Uber and Sulabh International Team Upto Improve Sanitation Access For Drivers In Bengaluru

Enhancing driver wellbeing through safe sanitation and accessible public facilities

Uber, India’s leading ridesharing platform, and Sulabh International, a pioneer in sanitation and social reform, have come together on World Toilet Day to provide free access to clean and safe public toilets, promoting hygiene and comfort for Uber drivers.

The partnership will enable Uber drivers to use Sulabh operated public toilets free of charge across nine cities including Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Pune, Jaipur, Lucknow, Kolkata, and Ahmedabad. The initiative is aimed at improving hygiene and wellbeing for those who spend long hours on the road, reinforcing both organizations’ shared commitment to dignity, inclusion and public health, while supporting the broader objectives of the Swachh Bharat Mission.

Uber drivers can avail this benefit by presenting their Uber registration ID on the driver app at Sulabh operated facilities. All locations are maintained by Sulabh to ensure cleanliness, regular upkeep, and the availability of essential sanitation supplies. Recognizing the unique needs of women drivers, 50 Sulabh toilet complexes will also be equipped with sanitary pad vending machines and incinerators, enabling access to free sanitary products and proper waste disposal.

Commenting on the partnership, Amit Deshpande, Head, City Operations, Uber India and South Asia, said, “For drivers who spend much of their day on the road, access to clean and safe sanitation is a basic yet critical need. Our collaboration with Sulabh International reflects Uber’s continued effort to improve everyday work conditions for drivers, while contributing to the Swachh Bharat Mission.”

Kumar Dilip, President, Sulabh International, said, “We appreciate Uber’s effort to prioritise the dignity and comfort of drivers on its platform. Sulabh has always worked to make sanitation accessible and inclusive, and through this initiative, we are extending these essential facilities to millions of drivers on the Uber platform across key cities. This collaboration supports better hygiene, greater convenience, and contributes to a healthier, more dignified workforce.”

This partnership highlights the power of collective action between technology and social innovation by bringing together Uber’s reach and Sulabh’s expertise to make access to sanitation a basic right, not a privilege, for those who keep India moving.

About Uber

We started operations in India in 2013 with a simple promise: press a button, get a ride. More than a decade and over 3 billion trips later, we continue to build products to help people get where they need to be. Today, Uber is available across 125 cities in India and has become #IndiaKiRide where people can go where they have to on Bike, Auto, Cars and even Buses - designed for their various intracity and intercity travel needs. With just a swipe on the app we make mobility seamless for millions and have helped over 1,400,000 Indians earn a sustainable income by getting in the driver's seat. We continue to reimagine the way the world moves for the better in ever expanding ways and remain committed to keep India Moving Forward.

Amazon India To Create 25 Food Gardens In Schools, Further Investing In Nutrition Support For Children In Karnataka

Amazon India today announced a new collaboration with ICLEI South Asia to establish 25 urban food gardens in schools in Karnataka by 2027, expanding its nutrition initiatives that have already supported 250,000 school children across the state. This new program builds on Amazon's ongoing investments in nutrition and will address food security, drive digital inclusion, operational excellence, and sustainability — directly improving the lives of underprivileged children.

Through the collaboration, Amazon contributed $1 million through its Right Now Climate Fund to ICLEI South Asia to establish 75 urban food gardens by 2028 in schools across Bangalore, Delhi, and Kolkata. These gardens provide students with hands-on experience growing fresh vegetables while learning about sustainability. Early pilots in Bangalore show strong student participation, with 10-12 vegetable varieties already distributed to students over four months. The program will expand to an additional 16 schools in the next six months.

Amazon's nutrition initiatives in Karnataka also include its long-standing collaboration with Akshaya Patra Foundation. Since supporting Karnataka's Ksheera Bhagya milk programme in 2017—which benefited 170,000 children in Bengaluru government schools—the collaboration has evolved to address broader nutrition and education needs. In 2024, Amazon launched Project Aasha, enabling employees to share its expertise in supply chain and logistics to enhance Akshaya Patra's operational capabilities. Amazon employees nationwide have also supported the preparation and distribution of nearly 450,000 nutritious mid-day meals across India in 2025.

