economy is still stable but cautious,  the research shows that India’s economy is among the fastest-growing major economies. 

In 2026, it is anticipated that global economic growth will continue to be robust due to the  reduction of inflationary pressures and the improvement of monetary circumstances in  several areas. In contrast to the average projection of 2.5%, Goldman Sachs predicts global  GDP growth of 2.8% in 2026. It is anticipated that better financial circumstances, fewer  trade-related obstacles, and increased domestic demand in some economies would propel this  stability. 

According to the research, the United States is expected to do better than anticipated, with  growth predicted at 2.6% as opposed to the consensus forecast of 2.0%. This improved  performance is anticipated to be influenced by elements including less tariff-related effect,  support for tax policy, and more favorable financial circumstances. 

India’s economic prospects are still promising

Emerging markets are predicted to fare better than developed economies in this larger global  environment, with India emerging as a major development engine. India’s real GDP growth is  predicted by Goldman Sachs to be around 6.7% in 2026 and 6.8% in 2027, which is much  higher than the mainstream predictions and solidifies its place among the fastest-growing big  economies in the world. 

Strong domestic consumption, ongoing public infrastructure investment, and comparatively  less reliance on international commerce than export-driven countries are all factors  contributing to India’s steady economic trajectory. India is more resilient in an unpredictable  global environment because to this protection from interruptions in foreign commerce.

By contrast, China’s development is expected to be moderate, with GDP increase predicted to  be 4.8% in 2026 and 4.7% in 2027. India’s quicker pace increases its relative relevance in  IMF-weighted global growth calculations, even though China still contributes significantly to  global growth. 

Global growth is driven by emerging markets

The research emphasizes that developing economies will continue to play a crucial role in the  evolution of the world economy, even while developed economies like the US and the EU are  predicted to see modest growth. Because of their size and rate of expansion, nations like  China and India are given more weight when calculating global production, which increases  their total influence on the global economy. 

In terms of inflation, Goldman Sachs predicts that by the end of 2026, pricing pressures will  be lessened in the majority of economies. Softer commodity prices, increased productivity,  and the progressive resolution of supply-side limitations are anticipated to promote this trend.  These circumstances could make it possible for central banks to continue or implement  accommodating monetary policies, which would further boost economic prospects, especially  in emerging nations. 

Global growth is driven by emerging markets

While major economies like the US and the EU are expected to have moderate growth, the  research highlights that developing economies will continue to play an important role in the  evolution of the global economy. Countries like China and India are given greater weight  when calculating global output due to their size and rate of expansion, which boosts their  overall effect on the global economy.  

In terms of inflation, Goldman Sachs projects that most economies will see a reduction in  price pressures by the end of 2026. This trend is expected to be supported by softer  commodity prices, higher productivity, and the gradual elimination of supply-side  constraints. Softer commodity prices, increased productivity, and the progressive resolution  of supply-side limitations are anticipated to promote this trend. These circumstances could  make it possible for central banks to continue or implement accommodating monetary  policies, which would further boost economic prospects, especially in emerging nations.

Kuku FM recorded a revenue growth of ₹240 crore in FY25 and spent ₹285 crore on marketing

Kuku FM revenue growth FY25

The radio audio industry in India has undergone a major change with Kuku FM, which is a major platform in the industry, still experiencing rapid growth. The financial statements of Kuku FM at the end of the fiscal year, which ended in March 2025, the firm has made a remarkable growth in the size of its operations, almost tripling the revenue in comparison with the previous year. This is after the company achieved a high performance in the FY24, with the firm recording more than 100% revenue growth therein. The sharper 175% scale growth in FY25 has cost the company dearly, with the platform incurring high advertising and marketing expenses in order to gain a higher market share of the paying subscriber base.

Revenue growth in FY25

The operating revenue of Kuku FM rose to ₹242 crore in FY25, which was a huge increase considering that the same was ₹88 crore in FY24. This trend shows the rising demand of Indian consumers for a variety of audio content in different genres like personal finance, business, self-help, history, religion, entertainment, and fitness.

The platform continues to rely on its pay-walled subscriptions as the only source of revenue, which demonstrates that the model that the company adopts of making people pay in order to listen to premium audio stories is picking up considerable steam. Besides the main business, the company realized ₹16 crore due to other revenue sources, like the interest on deposits and investments, which brought its total income of the fiscal year to ₹258 crore.

The shift between ₹88 crore to ₹242 crore can be seen as one of the most aggressive scaling campaigns in the domestic media and entertainment startup ecosystem. With 100% concentration on a subscription model, Kuku FM is trying to generate a stable and predictable flow of revenue as opposed to platforms that largely depend on the changing ad revenues. This emphasis on high-quality, gated content enables the company to filter a more active user base, but the issue of acquiring such subscribers is thus far the main problem with the business on the verge of its possible public market launch.

Expenditure analysis and prioritizing marketing scale

Although the revenue growth was impressive, it came with a high increase in the total expenditure. The total expenses that the company incurred exceeded expectations in the previous fiscal year, to ₹411 crore in FY25 compared to ₹200 crore in the previous year. Advertising and marketing expenses were the largest contributor to this growth, with almost 70% of the total expenditure.

