• Manipal Academy of Higher Education (MAHE) to modernise its Student Life Cycle Management platform by leveraging Agentforce and related solutions, deploying 50+ AI agents across academic and administrative systems over the next two years
• MAHE to establish a Salesforce Academia Center of Excellence to develop AI-ready digital talent and prepare students for the future workforce.

Manipal, Karnataka, India, March 30: Salesforce, the world’s #1 AI CRM*, announced a collaboration with Manipal Academy of Higher Education (MAHE), an Institution of Eminence Deemed to be University, to modernise its Student Life Cycle Management (SLCM) platform and accelerate its transition to an AI-driven university. This collaboration will enable the deployment of AI-powered agentic systems across academic and administrative ecosystems, enhancing how the institution engages with students, faculty, and operations at scale. MAHE will leverage Agentforce Education, Agentforce, Data 360, MuleSoft, and Tableau to accelerate its shift from traditional systems to AI-driven operations. This forms part of MAHE’s MAGIC (MAHE Agentic Intelligent Console) program—a strategic initiative conceptualised and led by MAHE to deploy AI agents across academic and administrative systems and drive institution-wide transformation.

MAHE operates a complex academic ecosystem, supporting over 40,000 students from 60+ nations across multiple campuses. Agentforce Education will unify the entire student lifecycle — from admissions and enrollment to academic progress and alumni engagement — providing a 360-degree view of the student journey. MuleSoft will connect MAHE’s existing student, learning, and document systems through real-time, API-led integration, while Tableau will deliver advanced analytics and dashboards for data-driven decision-making. Agentforce will introduce intelligent AI agents to support processes such as student queries and admissions, improving responsiveness and helping scale services across the institution.

Deloitte will serve as the implementation partner, supporting MAHE in deploying Salesforce’s unified platform and ensuring seamless integration across systems to modernize the university’s digital infrastructure.

Building the Next Generation of AI Talent

In addition to transforming MAHE’s digital infrastructure, the collaboration with Salesforce will also focus on empowering students with future-ready skills as they prepare to enter the workforce of tomorrow. Salesforce and MAHE will establish a Salesforce Academia Center of Excellence and launch the “Agentic AI for All” initiative, introducing specialized learning programs, micro-credentials, and hands-on technology labs across institutions including Manipal Institute of Technology (MIT), Manipal and TA Pai Management Institute (TAPMI). These initiatives will provide students and faculty with practical exposure to enterprise technologies, particularly the Salesforce platform and Agentforce, through experiential labs, innovation programs, and faculty development initiatives.

Comments on the news

Lt. Gen. (Dr.) M.D. Venkatesh VSM (Retd.), Vice Chancellor of MAHE, said “At Manipal Academy of Higher Education, our focus has always been on strengthening academic governance, student experience, and institutional effectiveness through thoughtful and responsible use of technology. The MAGIC initiative reflects MAHE’s long-term vision to embed artificial intelligence across academic and administrative systems in a manner that is student-centric, ethically grounded, and academically led. Our collaboration with Salesforce is aligned with this vision, enabling us to modernise core university processes while ensuring that technology remains firmly in service of education, research, and learner success.”

Arundhati Bhattacharya, President & CEO at Salesforce – South Asia, said “India stands at a defining moment in the AI era, where the strength of our future economy will depend on the talent we build today. Universities will play a central role in shaping that future by combining academic excellence with real-world technology exposure. Institutions like MAHE are demonstrating how AI, data, and digital platforms can reimagine both how universities operate and how students prepare for the jobs of tomorrow. Initiatives like this will be critical in building a workforce that can power India’s innovation and growth in an increasingly AI-driven world.”

Mankiran Chowhan, Managing Director, Salesforce India, said “Leading universities are increasingly looking at technology not just to digitize processes, but to create more intelligent and connected campus experiences. MAHE is taking a bold step in that direction by building an AI-powered university ecosystem that reimagines how institutions engage with students across their entire journey — from admissions to alumni. We are proud to partner with MAHE on this journey and demonstrate how agentic AI can enhance institutional agility while enabling more personalized and responsive experiences for students and faculty.”

Company transitions SanDisk Professional products to G-DRIVE, delivering high-capacity,

high-performance external storage solutions for content creators and creative professionals in design, photography, video, music and more

New Delhi, India – February 20, 2026 – WD (Nasdaq: WDC) today announced the re-launch of its G-DRIVE® brand as the unified identity for its content creator and creative professional external storage product portfolio. The brand consolidation brings together high-capacity, high-performance storage solutions under a single name brand – G-DRIVE® – known for its quality, performance, and reliability.

