Bridgestone India Collaborates With Punjabi Star Parmish Verma For Music-Led Consumer Outreach

Bridgestone India has announced a dynamic new collaboration with celebrated Punjabi singer, actor, and youth icon Parmish Verma, as part of its focused strategy to deepen consumer engagement in key regional markets.

A powerful cultural voice in North India, Parmish Verma brings not only mass appeal and authenticity but also a genuine passion for automobiles. A well‑known car enthusiast, his personal interest in safe mobility and responsible driving makes this association a seamless fit with Bridgestone’s core values of performance, reliability, and safety.

North India continues to be a critical growth region for Bridgestone India, driven by rising vehicle ownership and a young, aspirational consumer base. With music and popular culture significantly shaping brand affinity in the region, Parmish Verma emerges as a natural and influential choice for this partnership.

As part of the association, Parmish Verma will collaborate with Bridgestone India as an artist, co‑creating music‑led storytelling, engaging narratives, and social‑media‑driven content for its campaigns.

Commenting on the partnership, Mr. Rajiv Sharma, Executive Director, Sales & Marketing, Bridgestone India, said: “North India is a strategically important market for us. Parmish Verma’s credibility and deep connection with audiences make him an ideal partner to represent Bridgestone. This collaboration enables us to engage meaningfully with young consumers who seek fresh, inspiring, and relatable brand experiences.”

Expressing his excitement, Parmish Verma said: “Bridgestone is a brand people trust for safety and performance. I’m proud to be associated with an organisation that values quality and puts customers first. I look forward to connecting with audiences in a new and meaningful way through this partnership.”

With this association, Bridgestone India furthers its regional engagement strategy while strengthening its position as a trusted mobility solutions provider for consumers across the country. This partnership embodies the ‘Emotion’ value of the Bridgestone E8 Commitment, which reflects the company’s promise to inspire excitement and bring joy through the world of mobility.

About Bridgestone India:

Bridgestone India Pvt. Ltd, a group company of Bridgestone Corporation, started its operations in 1996. In March 1998 with the setup of its manufacturing facility in Kheda, Madhya Pradesh, Bridgestone achieved its objective of running Indian manufactured Bridgestone tyres on Indian Roads. It expanded its facilities by setting up one more facility in Chakan, Pune in 2013. The Indore plant rolled out its 100 million tyre in 2023. In a short stint of more than 25 years, Bridgestone India Pvt. Ltd has become one of the leading tyre companies in both the OEM & Replacement market.

About Bridgestone Corporation:

Bridgestone is a global leader in tires and rubber building on its expertise to provide solutions for safe and sustainable mobility. Headquartered in Tokyo, the company employs approximately 130,000 people globally and conducts business in more than 150 countries and territories worldwide. Bridgestone offers a diverse product portfolio of premium tires and advanced solutions backed by innovative technologies, improving the way people around the world move, live, work and play.

*The Bridgestone Group established its corporate commitment, the "Bridgestone E8 Commitment," to help it realize its vision: "Toward 2050, Bridgestone continues to provide social value and customer value as a sustainable solutions company." This commitment will serve as the Group's axis to drive management while earning the trust of future generations. The "Bridgestone E8 Commitment" consists of eight unique Bridgestone values starting with the letter "E" (Energy, Ecology, Efficiency, Extension, Economy, Emotion, Ease, and Empowerment) that the Group will commit to creating through distinctly Bridgestone purposes and processes, together with employees, society, partners, and customers to help realize a sustainable society.

Alembic Pharmaceuticals Limited Announces USFDA Final Approval For Difluprednate Ophthalmic Emulsion

Alembic Pharmaceuticals Limited (Alembic) today announced that it has received final approval from the US Food & Drug Administration (USFDA) for its Abbreviated New Drug Application (ANDA) Difluprednate Ophthalmic Emulsion, 0.05%.

The approved ANDA is therapeutically equivalent to the reference listed drug product (RLD), Durezol Ophthalmic Emulsion, 0.05%, of Sandoz Inc. (Sandoz).

Difluprednate ophthalmic emulsion is indicated for the treatment of inflammation and pain associated with ocular surgery and also indicated for the treatment of endogenous anterior uveitis. Refer label for a detailed indication.

Alembic has a cumulative total of 233 ANDA approvals (213 final approvals and 20 tentative approvals) from USFDA.