"From funding milk programs to building creative ways for children to understand nutrition, our programs and initiatives have continuously evolved to meet the changing needs of children and communities," said Abhinav Singh, VP Operations, Amazon India and Australia. "Together with Akshaya Patra and ICLEI, we are creating lasting impact that goes beyond food to education on nutrition and sustainability in the formative years of a student’s life."

Dr. Monalisa Sen, Associate Director at ICLEI South Asia added, "Urban gardens are more than nutrition; they cultivate sustainability awareness and empower students to grow their own future."

Mr. Shridhar Venkat, CEO of The Akshaya Patra Foundation said, "Amazon has been a transformative partner since 2017, evolving from the Ksheera Bhagya programme to encompass digital education and operational excellence through Project Aasha. We are grateful for their continued support as we work towards ensuring no child in India is deprived of education because of hunger."

The Right Now Climate Fund (RNCF) is Amazon’s $100 million global commitment to restore ecosystems, protect biodiversity, and help communities where Amazon operates. Since its launch in India in 2023, RNCF has allocated $3.28M for the country as part of its $15M commitment to Asia-Pacific. Through RNCF, Amazon is collaborating with the Centre for Wildlife Studies' Wild Carbon project in the UNESCO-listed Western Ghats to support 10,000 farming households, planting one million trees, thereby reducing human-wildlife conflict while creating sustainable income opportunities. Additionally, Amazon is investing $1.2 million to restore Mumbai's Thane Creek ecosystem by planting 400,000 mangroves and removing 150 tons of plastic waste from the city's waterways, protecting a critical Asian flyway for hundreds of bird species. This initiative protects critical habitats for Mumbai's flamingos while creating employment for local women.

About Amazon.in

Amazon is guided by four principles: customer obsession rather than competitor focus, passion for invention, commitment to operational excellence, and long-term thinking. Amazon strives to be Earth’s Most Customer-Centric Company, Earth’s Best Employer, and Earth’s Safest Place to Work. Customer reviews, 1-Click shopping, personalized recommendations, Prime, Fulfilment by Amazon, AWS, Kindle Direct Publishing, Kindle, Career Choice, Fire tablets, Fire TV, Amazon Echo, Alexa, Just Walk Out technology, Amazon Studios, and The Climate Pledge are some of the things pioneered by Amazon. For more information, visit www.amazon.in/aboutus.

Bengaluru Tech Summit 2025 Concludes At BIEC, Reinforcing Global Confidence In Karnataka’s “Futurise” Agenda

Key Highlights:

Three days of high-impact programming featuring Ten conference tracks aligned with the “Futurise” theme, featuring 103 sessions, 633 speakers, 1015 exhibitors, 92,478 attendees, 46,389 registered business visitors, 20,680 conference delegates, 57 countries, and a total of 5095 metro tickets booked

Strong global presence with GIA delegations from countries, including Germany, the Netherlands, Australia, Belgium, South Korea, Norway, Italy, Switzerland, Israel, Japan, the UK, and the USA

India–US MoU signed to advance cooperation in critical and emerging technologies, spanning AI, defence, space, quantum computing, clean energy, and telecommunications

Karnataka announced major LEAP programme updates, including Elevate Next (Deeptech) and Elevate Beyond Bengaluru, with grants ranging from INR 50 lakh to INR 1 crore for 90 startups

GoK and VCs came together to distribute up to INR 400 crore to Deep tech start-ups

MoU signed between ESSCI, Government of Karnataka, and Marvell Semiconductor to train 90 women in VLSI and embedded systems across tier-2 and tier-3 cities

Department of Electronics showcased 50 breakthrough startup products across IT, AgriTech, MedTech, CleanTech, AI, IoT, Defence, and more, highlighting IP-led innovation emerging from K-tech Hubs, CoEs, and TBIs

Future Makers Conclave featured astronaut Group Capt. Shubhanshu Shukla, author Ankur Warikoo, tennis icon Sania Mirza, Zepto Co-Founder Kaivalya Vohra, Richa Shah, Suhani Shah, among others

Policy and global governance dialogues addressed AI frameworks, semiconductor strategy, quantum technologies, digital public infrastructure, biotech advancement, and frontier science.

