Four Teams Win ₹2 Crore At Samsung Solve For Tomorrow 2026

· Participants across 648 cities, 28 states and 7 UTs identified challenges in their communities and developed tech solutions to address them

· Winners were shortlisted by Samsung R&D and Design MDs and an external jury from NITI Aayog, IIT Delhi, MeitY and Office of Principal Scientific Advisor, GoI

· Top 20 teams were awarded ₹20 lakh in grants and a smartphone for every member; the programme also facilitated an Investor Meet for potential funding of their ideas

Samsung India today announced the winners of Samsung Solve for Tomorrow 2026, with this year’s entries spanning 648 cities across 28 states and seven union territories. At the Grand Finale in New Delhi, four teams won incubation grants totaling ₹2 crore from Samsung to take their technology-led solutions forward.

The winning teams — QuantHunt from Raebareli, Uttar Pradesh; morphism from Raipur, Chhattisgarh; InnoBotix from New Delhi and Somatrace from Hyderabad, Telangana — will also receive mentorship and incubation support at FITT, IIT Delhi, to develop their prototypes towards market-ready solutions, with the potential to evolve into startups of the future.

This year’s finalists in India were selected through a six-month journey that included 184 design thinking workshops across 135 cities, intensive bootcamps, prototype development and pitch evaluations. They presented solutions across four themes: AI Living for India, Health and Education, Sport and Tech and Environmental Sustainability.

Now in its fifth edition in India, Samsung Solve for Tomorrow is part of a global programme. Since 2022, around 80,000 students have participated, using science, technology, engineering and mathematics to identify challenges in their communities and develop solutions.

Four winning solutions

AI Living for India: QuantHunt – Raebareli, Uttar Pradesh: An AI-based cybersecurity solution designed to identify encryption vulnerabilities and help organisations prepare their digital systems for emerging quantum-computing risks.

Health and Education: morphism – Raipur, Chhattisgarh: An AI system designed to help autistic individuals better understand emotions by analysing subtle facial expressions and other behavioural signals.

Environmental Sustainability: InnoBotix – New Delhi: Sentinel, a solar-powered AI edge device that uses cameras, radar and seismic data to detect wildlife approaching human settlements and provide early warnings.

Sport and Tech: Somatrace – Hyderabad, Telangana: A wearable IoT training tool that measures spinal angles and load during training to help precision-sport athletes and coaches better understand injury risk.

The Top 20 teams received ₹20 lakh in grants, and each member received a Samsung Galaxy flagship smartphone. The Grand Finale also recognised teams through two Community Choice Awards of ₹1 lakh each and a Digital Impact Award of ₹50,000.

This year’s entries featured human-centred solutions using artificial intelligence, wearable IoT and sustainable design. Over 50% of the ideas came from Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities, demonstrating that innovation is not confined to urban centres and that promising solutions to real-world challenges can emerge from every corner of Bharat.

The finalists received mentorship from Samsung, startup founders and experts from FITT, IIT Delhi to refine their hardware and software prototypes.

“India’s next wave of innovation will depend on how well we connect technology to people’s needs and give young people the opportunity to take ideas from the problems they see to solutions they can test and build. Sustaining that journey strengthens the country’s capacity to innovate and is an important part of nation-building. This year’s Samsung Solve for Tomorrow finalists have brought curiosity, empathy and purpose to challenges in their communities, applying emerging technologies to real-world problems. As Samsung celebrates 30 years in India, we are proud to support their journey. The four winning teams reflect a confident, inventive Bharat, ready to turn ingenuity into impact,” said Mr. JB Park, President and CEO, Samsung South West Asia.

Partnerships to support the next stage

Samsung has strategic partnerships with United Nations in India, FITT, IIT Delhi, Startup India (DPIIT), MeitY Startup Hub, Atal Innovation Mission (NITI Aayog) and Manthan, Office of the Principal Scientific Adviser to the Government of India.

These partnerships connect young innovators with wider support across India’s startup and innovation ecosystem. Through these collaborations, Samsung is helping build a culture of problem-solving and entrepreneurship, empowering young innovators to transform their ideas into market-ready solutions.

The Grand Finale also featured an Investor Meet for all Top 20 teams. The interaction gave the young innovators an opportunity to engage with the startup and investment ecosystem and explore pathways to take their innovations to the next level.

