Current Affairs - Business

Tata Group achieved a historic milestone by becoming the first Indian brand to cross the $30 billion mark in brand valuation, reaching $31.6 billion as reported in the Brand Finance India 100 rankings for 2025. This 10% year-on-year growth highlights Tata’s continued dominance and strong global recognition. The group also led in sustainability perception value, further enhancing its brand strength. Tata’s success reflects the rising global stature of Indian corporate houses, while also setting a benchmark for other major players like Infosys, HDFC, and the rapidly growing Adani Group, showcasing India’s expanding influence on the world economic stage.

TVS Motor Company launched its iQube electric scooter in Indonesia on June 17, 2025, marking a key step in the company's global EV expansion strategy. Priced at IDR 29.9 million, the iQube aims to support Indonesia’s fast-growing electric mobility sector and aligns with the country’s green transportation goals. The scooters will be assembled locally in East Karawang, contributing to employment, technology transfer, and sustainable development. This launch not only reinforces TVS’s presence in Southeast Asia but also reflects India's rising influence in EV exports, particularly to emerging markets that are rapidly embracing clean mobility solutions.

OpenAI secured a significant $200 million contract from the U.S. Department of Defense in June 2025 to develop cutting-edge artificial intelligence solutions for national security and military operations. This strategic partnership, set to run through July 2026, highlights the growing collaboration between top AI firms and defence agencies. The contract focuses on creating prototype frontier AI tools applicable to warfighting and enterprise domains such as logistics, intelligence, and operations. With OpenAI’s rapid growth—demonstrated by its $10 billion annual revenue run rate and 500 million weekly users—this deal marks a pivotal step in the company’s expansion into defence technology and AI-driven national security systems.

Tata Consultancy Services (TCS), a leading Indian IT firm, has partnered with the Council of Europe Development Bank (CEB) to enhance the bank’s financial operations through automation and artificial intelligence. The partnership aims to modernise the reconciliation process using TCS BaNCSTM for Reconciliations, an advanced solution that automates transaction matching, exception handling, and reporting. This collaboration not only boosts efficiency and transparency in banking operations but also reflects the growing role of Indian technology in driving digital transformation in global financial institutions. The system will help reduce manual effort, improve decision-making, and align with CEB’s development-focused mission across Europe.

Shell India has collaborated with the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (MSDE) to roll out a comprehensive training programme aimed at equipping Indian youth with skills in electric vehicle (EV) technologies and green energy. Implemented through the Directorate General of Training (DGT), this initiative covers areas such as EV systems, battery diagnostics, and safety protocols. It targets key industrial states including Delhi-NCR, Gujarat, Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, and Karnataka. The programme supports India's clean energy goals by fostering a job-ready, climate-conscious workforce, aligning with the country’s net-zero emissions vision and addressing the growing demand for skilled professionals in the green mobility sector.