STPI IT Export Awards 2024–25 honoured Shri B. V. Naidu, Chairman, KDEM with the STPI Commendation Award

IT Ratna of Karnataka awarded to Infosys Ltd. for exports above ₹15,000 crore. IT Pride Awards were presented to major industry leaders, including Schneider Electric, Accenture, Amazon, Bosch, Dell, IBM, Intel, JPMorgan, Qualcomm, Samsung R&D, SAP Labs, TCS, and VMware, alongside key recognitions for high-growth and regional performers.

Recognition of excellence through SmartBio Awards, Poster Awards, and Startup Ecosystem Impact Awards

National finalists recognised through the TCS Rural IT Quiz and BioQuiz National Finale, celebrating emerging young innovators.

Two policies: IT policy 2025-2030 and Space Technology policy 2025-2030, were announced during BTS 2025

The 28th edition of the Bengaluru Tech Summit (BTS) 2025 concluded today at the Bangalore International Exhibition Centre (BIEC), marking the end of three days of high-impact innovation and global collaboration. A key highlight this year was the Future Makers Conclave, which brought together trailblazers shaping the next decade. Astronaut Group Capt. Shubhanshu Shukla, author and entrepreneur Ankur Warikoo, tennis icon Sania Mirza, Zepto Co-Founder Kaivalya Vohra, cricketer Richa Ghosh, mentalist Suhani Shah, and several other celebrated personalities shared stories that blended creativity, resilience, and leadership. The Conclave also featured a special felicitation ceremony honouring founders of companies that have crossed the billion-dollar milestone, with leaders from Zepto, Rapido, Ather Energy, Jumbotail, Navi, and Bluestone recognised on stage with the traditional Mysuru Peta.

At the Conclave, Minister Priyank Kharge outlined Karnataka’s intensified focus on deep tech and the expanding collaboration between the government and the private sector. He shared that the state has already facilitated ₹786.43 crore in investments for deep-tech startups and recently launched a ₹663-crore Deep Tech Fund. With venture capital firms matching the government’s commitment, the combined corpus has now crossed ₹1,200 crore, with contributions from leading funds such as Capital A, Blue Hill VC, and Axcel Partners. He emphasised that government grants help early-stage startups transition to VC funding and pilot deployment, reiterating Karnataka’s vision of becoming a startup’s “first customer” and noting the state’s rise in global startup rankings from 21st to 8th in just two years.

The recognition of high-growth founders served as a strong reminder of Bengaluru’s role in shaping India’s digital economy, as the Government of Karnataka celebrated the resilience and ambition of leaders who have built transformative companies. Zepto’s rapid acceleration in the quick-commerce sector was highlighted as a standout example of innovation and disciplined execution, symbolising the strength of the city’s entrepreneurial ecosystem and inspiring emerging founders across the country.

The Government of Karnataka and leading VC firms jointly disbursed INR 400 crore at the Future Makers Conclave, marking a major milestone for AI and deep-tech innovation in the state. The initiative aimed to strengthen collaboration between startups and investors and reinforce Karnataka’s leadership in emerging technologies. The government highlighted its focus on accelerating progress through strong public–private partnerships and building a globally competitive ecosystem. The Conclave also announced 143 ELEVATE winners, the largest cohort so far, bringing the total number of funded startups to 1,084, including 390 from Beyond Bengaluru.

The Government of Karnataka and leading VC firms jointly disbursed INR 400 crore at the Future Makers Conclave, marking a significant milestone for AI and deep-tech innovation. Minister Priyank Kharge said the initiative was designed to bring startups and VCs together to create the “future makers of tomorrow,” thanking the VC community for partnering to reshape how the world views India. He reaffirmed the state’s commitment to accelerating progress and building an ecosystem “unmatched in the world.” The Conclave also announced 143 ELEVATE winners, the largest cohort to date, bringing the total number of startups funded under the program to 1,084, including 390 from Beyond Bengaluru.