Distinguished guests at the awards ceremony included Sushil Pal, Joint Secretary, Ministry of Electronics & Technology, Government of India, Stefan Priesner, United Nations Resident Coordinator in India and Nikhil Agarwal, Managing Director, FITT, IIT Delhi.

“Innovation advances sustainable development when it is guided by inclusion, empathy and a clear understanding of people’s needs. India’s young innovators are at the heart of achieving the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals by 2030. Samsung Solve for Tomorrow gives young people the opportunity to have these values frame their solutions for a more inclusive and sustainable future. I congratulate the winners and all participants, and commend Samsung for encouraging young people to engage with the challenges shaping our shared future,” said Stefan Priesner, United Nations Resident Coordinator in India.

“Science and technology create the greatest value when they address challenges in people’s lives. This year’s Samsung Solve for Tomorrow finalists have brought that approach to a wide range of issues, from healthcare and sustainability to sports, using curiosity and problem-solving to shape their ideas. Platforms that take young people from identifying a challenge to designing and testing a solution strengthen the ecosystem with a culture of innovation across the country,” said Prof. Umesh V. Waghmare, Secretary, Department of Science and Technology, Government of India.

“Innovation takes more than a promising idea; it requires a deep understanding of the user and the discipline to test, refine and scale a solution. This year’s Samsung Solve for Tomorrow finalists have demonstrated both technological ingenuity and a strong sense of purpose. The next step is to help the winning teams move beyond prototypes towards solutions with measurable impact. I congratulate them and look forward to seeing how they use the incubation support to contribute to India’s startup ecosystem,” said Dr. PS Madanagopal, CEO, MeitY Startup Hub.

The Grand Finale jury comprised Mohan Rao Goli, Managing Director, Samsung R&D Institute India-Bengaluru; KY Roo, Managing Director, Samsung R&D Institute India-Noida; Demian Hyun, Managing Director, Samsung R&D Institute India-Delhi; and Yuran Kim, Managing Director, Samsung Design Delhi. The external jury included Himanshu Joshi, Director, AIM, NITI Aayog; Dr. Srinivasan Venkatraman, Assistant Professor, IIT Delhi; Dr. Sapna Poti, Director, Office of the Principal Scientific Adviser to the Government of India; and Saurabh Ranjan, Scientist, MeitY.

Through its global CSR vision, “Together for Tomorrow! Enabling People”, Samsung works to expand access to knowledge, skills and resources. In India, its citizenship programmes are guided by “Powering Innovation for India”, supporting young people as they build a better future for their communities. 

Vi Disrupts With India’s First Prepaid Family Plan

* Introduces a first-ever proposition that lets prepaid customers create A Vi prepaid family on the Vi app, enabling data sharing, assured savings and exclusive offers from anywhere in the country

At Vi, the thought ‘Vi Pe Sab Hain VIP’ is built on the belief that meaningful benefits should be accessible to everyone. Continuing to bring this promise to life, Vi today announced the launch of Vi prepaid family plan, India’s first proposition that challenges conventional plans, by enabling family members to share data benefits with one another from anywhere in the country. The new proposition reimagines the traditional prepaid experience giving users flexibility to share data with family members, whenever someone is running low on data.

In today's digital-first world, running out of data can mean missing an important video call, pausing an online class, getting stranded without maps, or losing access to essential apps and services. While families routinely support one another in countless ways every day, mobile data has largely remained an individual resource. Vi prepaid family plan changes that.

All active Vi prepaid subscribers can use the Vi App to create a family group, of up to four members— one being the primary member and up to three secondary members. Each member retains their own prepaid plan and validity while gaining the flexibility to share data and help the family stay connected. Vi Prepaid Family members can share 500 MB of data at a time to help another family member stay connected when they are running low on data.

Each of the family members will enjoy guaranteed discounts of up to 10% on every recharge made through the Vi App.

Speaking about the launch, Avneesh Khosla, Chief Marketing Officer, Vi, said: "At Vi, we believe the best innovations are often rooted in simple human truths. We believe the future of prepaid is not just about offering more data but about giving customers greater flexibility on how they use it. Vi Prepaid Family plan challenges the traditional approach to mobile plans in the segment and is a bold step towards making prepaid more relevant to the way people live, work and stay connected. This plan demonstrates our inclusivity stance, again, by ensuring families stay connected and share data whenever one of them needs it from anywhere in the country.”