The G-DRIVE® brand, also represented by the iconic “G” logo, will replace SanDisk Professional branding across WD’s creator storage lineup, including desktop drives, portable drives and multi-bay RAID systems purpose-built for the creative community’s most demanding workflows: high-resolution photography, video production, graphic design, and audio engineering. Supporting individuals, businesses and production studios, G-DRIVE® solutions support the full creative lifecycle, from on-set capture and real-time editing to backup and postproduction. Products currently branded as SanDisk Professional will transition to the G-DRIVE® brand by the end of this month.

“G-DRIVE has become synonymous with reliable, high-capacity, high-performance storage for all creatives and all stages, from enthusiast to professional,” said Darrin Bulik, director of product management at WD. “By consolidating our content creator storage portfolio under this established and trusted brand, we’re honoring that legacy while leveraging WD’s industry-leading storage innovations to deliver the tools creators need to bring their vision to life. This commitment means more product choices now, and in the future, backed by the quality and reliability that creators depend on.”

The initial G-DRIVE® product lineup includes:

• G-DRIVE ArmorATD: Rugged portable drive, up to 6TB*, with triple-layer shock resistance, dust/water protection (IP54), and durable aluminum enclosure designed for creative professionals and their mobile workflows.
• G-DRIVE: High-capacity desktop drive with an enterprise-class Ultrastar® HDD up to 26TB* capacity delivering fast transfer speeds and sustained performance for video editing, photo libraries, backup and content archiving at the workstation.
• G-DRIVE PROJECT: Single-bay Thunderbolt® 3 desktop solution with high-capacity, high-performance, enterprise-class Ultrastar® HDD storage up to 26TB* for demanding workloads.
• G-RAID PROJECT 2: Compact two-bay Thunderbolt® 3 RAID system shipping in RAID 0, with field-swappable enterprise-class Ultrastar® drives up to 52TB* for accelerated post-production performance.
• G-RAID® SHUTTLE 4 and SHUTTLE 8: Transportable storage arrays (4-bay and 8-bay) with hot-swappable enterprise grade Ultrastar® drives up to 208TB*, shipping in default RAID 5, and high-speed connectivity for on-set data management and multi-camera productions.

Existing SanDisk Professional HDD-based products will continue to receive full support and warranty coverage by WD. Products with new G-DRIVE® branding have already begun shipping.

The brand transition follows Western Digital’s separation into a standalone HDD company in late February 2025. WD will also continue offering HDD products in its color portfolio including WD Gold® for enterprise, WD Purple® for smart video, WD Red® for NAS, WD Blue® for PC productivity, and WD_BLACK® for gaming.

About WD

WD builds the storage infrastructure that powers the AI-driven data economy. For more than 55 years, WD has been at the forefront of innovation, delivering the scale, reliability, and economics required to turn data into intelligence. Today, WD partners with the world’s leading hyperscalers, cloud providers, and enterprises to provide durable, innovative storage platforms that are proven and trusted at scale. All of this is driven by its people, whose engineering discipline and customer focus help organizations store, protect, and use the world’s data with confidence. Follow WD on LinkedIn and learn more at www.wd.com.

*One terabyte (TB) is equal to one trillion bytes. Actual user capacity may vary depending on the operating environment.

© 2026 Western Digital Corporation or its affiliates. All rights reserved. WD, the WD design, Western Digital, G-DRIVE, G-RAID, WD Blue, WD Gold, WD Purple, WD Red, WD_BLACK, and Ultrastar are registered trademarks or trademarks of Western Digital Corporation or its affiliates in the US and/or other countries. Sandisk and Sandisk Professional are registered trademarks or trademarks of Sandisk Corporation or its affiliates in the US and/or other countries. Thunderbolt is a trademark of Intel Corporation or its subsidiaries. USB-C is a trademark of USB Implementers Forum. All other marks are the property of their respective owners. Not all products will be available in all regions of the world.

The company to scale up AC production through its upcoming Sri City plant this year to cater to increasing demand of cooling products in India

New Delhi, 02.04.2026: LG Electronics India (LGE India) today announced the sale of 1 million+ air conditioners in the first quarter of 2026. This landmark achievement marks the fastest and strongest start to a summer season in the company’s history in India. This milestone not only underscores LGE India’s exceptional execution capabilities and supply chain agility, but also cements its position as the decisive leader in India’s fast-growing and highly competitive air conditioner market.

A key driver of this achievement was LGE India’s first-mover advantage with regards to launching its new BEE star-rated compliant AC line-up well ahead of the season, ensuring that retail partners and consumers could seamlessly transition to superior, energy-efficient products without disruption. Complementing this, LGE India’s marketing campaign during the ICC World Cup also delivered great reach and consumer engagement at scale, driving unprecedented brand salience and purchase intent.