Kuku FM has been able to sustain its growth rate by 2.8x its marketing expenditures, increasing to ₹285 crore in FY25, as compared to ₹102 crore in FY24. This massive expenditure highlights the fact that digital content acquisition is extremely expensive, as platforms have to engage in a constant battle to get attention from users using various languages and in a variety of formats.

There were also increases in other operational costs, but at a slower rate than in marketing. The expenditure on employee benefits that include salaries and incentives of the company workforce went up by 28% to ₹60 crore. Information technology costs also followed the same trend, with expenses increasing by 28% to ₹27 crore as the platform expanded its infrastructure to allow millions of listeners.

The cost of depreciation had increased to ₹9 crore in the process. These numbers indicate how Kuku FM is investing in human capital and technological infrastructure so that the platform will be sustainable as the number of users increases and the amount of content grows.

The move to focus on scale by spending heavily on advertising has inevitably affected the profitability of the company. According to Kuku FM, the net loss will reach ₹153 crore in FY25, which is 59% higher than the loss of ₹96 crore in FY24. The EBITDA margin of the firm was equal to -65.29%, and Return on Capital Employed (ROCE) was equal to -163.73%.

Although these numbers may indicate the escalation of financial tension, a more thorough analysis of the unit-level results can prove the existence of a silver lining. Kuku FM spent ₹1.70 per rupee to earn every rupee of operating revenue in FY25; a major difference compared with the ₹2.27 spent to earn a rupee of operating revenue in the last fiscal year.

This is an efficiency increase that implies that the brand is starting to gain better conversion rates or increased lifetime value of its current subscribers. The decline in the cost-to-revenue ratio shows that the company is successfully streamlining its marketing funnel.

Although its absolute losses are increasing, the platform’s capacity to earn more revenue per unit of spend is a vital performance indicator among investors. The company has a strong liquidity position with the current assets being ₹268 crore and cash and bank balances being ₹117 crore. This gives the company a wide runway to keep its operations going as it proceeds on its way to a possible IPO.

Conclusion

The performance of Kuku FM in FY25 is typical of a high-growth startup, where the market share is gained by the aggressive utilization of the capital. It has tripled its revenue and drastically enhanced its unit economics, proving that its business model of subscription is scalable in the Indian market. The huge ₹285 crore on marketing points to the legacy issue of expensive acquisitions in the audio streaming world. The main aim of the company as it faces the future is to maintain this trend of revenue growth, but slowly reduce marketing costs in order to stabilize the bottom line.

The Modi government intends to spend Rs 1.3 trillion on train  safety, the highest amount ever

Modi government announces Rs 1.3 trillion investment for railway and train safety in India

With the Center planning a record safety expenditure of around ₹1.3 lakh crore for the fiscal  year 2026–2027 (FY27), Indian Railways is well-positioned to further improve its safety  framework. This projected investment is the biggest budgeted expenditure on rail safety in  the nation, up around 12% from the safety budget for the current year. 

Following a catastrophic train incident near Bilaspur earlier this year that resulted in 11  fatalities and several injuries, the action is under increased scrutiny. The government has  reevaluated its capital investment objectives for the industry as a result of the tragedy, which  has once again brought rail safety to the center of public and political conversation. 

A renewed emphasis on capital expenditures driven by safety 

The extra funding is anticipated to go toward vital safety-related projects like track renewals,  upgraded signalling, rolling stock maintenance, and quicker implementation of the Kavach  automatic train protection system throughout a greater area of the rail network, according to  officials familiar with the development. At ₹1.16 trillion, the safety budget for FY26 is only a  little increase above ₹1.14 trillion for FY25. By contrast, safety spending increased from  ₹87,327 crore in FY23 to ₹1.01 trillion in FY24. 

Safety-related projects would probably make up about half of Indian Railways’ total capital  expenditures in FY27 as a result of the projected increase. Overall railway capital  expenditures are expected to increase from ₹2.52 trillion in the current fiscal year to over  ₹2.76 trillion. The government’s intention to prioritize safety in any future railway  expenditures is demonstrated by this recalibration. 

Safety indications are becoming better, however there are still issues 

Indian Railways has seen significant gains in important safety measures over the last ten  years, notwithstanding recent mishaps. The number of accidents per million train kilometers 

significantly decreased from 0.11 in FY15 to 0.03 in FY24, a 73% reduction. However, 678  significant incidents led to 748 fatalities between FY15 and FY24, underscoring the ongoing  necessity of systemic monitoring. 

The Rashtriya Rail Sanraksha Kosh (RRSK), which has already spent over ₹1.08 trillion on  renovating vital railway assets, was extended by the government to maintain safety  improvements. Up to November, railways recorded 10 important incidents in the current  fiscal year, including collisions, derailments, and fires that resulted in property damage or  fatalities, and 31 accidents in FY25. 