About Alembic Pharmaceuticals Limited

Alembic Pharmaceuticals Limited, a vertically integrated research and development pharmaceutical company, has been at the forefront of healthcare since 1907. Headquartered in India, Alembic is a publicly listed company that manufactures and markets generic pharmaceutical products all over the world. Alembic's state of the art research and manufacturing facilities are approved by regulatory authorities of many developed countries including the USFDA. Alembic is one of the leaders in branded generics in India. Alembic's brands, marketed through a field force of over 5500 are well recognized by doctors and patients.

Information about the Company can be found at www.alembicpharmaceuticals.com; (Reuters:ALEM.NS) (Bloomberg:ALPM) (NSE:APLLTD) (BSE:533573)

GJEPC Unveils ‘Quantum Couture’ As The Theme For The Artisan Awards 2026: A Visionary Leap Into Future of Jewellery Design

The Gem & Jewellery Export Promotion Council (GJEPC) has officially announced the theme for the prestigious Artisan Jewellery Design Awards 2026, “Quantum Couture – Re-Engineering Beauty and Cultural Codes.” Launched as a call to push boundaries, the 2026 edition invites designers to move beyond convention and create wearable art for a radically evolving world—where jewellery design, legacy and technology coexist as parallel realities.

The 2026 edition impels participants to push boundaries, move beyond boxed thinking and convention, and create wearable art for an evolving world—where jewellery design, heritage and technology coexist in a meaningful manner. “Quantum Couture” shifts the focus from simply preserving form to translating meaning through a lens of “augmented imagination.”

Speaking on this year’s theme, Mr. Kirit Bhansali, Chairman, GJEPC, said, “India’s artisanal legacy is not a static memory; it is a living force that is actively shaping the global future of design. With ‘Quantum Couture,’ we are challenging designers to treat jewellery legacy as an evolving system. This is not just a trend, it is a new operating system for jewellery. We are inviting the world to see India not just as a manufacturing hub, but as a global muse that blends Indian craft with modern techniques.”

Mr. Ashish Borda, Convener, Promotions & Marketing, GJEPC, added, “Marketing in the modern era requires a narrative that resonates across generations. ‘Quantum Couture’ is our answer to a shifting consumer landscape where Gen Z and Boomers alike seek jewelry that is fluid, inclusive, and innovative. By pushing our designers to explore ‘augmented imagination,’ we are ensuring that the Indian jewelry industry remains at the forefront of the global cultural conversation, making traditional craft irresistible to the digital-native consumer.”

The 2026 theme is explored through three distinct sub-themes, each acting as a lens to define a new couture vocabulary:

1. Quantum Couture – Embroidery: Heritage Rewired Through Structure and Light
This theme reinterprets traditional embroidery—lace, brocade, filigree and beadwork—into sculptural jewellery forms. Here’s a chance to unleash your creativity and convert couture textiles into jewellery structures that feel woven, layered and suspended. The textile-inspired elements can include brocade, crochet and lace cut-outs, reimagined in precious materials. Moreover, micro-pearl weaving, bejewelled nets, fluid tassels and fringes lend movement and lightness, while yellow gold and white metals form the structural base.

2. Quantum Couture – Micro-Painting: The Intimacy of Detail in the Age of Acceleration
In this direction, jewellery becomes a micro-canvas of storytelling, rich with symbolism, where technology enhances artisanal expression rather than replacing it.

This design direction draws from time-honoured techniques such as the jadau, meenakari kundan enamelling, micro-mosaics and miniature paintings, where every surface becomes a canvas of detail. Engravings, carvings and openwork designs add depth and dimension, while rarified traditions like Thewa art bring luminous narrative to the fore.

3. Quantum Couture – Poetic Layers: Nature, Memory and Form in Dimensional Dialogue
This design direction draws from nature’s poetry, expressed through bejewelled fauna and flora rendered in layered, sculptural forms. Designs play with depth, relief and contrast to create expressive, gender-fluid pieces that merge poetic craft with contemporary construction. Techniques such as marquetry, engraving and carving, and fine filigree create depth and texture, while contrasting effects and coloured metals introduce visual drama and a contemporary sensibility.

