Current Affairs - Business

Ola Electric has expanded its operations beyond electric vehicles by launching the ‘Shakti’ home battery energy storage system (BESS), manufactured at its Krishnagiri Gigafactory in Tamil Nadu. The system provides reliable power backup for homes, farms, and small businesses, supports fast charging, and comes in multiple configurations to meet varied energy needs. With IP67-rated batteries and support for appliances like air conditioners and farm pumps, Shakti addresses India’s growing demand for decentralised and clean energy solutions. This launch positions Ola as a key player in India’s residential energy storage market and contributes to the country’s clean energy transition.

Bharat Petroleum Corporation Ltd is the public sector undertaking responsible for awarding major refinery contracts to Technip Energies. These contracts are part of BPCL’s broader petrochemical expansion and refinery modernization strategy. At the Bina refinery in Madhya Pradesh, the EPCC contract covers the establishment of polypropylene and Butene-1 units, enhancing petrochemical output. At the Mumbai refinery, an EPCM contract was awarded for India’s first 3 MMTPA PRFCC unit, which will convert heavy residues into high-value products. These projects strengthen refining efficiency, value addition, and energy infrastructure development.

The DigiProtect Term Plan is a collaborative initiative designed to expand digital insurance access, especially among salaried individuals in Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities. The plan combines PNB MetLife’s insurance expertise with the digital distribution strength of Policybazaar. It offers features such as flexible payout options, a premium break facility, special exit value, and fast-track claim settlement. Additional benefits like up to 21% first-year premium discount and an express claim payout of ₹3 lakh within one working day highlight the customer-centric approach of the partnership, making Policybazaar a key enabler in the product’s launch.

The Hurun Global 1000 Report 2025 ranks the world’s 1,000 most valuable companies and reflects major shifts in global corporate leadership. In this edition, Nvidia secured the top position, surpassing long-time leaders such as Microsoft and Apple. Nvidia’s rise has been driven by its dominance in advanced semiconductor technology, particularly in graphics processing units and artificial intelligence applications. The growing global demand for AI-driven solutions, data centers, and high-performance computing significantly boosted the company’s valuation. This achievement highlights the increasing importance of technology and innovation in shaping the global economic landscape.

Google launched its first-ever global credit card in India, marking a significant milestone in the country’s digital payments landscape. Issued in partnership with Axis Bank and operating on the RuPay network, the card is integrated with Google Pay and can be directly linked to UPI for merchant payments. This enables users to make seamless credit-based UPI transactions, a feature not supported by Visa or Mastercard cards. The card also introduces an instant rewards system, allowing users to redeem benefits immediately after each transaction, highlighting India’s growing leadership in fintech innovation and digital payment solutions.