Technology-driven therapies and Kavach 

Kavach, India’s native automated train protection system, is a crucial part of the safety  campaign. It is made to automatically apply brakes in the event that a loco pilot does not  react, even in low visibility. Kavach has been used on 121 locomotives and 1,465 route  kilometers thus far. Even though Kavach 4.0 will be implemented over 15,512 route  kilometers, its operational coverage still only makes up little more than 2% of the nation’s  roughly 67,000-kilometer rail network. 

Indian Railways has set aside ₹22,800 crore for track repairs, ₹58,895 crore for train stock  and maintenance, ₹8,601 crore for traffic facilities, and ₹6,150 crore for electrification for  FY26. Electronic interlocking, full track circuiting, GPS-based fog safety devices, high strength rails, and quicker signal modernization will all be supported by the projected  increase in safety investment. 

Expert opinions on safety changes 

Although the rise in financing has been praised, other experts warn that safer operations  might not be ensured by financial investment alone. Industry experts note that accountability,  training, maintenance procedures, and organizational discipline all play equally important  roles in preventing accidents. 

Others point out that long-term efforts have already helped to sustainably reduce accidents,  such as the removal of unmanned level crossings, better track condition, LHB coaches, and  electronic signaling. Global mobility and signaling companies like Siemens and Alstom now  have more potential thanks to the increased focus on technology-led solutions.

IIT Mandi Invites Applications for MBA in Data Science and Artificial Intelligence for the 2026–28 Batch

IIT Mandi MBA Data Science

December 24th, 2025 | Mandi: The Indian Institute of Technology Mandi (IIT Mandi), one of India’s leading IITs, through its School of Management (SOM), invites applications for the 2026–28 batch of its MBA in Data Science and Artificial Intelligence (DS&AI) program. Now welcoming its fifth batch, the program has rapidly emerged as one of the country’s leading management offerings, producing graduates equipped to lead in an AI-powered business landscape. 

Key Highlights of MBA in DS&AI Program:

  • AI-Powered Business Transformation: A curriculum integrating business fundamentals with AI, machine learning, data science, and digital strategy.
  • Industry-Aligned Learning: Regular curriculum updates co-developed with industry to match evolving market needs.
  • Cutting-edge Technical Ecosystem: Access to state-of-the-art analytics laboratories, computing facilities, and IIT Mandi’s technology incubator—Catalyst.
  • Experiential Learning: Live projects, AI-driven business case challenges, internships, hackathons, and industry immersion.
  • Global Orientation: International collaborations, visiting faculty, and global exposure programs.

.Prof. Laxmidhar Behera, Director, IIT Mandi, extended a heartfelt welcome and said,
“The MBA in Data Science and Artificial Intelligence embodies our vision of shaping future business leaders who can harness the power of data and AI responsibly and innovatively. IIT Mandi remains committed to excellence in technology-driven management education.”

Prof. Anjan Kumar Swain, Chairperson, School of Management, IIT Mandi, stated,
“Our program seamlessly fuses management, analytics, and technology to create leaders who can thrive in today’s fast-evolving digital economy. We aim to deliver a transformative learning experience that sharpens critical thinking, fosters innovation, and strengthens leadership capabilities.”

The School of Management has recently expanded its academic offerings by introducing new elective clusters like Generative AI for Managers, AI-driven Financial Decision Making, and AI for Marketing. These additions are supported by enhanced practicum components that enable students to work closely with industry mentors on live industry projects and strategic assignments ensuring strong practical exposure alongside classroom learning. Collectively, these initiatives reflect IIT Mandi’s commitment to the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, with a focus on multidisciplinary learning, experiential pedagogy, and inclusive education.

Strong placement outcomes reinforce the program’s value, with the previous batch achieving an average CTC of ₹18 LPA and a highest CTC of ₹49 LPA with recruiters from analytics, consulting, BFSI, technology services, and AI-driven business domains.

Eligibility and Admission ProcessApplicants may apply under either of the following categories:
Applicant Category 1 (CAT-based)Candidates who have appeared for CAT 2025 may apply using their CAT 2025 scores.
Applicant Category 2 (CAT-exempted)Candidates holding a Bachelor’s or Master’s degree from Centrally Funded Technical Institutions (CFTIs) or from institutions ranked within the Top 100 of NIRF 2025 (Overall or Engineering), subject to the minimum required CGPA.
Detailed Eligibility CriteriaAvailable at: https://som.iitmandi.ac.in/ 
Application SubmissionCandidates are required to submit their applications through the online application form available on the SOM website.
Personal InterviewShortlisted candidates will be invited for a Personal Interview following initial screening.
Application OpensDecember 24, 2025

Application Closes		January 27, 2026 

About IIT Mandi:

IIT Mandi is one of the top second-generation IITs located in Kamand Valley, Mandi district of Himachal Pradesh, India. It is one of eight new Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs) established by the Ministry of Human Resource Development, Government of India, and recognized as one of Institutes of National Importance. IIT Mandi’s permanent campus about 14 km (8.7 mi) from Mandi consists of the South and North campuses connected by a narrow neck. The South campus is on the left bank of the Uhl River below Kamand village. The North campus is along the Kataula Khad opposite Salgi village.