Now in its 9th edition, the Artisan Awards 2026 is an invitation to design jewellery that resonates across generations, proving that the future of jewellery is not waiting to be preserved—it is already in the making.

Since its inception, The Artisan Awards have consistently challenged designers with disruptive themes that break stereotypes and elevate jewellery to the realm of wearable art—transcending mere intrinsic value. Each edition reinforces the belief that fine jewellery can serve as a powerful canvas for avant-garde creativity and contemporary expression. Entries undergo a rigorous, multi-stage jury evaluation process, beginning with a technical assessment and progressing through multiple rounds of expert judging. Beyond cash prizes, winners also receive internships with leading industry brands, while the winning and finalist pieces are showcased at prominent international trade shows under the India Design Gallery, curated and organised by GJEPC—offering designers unparalleled global visibility and recognition.

Jewellery manufacturers, retail brands, design labels, and design students are invited to submit their interpretations of “Quantum Couture,” joining a movement that redefines Brand India as a leader in innovation-led, sustainable, and visionary jewellery design. Sketches, along with the participation forms, must be submitted by 10th February 2026.

Paola De Luca, futurist and curator of the Quantum Couture theme, will hold an online ARTISAN AWARDS 2026- MASTER CLASS on 23 January at 2.30 pm India time, offering interested participants a deep dive into the three distinct categories.

Join Zoom Meeting

https://gjepc.zoom.us/j/89545181610?pwd=or2ovbOFsbpNo1z6yI5hfHBdtWznk0.1

ARTISAN AWARDS (www.theartisanawards.com)

The Artisan Jewellery Design Awards, an initiative of the Gem & Jewellery Export Promotion Council (GJEPC), is a prestigious design platform that celebrates innovation, originality and forward-thinking creativity in fine jewellery. Conceived to position India as a global design powerhouse, the awards encourage designers to push boundaries and reimagine jewellery as wearable art that goes beyond intrinsic value.

Over the years, The Artisan Awards have evolved into a globally recognised showcase of never-seen-before jewellery concepts, judged by an eminent international jury comprising leaders from luxury, fashion, art and design. Winners and finalists gain significant global exposure through showcases at leading international trade fairs and platforms curated by GJEPC, along with opportunities for industry internships and recognition across global media.

The Artisan Awards continue to reinforce Brand India as a source of visionary, design-led jewellery that seamlessly blends craftsmanship, contemporary thinking and cultural relevance.

About The Gem and Jewellery Export Promotion Council (GJEPC)

The Gem & Jewellery Export Promotion Council (GJEPC), set up by the Ministry of Commerce, Government of India (GoI) in 1966, is one of several Export Promotion Councils (EPCs) launched by the Indian Government, to boost the country’s export thrust, when India’s post-Independence economy began making forays in the international markets. Since 1998, the GJEPC has been granted autonomous status. The GJEPC is the apex body of the gems & jewellery industry and today represents 9000 members in the sector. With headquarters in Mumbai, GJEPC has Regional Offices in New Delhi, Kolkata, Chennai, Surat and Jaipur, all of which are major centres for the industry. It thus has a wide reach and is able to have a closer interaction with members to serve them in a direct and more meaningful manner. Over the past decades, GJEPC has emerged as one of the most active EPCs and has continuously strived to both expand its reach and depth in its promotional activities as well as widen and increase services to its members.

Facebook: www.facebook.com/GJEPC
Instagram: www.instagram.com/gjepcindia
Youtube: www.youtube.com/gjepcindia
Twitter: www.twitter.com/GJEPCIndia

PAN India To Hosts Landmark 50th Signature CME In Bengaluru, Advancing Evidence-Based Nutrition In Clinical Practice

In a significant step toward placing nutrition at the core of modern healthcare, Physicians Association for Nutrition (PAN) India will hosts its 50th Annual Signature Continuing Medical Education (CME) on 25 January 2026 at Taj Yeshwantpur, Bengaluru, in collaboration with IMA Bangalore and Bangalore Medical College and Research Institute (BMCRI).

The full-day, accredited CME brings together 600+ physicians, specialists, public health experts, and researchers from across the country to address one of India’s most pressing health challenges the rapidly rising burden of obesity, pre-diabetes, and metabolic disease. Participants will earn 2 KMC credit points while engaging in in-depth scientific discussions, interactive sessions, and practical learning experiences.