A new campaign featuring Shah Rukh Khan brings the proposition and the brand’s ‘Vi Pe Sab Hain VIP’ promise to life. In the film, Shah Rukh Khan shows how Vi prepaid plan keeps his family, spread out across cities in India, always connected.

Consumers can create a family across telecom circles, add eligible family members, and enjoy shared connectivity, family management and exclusive rewards. Learn more with the YouTube video: https://youtu.be/8H8Sx5M452A?si=KgZ_yh52Vod-Uar8

Link to the campaign: https://youtu.be/N2cxYMrs4MY?si=WAyPid0q0lIynPi1

About Vodafone Idea Limited

Vodafone Idea Limited is an Aditya Birla Group and Vodafone Group partnership. It is amongst India’s leading telecom service providers. The company holds a large spectrum portfolio including mid band 5G spectrum in 17 circles and mmWave spectrum in 16 circles. The Company provides Voice and Data services across 2G, 4G and 5G platforms and is expanding 5G services across 17 circles. To support the growing demand for data and voice, the Company is committed to delivering delightful customer experiences and contributing towards creating a truly ‘Digital India’ by enabling millions of citizens to connect and build a better tomorrow. The Company is developing infrastructure to introduce newer and smarter technologies, making both retail and enterprise customers future ready with innovative offerings, conveniently accessible through an ecosystem of digital channels as well as extensive on-ground presence. The Company’s equity shares are listed on National Stock Exchange (NSE) and the BSE in India. For more information, please visit: www.MyVi.in  

Home Entertainment Upgrades From Sony Worth Bringing Home This Dussehra

Dussehra brings with it the excitement of festive gatherings, family traditions, good food, and time spent creating memories with loved ones. From welcoming guests and enjoying a festive meal to unwinding with a movie after the celebrations or setting the mood with music, these moments often continue long after the festivities themselves. It is also a time when many look to refresh their homes, making everyday spaces more comfortable and enjoyable for the season ahead.

For those considering a home upgrade this festive season, entertainment technology can be a thoughtful place to start. A television that brings films and favourite shows to life, a soundbar that makes movie nights more immersive, or headphones that offer a more personal listening experience can each add something different to everyday routines. Here are some home entertainment upgrades from Sony worth considering this Dussehra.

Sony BRAVIA 7 II: When movie nights are a highlight of family time, a television that brings out the detail, colour and atmosphere of every scene can make the experience more rewarding. The Sony BRAVIA 7 II is suited to those looking to take their home entertainment setup a step further, with its True RGB technology and advanced picture processing designed to bring greater depth and vibrancy to on-screen content.

The television combines RGB Backlight Master Drive Pro with RGB Triluminos Max and the Cognitive Processor XR to deliver vivid colours, detailed highlights and realistic picture quality. With 4K resolution, a 120Hz refresh rate, Dolby Vision, Dolby Atmos and Google TV, it offers a feature-rich setup for enjoying films, series and live entertainment at home.

Price: INR 2,01,390

Sony BRAVIA 3 II: Festive holidays often mean more time spent together at home, whether it is catching up on favourite television shows, watching festive programmes, following live sports, or settling in for a family movie night. The Sony BRAVIA 3 II is a practical upgrade for households looking to make everyday viewing more engaging, bringing 4K picture quality and smart entertainment features into the living room.

Powered by Sony's XR Processor, the BRAVIA 3 II uses AI scene recognition to optimise picture quality according to the content being watched. Its XR Triluminos Pro technology delivers a wider range of colours, while XR Clear Image helps improve clarity and reduce noise. The television also supports 4K at 120Hz, Dolby Atmos and Google TV, offering a versatile setup for everything from streaming favourites to watching live sporting action.

Price: INR 90,240

Sony BRAVIA Theatre Bar 5: A television upgrade can transform the viewing experience, but sound also plays an important role in bringing films and shows to life. Whether it is the dialogue in a family favourite, the soundtrack of a film, or the atmosphere of a live concert, the Sony BRAVIA Theatre Bar 5 helps create a more immersive entertainment experience without requiring a complicated home theatre setup.

The 3.1-channel soundbar supports Dolby Atmos and DTS, with S-Force PRO Front Surround and Vertical Surround Engine helping create a more dimensional sound experience. A dedicated centre speaker and Voice mode make dialogue easier to follow, while the included wireless subwoofer adds depth to bass. The BRAVIA Connect app also simplifies setup and control, and pairing the soundbar with a compatible BRAVIA television helps bring the audio and visuals together for a more cinematic experience.