Commenting on this landmark achievement, Mr. Hong Ju Jeon, Managing Director, LG Electronics India, said, “Crossing 1 million AC sales in a single quarter is not just a commercial milestone – it is a powerful statement of the trust that millions of consumers place in LG every day. India is one of LG’s most strategically vital markets globally, and this result reflects the depth of our commitment to our consumers, our partners, and to India’s sustainable development. We are investing heavily in innovation, distribution, localisation, and are expanding our AC manufacturing facility in Sri City to reinforce our commitment to the ‘Make in India’ initiative.”

Adding to this, Mr. Sanjay Chitkara, Director & Co-Chief Sales and Marketing Officer, LG Electronics India, said, “Building on this momentum, we are focused on delivering advanced, energy-efficient cooling solutions tailored for domestic and global consumers. Our premium AC range with Energy Manager Plus, better capacities, and a more comprehensive portfolio cater to Indian consumers’ diverse needs across segments. We are highly motivated with our first quarter ACs performance and anticipate a stronger demand in Q2 of CY2026 aided by the GST cuts on ACs.”

Underpinning this record performance is LGE India’s diverse portfolio strategy, designed to serve every Indian household. During the quarter, LG significantly broadened its AC line-up. The company’s newly introduced 0.8 ton AC under its Essential Series brings aspirational, energy-efficient cooling to compact urban spaces and first-time buyers, while the 2.0 ton 5-star range caters to India’s rapidly expanding premium home segment. The introduction of a comprehensive fixed-speed AC portfolio spanning both window and split segments ensures LGE India captures demand across every price tier and consumer profile.

LGE India’s 2026 AC range is also defined by a suite of various differentiated smart features that address the needs of Indian consumers. PreCool enables users to activate cooling remotely before they arrive home, delivering instant comfort the moment they step in. HimClean, LG’s proprietary internal auto-cleaning technology, ensures sustained hygiene and peak performance over the long term – a critical consideration in India’s high-dust, high-humidity environment. Energy Manager Plus empowers consumers with granular, real-time visibility over their power consumption, directly addressing electricity cost concerns that remain one of the top barriers to AC adoption in India.

On the performance front, LGE India’s 2026 line-up sets a new benchmark for raw cooling power, featuring a rated cooling capacity of up to 5300W and a maximum capacity of 6300W. The flagship 6-in-1 Convertible Cooling technology offers unmatched operational flexibility, allowing consumers to dial cooling capacity precisely to their needs and dramatically reduce energy waste. Furthermore, the Government of India’s landmark GST reduction on air conditioners from 28% to 18% has been a structural game-changer for the industry, improving affordability and accelerating the democratisation of energy-efficient cooling across urban and semi-urban India.

Apart from domestic market, LGE India also exports its Made-in-India ACs to Sri Lanka, Nepal, Bangladesh, Southeast Asia, etc.

Enables Government of India to adopt advanced cloud infrastructure with data residency

Amazon Web Services India Private Limited (AWS India) today announced that it will work with Yotta Data Services to deploy AWS Outposts for the National Informatics Centre’s (NIC) Meghraj 2.0 initiative. This initiative enables government departments to leverage AWS services and generative AI capabilities for data residency and security requirements.

AWS Outposts allows customers with sensitive workloads that are restricted to NIC data centers to leverage AWS’s advanced cloud capabilities including the AWS Nitro System’s advanced security capabilities and AWS managed services such as Amazon Elastic Kubernetes Service (Amazon EKS), Amazon Relational Database Service (Amazon RDS), and Amazon Simple Storage Service (Amazon S3).

This hybrid architecture enables government departments to run sensitive workloads within NIC data centers while accessing the full capabilities of AWS services. With AWS Outposts, applications running in NIC data centers can leverage the AWS Region in India, during peak demand for citizen-facing services. During peak demand periods, applications can expand to the AWS Region in India for use cases like data ingestion, with data synchronizing back to NIC data centers within hours, enabling elastic scaling beyond on-premises capacity constraints. Using AWS Outposts, NIC can enforce security guardrails via AWS Control Tower, to create a security baseline initialized for every new workload eliminating risk of human errors with manual configurations and preventing security drift.

“This synergy with Yotta represents AWS’s commitment to supporting the Government of India’s digital transformation vision,” said Sandeep Dutta, President, AWS India and South Asia. “By deploying AWS Outposts for NIC Meghraj 2.0, we’re enabling government departments to leverage the full power of our cloud services and generative AI capabilities while meeting the requirements for sensitive workloads.”

“This collaboration with AWS strengthens Yotta’s mission to power India’s sovereign and secure digital infrastructure for government”, said Sunil Gupta, Co-founder, Managing Director & CEO, Yotta Data Services. He further added, “By enabling AWS Outposts within NIC’s Meghraj 2.0 framework, we are combining Yotta’s enterprise-grade data center and sovereign cloud capabilities with AWS’s advanced cloud and AI services to deliver a robust hybrid architecture tailored for India’s public sector. Government departments can now scale citizen services seamlessly, leverage generative AI, and innovate faster while ensuring data residency and security within India’s trusted infrastructure ecosystem.”