The programme features an eminent panel of national and international experts and will focus on:

● Evidence-based dietary interventions in obesity and metabolic disorders

● Understanding insulin resistance and cardiometabolic risk

● Re-evaluating macronutrient quality and dietary patterns

● Nutrition, healthspan, and longevity

● Translating research evidence into everyday clinical practice

A defining theme of the CME is clinical applicability. Beyond keynote lectures and panel discussions, the programme includes interactive quizzes, movement and fitness sessions, and a culinary medicine demonstration illustrating how to design calorie-appropriate, nutrient-dense dietary patterns suited to Indian contexts. A curated whole-food, plant-based lunch will offer participants a tangible experience of the dietary approaches discussed on stage.

Marking an important milestone, PAN India will also formally launch a new physician reference book on Healthy & Sustainable Diets during the CME. The book represents the first volume in a planned series of evidence-based, clinically practical nutrition resources tailored for Indian healthcare professionals.

“Nutrition is not an adjunct to treatment; it is foundational to prevention and recovery. When clinicians are equipped with evidence-based nutrition knowledge, we move from disease management to true health restoration. Embedding this evidence into healthcare systems and medical education is essential for sustained population-level impact.”

— Dr Rajeena Shahin, Medical Director, PAN India

The CME also underscores the importance of interdisciplinary collaboration, bringing together perspectives from clinical medicine, nutrition science, public health, and policy to explore sustainable, patient-centred healthcare models.

“We are seeing a clear shift among clinicians who want to meaningfully integrate nutrition into their practice, not as an add-on, but as a core part of patient care,” said Dr Prathima Kini, Chair, PAN India Bengaluru City Chapter.

“What is particularly encouraging is the growing interest from medical colleges and professional organisations to integrate evidence-based nutrition into curricula and training programmes,” added Dr Mahesh, City Chapter Director.

As PAN India marks its 50th CME, the Annual Signature CME 2026 reaffirms the organisation’s long-standing mission to integrate evidence-based nutrition into medical education and routine clinical care. With growing engagement from the medical fraternity nationwide, PAN India continues to lead the conversation on food as medicine, shaping a future where nutrition is central to healthcare delivery.

About Physicians Association for Nutrition (PAN) India

PAN India is a non-profit professional organisation committed to advancing evidence-based nutrition in medical education, clinical practice, and public health. Through education, research, and policy engagement, PAN India works to integrate nutrition as a core component of disease prevention and treatment in India.

TVS Credit Registers Growth Of 21% In Disbursement And 22% In PAT; Reports PAT Of Rs 658 Crore For Nine Months Ended Dec 2025

TVS Credit Services Limited, one of India’s leading NBFCs, today, published its unaudited financial results for the quarter and nine months ended December 31, 2025. The Company registered a 21% growth in disbursements in 9M FY26 compared to 9M FY25. TVS Credit reported a Total Income of Rs. 5,351 Crore for 9M FY26, a growth of 8% from 9M FY25 and Net Profit After Tax of Rs. 658 Crore for 9M FY26, a growth of 22% from 9M FY25.

Q3 FY26 Highlights:

· AUM stood at Rs. 29,678 Crore as of Dec ’25, a 9% growth compared to Dec ’24.

· Total Income for Q3 FY26 was Rs. 1,870 Crore, a 9% growth compared to Q3 FY25.

· Profit before Tax for Q3 FY26 stood at Rs. 370 Crore, a 15% growth compared to Q3 FY25.

· Net Profit after Tax was Rs. 272 Crore for Q3 FY26, a 13% growth compared to Q3 FY25.

9M FY26 Highlights:

· AUM stood at Rs. 29,678 Crore as of Dec ’25, a 9% growth compared to Dec ’24.

· Total Income for 9M FY26 was Rs. 5,351 Crore, a 8% growth compared to 9M FY25.

· Profit before Tax for 9M FY26 stood at Rs. 890 Crore, a 23% growth compared to 9M FY25.

· Net Profit after Tax was Rs. 658 Crore for 9M FY26, a 22% growth compared to 9M FY25.