A transit campus at Government Post graduate College, Mandi was handed over by the Himachal Pradesh Government on 16 November 2009. The Kamand campus ground-breaking ceremony, to mark the start of construction, was held on 13 April 2012. On 25 April 2015, IIT Mandi became the first of all the new IITs to completely shift B. Tech students to its permanent campus in Kamand. Since its inception the institute has been involved with more than 275 Research and Development (R&D) projects worth more than ₹120 crore. In the past 10 years, the institute has signed Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with as many as 11 international and 12 national universities.

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Brookfield India REIT secured ₹2,000 crore through its issuance of sustainability-linked bonds

Brookfield India REIT ₹2000 crore bonds

The success of Brookfield India Real Estate Investment Trust in raising ₹2,000 crore through its first issuance of sustainability-linked bonds is a milestone in the achievement of a financial objective. This is a strategic step that is critical to the trust since, as it grows its presence in the Indian commercial real estate market, it is harmonising its financial policies with the international environment and social governance requirements. The issuance, which was executed through a private placement of non-convertible debentures, highlights the maturing nature of the Indian REIT market and the growing demand among institutional investors for high-quality, ESG-compliant debt.

Successful fundraising and anchor investment

One of the key aspects of this effective fundraising campaign was the involvement of the International Finance Corporation, a constituent of the World Bank Group, which became the anchor investor for the bond offering. The presence of such an international development institution is a powerful source of confirmation of the working model and ability of Brookfield India REIT to be sustainable in its operation.

The bond issuance, in association with the International Finance Corporation, was associated with a stable involvement of a wide range of local and foreign institutional investors. This broad following shows the confidence of the market in the capacity of the REIT to handle big commercial properties and be able to keep a tight financial framework.

The particular conditions of the issue are a highly competitive quarterly dividend rate of 7.06% per annum. The bonds will be designed as five-year tenure bonds, which will provide the REIT with long-term and stable capital to fund its current initiatives. According to the official allotment details, the trust has issued 2,00,000,000 sustainability-linked, listed, rated, secured, and redeemable, non-convertible, and non-tradable, with and face value of ₹1,000 000, as per the details provided in the allotment.

Although the initial size of the problem was ₹2,000 crore, the amount actually considered was about ₹1,996.92 crore with a common discount. It is proposed that these debentures will be listed in the wholesale debt market segment of the BSE, and the participating investors will enjoy transparency and liquidity.

Commitment and portfolio expansion

The funds of this ₹2,000 crore issue of bonds will be utilised in diverse corporate strategic needs. Regulatory filings indicate that the primary use of the capital will be to offer shareholder loans to certain select REIT assets of the Brookfield portfolio and for the general corporate needs.

This infusion of cash is especially opportune considering that it has come after a recent equity raise of ₹3,500 crore in the form of a Qualified Institutional Placement that happened earlier this month. The above fundraising efforts show that Brookfield India REIT is a highly advanced capital manager that adopts a moderate combination of debt and equity to drive its aggressive growth model.

One of the factors that has contributed to this increased capital raising is the aggressive growth program of the trust, which was symbolised by the historic acquisition of Ecoworld in Bengaluru. In this case, a staggering ₹13,125 crore is being spent to acquire this office campus that is spread over 48 acres covering an area of 7.7 million square feet. This is the biggest deal that has been announced to have been purchased by any REIT in India.

With such a huge capital base, which is approximately ₹10,000 crore in the last twelve months, Brookfield India REIT is in a position to effectively add these high-value assets to its current portfolio. This has led to a high growth rate that has seen the holdings of the REIT grow to 11 properties within a very short time since the first listing of the company, as the holding had only four assets would have taken years to reach the current position.

The difference with this particular issuance of bonds is that it is a so-called sustainability-linked issue: its financial conditions are targeted on the fulfilment of certain environmental and social performance metrics. The issuance was made in accordance with Brookfield India REIT Sustainability-Linked Finance Framework, which is aimed to correlate with the Sustainability-Linked Bond Principles defined by the International Capital Market Association.

The framework complies with the ESG debt framework as required by the Securities and Exchange Board of India. In order to provide credibility and materiality of the performance targets, Bureau Veritas gave an independent Second Party Opinion, which confirmed that the sustainability targets of the REIT are material and meaningful.

This responsibility towards ESG is not just a financial strategy, but it is the basis of its long-term value creation by the REIT. The presently existing 100% institutional administration office REIT in India, Brookfield India REIT, manages a portfolio of 10 Grade A properties in major metropolitan markets such as Mumbai, Delhi, Gurugram, Noida and Kolkata.

The entire portfolio has 29.1 million square feet of leasable area, of which 24.6 million square feet is operational space, 0.6 million square feet of which is under construction and about 4 million square feet of which is potential development. With the introduction of renewable energy, circular economy and low-carbon designs into these mega office parks, the trust expects to minimise its overall environmental performance and provide its multinational tenants with high-quality, energy-saving spaces.

Conclusion

The achievement of ₹2,000 crore of sustainability-linked bonds is a major win for Brookfield India REIT and the Indian real estate investment environment as a whole. The trust has maximised its borrowing costs by diversifying the capital structure and using the bond market due to its competitive 7.06% coupon.