Price: INR 37,990

Sony WH-1000XM6: Amid the activity of the festive season, there are also moments when a little personal downtime is welcome. Whether it is listening to music while travelling, catching up on a podcast, or enjoying a film without disturbing others at home, the Sony WH-1000XM6 headphones offer a premium listening experience with advanced noise cancellation.

Powered by Sony's HD Noise Cancelling Processor QN3, the headphones use a 12-microphone system and Adaptive NC Optimizer to adjust noise cancellation in real time. Their sound has been co-created with mastering audio engineers, while support for High-Resolution Audio and LDAC helps deliver detailed wireless listening. With a foldable design, multipoint connectivity and an AI-based beamforming system for clearer calls, the WH-1000XM6 is suited to both everyday listening and moments when you want to focus on your own entertainment.

Price: INR 35,990

Sony LinkBuds Clip: From helping with festive preparations to stepping out for a walk or catching up with friends, there are plenty of occasions when listening to music while staying aware of your surroundings is useful. The Sony LinkBuds Clip offer an alternative to conventional in-ear earbuds with an open-ear, clip-on design that supports everyday listening without completely isolating you from the world around you.

The earbuds feature three listening modes: Standard for everyday listening, Voice Boost for noisier environments, and Sound Leakage Reduction for quieter settings. AI Voice Pickup Technology helps keep calls clear, while the lightweight design is intended for comfortable wear throughout the day. With up to 37 hours of total playback and water resistance, the LinkBuds Clip can accompany everyday routines throughout the festive season.

Price: INR 15,990

The best home entertainment upgrades are those that continue to add value well beyond the occasion for which they are chosen. A television can bring family members together over films and favourite shows, a soundbar can make shared viewing more immersive, and personal audio devices can offer a welcome escape during a busy day.

From everyday family viewing and more cinematic entertainment to premium headphones and open-ear listening, Sony's range offers options for different spaces, routines and preferences. This Dussehra, upgrading your home entertainment setup can be a way to make everyday moments. 

Indriya Expands Bangalore Retail Network With A New Store In Jayanagar

* The latest Indriya store offers over 37,000 jewellery designs across bridal, festive, contemporary, and everyday wear collections in an elevated retail setting.

Indriya, Aditya Birla Jewellery, has expanded its footprint in Bangalore with the opening of its seventh store in Jayanagar. Coming shortly after the launch of its store in Forum Mall, the expansion is part of a deliberate strategy to deepen the brand’s reach across the city, creating a robust retail network that serves diverse neighbourhoods and consumer catchments.

The latest store has been designed to bring together Indriya’s design-led approach with a more considered and personalised retail experience. Traditional craftsmanship sits alongside contemporary designs, while dedicated spaces including the kaarigari room and bridal lounge allow customers and families to spend time exploring pieces, particularly for significant purchases such as bridal and occasion jewellery. The store also offers a selection of lightweight and contemporary pieces for consumers looking beyond traditional occasions.

Speaking on the occasion, Mr. Sandeep Kohli, CEO, Indriya, said, “As a city grows, the way consumers shop also becomes more localised. Bangalore has very distinct retail catchments, and consumers often have strong preferences around where they shop, what is accessible to them and how they want to experience a category like jewellery. For us, expanding across these different parts of the city is therefore an important part of building the brand here. Jayanagar gives us an opportunity to be present in a very different retail environment and, more importantly, to be closer to consumers in another part of Bangalore. Over time, we want our store network to reflect the city itself rather than be concentrated around a few destinations.”

With its Bangalore network taking shape across different retail environments, Indriya is looking beyond store expansion to build a more nuanced understanding of the city’s consumers. The Jayanagar store marks another step in that approach, bringing the brand closer to the distinct communities and consumption patterns that make up Bangalore.

About Indriya

Indriya, the jewellery brand from Aditya Birla Group, was launched in July 2024. Derived from the Sanskrit word for 'five senses,' Indriya embodies timeless elegance, unmatched craftsmanship, and a captivating sensorial experience. With an exquisite range of diamonds, precious gemstones, and artisanal gold, the brand offers jewellery that transcends traditional artistry and modern aesthetics. Indriya stores are more than just a jewellery store—it is the ultimate destination for bridal collection and celebrations of life’s most cherished moments. For brides-to-be, Indriya is a treasure trove of meticulously designed wedding jewellery, where each piece is a timeless heirloom, seamlessly blending tradition with modernity, ensuring every bride feels radiant on her special day. Beyond weddings, Indriya redefines jewellery as an expression of personal identity and artistry, cementing its position as the go-to destination for all occasions.