About Amazon Web Services (AWS) India Services Private Limited

AWS India Private Limited (AWS India) undertakes the resale and marketing of AWS Cloud services in India.

About Amazon Web Services

Amazon Web Services (AWS) is guided by customer obsession, pace of innovation, commitment to operational excellence, and long-term thinking. By democratizing technology for nearly two decades and making cloud computing and generative AI accessible to organizations of every size and industry, AWS has built one of the fastest-growing enterprise technology businesses in history. Millions of customers trust AWS to accelerate innovation, transform their businesses, and shape the future. Learn more at aws.amazon.com and follow @AWSNewsroom.

• To boost margins through value-added products
• Vedanta to expand India’s aluminium production capacity

Vedanta Aluminium—India’s largest aluminium producer, currently holding nearly half of the domestic market share among primary producers—is strongly positioned to capitalize on the country’s rapidly growing demand for aluminium. While the company currently commands approximately 50% of the domestic market among primary producers, the overall demand for aluminium in India is, in fact, surging at a remarkable pace. Aluminium demand in India is growing at an annual rate of 6%, a figure significantly higher than the global average. To meet this escalating demand, the company is actively expanding its production capacity and simultaneously working on plans to operationalize its captive mines.

To cater to the rising demand for aluminium, the company is working on a plan to expand the smelter capacity of Bharat Aluminium Company (BALCO) by 435 KT, bringing the total capacity to 1 million tonnes. This expansion will play a pivotal role in meeting the growing domestic demand. Indeed, selling aluminium in the domestic market yields higher returns than exporting it; consequently, this strategic shift is expected to lead to an improvement in the company’s profit margins.

Furthermore, the company is actively focusing on the production of high-margin, value-added products, aiming to increase the contribution of these products to over 90% of its total sales. This portfolio includes billets for the construction, railway, automotive, and clean energy sectors; rolled products manufactured at BALCO, which are utilized across the automotive, electrical, power, insulation, and packaging industries; and primary foundry alloys designed for the automotive sector and advanced manufacturing applications. The company’s product portfolio spans hot and liquid metal, wire rods, ingots and alloy ingots, billets, slabs, rolled products, sow ingots, Aluminum-Silicon (AlSi) T-ingots, flip coils, and low-carbon variants—’Restora’ and ‘Restora Ultra’. The company benefits significantly from this extensive product range; moreover, the introduction of new value-added products is poised to position the company even more favorably. Indeed, with the country targeting a 30% share of electric vehicles (EVs) by 2030, the demand for EVs—and, consequently, for premium aluminum—is witnessing rapid growth. To cater to this demand, the company is investing approximately ₹30,000 crore, a substantial portion of which has already been deployed toward its expansion plans. The company is now entering the ‘harvest phase’ of its investment cycle. Additionally, the company is developing a ₹1.3 lakh crore greenfield aluminum smelter project in Odisha, which will comprise a smelter with an annual capacity of 3 million tonnes and a 4,900 MW captive power plant. This initiative is expected to result in a significant boost to India’s global aluminum production capacity.

In today’s volatile geopolitical landscape, ensuring self-reliance in the energy sector has become imperative for every major nation. Since India meets approximately 90% of its oil and gas requirements through imports, we find ourselves in a highly vulnerable position in this regard. Given that we are surrounded by the sea on three sides, there remains a persistent threat of naval blockades during times of war or heightened tension. Under these circumstances, we have no alternative but to boost domestic production. India is the world’s fastest-growing oil and gas market, and demand is projected to continue rising steadily for at least the next 20 years.
Fortunately, India is endowed with immense natural resources. We possess a potential resource base equivalent to approximately 300 billion barrels of oil and gas—a capacity 30 times greater than that of nations like Guyana. We are also home to a wealth of talented entrepreneurs, a vibrant youth demographic, and innovative startups. Across the globe—including in the US, the Middle East, and Europe—approximately 10% of the experts in this industry are Indians. In other words, we face no shortage of talent. What we require most urgently is exploration, which serves as the very bedrock of this industry. Two decades ago, even the United States was dependent on oil and gas imports. Subsequently, the US opened up exploration opportunities to entrepreneurs; the process was made so accessible that exploration activities were conducted even in the backyards of homes and farms, yielding benefits for everyone involved.
I have been actively involved in this industry for the past 15 years, and I can state with absolute confidence that we are capable of producing oil and gas at half the cost of imports. Furthermore, we have, to date, contributed approximately $40 billion to the government exchequer. Over the years, Cairn has produced 1.3 billion barrels of oil. This industry is one of the few sectors that do not currently benefit from government incentive schemes such as the PLI (Production Linked Incentive) scheme.
To unlock India’s full potential, extensive exploration is absolutely essential. Currently, there are barely 20 exploration licenses in India, whereas the number ought to be around 2,000. Stakeholders in this industry remain apprehensive due to concerns regarding investment hurdles, regulatory notices, legal disputes, and the fear of license cancellations. Even a single notice or legal dispute involving the public sector can trigger anxiety among international investors. This situation reminds me of the Ghana Bird Sanctuary in Bharatpur, where migratory birds from across the globe—some flying in from as far as 5,000 miles away—once flocked in large numbers. It had the potential to become the world’s premier bird sanctuary; however, following incidents of bird poaching 10–15 years ago, the birds ceased to visit. It subsequently took years to restore a conducive environment. The same principle applies to the investment climate.