In Q3 FY26, TVS Credit continued to witness growth in disbursements. Positive customer sentiment post GST 2.0 implementation and low inflation drove demand across product categories leading to increased sales, deeper market penetration, and enhanced market share. TVS Credit also saw a successful festive season with robust demand. During the period, the Company maintained its focus on risk calibrated growth across product categories, building a diversified book. TVS Credit continued to drive penetration of existing products, expand product offerings, scale up distribution while enhancing customer experience and operational efficiency.

During 9M FY26, TVS Credit disbursed loans to over 41 lakh new customers, bringing its total customer base to nearly 2.3 crore.

TVS Credit will continue to focus on leveraging technology and innovation to drive digital transformation and deepen customer relationships while maintaining strong risk management practices.

About TVS Credit Services Limited:

TVS Credit Services Limited is one of India’s leading and diversified Non-Banking Financial Company registered with the RBI. With over 60,700 touchpoints across India, the Company aims to empower Indians to dream bigger and fulfil their aspirations. Being the number one financier for TVS Motor Company Limited and one of the leading Two-Wheeler, Consumer Durable and Mobile Phone financiers, TVS Credit has a fast-growing footprint in Used Car Loans, Tractor Loans, Used Commercial Vehicle Loans, and Unsecured Loans. Powered by robust new-age technologies and data analytics, the Company has served nearly 2.3 crore happy customers till date.

Franklin Templeton India’s “Change The Soch – Kanyakumari To Kashmir

* Drive” A Nationwide Campaign Reaches Bengaluru To Spread Investor Awareness About Mutual Fund Investing

Avinash Satwalekar, President – Franklin Templeton India, embarks on over 4000+ km drive from Kanyakumari to Kashmir, meeting people from diverse backgrounds to champion financial literacy and inclusion

The investor education campaign will focus on the importance of financial literacy especially among women in India to progress from savings to investments

Franklin Templeton India’s ‘Change the Soch – Kanyakumari to Kashmir Drive’ – a first of its kind nationwide campaign reaches the city of Bengaluru aimed at promoting financial empowerment, especially among women. Commemorating Franklin Templeton’s 30 years in India, this 30-day journey kicked off in the southern tip of the country in Kanyakumari covering 21 cities, and conclude in Srinagar, Jammu & Kashmir. Through interactive financial education sessions, expert insights, and community engagement, the drive aims to demystify mutual fund investing and inspire confidence among thousands of Indians to take charge of their financial future.

Avinash Satwalekar, President – Franklin Templeton India, will lead the drive, championing financial inclusion through this journey across the country. He will stop every other day in a new town or village to host investor education workshops for diverse groups of women, emphasising the importance of saving, investing, and building long-term wealth to achieve life goals. The initiative will engage a wide spectrum of participants, majority being women including farmers (from fishing communities to those involved in varied crop cultivation), academia (students, parents, school and university teachers), self-help groups (women engaged in the food and handloom sectors), entrepreneurs, private and government sector employees, and army, navy and police personnel.

Speaking on the launch initiative, Avinash Satwalekar, President, Franklin Templeton–India, said, “Financial literacy among women is fundamental to India’s long-term socio-economic progress. While urban centres have made meaningful advances, lakhs of women across Bharat, especially in Tier 2 and Tier 3 regions remain underserved in terms of access to financial knowledge and tools. Through this initiative, we will engage with women from diverse walks of life and empower them with the knowledge and confidence to save, invest and adopt digital finance.”

He added, “When women make informed financial decisions, households could become resilient, communities could thrive and the country moves closer to inclusive growth. Bridging this gap is more than education – it is a vital step towards India’s ambition of Viksit Bharat (developed nation status) by 2047 and building a more inclusive and sustainable financial ecosystem.”

Mutual funds are some of the most efficient methods to achieve a variety of investment objectives such as building long-term wealth and beating inflation. In addition, mutual funds help investors diversify their investments, benefit from professional investment expertise, economies of scale, liquidity, tax efficiencies and lower ticket sizes. Franklin Templeton brings its unique initiative to the city of Bengaluru, Karnataka, which is among the top 50 markets in terms of industry assets under management to spread awareness about mutual funds.