LuLu Group Opens Its First 1 lakh sq. ft Hypermarket & A Daily Store On The Same Day In Chennai

UAE-based Lulu Group has made its debut in Tamil Nadu’s capital, Chennai, with its first hypermarket in the city. The LuLu Hypermarket, which is located inside the Shenoy Nagar Metro Station on Chennai Metro’s Green Line, was opened to the public on Monday, October 12. LuLu Daily, a smaller store, also opened at Chennai Central Metro Station on the same day.
Lulu Group opens two stores in Chennai

Both the stores were inaugurated by Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly Speaker JCD Prabhakar, along with Minister Venkat Ramanan. According to Lulu Group, the hypermarket in Shenoy Nagar, which spans about 1 lakh sq. ft is also India’s first and largest hypermarket within a metro station. It features a supermarket and department store housing LuLu Fashion Store and LuLu Connect.

Both the stores were inaugurated by Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly Speaker JCD Prabhakar, along with Minister Venkat Ramanan. According to Lulu Group, the hypermarket in Shenoy Nagar, which spans about 1 lakh sq. ft is also India’s first and largest hypermarket within a metro station. It features a supermarket and department store housing LuLu Fashion Store and LuLu Connect.

This Navratri, ICICI Life Insurance Announces To Recruit 20,000 Women Advisors Across India By End Of FY-2027

* 45% of Company’s agency business contributed by women advisors

* 78000+ women advisors as on September 30, 2026

* 500 women advisors qualified for MDRT as on September 30, 2026

On the occasion of Navratri, ICICI Life Insurance announced its plans to recruit 20,000 women advisors across India, under the Company’s Narishakti initiative by end of FY-2027. Notably, 45% of the Company’s agency business comes from its 78,000+ women advisors as on September 30, 2026. This announcement commensurate with the 2nd anniversary of the Company’s ‘Narishakti’ initiative.

Mr. Amish Banker, Chief Distribution Officer, ICICI Life Insurance Limited, said, “We, at ICICI Life Insurance, firmly believe that ‘Talent has no gender’. While we continue to witness improvement in the performance of our male insurance advisors, we have seen that our women advisors have left no stone unturned to understand our customers’ pulse.

Importantly, women advisors constitute around 32% of our total number of advisors and they have contributed around 45% of our agency business as on September 30, 2026. Besides, in regions like Bangalore, Kerala and Mumbai, we have even seen this number crossing the 50% agency business mark.

Furthermore, our women advisors come from different walk of lives. They are homemakers, salaried professionals, businesswomen with an inherent power to multitask like a manager, solve problems like a consultant and manage money like a banker.

With a natural aptitude for empathy and strategic problem-solving, Indian women have certain intrinsic qualities that are inbuilt in their DNA which helps them to understand our customer’s requirement, provide optimal solutions and nurturing relationships long after the sale. These qualities include their strong emotional quotient, socially active nature, commitment, loyalty and their belief in securing families which are very important in the insurance business.

Hence, we launched the ‘Narishakti’ initiative two years back which helps us to empower women advisors across the country by providing the critical training and support necessary to spotlight their capabilities. Navratri is the perfect occasion to welcome more women advisors into our Narishakti force, equipping them with the skillsets needed to actively drive our government’s vision of Insurance for All by 2047.”

As on September 30, 2026, 47% of the Company’s women advisors are associated with ICICI Life Insurance for more than 10 years and over 500 women advisors of the Company have qualified for the Million Dollar Round Table (MDRT), a global, independent trade association for top-performing life insurance agents and financial services professionals.

Launched in 2024, ICICI Life Insurance’s Narishakti initiative empowers women across India to build a meaningful career as respected financial planners with zero upfront investment. It offers them, the flexibility to work on their own schedule without sacrificing their family time, while allowing them to gain recognition, become financial independent and proudly serve a noble cause by securing families nationwide.

About ICICI Life Insurance Limited:

ICICI Life Insurance Limited (Formerly ICICI Prudential Life Insurance Company Limited) commenced operations in FY2001 and has since established itself as one of India’s leading life insurers, consistently ranking high on both sum assured market share and new business premium market share. Over the years, it has earned the unwavering trust of millions of customers, becoming an integral part of India’s financial ecosystem.