Themed “Futurise”, the Summit brought together leaders from government, industry, research, and entrepreneurship to imagine, innovate, and build what comes next. Notable figures who addressed or participated in sessions across the three days included Debjani Ghosh (NITI Aayog), Dr. Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw, Dr. V. Narayanan (ISRO), Shri S. Gopalakrishnan (Kris), Chairman, Karnataka Vision Group on IT & Electronics, and Co-Founder, Infosys, Chairman, Axilor Ventures, Shri Prashanth Prakash, Chairperson, Karnataka Vision Group on Startups and Partner, Accel, Prof. Arindam Ghosh (IISc) among others. The overwhelming response saw enthusiastic participation from diverse backgrounds, including tech professionals, entrepreneurs, government officials, and students.

BTS 2025 recorded exceptional participation with representation from 57 nations, reflecting its global reach. The summit featured 1015 exhibitors and 663 speakers, showcasing cutting-edge ideas and innovations. With over 20,680 delegates, 46,389 registered business visitors, and 92,478 total attendees. BTS 2025 reinforced its position as one of Asia’s most influential technology and innovation gatherings. It also featured 103 knowledge sessions across 10 thematic tracks that supported by strong participation from startups, academic researchers, policy leaders, and global partner missions. Academic institutions and leading research universities joined international delegations to strengthen research–industry collaboration.

This year, Australia joined as the Country Partner, while NRW Global Business (Germany) and Norway featured as Country Focus Partners, Poland as the Bronze Partner, and Italy as the Country Presence Partner. Further strengthening the global footprint of the summit, delegations from leading tech nations participated in the Conference and Exhibition, viz., USA, Cuba, Uruguay, Russia, UK, Israel, Belgium, Finland, France, EU, Dubai, Sharjah, South Korea, Japan, Singapore, and Thailand. On the domestic front, Madhya Pradesh was the State Partner, with Odisha as the Co-State Partner and DPIIT – Startup India as the Startup Partner.

The BTS 2025 Exhibition brought together exhibitors and delegations from 60+ countries across industry, academia, government, and the startup ecosystem. Organised into specialised zones—Electro-Semicon, Biotech & HealthTech, Mobility, Spacetech, Greentech, Telecom, FinTech, Edutech, and Animation & Gaming—the exhibition was further supported by the Startup Pavilion, Corporate & Industry Pavilion, National & State Pavilions, the R&D ‘Lab to Market’ Pavilion, and the Karnataka Showcase. Designed as Asia’s Premier Tech Commerce & Innovation Marketplace, the exhibition translated ideas into scalable opportunities. BTS 2025 also hosted specialized platforms like Investor Connect — enabling startups to engage directly with leading investors and industry leaders — and Mentor Connect, which offered valuable one-on-one mentorship sessions with seasoned domain experts.

BTS 2025 featured comprehensive knowledge tracks across IT & DeepTech, Electronics & Semicon, DigiHealth & Biotech, FinVerse, AI Universe, Frontier Technologies, and Spacetech & Aerospace. Across stages, leaders deliberated on the future of work, AI-driven science, sovereign digital ecosystems, regenerative medicine, semiconductor design maturity, and global financial innovation, reflecting the breadth of India’s rapidly evolving technology landscape.

Bengaluru Tech Summit 2025 concluded as a landmark reflection of India’s innovation landscape, encompassing its founders, institutions, global partners, and collective technological vision. Over three days of in-depth programming, the Summit underscored that the nation’s progress will be shaped not only by advancements in AI, biotechnology, mobility, semiconductors, digital health, and sustainability, but also by strategic collaboration, inclusive growth, and the emergence of next-generation leadership. The breadth of discourse, the scale of participation, and the strength of international engagement affirmed a clear message: India is entering a defining decade of innovation, with Bengaluru continuing to serve as its principal engine and global point of convergence.