The move is backed by the anchor investment of the International Finance Corporation, which gives it the ammunition it needs to make huge acquisitions such as the Ecoworld campus without compromising its commitment towards sustainable growth. With office leasing business still strong in each of the major cities in India, and with Brookfield taking the lead in capital raise and integration of ESG, the company is well-positioned to lead the institutional real estate market in providing long-term value to its investors by offering a quality, sustainable, and environmentally responsible portfolio of assets.

ISRO uses LVM3 to launch the heaviest foreign satellite from  Indian territory

ISRO LVM3 foreign satellite launch

Using its heaviest launch vehicle, the LVM3-M6, the Indian Space Research Organization  (ISRO) successfully completed a significant commercial space mission by launching  BlueBird Block-2, a next-generation US communication satellite. The launch, which took  place on Wednesday from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre (SDSC), Sriharikota, is yet  another important turning point in India’s expanding involvement in the international  commercial space economy. 

Powered by two enormous S200 solid strap-on boosters, the 43.5-meter-tall LVM3 rocket  took off from the second launch pad at Sriharikota, which is about 135 kilometers east of  Chennai, at precisely 8.55 am. The mission demonstrated ISRO’s operational accuracy and  technological dependability after a 24-hour countdown was successfully completed. 

The BlueBird Block-2 satellite was detached from the launch vehicle and sent into its  targeted Low Earth Orbit (LEO) at an altitude of around 520 kilometers, according to ISRO,  following a mission that lasted about 15 minutes. The deployment satisfied all performance  criteria and mission goals with great precision. 

Commercial mission under the NSIL contract 

The launch was carried out in accordance with a specific commercial contract between US based AST SpaceMobile (AST & Science, LLC) and NewSpace India Limited (NSIL).  India’s position in the global launch services market is strengthened by NSIL, the commercial  arm of ISRO, which is in charge of arranging and carrying out commercial satellite launch  services for foreign clients.

This mission demonstrates ISRO’s increasing capacity to facilitate large-scale international  commercial launches, particularly for next-generation satellites that need for heavy-lift  vehicles like the LVM3. It also illustrates the growing trust that international private  companies have in India’s technical know-how and space launch infrastructure. 

Block-2 of BlueBird and worldwide connectivity 

A vital component of AST SpaceMobile’s worldwide LEO constellation, which aims to  enable direct-to-mobile satellite connection, is the BlueBird Block-2 satellite. Even in rural  and underdeveloped areas of the world, the constellation is built to deliver seamless 4G and  5G services, including voice calls, video calls, messaging, data, and streaming. 

BlueBird Block-2 is the biggest commercial communications satellite ever launched into Low  Earth Orbit thanks to its enormous 223 square meter phased-array antenna, which is one of its  most striking characteristics. Because of its sophisticated architecture, the satellite can  communicate directly with common mobile devices without the need for specialized ground  infrastructure. 

According to ISRO authorities, the satellite was launched at a height of around 600  kilometers, guaranteeing the best coverage and operational effectiveness for the purpose for  which it was designed. 

A little change to the launch time 

On the day of the launch, the original lift-off time of 8.54 am was changed to 8.55 am.  According to ISRO officials, the alteration was made to guarantee accurate orbital insertion  in response to modifications in mission time specifications. 

According to an ISRO official, “the lift-off was originally scheduled for 11.30 am, but it was  gradually revised and finally fixed at 8.55 am to meet the desired orbital conditions.” 

Bolstering the commercial space credentials of India 

ISRO’s reputation as a dependable and affordable launch service provider is strengthened by  the successful launch of the heaviest foreign satellite from Indian territory. It also  demonstrates how India might use its own launch vehicles to support cutting-edge  commercial missions. 

ISRO continues to play a crucial role in facilitating global connectivity solutions and  advancing India’s economic and strategic interests in the quickly developing space economy  with projects like BlueBird Block-2.

Bank of India secured ₹10,000 crore through long-term infrastructure bonds

Bank of India ₹10000 crore infrastructure bonds

State-owned Bank of India (BoI) has raised ₹10,000 crore successfully in a major financial transaction, indicating the high demand for long-term debt instruments in the Indian market. This huge increase in capital was accomplished by issuing long-term infrastructure bonds, which are strategic financial instruments aimed at strengthening the bank to lend out to priority sectors. It was issued through the NSE Electronic Bidding Provider (EBP) Platform, where a transparent and competitive bidding process was witnessed, and a large number of institutional interests were drawn.

Bond issuance structure and price details

The bond issue was carefully designed to measure and hence take as much interest in the market as possible. It was initially with a base issue size of ₹5,000 crore. An additional ₹5,000 crore. One such financial facility is a green shoe facility, whereby an issuer has a given limit of retaining over-subscriptions. With this full exercise, the Bank of India has been in a position to increase its initial target two-fold, and this has increased the amount mopped up to the completed ₹10,000 crore mark.

The cost of capital is one of the most important measures of any debt issuance, and Bank of India raised funds at a very competitive coupon rate of 7.23% per annum. This is the yearly interest rate that the bank would pay to the bondholders. The bond market has rated the bonds at 7.23%, which indicates that the market believes in the creditworthiness of the lender and the stability of the state-owned institution as a whole. Such a rate in a modern economic environment is regarded as a strong indicator of the capacity of the bank to achieve long-term institutional investment at sustainable rates.