Customer centricity has remained the foundation of its philosophy, with products, processes and distribution strategies all aligned to a single objective: delivering a strong and differentiated value proposition for customers. The Company offers a comprehensive suite of Protection, Savings & Retirement solutions designed to meet the evolving life stage needs. These offerings enable customers to safeguard their families’ financial security while also achieving long term financial goals.

As on March 31, 2026, the Company protects 73.73 million lives (in-force) across India covering both individual and corporate segments, making it one of the leading insurance companies in the country. Over the years, the Company has delivered on its promise of financial protection by settling ₹ 279 billion in death claims and paying ₹ 3.72 trillion in overall benefits as of March 31, 2026. In FY2026 alone, it settled ₹ 51.49 billion in death claims and disbursed ₹ 153.63 billion in maturity and survival benefits. Its claim settlement ratio of 99.3 percent and average turnaround time of 1 day underscore its commitment to swift, reliable service.

The Company is also the first among Indian Insurance industry to get listed on both the NSE and BSE. Its continued investments in data analytics and digitisation across the policy lifecycle have enabled superior efficiency, innovation and seamless experiences for customers and distributors alike. 

Nestlé India Delivers Strong Volume-Led Growth Across Product Groups

* The Board of Directors of Nestlé India today approved the results for the second quarter of financial year 2026-2027.

Commenting on the results, Mr. Manish Tiwary, Chairman and Managing Director, Nestlé India, said: “I am pleased to share that the quarter saw a continuation of strong and broad-based growth across all product groups, with total sales reaching INR 6,782.2 crore, with a growth of 20.5%, that was driven by robust, double-digit volume growth. We continued to focus on efficiencies across our operations while significantly increasing investments behind our brands, with advertising and marketing spends up by 46%. EBITDA margin remained healthy at 23.8%. Profit After Tax for the quarter stood at INR 1,026.8 crore, up 36.3% over the corresponding quarter.

Rising inflation, particularly food inflation, is a reality. We remain focused on navigating these external challenges through continuous innovation and renovation, sustained investments behind our brands, and an intensified focus on productivity and operational efficiencies to mitigate commodity cost pressures. I would like to thank our teams for their extraordinary commitment, resilience, and unwavering focus on execution in this challenging environment.

At Nestlé India, food safety and quality are the foundation of consumer trust. I am proud of the unflinching commitment of our colleagues across our manufacturing units and would like to congratulate them for receiving the CII Food Safety & Quality Awards for our Sanand and Ponda factories and the Nestlé Global Quality Award for the Samalkha factory. These recognitions reaffirm our commitment to delivering safe, high-quality products to millions of consumers every day.

Confectionery product group recorded another strong quarter of volume led double-digit growth, driven by continued market share gains in KITKAT® and sustained momentum across MUNCH® and MILKYBAR®.

Powdered and Liquid Beverages product group delivered another quarter of strong, volume-led growth. This performance was driven by sustained household reach, enhanced affordability and continued premiumization across the coffee portfolio. Our continued investments behind the NESCAFÉ® brand, coupled with a dual focus on expanding category penetration and accelerating premiumization, continue to strengthen category relevance and reinforce our long-term growth ambitions.

NESPRESSO® continued its strong growth momentum in e-commerce and retail channels fuelled by continuing premiumization and building seasonal relevance in summer through iced coffee.

Prepared Dishes and Cooking Aids product group delivered strong growth. MAGGI® noodles continued to expand through rural penetration, while MAGGI® Masala-ae-Magic continued to focus on driving household penetration by unlocking regional top dish usage across the country.

Milk Products and Nutrition product group saw strong, broad-based growth with investments in brand building and portfolio optimisation.

Pet Food business delivered strong double-digit growth, supported by sharper consumer engagement on digital platforms and focused route to market. We continued to strengthen our presence in the cat food segment through science-based nutritional solutions across mainstream and premium offerings, through FELIX® Gravy Lover, PRO PLAN® Cat and FRISKIES® wet cat. Leveraging Nestlé’s research and innovation capabilities, we remain focused on delivering advanced nutrition tailored to the evolving needs of pets.

Nestlé Professional continued its strong momentum, delivering robust, double-digit, volume-led growth through premium offerings, customer-centric solutions and innovative applications catering to evolving needs of customers in the out-of-home space.