Summary of the Day-3 at the Bengaluru Tech Summit 2025:

STPI IT Export Awards 2024–25: The awards recognised Shri B. V. Naidu with the STPI Commendation Award for his longstanding contribution to Karnataka’s IT/ITES sector, a category he originally conceptualised. Infosys Ltd. received the IT Ratna of Karnataka for exports above ₹15,000 crore, followed by IT Pride honours for Schneider Electric and major IT/ITES leaders, including Accenture, Amazon, Bosch, Dell, IBM, Intel, JPMorgan, Qualcomm, Samsung R&D, SAP Labs, TCS, and VMware. High-growth and regional awards went to Clinisys, Colt, Genpact, Excelsoft, and Glowtouch, while Cyient DLM and Incap were recognised in hardware. Workforce and productivity honours went to NVIDIA, Genpact, Intuit, NXP, and Signify Innovations, with Exhibitor Excellence awards presented to Xogar Studio, Israel Pavilion, Alliance University, Sarus Aerospace, ECIA, ARTPARK, Sharjah RTI Park, IIIT-Bangalore, and the Russia Pavilion.

The TCS National Rural IT Quiz 2025 showcased exceptional young talent from across the country, with Pratham Chetan Dand from Shree M. J. C. K. R. Higher Secondary School, Songadh, Gujarat, emerging as the National Winner. The Runner-Up title was secured by Anish Nauso Shetye from Dr. K. B. Hedgewar Vidyamandir, Sankhalim, Goa, reflecting the strong performance and enthusiasm from students across rural India. This year’s edition once again underscored the growing digital awareness and potential of rural students, reinforcing the Quiz’s mission to inspire and empower future innovators.

The BioQuiz 2025 National Finals at the Bengaluru Tech Summit brought together top biotechnology students from across India for a fast-paced and engaging competition hosted by quizmaster Giri Balasubramaniam, with guest Apoorva K Bidari, KAS, opening the session. Across challenging rounds covering molecular biology, genetics, and biotechnology innovations, the finalists demonstrated sharp thinking under pressure. Jharkhand’s Debabrata Meitei from ICAR–Indian Institute of Agricultural Biotechnology emerged as the National Winner, maintaining a commanding lead through consistent and accurate answering, while Uttar Pradesh’s Bhavya Bansal from Lovely Professional University finished as Runner-Up following steady scoring and impressive buzzer attempts. The finalist from AISSMS College of Engineering, Maharashtra, also delivered a strong performance, making the quiz a spirited and memorable highlight of the summit.

The fireside chat with Zepto Co-founder Kaivalya Vohra, moderated by Ankur Warikoo, offered a compelling look into how Zepto pioneered the 10-minute delivery model. Vohra shared that the idea emerged after noticing that customers who accidentally received 10–15-minute deliveries showed the highest retention, prompting the founders to test the concept hands-on during the pandemic. He spoke about the challenge of building dark stores and ultra-fast supply chain systems with no global precedent, relying on rapid iteration and strong technical innovation. Emphasising resilience, Vohra noted that entrepreneurship demands showing up despite daily setbacks. He also highlighted the importance of hiring experienced operators early to fill knowledge gaps. Calling Bengaluru home, he credited the city’s exceptional talent pool for Zepto’s growth. The session concluded with insights into his inspirations, leadership learnings, and Zepto’s continued expansion beyond groceries.

Speaking at Future Conclave, Group Capt. Shubhanshu Shukla delivered an inspiring keynote on the realities of human spaceflight, emphasising how curiosity drives humanity to solve extreme challenges beyond Earth. He described how astronauts must relearn basic actions in space due to the absence of gravity, making even simple tasks unfamiliar. Shukla highlighted the dramatic evolution of spacecraft from the earliest capsules to modern touch-screen-operated Crew Dragon vehicles. He explained the crushing experience of launch, where astronauts endure up to 8 Gs while ascending to 28,500 km/h in under nine minutes. He spoke about the disorienting nature of microgravity, where concepts like up or down vanish and objects float effortlessly. The physiological impact of space travel was outlined, including fluid shifts to the head, muscle loss, and temporary height increase. He shared how returning to Earth requires relearning how to walk after days in orbit. Shukla also emphasised the psychological resilience required for long-duration missions. He showcased breathtaking visuals of Earth from space, including India illuminated at night. Concluding with a strong message, he urged the audience to contribute to India’s rapidly growing space ecosystem and help power the nation’s journey toward “Viksit Bharat 2047,” reminding everyone that the sky was never the limit.