The global community does not wish for India to produce its own crude oil and gas; rather, it prefers that India remain merely a massive market for these commodities. However, domestic production generates employment—a fact that has been proven in numerous parts of the world. We must counter this trend and strive to achieve self-reliance. This is the very same nation that was once dependent on food grain imports but subsequently achieved self-sufficiency. This transformation was made possible because the government elevated the pursuit of self-reliance into a national movement.

Today, the entire world is actively engaged in securing its energy and mineral resources. India, too, must rapidly harness the resources lying beneath its soil. The government is actively encouraging investment, collaboration, and development. At Vedanta, our objective is to increase production fivefold. To meet its future requirements and realize the vision of a ‘Developed India,’ the nation must boost its production tenfold.

It is my dream to see thousands of drilling rigs operating across the length and breadth of the country. I envision startups and small entrepreneurs leasing these rigs—with an investment of approximately ₹5 crore—to embark on exploration activities. What we need most, above all else, is a stable and supportive environment. Now is the right time to move beyond tight regulations and establish a framework that encourages exploration and production, enabling the country to advance towards self-reliance in the energy sector.
We still have a long journey ahead of us—but our potential is extraordinary.

• Records highest-ever quarterly Revenue of ₹45,899 crore, up 19% YoY
• Achieves record quarterly EBITDA of ₹15,171 crore, up 34% YoY

Mumbai, 29th January 2026: Vedanta Limited (BSE: 500295 & NSE: VEDL) today announced its Unaudited Consolidated Results for the third quarter and nine months ended 31st December 2025. Vedanta delivered exceptional financial performance with profit after tax jumping 60% YoY to ₹7,807 crore. The company reported a record quarterly EBITDA of ₹15,171 crore, up 34% YoY supported by margin expansion of 629 bps to 41%*. The company also recorded the highest-ever quarterly revenue of ₹45,899 crore, up 19% YoY.
Vedanta’s Net Debt to EBITDA ratio improved to 1.23x from 1.40x, with a strong double-digit Return on Capital Employed (ROCE) at 27%, improving by 296 bps YoY. Credit ratings for Vedanta have been reaffirmed at AA by both CRISIL and ICRA, following the recent NCLT demerger order.

Vedanta invested about USD 1.3 billion in growth capex in the nine months of FY26. The company delivered strong operational performance during the quarter, with record production across key businesses. Aluminium recorded its highest-ever quarterly production at 620 kt, up 1% YoY, while alumina production surged to a record 794 kt, up 57% YoY, reflecting improved operational efficiencies and ramp-up initiatives. Zinc India posted its highest-ever third-quarter mined metal production at 276 kt, up 4% YoY, alongside refined metal production of 270 kt, also up 4% YoY. Notably, Zinc India achieved its lowest Q3 cost of production in the last five years at $940/t, lower by 10% YoY. Zinc International operations reported production of 59 kt, up 28% YoY.

The Iron Ore business reported quarterly ore production of 1.2 million tonnes, up 3% YoY, while pig iron production increased to 229 kt, up 6% YoY. Copper cathode production stood at 45 kt, marking the highest quarterly production in the last seven years. Ferro chrome production rose sharply to 24 kt, up 32% YoY. The Power business delivered a robust performance, with sales increasing 61% YoY.

Vedanta achieved several important milestones during the quarter. The Company received approval from the Hon’ble National Company Law Tribunal (NCLT) for its proposed demerger, marking a key step towards unlocking long-term value. Vedanta also acquired Incab Industries, strengthening its downstream footprint in copper and aluminium.

The Company delivered a total shareholder return of ~30% during the quarter, outperforming the Nifty by 5.0x and the Nifty Metal index by 2.7x, as shares soared to lifetime highs repeatedly. In addition, Vedanta Group secured three additional mining blocks of high-value critical minerals, taking its total assigned blocks to 11.

The total shareholder returns for the last 5 years stood at 428%, accompanied by a cumulative dividend yield of 73.5%.