Infrastructure bonds of the Bank of India were also in high demand by investors, that could be seen by the large number of bids that were received during the auction process. As per the official statement issued by the bank, 83 bids were received on the issuance by the different market participants. All these bids were in the value of ₹15,305 crore, which is quite high as compared to the total value the bank wanted to raise. Such an over-subscription puts into perspective the high liquidity that exists in the domestic debt market of high-quality, long papers at the moment.

Out of this number of 83 rival bids, the bank engaged in a process of selectivity in coming up with its capital raise. It ultimately gave 37 bids, which summed up to the ₹10,000 crore target. This selective acceptance enables the bank to maximize the profile of the bondholders and guarantee a way of allocating the debt that is in line with its long-term financial strategy. The effectiveness of bidding on the NSE platform further demonstrates the effectiveness of electronic bidding in raising funds in large institutions in India.

Funds utilization and strategic advancement

The main aspect of this issuance is the purpose of raising capital. Bank of India has made it clear that the ₹10,000 crore will be deployed to finance the long-term projects, both in the sub-sectors of infrastructure and affordable housing. These two are the pillar areas of the national economy and must consume huge capital in the form of long-term capital. With such funds raised specifically in infrastructure bonds, the bank will have a solid source of funds to finance mega undertakings like roads, bridges, and power plants, and the more important social objective of increasing affordable housing.

The bank has been keen to state that the utilization of these funds would be highly guided by the directives of the Reserve Bank of India (RBI). It did make it clear that the cash collected is not allocated to a specific project. It will be included in the larger pool of resources the bank has invested in the infrastructure and housing lending. This generalized strategy will give the bank the flexibility required to allocate the capital to different projects that are eligible as they occur and still follow the regulatory requirement that restricts the usage of these specific bond proceeds to the specified sectors.

There are a number of strategic benefits associated with the issuance of these bonds to the Bank of India. Long-term infrastructure bond raises are popular in the Indian banking system since they are typically not subject to regulations, including the Statutory Liquidity Ratio (SLR) and Cash Reserve Ratio (CRR). Such exemptions enable the bank to invest all this ₹10,000 crore in its lending activities, without the need to keep a part of the capital in its government securities or cash reserves. This renders the infra bonds a very effective means by which banks in the country can manage their balance sheets and, at the same time, maintain the long-term credit requirements of the country.

Conclusion

The accomplishment of the ₹10,000 crore issue of bonds is a significant achievement of the Bank of India. The bank has been able to show its financial strength and interest in institutional investors by raising such a large amount of capital at competitive rates of 7.23%. The bids of over ₹15,300 crore suggest that there is a strong belief in the growth potential of the lender. These funds, when invested in the infrastructure and affordable housing business, will be critical in driving the industrial and urban growth in the country. The organization of the green shoe option and compliance with transparent bidding through the NSE platform also strengthen the image of the bank as a disciplined and efficient capital manager.

CARE Ratings affirms credit ratings for Adani Enterprises Ltd

Adani Enterprises credit rating

The flagship company of the Adani Group, Adani Enterprises Limited, which is also the main incubator of the group, has recently witnessed a major affirmation of its creditworthiness by the leading credit rating agency, CARE Ratings. In an announcement that the rating agency had made to the exchanges and as indicated in capital market reports, it was disclosed that the rating agency has upheld its current ratings on some of the most important of the companies’ financial and bank facilities. This confirmation is an essential signal to investors and market participants on the inner strength and strategic orientation of the various business interests of the company. The reaffirmation process is a thorough review of the performance of the company in terms of its operations, debts, and its capacity to deal with diversified sections of the business that are covered by its huge corporate umbrella.

Affirmation from the CARE Ratings

As per the official announcement on the rating action, CARE Ratings has reaffirmed the rating of the long-term bank facilities of Adani Enterprises Limited at CARE A+ with a Stable outlook. This particular rating implies that the long-term debt instruments and facilities have a sufficient level of security concerning the fulfillment of the financial obligations in a timely manner and have low credit risk.

The Stable perspective also shows that the agency believes that the financial profile of the company will not change significantly in the medium term. The company’s convertible debenture rating has also been confirmed to be of CARE A+ and with a stable outlook, which has strengthened the confidence of the market about the long-term borrowing capacity of the company.

Besides the long-term evaluations, the agency was concerned with the short-term financial performance of the organization. The reaffirmation of the CARE A1+ rating of the short-term bank facilities and the commercial paper issued by Adani Enterprises has been done.

This is the best rating in the short-term group, where the instruments are believed to be on a high level of safety with respect to the timely disbursement of financial commitments. This rating tends to ease entry to the short-term funding markets and a good liquidity standing, which is vital to a firm dealing in capital-intensive infrastructure and incubation projects.