In a Fireside chat, the Grit, Glory, and Grace, moderated by sports anchor Mayanti Langer, Sanya Mirza, and Richa Ghosh, discuss navigating criticism, managing the spotlight, and staying grounded as elite athletes. Sanya shared how she developed resilience over the years, noting that neither social media praise nor negativity should shape an athlete’s mindset. They reflected on how technology and data have transformed training, recovery and performance, especially for women whose physiological needs require tailored support. Sanya emphasised that while AI and innovation elevate sport, instinct, talent and hard work remain irreplaceable. Both athletes also celebrated the rising visibility and respect for women’s sports in India and urged young athletes and entrepreneurs to stay rooted in their purpose and focus on consistent effort rather than external expectations.

Picture Captions: L-R - Shri Priyank Kharge, Hon'ble Minister for Information Technology & Biotechnology and Rural Development & Panchayat Raj, Govt. of Karnataka, Group Capt. Shubhanshu Shukla and Sharath Kumar Bache Gowda, Chairman, KEONICS at Future Makers Conclave.

First India Urges Ministry Of Finance For Clarity On GST Applicability To Logistics And Local Delivery Services

The e-commerce and retail logistics sector in India faces mounting uncertainty over recent GST amendments concerning transportation services, prompting urgent industry intervention. The Forum for Internet Retailers, Sellers & Traders (FIRST India), representing over 300 e-commerce platforms, logistics startups, and digital marketplaces, has approached the Union Ministry of Finance seeking immediate clarification on GST implications for Goods Transport Agency (GTA) services and local delivery operations. The recent changes (Notification No. 17/2025–Central Tax, dated September 17, 2025) has created ambiguity between "local delivery" and "GTA" services. The new provision under Section 9(5) of the CGST Act requires e-commerce operators to pay 18% GST on "local delivery" services, except when service providers are registered under Section 22(1). However, without clear definitions of what constitutes "local delivery," MSMEs are struggling to classify short-distance or intra-city transport services.

The amendments following the 56th GST Council Meeting were intended to streamline transportation services taxation, the subsequent notifications have inadvertently created considerable confusion among ecosystem participants. Of particular concern is the impact on e-commerce operators, logistics service providers, and thousands of MSME sellers who form the backbone of India's digital retail infrastructure.

This lack of clarity has triggered operational and compliance challenges across the logistics value chain. Businesses are unclear on who bears the primary liability to pay tax – the e-commerce platform, the logistics partner, or the seller, and face inconsistencies in documentation and invoicing. The risk of double taxation looms large, particularly in cases where a shipment involves both interstate and local movement, handled by different service providers. The small logistic service providers are grappling with different model of large ecommerce players. Inconsistencies in interpretation have led to varying approaches among major e-commerce players, with Flipkart claiming GTA exemption while other significant platforms like Meesho are not availing this benefit, as they believe they do not qualify under the exemption category.

Sushma Morthania, Director General, FIRST India said, “The GST Council’s move to streamline compliance and plug loopholes is well-intentioned, but the lack of operational clarity on what qualifies as a ‘local delivery service’ has led to widespread confusion. E-commerce logistics is the backbone of MSME participation in India’s digital economy. A timely clarification will help ensure uniform compliance, protect small sellers from unintended tax burdens, and safeguard business continuity for thousands of logistics partners and digital retailers.”

In this regard, FIRST India has sought clarifications from the Ministry on the following:

The geographical and operational definition of “local delivery services” and its distinction from GTA and courier services;

The applicability of the existing B2C exemption for GTA services under Notification No. 12/2017 when goods are delivered directly to consumers;

The treatment of intra-state GTA services facilitated through e-commerce platforms; and

Whether ancillary services such as cash-on-delivery handling or product verification at delivery points are to be treated as part of GTA services or separately taxable activities.