Commenting on Q3FY26 results, Mr. Arun Misra, Executive Director, Vedanta, said, “Q3 FY26 has been a landmark quarter for Vedanta, delivering our highest ever EBITDA of ₹15,171 crore, with two of our businesses achieving their best ever financial results. Aluminium posted its strongest EBITDA margin of $1,268 per ton, supported by record alumina and aluminium production. Zinc India recorded its highest ever quarterly EBITDA of ₹6,064 crore, driven by record mined and refined metal output, with silver contributing 44% of overall profit. Zinc International also reported a 28% YoY increase in production, led by Gamsberg achieving its highest ever recovery. Our Oil & Gas business reached a major milestone with India’s first subsea template installation, while our Thermal Power Business delivered 188% YoY EBITDA growth with a 62% increase in sales volumes. Steel and Ferrochrome Business also achieved record production of steel billets at 285 kt, and ferrochrome output up 32% YoY. Alongside the landmark approval for the demerger into five pure play entities, these results demonstrate our strong operational momentum and readiness to unlock long term value as we advance Vedanta’s 2.0 journey.”

Mr. Ajay Goel, Chief Financial Officer, Vedanta, said “This has been a remarkable quarter for Vedanta. We delivered our highest-ever quarterly PAT of ₹7,807 crore, marking a strong 60% YoY growth. Our Q3 revenue stood at a record ₹45,899 crore, up 19% YoY, while EBITDA reached an all-time high of ₹15,171 crore, growing 34% YoY. EBITDA margins expanded sharply by 629 bps YoY to 41%. Our balance sheet continues to strengthen, with Net Debt to EBITDA improving to 1.23x from 1.40x YoY. The reaffirmation of our AA credit rating by CRISIL and ICRA following the NCLT demerger order, along with upgrades in VRL credit rating outlook from Stable to Positive by S&P, Moody’s & Fitch Ratings, underscore the market confidence in Vedanta’s growth trajectory. We are now entering an exciting phase of growth and value unlocking, creating long-term value for all our stakeholders.”

3QFY26 ESG Highlights

 ESG Leadership: Vedanta Aluminium secured second rank in the S&P Corporate Sustainability Assessment for the third consecutive year. Cairn Oil & Gas, in its very first participation, placed among the top five companies globally in the Oil and Gas Upstream and Integrated sector, emerging as the highest scorer in India. In the Carbon Disclosure Project (CDP) Ratings, Vedanta maintained a strong Climate score of ‘B’, while our Water rating improved from ‘B’ to ‘A minus’.
 Environmental: Vedanta advanced its sustainability agenda in Q3 FY26 with renewable energy use rising 44% QoQ, Greenhouse Gases (GHG) intensity down 6.3%, and water recycling up to 69 million m³. Key initiatives include deployment of electric forklifts, energy efficiency projects, renewable energy sourcing, and air quality improvements. We drove lower emissions and strengthened progress toward net water positivity by 2030.
 Social Front: Vedanta invested ₹267.9 crore in CSR initiatives that positively impacted 5.5 million lives across the world. Through programs like Shiksha Sambal, we have empowered over 13,000 students; half of them young women. Today, nearly 1000 self-help groups are active across India, driving micro enterprise growth of over 50 percent quarter on quarter.

1Excludes custom smelting at copper business & one-off gain
 Revenue:
o Consolidated revenue at ₹45,899 crore, up 19% YoY driven by higher LME, volumes, premium, and forex gain
o The revenue is up 17% QoQ largely on account of higher LME, volume, forex gain, partially offset by lower premium
 EBITDA and EBITDA Margin:
o EBITDA increased by 34% YoY & 31% QoQ to ₹15,171 crore mainly driven by higher LME, premiums, lower costs, forex gains and higher volumes
o EBITDA margin at 41%, up 629 bps YoY and 512 bps QoQ
 Depreciation & Amortization:
o Depreciation & Amortization at ₹2,725 crore, lower due to accounting treatment as required by Ind AS 105, post NCLT demerger order on 16 December 2025
o YoY increase due to major capitalization and increase in production at ZI
 Finance Cost:
o Finance cost is lower 11% YoY mainly due to lower borrowing rates and stable QoQ
 Investment Income:
o Investment Income is lower 5% YoY due to change in investment mix, and higher 7% QoQ due to higher interest on income tax refund in 3QFY26
 Taxes:
o ETR is 27%
 Profit After Tax
o PAT is ₹ 7,807 crore, up 60% YoY & 124% QoQ
 Leverage, liquidity, and credit rating:
o Gross debt at ₹ 80,709 crore as on 31st December 2025
o Net debt at ₹ 60,624 crore as on 31st December 2025
o Net debt to EBITDA ratio of 1.23x vs 1.40x in 3QFY25
o Cash and cash equivalents position remains strong at ₹ 20,085 crore. The Company follows a Board-approved investment policy and invests in high quality debt instruments with mutual funds, bonds, & fixed deposits with banks
o Both ICRA and CRISIL have reaffirmed AA/ Watch with Developing Implications rating for Vedanta Limited

The Nipah virus (NiV) is a highly contagious and deadly zoonotic virus that has repeatedly raised public health alarms, particularly in South and Southeast Asia. First identified in 1998 during an outbreak among pig farmers in Malaysia, the virus has since caused multiple outbreaks in countries like India, Bangladesh, and Singapore, often with high fatality rates. Due to its ability to spread from animals to humans and between humans, the Nipah virus continues to be a major concern for global health authorities.