Business model and management strategy

The main motivation for the recognition of these ratings is the special and established role played by Adani Enterprises as the incubator of a plethora of emergent businesses in the group. This incubator model is particularly successful and was pointed out by the rating agency in this way to enable the company to develop new ventures in high-growth areas, and then they may be spun off as independent organizations.

This structure gives the company an exclusive structural benefit to enjoy diversified sources of revenues, as well as the capability to capitalize on the overall experience of the group in the execution of the projects. This ensures that new businesses are provided with the required financial and strategic support in their early development stages since the company acts as a central point of all new project development.

The confirmation of CARE Ratings also considers the diversified activities that Adani Enterprises is already handling at the moment. These operations cut across multiple key infrastructure and industrial sectors, such as the management of airports, solar manufacturing, and the development of road assets.

The agency is well aware that this diversification will assist in reducing risks in any given sector, hence offering a more stable financial foundation. This is demonstrated by the wide range of projects, including energy-related manufacturing, logistics, and transport, indicating the strategic significance of the company in the larger picture of the national infrastructure industry and its capability to manage large and complex works.

The other important aspect raised in the evaluation is the enhancement of the financial risk profile of Adani Enterprises. The rating agency observed that the firm has been taking steps to improve its financial measurements, which entail improved management of its debt ratios in relation to its operating cash flows.

One of the essential elements of this enhanced profile is the fact that the management is expressly committed to ensuring a healthy liquidity position. The company has been able to sustain a stable credit perspective despite the volatility in the infrastructure sector as a result of having a sufficient amount of cash and other liquid assets to cover the operational needs and other eventualities that may arise.

The ratings consider the current attention of the management on decreasing leverage. Credit analysts perceive in a positive manner that the strategic intent to deleverage the balance sheet is what will make the company less financially burdened and will give it greater headroom to undertake future growth initiatives. 

This discipline in finances, combined with a high performance rate in delivering huge projects within the required deadlines, gives the rating agency some degree of assurance. The quality of carrying out complex projects is also a distinguishing feature of the operational strategy of the company, and this aspect also serves as a pillar of its credit profile.

Conclusion

The credit rating affirmation by the CARE Ratings is an indicator of the sound business model and financial management of Adani Enterprises Limited. The stability of the company and its strategic value as an incubator of diversified businesses can be proved by the fact that the company has a long-term instruments rating of CARE A+ Stable and a short-term facility rating of CARE A1+ Stable. The strengths of the diversification of the portfolio of companies, which consist of airports, solar energy, and roads, and the fact that the company is gaining financial health due to the tight control of deleverage and liquidity management, are clearly brought to light by the agency.

Improving Earnings and Attractive Valuations  Strengthen the Case for Indian Equities 

Indian equities outlook

Earnings Recovery and Attractive Valuations Boost India’s Equity Outlook Amid FII  Caution: Siddharth Vora 

The Indian equity markets are gradually transitioning into a more promising phase after  several months of limited movement. This shift is backed by improving  earnings visibility, stable macroeconomic conditions, and relatively appealing  valuations. Siddharth Vora, Executive Director at PL Asset Management, asserts that  these elements collectively position India as a robust investment destination, even in  light of the current cautious approach from foreign investors. 

In an interview with ET Now, Vora emphasized that the recent market uptrend should  not be dismissed as mere year-end enthusiasm. Instead, it signifies a broader  alignment of positive economic and market indicators. “India is well-positioned for a  constructive growth cycle. Economic growth remains strong in a low inflation environment, and both monetary and fiscal policies are supportive. From a  data perspective, risk appetite hit its lowest point around February and has  been steadily improving since then,” he remarked. 

Earnings Upgrade Cycle Gaining Traction 

Vora noted that market volatility is currently low and investor anxiety has subsided,  indicating healthier market conditions. He observed that the period of  earnings downgrades seems to be largely behind us, with Indian corporates now  entering a phase of earnings upgrades. “Crude oil dynamics are favourable, and 

India’s valuation compared to other emerging markets, developed markets, and even  alternative assets like gold and silver is nearing cyclical lows,” he added. 

India Shines as Global AI and Crypto Trades Cool Off 

Discussing India’s position in the global investment landscape, Vora pointed out that  the country did not partake in the sharp rallies associated with artificial intelligence and  cryptocurrency assets. “As these trades unwind globally, India stands out as a neutral  and attractive option for investors seeking both stability and growth,” he explained. 

Regarding foreign institutional investor (FII) flows, Vora acknowledged that overseas  buying is currently limited. However, he credited strong domestic institutional and retail  participation for maintaining resilience in Indian markets. “It’s not a matter of if,  but rather when foreign investors will return. India’s macro stability, improving earnings  outlook, and structural growth narrative make it a compelling long-term investment,” he  stated. 

Risks Persist, But Are Likely to Diminish Over Time 

In the short term, Vora highlighted certain risks, including the unwinding of the Japanese  yen carry trade, pressure on the rupee, and delays in global trade agreements. Over the  long haul, the lack of a direct artificial intelligence-led growth theme in India could  dampen foreign investor interest. “These risks are present, but they are not permanent  and are likely to be addressed over time,” he noted. 