FIRST India emphasizes that a definitive clarification from the Ministry is crucial to ensure industry-wide compliance and fair competition. The organization stresses that clear guidance on whether Flipkart's approach of claiming GTA exemption or the stance taken by other major players like Meesho is correct would be invaluable. Such clarity would enable FIRST India's members to serve the nation in accordance with the true spirit of the law, preventing any potential misinterpretation of well-intentioned regulations. This would not only foster a level playing field but also help businesses avoid inadvertent non-compliance due to ambiguous interpretations of the amended GST provisions.

About FIRST India

FIRST India’s strategy is based on engaging, reporting and communication. Together with its members, it gathers issues and evidence of obstacles hampering the development of the sector and translate them into priorities. Through collaboration with other relevant stakeholders, and using its members’ expertise, FIRST India develops positions and proposes workable solutions to the legislators in order to foster the growth of the Indian retail and ecommerce industry. FIRST India works together with all Indian stakeholders to rapidly remove the remaining barriers in digital commerce. It is mandated to identify problems as well as measure progress in the trade and commerce market, following from policy initiatives that will be taken at the National as well as Global level.

UNFPA, FP2030 And Gates Foundation Convene Policy Dialogue To Reimagine Family Planning In India

A high-level policy dialogue brought together government leaders, development partners, and experts to shape evidence-based policies in India

The United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) India, in collaboration with the Family Planning 2030 (FP2030) Asia-Pacific Regional Hub and the Gates Foundation, hosted a roundtable today with senior officials from the Prime Minister’s Economic Advisory Council (EAC-PM) and the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW), alongside representatives from development partners, academia, and civil society. The discussion focused on India’s evolving demographic landscape, marked by declining fertility rates and a continued need to expand access to quality family planning services. The roundtable offered a forward-looking vision for strengthening family planning policies and programmes to align with the changing population profile.

The roundtable comes at a crucial time. While India's Total Fertility Rate (TFR) has fallen to 2.0, below the replacement level of 2.1, millions of women do not have access to the family planning services they seek. With unmet need standing at 9.4 percent, this gap affects an estimated 47 million women, underscoring the importance of strengthening access, choice, and quality in family planning.

Ms. Andrea M. Wojnar, UNFPA India Representative said, “India stands at a defining moment in its demographic journey. With current fertility trends, focus must champion reproductive rights, choice, and the full continuum of reproductive health for all. This roundtable marks an important step toward shaping a future-ready, evidence-driven family planning agenda, one that places people, especially young women and those with unmet needs, at the centre of national policy and socio-economic development.”

Dr. Shamika Ravi, Member of the Economic Advisory Council to the Prime Minister (EAC-PM) commented “India is a diverse country, and this diversity demands precision policy making. Every block, every village, every region is different — each with its own social realities, needs, and challenges. There is no one-size-fits-all approach. To deliver real impact, we must localise our strategies and design interventions that respond to what is happening on the ground in each pocket of the country. Precision policy making is not just desirable; it is essential for ensuring that programmes reach the people who need them most, in the way they need them.”

Ms. Aradhana Patnaik, Additional Secretary and Mission Director, National Health Mission, Ministry of Health & Family Welfare (MoHFW) said “We must remember that family planning is not a women’s programme — it is a family programme. This is why, alongside saas-bahu sammelans, the Ministry also convenes saas-bahu-pati sammelans to reinforce that husbands and wives must make choices together. When couples share responsibility and decisions, we move closer to what truly matters: healthy mothers, healthy babies, and healthy families. Partnership is at the core of real reproductive choice.”

The discussions highlighted that while India has made significant progress, the family planning agenda remains unfinished. Sustaining investments and broadening the definition of reproductive health to include infertility care was pressed upon. Participants also called for policy developments to guide future family planning strategies and priorities, while strengthening alignment among stakeholders on choice-based principles, irrespective of fertility rates.