What Is the Nipah Virus?

Nipah virus belongs to the Henipavirus genus of the Paramyxoviridae family. It is naturally hosted by fruit bats (Pteropus species), commonly known as flying foxes. These bats do not show symptoms but can transmit the virus to humans either directly or through intermediate hosts such as pigs.

The virus is classified by the World Health Organization (WHO) as a priority pathogen because of its high mortality rate and the absence of a specific treatment or vaccine.

How Does Nipah Virus Spread?

Nipah virus spreads through several routes:

1. Animal-to-human transmission:
   Humans can become infected by direct contact with infected bats, pigs, or other animals. Consumption of fruits or raw date palm sap contaminated with bat saliva or urine is a known risk factor.
2. Human-to-human transmission:
   The virus can spread through close contact with infected individuals, especially via bodily fluids such as saliva, respiratory droplets, blood, or urine. Several outbreaks in India and Bangladesh have shown strong evidence of hospital-based transmission.
3. Contaminated food sources:
   Unwashed fruits or fresh juices exposed to bats can also act as carriers.

Symptoms of Nipah Virus Infection

Nipah virus infection can range from mild illness to severe, life-threatening conditions. Symptoms usually appear 4 to 14 days after exposure and may include:

• Fever
• Headache
• Muscle pain
• Vomiting
• Sore throat

In severe cases, the infection can progress rapidly to:

• Acute respiratory distress
• Encephalitis (inflammation of the brain)
• Confusion and disorientation
• Seizures
• Coma

The fatality rate ranges from 40% to 75%, depending on the outbreak and healthcare response.

Diagnosis and Treatment

Diagnosis of Nipah virus infection is done through laboratory tests such as RT-PCR, ELISA, and virus isolation, typically conducted in high-containment laboratories due to the virus’s dangerous nature.

Currently, there is no specific antiviral treatment or approved vaccine for Nipah virus. Medical care is largely supportive and includes:

• Intensive care support
• Respiratory assistance
• Management of neurological symptoms

Early detection and isolation of patients significantly improve outcomes and reduce the risk of further transmission.

Prevention and Control Measures

Since no vaccine exists, prevention is the most effective defense against Nipah virus. Key preventive measures include:

• Avoiding consumption of raw or unprocessed date palm sap
• Washing fruits thoroughly and discarding partially eaten fruits
• Limiting contact with sick animals
• Using personal protective equipment (PPE) while caring for infected individuals
• Strict infection control practices in hospitals

Public awareness campaigns and rapid response teams play a crucial role in containing outbreaks.

Nipah Virus in India

India has witnessed multiple Nipah virus outbreaks, particularly in Kerala, where strong surveillance systems and swift public health responses have helped limit spread. These incidents highlight the importance of preparedness, transparent reporting, and community cooperation.

Why Nipah Virus Is a Global Concern

What makes Nipah virus especially dangerous is its pandemic potential. It can mutate, spreads through respiratory droplets, and has no definitive cure. Increased deforestation, urbanization, and climate change are bringing humans and wildlife closer, increasing the risk of zoonotic spillovers like Nipah.

Conclusion

The Nipah virus is a stark reminder of the fragile balance between humans and nature. While outbreaks have been relatively limited so far, the virus’s high mortality rate and lack of treatment make it a serious threat. Strengthening disease surveillance, investing in research, and promoting public awareness are essential steps to prevent future outbreaks and protect global health.

Guwahati, 21^st January 2026 – Dyson, the global technology company, has announced the opening of its first Dyson Store in Guwahati. Located at City Centre Mall, one of the largest shopping destinations in Northeast India,this new store marks Dyson India’s 35^th storein the country and first store in the state of Assam.

The new Dyson Store is an interactive space where consumers can experience Dyson’s problem-solving technologies with demonstrations by Dyson experts. This store launch is part of Dyson’s commitment to bringing the latest technologies closer to consumers with personalized experiences so they can truly understand the Dyson difference across home, beauty, and audio categories.