Preference for Large Caps and Value-Oriented Sectors 

From a portfolio allocation standpoint, Vora mentioned that PL Asset Management  currently favours large caps and mid caps, with small caps comprising less than 15% of  the portfolio. “Small caps have lagged in earnings growth, and their valuations are not  particularly attractive. We feel more comfortable with large caps and mid caps, where  earnings visibility and valuation comfort are more promising,” he said. 

The firm’s portfolio remains focused on value, with a cyclical inclination towards sectors  such as financials, materials, metals, energy, and commodities. “Our investment  strategy evolves with market cycles. Currently, value and cyclical sectors provide  a better risk-reward balance,” Vora added. 

In summary, while short-term volatility cannot be overlooked, Vora is optimistic about  the long-term fundamentals for Indian equities, which are bolstered by macroeconomic  stability, improving earnings momentum, and sustained domestic liquidity.

Cloud Security Posture Management: Best Practices to Reduce Risk and Improve Compliance

Cloud security posture management strategies focused on reducing risks and improving compliance

The speed of workload movement is very rapid in the cloud-native world that companies have entered today. Cloud Security Posture Management (CSPM) is a preemptive method that automatically identifies, analyzes and remediates inappropriate settings within numerous cloud environments. In contrast to tools that respond to an attack, CSPM operate in advance to add risk data to DevOps pipelines to maintain standards like NIST 800-53 and SOC 2. CSPM can detect the existence of a weakness by automatically performing posture checks.

CSPM relies on agentless scans and APIs to learn the entire cloud installation. In case you have a large AWS, Azure, and Google Cloud environment, CSPM tools collect control-plane data and compare thousands of settings against benchmarks like the CIS Foundations. Best practices start here – continuously find changes to understand what issues you have, and indicate any problematic cases, such as open S3 buckets or unencrypted EBS volumes.

Create a Priority Inventory of Risk

The initial important step is the development of a living inventory of the assets. Graph models can be used to map the dependence between resources – the tool reads through IAM policy, network ACLs and VPC flows and identifies hidden or unauthorised resources that scans miss.

Assess security risk by ranking them according to the extent of their harm and ease of access. Weak points that may disrupt vital business activities should be considered a priority. Then figure out the resources to translate technical gaps into realistic attack scenarios. Periodically review and reconcile the issues with references to such benchmarks as the NIST Cybersecurity Framework to be sure that nothing is ignored. The use of any confidential cloud services or permissions should be automatically deleted to prevent access by unauthorised persons.

Automate Proactive Controls

Replace manual checks with policy-as-code. Declarative languages such as Open Policy Agent (OPA), Rego or Sentinel are used to put security rules into pipeline-based infrastructure-as-code (IaC) with declarative languages. Predefined policies must be taken up on root accounts. In the process of continuous integration/continuous delivery (CI/CD), CSPM prevents pull requests that violate policy.

Add drift monitoring – CSPM continues to make comparisons between the live environment and a golden baseline and automatically fixes it with serverless functions. As an example, it is possible to use a scripting language like AWS Lambda or Azure Functions to close excessively permissive security groups. This is in line with zero-trust concepts that suppose anything is subject to compromise and verifying it several times.

Combine Behavioural Analytics and Threat Intelligence

New threats cannot be provided by the mere presence of static rules. Add real-time threat feeds of such sources as AlienVault OTX or MISP. Compare posture data with indicators of compromise (IoCs) with weird API calls that resemble the Solar Winds attacks. Machine-learning models get trained on normal behaviour and raise the red flag when it changes abruptly. More so, sophisticated systems employ unsupervised control-plane anomaly detection on control-plane logs.

Cross-Team Governance and Testing

The most suitable way of using cloud security controls is when accountability remains in-house. Security visibility, reporting, and posture tracking can be centralised by having a dedicated Cloud Centre of Excellence (CCoE). This team group must have live dashboards that indicate exposure trends and concentration of risks. To justify preparedness, a team is recommended to carry out periodical adversary exercises, such as those involving the deliberate mishandling of sensitive credentials, and how fast detection and response systems are activated.

Integrate feedback into SecDevOps. Give the developers brief, actionable fixes, such as snippets of Terraform, so that they have to do less copying and pasting. Record material numbers – the number of policy violations, the extent of compliance coverage and risk score.

Arrange Multi-Cloud and Hybrid Posture

Standardise controls in a multi-cloud environment by the use of shared layers. CSPM can bridge all APIs of providers and map rules to do cross-checking. Hybrid solutions scan agents on-prem VMware or bare metal and seal the divides.

Last but not least, seek Continuous Threat Exposure Management (CTEM). Rank exposures by the probability of their exploitation. This approach is more than risk reduction. It transforms compliance into a box, into a strategic weapon, and removes future risks to the clouds.

Conclusion

CSPM requires constant discovery, automation of policies as code, threat intelligence and shared governance. Ranking CVSS-based risks and implementing zero-trust help businesses to reduce misconfiguration issues. Such a proactive position maintains the organisation in sync with NIST and SOC2 as well as enhancing the multi-cloud sustainability. Use CSPM as a major strength – convert best practices into robust, versatile defences with experts like Qualysec Technologies in order to safely innovate.