Panel discussions explored key themes such as expanding the contraceptive basket of choice, integrating infertility services, and addressing the reproductive health needs of adolescents and young people. The event concluded with a call to strengthen collaboration among government, development partners, and civil society to ensure that family planning in India remains people centered, inclusive, and responsive to changing fertility trends.

JR Compliance Releases First Industry Report On ‘Certification Delays In India’

Reveals 42% of Products Miss Market Launch Timelines Due to Regulatory Bottlenecks

JR Compliance, one of India’s leading compliance and product-certification consulting firms, has introduced an Integrated Regulatory Support Suite aimed at helping brands streamline mandatory certifications, eliminate documentation errors, and achieve faster market readiness across sectors such as electronics, D2C, appliances, and emerging tech.

As India’s regulatory frameworks expand across BIS, WPC, EPR, BEE, and international standards, businesses — especially MSMEs and D2C brands — often face delays due to incomplete documentation, repeated testing cycles, and complex submission requirements. JR Compliance’s new model offers single-window project handling, technical file preparation, testing lab coordination, and post-compliance advisory, ensuring smoother certification outcomes.

“Compliance shouldn’t slow a company down. Our aim is to make regulatory processes predictable and efficient for every brand we work with,” said Mr. Rishikesh Mishra, Founder and CEO, JR Compliance. “This new suite is built to eliminate the most common causes of certification delays, so companies can focus on product innovation and market growth.”

Key Features

Complete support for BIS (CRS & FMCS), EPR, WPC, TEC, ISO, BEE

Technical documentation & testing coordination

Dedicated compliance manager

Post-certification advisory for labels, renewals, and imports

Reduced turnaround time through structured compliance workflows

JR Compliance has supported 1,000+ brands and handled certifications for 5,000+ products across global and Indian markets over the last decade.

About JR Compliance

JR Compliance is a Delhi-based compliance consulting firm specializing in BIS certification, global market access, corporate compliance, testing support, and regulatory documentation. The company works with startups, D2C brands, MSMEs, and multinational manufacturers to enable seamless product launches and market expansion.

Barbeque Nation Opens New Outlet At Bridge Twins Tower, Yeshwanthpur, Bengaluru Expands Central Bengaluru Presence

India’s leading casual dining brand continues rapid expansion with a new location in one of the city’s busiest shopping destinations

Barbeque Nation, one of India’s most loved casual dining chains, has launched its 19th outlet in Bengaluru, this time at Bridge Twins Tower, Yeshwanthpur Bengaluru, a landmark retail and entertainment destination in the heart of the city.

With this launch, Barbeque Nation strengthens its presence in South India, bringing its signature “live-on-the-table grill” concept and buffet-style dining experience to more guests across the city. The outlet features a welcoming ambiance and vibrant seating, designed to create a casual, family-friendly dining experience.

On the occasion, Mr. Rahul Agarwal, CEO, Barbeque Nation Hospitality Ltd., said:
“We are delighted to launch our 19th outlet in Bengaluru, 1st Outlet in Yeshwanthpur, a city that continues to show immense love for the Barbeque Nation experience. Bridge Twins Tower is an ideal location for us to connect with a wider audience, and we look forward to offering our signature hospitality and flavours to guests here.”

The unlimited buffet at Barbeque Nation offers a wide selection of dishes across vegetarian and non-vegetarian options. Among the highlights are Cajun Spice Potato and Malai Broccoli for vegetarians, and Lebanese BBQ Grilled Fish and Coastal BBQ Prawns for non-vegetarians all prepared with the brand’s signature marinades and grilling techniques.

Barbeque Nation continues to be a pioneer in interactive dining, offering an experience that goes beyond the plate celebrating food, community, and togetherness with every new outlet.

About the Brand

Founded in India in 2006, Barbeque Nation revolutionized the casual dining landscape with its Live Grills on the Table concept, allowing diners to grill their own skewers of meats, seafood, and vegetables right at their table. Over the years, this unique dining experience has won millions of hearts across India, UAE, Malaysia, Oman and Bahrain with close to 200 restaurants worldwide.