The new Dyson store is designed to be a destination where people can test the advanced performance of Dyson vacuums on a variety of floor types and fine debris, simulating real-life cleaning challenges. Live air quality visualizations illustrate Dyson’s commitment to healthier homes, while interactive digital displays illuminate the science behind each product.

At dedicated Dyson styling stations, consumers can enjoy complimentary, expert styling sessions featuring Dyson’s cutting-edge beauty technologies including the new Dyson Airstrait straightener, Dyson Airwrap i.d. multi-styler and dryer and Supersonic Nural hair dryer. Trained stylists offer bespoke consultations, tailored for every hair type and styling preference, reimagining the traditional beauty consultation as a moment of discovery. Complimentary in-store styling appointments and masterclasses from Dyson experts can be booked through the website www.dyson.in.

Protests across Iran have intensified in recent weeks as mounting economic pressure and political discontent continue to fuel nationwide demonstrations. According to the US-based Human Rights Activists News Agency (HRANA), at least 544 people have died during the unrest so far, marking one of the deadliest protest crackdowns the country has witnessed in years.

The demonstrations, which began as protests against worsening economic conditions, have rapidly expanded into a broader movement questioning governance, civil liberties, and accountability. Despite strict security measures and widespread communication restrictions imposed by authorities, reports of clashes between protesters and security forces continue to emerge from multiple cities.

Rising Death Toll and Arrests

HRANA, which monitors human rights conditions in Iran through a network of activists and verified sources, reported that the fatalities include protesters, bystanders, and members of security forces. The group also stated that thousands of people have been arrested, with many facing unclear charges or being held without formal legal proceedings.

Human rights organisations warn that the true death toll could be higher, as Iran has imposed internet blackouts, mobile network shutdowns, and media restrictions, making independent verification difficult. Families of victims have reportedly faced pressure not to speak publicly, further limiting transparency.

What Triggered the Protests?

The unrest was initially sparked by severe economic hardship, including sharp inflation, unemployment, and the continued devaluation of Iran’s national currency. Rising prices of essential goods have placed significant strain on households, leading to widespread frustration, particularly among young people and working-class communities.

As demonstrations spread, slogans and demands increasingly reflected broader political grievances, with protesters calling for reforms, accountability, and greater personal freedoms. The protests have been reported in major urban centres as well as smaller towns, highlighting the depth of public dissatisfaction.

Security Response and Crackdown

Iranian authorities have responded with a heavy security presence. Protesters have been dispersed using force in several areas, according to activist groups, with reports of live ammunition, tear gas, and mass detentions. Officials have described the demonstrations as acts of unrest encouraged by foreign influence, a claim repeatedly denied by protesters and rights organisations.

State media has offered limited coverage of the events, often portraying demonstrators as “rioters” or “saboteurs.” Meanwhile, the government has not released comprehensive official figures on casualties or arrests, further fueling concerns about transparency and accountability.

International Reaction and US Response

The growing death toll has drawn international attention. Several global leaders and human rights organisations have expressed concern over the situation, calling for restraint and respect for human rights. The United States has acknowledged the reports and stated that it is closely monitoring developments.

Former US President Donald Trump recently commented on the situation, claiming that Iranian authorities had signalled interest in diplomatic talks amid the unrest. While Tehran has not publicly confirmed such discussions, the remarks highlight the broader geopolitical implications of the crisis.

International rights groups have urged independent investigations into the use of force against civilians and have called on Iran to restore full internet access to allow transparency and free flow of information.

Impact on Daily Life

The ongoing protests and security measures have disrupted daily life across many parts of Iran. Schools, businesses, and public transport services have faced intermittent closures, while families remain uncertain about the safety of loved ones detained during demonstrations.

Medical professionals and emergency responders reportedly face challenges providing care due to security restrictions, and activists say hospitals are under pressure to limit information about injured protesters.

Human Rights Concerns Grow

Rights organisations stress that the situation represents a serious escalation in Iran’s handling of dissent. The reported deaths, mass arrests, and communication blackouts have raised alarms about violations of fundamental freedoms, including the right to peaceful assembly and freedom of expression.

HRANA and other monitoring groups continue to collect data despite difficult conditions, warning that the crisis may deepen if political dialogue and economic relief measures are not pursued.

What Lies Ahead?

As protests continue, Iran faces increasing internal and external pressure. Analysts say the government’s response in the coming weeks will be critical in determining whether tensions ease or further escalate. Restoring public trust, addressing economic grievances, and ensuring accountability could play a key role in shaping the outcome.

For now, the situation remains volatile. With limited information emerging from inside the country, the international community continues to rely heavily on human rights groups to understand the scale and impact of the unrest.

Key Highlights

• 544 deaths reported by US-based Human Rights Activists News Agency
• Protests triggered by economic crisis, later expanding into political demands
• Thousands arrested, internet restrictions continue
• Global concern grows over human rights violations