E-commerce also continued its strong trajectory, driven by sustained shopper engagement, portfolio breadth, and focused channel-specific execution. General Trade delivered robust, double-digit growth across town classes, led by strong momentum in rural markets. Continued expansion of rural distribution touchpoints enhanced our direct reach and strengthened market coverage.

Digitalization continues to strengthen execution across our business. Building on the success of NestMitra for retailers, we are now putting data-enabled digital tools directly into the hands of our sales teams, enabling faster decisions and sharper market execution. Our sales officer app equips hundreds of sales officers with near real-time market insights, helping them identify opportunities and improve engagement.

During a recent visit to Bathri, a village adopted under our Village Development Programme near our Tahliwal factory in Himachal Pradesh, I spent time with the Gram Pradhan. As we walked through the village, he shared stories of children staying in school, families paying greater attention to nutrition and hygiene, and farmers looking to the future with renewed confidence. This was a reminder that the true measure of impact lies in helping communities believe that a brighter future is within reach.

I would like to thank our Board, shareholders, employees, retailers, distributors, and partners for their continued confidence and our consumers for the trust they place in our brands.”

Financial Highlights: Quarter 2, 2026-2027

Total Sales of INR 6,782.2 crore

Total Sales Growth at 20.5%, Domestic Sales Growth at 20.4%

EBITDA margin of 23.8%

Profit After Tax stood at INR 1,026.8 crore, up 36.3% over the corresponding quarter

Earnings Per Share of INR 5.32

Business Comments – Quarter 2, 2026-27:

E-commerce: Delivered strong growth, led by continued momentum in Quick Commerce. Growth was supported by improved product availability, a sharper channel-specific assortment and pack architecture, enhanced digital shelf execution, and targeted shopper engagement initiatives across platforms.

Organized Trade: Delivered strong growth across key categories, supported by improved in-store execution, effective consumer activations, enhanced shelf visibility, and continued expansion of the store network.

Out-of-Home (OOH): Growth, supported by customer retention & acquisition, innovation, and premiumization across categories. The beverage portfolio was strengthened through the expansion of NESCAFÉ® Duo Gusto (Industry first hot and cold machine) and an enhanced range of cold beverage solutions like Nestlé SHIKANJI. In the food space, recipe-led innovations drove the expansion of MAGGI® Coconut Milk Powder in coastal cuisines and increased the adoption of MILKMAID® in café and bakery applications.

Exports: Maintained strong double-digit growth momentum, driven by portfolio expansion and continued market development. During the quarter, MAGGI® Masala-e-Magic was launched in Canada, while NESCAFÉ® Sunrise expanded its footprint across five West African markets. The addition of a new instant coffee variant in the Middle East.

Product Groups Performance (Domestic) – Quarter 2, 2026-27:

Prepared Dishes and Cooking Aids: MAGGI® continued to focus on building brand love and providing a wider range of variety to consumers with MAGGI® Double Masala, Spicy range and scaling-up of the new MAGGI® veg atta with taste of MAGGI® masala.

Milk Products and Nutrition: Nutrition category continued to deliver sequentially strengthening performance. Toddlers-specific products delivered strong growth with market share gains.

Confectionery: The premium portfolio was further strengthened with the launch of KITKAT® Delights Choco Lava, while the MUNCH® Onam Pack helped drive festive consumption and consumer engagement. Global Formula 1 partnership was leveraged to launch the F1 Tin Gift Pack, featuring Formula 1 car-shaped chocolates exclusively on e-commerce platforms. The pack received a strong consumer response and performed well during the quarter.

Powdered and Liquid Beverages: Growth remained broad-based and volume-led across the portfolio. NESCAFÉ® CLASSIC continued to drive household recruitment, supported by a renewed communication campaign that strengthened consumer engagement and category relevance. The relaunch of NESCAFÉ® SUNRISE with an improved consumer-preferred recipe and enhanced aroma further strengthened our proposition in the chicory-coffee segment. The premium portfolio, led by NESCAFÉ® GOLD, sustained strong double-digit growth. NESCAFÉ® Ready-to-Drink continued to scale rapidly, reinforcing cold coffee as a key future growth platform for the category.

Commodity Outlook:

Coffee and wheat are expected to remain range-bound, while sugar and edible oils have stabilized at elevated levels. Cocoa remains volatile due to weather-driven crop concerns in key origins. Milk prices have strengthened seasonally but should ease as flush supplies arrive.