Franklin Templeton sees strong growth potential for mutual funds in Karnataka as new investors look to participate in the India growth story. The fund house is committed to expanding its distribution network in the state and aims to reach out to more investors, to educate them about the advantages of mutual fund investing. Currently, the AAUM of the mutual fund industry in Karnataka stands at over Rs.564,488 growing over 17% in the previous year distributed across key cities like Bengaluru, Mangaluru, Hubli, Raichur and Mysuru signaling a promising growth trajectory in the medium to long term1. The Indian mutual fund industry's assets under management (AUM) have grown by over six times in a decade, from Rs. 12.75 trillion as on December 31, 2015 to Rs. 80.23 trillion as on December 31, 2025, reflecting an annualized growth rate of 20%2. With 77 years of expertise in global investing, Franklin Templeton boasts an extensive international presence and a wide array of products supported by a dedicated team of over 1600 investment professionals. The company manages assets worth US$ 1.68 trillion (~Rs. 150 lakh crores) world wide, as on December 31, 2025. Franklin Templeton has a 30-year legacy in India with average assets under management of over Rs. 1.27 lakh crores across 37 mutual fund schemes. Three of its flagship funds – Franklin India Large Cap Fund (erstwhile Franklin India Bluechip Fund), Franklin India Mid Cap Fund (erstwhile Franklin India Prima Fund) and Franklin India Flexi Cap Fund have a track record of over 30 years, while 18 Franklin Templeton funds have completed more than 20 years since their inception.

About Franklin Templeton

Franklin Templeton (India) is one of the largest foreign fund houses** in the country. It manages one of the most comprehensive ranges of mutual funds catering to varied investor requirements and offering different investment styles to choose from. It has offices in 39 cities and Collection Centers in over 100 locations across the country.

Franklin Resources, Inc. [NYSE:BEN] is a global investment management organization with subsidiaries operating as Franklin Templeton and serving clients in over 150 countries. Franklin Templeton’s mission is to help clients achieve better outcomes through investment management expertise, wealth management and technology solutions. Through its specialist investment managers, the company offers boutique specialization on a global scale, bringing extensive capabilities in equity, fixed income, multi-asset solutions and alternatives. With offices in more than 25 countries and approximately 1,600 investment professionals, the California-based company has 77 years of investment experience and $1.66 trillion in assets under management as of December 31, 2025.

** Source: AMFI Website (based on AAUM as on December 31, 2025)

*Visit our website http://www.franklintempletonindia.com for further details including details of AUM by geography.

Tariff And Shortened Implementation Runway For DPDP Act Can Hurt Foreign Investment

* 24 Months runway for DPDP is critical for Indian startup community

The government's intention to reduce the timeline for implementing the Digital Personal Data Protection (DPDP) Act, 2023, poses a significant threat to startups that have meticulously built their business models in accordance with the original timeline. A last-minute change in the implementation schedule can cause severe disruptions and financial losses, particularly for startups that have invested heavily in compliance measures. This development comes at a critical time when micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) are already requesting compliance relief ahead of Budget 2026-27. The sudden shift in the DPDP Act timeline exacerbates the challenges faced by the startup community, potentially undermining their resilience and competitiveness in an already volatile economic landscape. Moreover, startups have secured substantial investments over the next 12 months, predicated on the assumption of a stable regulatory environment. Any abrupt changes could jeopardize these investments, leading to a cascade of negative impacts on innovation, job creation, and economic growth.

“As of the latest available data, Indian startups have secured significant investments over the next 12 months. According to industry reports and market analyses, the startup ecosystem in India is poised to attract over $20 billion in funding. This influx of capital is driven by both domestic and international investors who are increasingly recognizing the potential of Indian startups across various sectors, including technology, fintech, e-commerce, and healthcare. The funding is expected to support growth, innovation, and the scaling of business models, provided that a stable and predictable regulatory environment is maintained. Any sudden changes in critical regulations, such as the Digital Personal Data Protection (DPDP) Act, 2023, could disrupt these investment plans and hinder the progress of the startup community” said K Giri, Director General, Empower India.

“However, when implementation timelines are compressed, the cascading impact on small businesses must be acknowledged. These enterprises require adequate time to adapt systems, align processes, and understand how changes affect their visibility, reach, and operations.” He added that a phased and consultative approach, with structured feedback mechanisms, can help ensure smoother transitions and more effective compliance without disrupting smaller players in the ecosystem.”

During rapid implementation phases, larger firms understandably prioritise stabilising core compliance systems. While necessary, this operational focus can temporarily affect support timelines, onboarding processes, and feature rollouts that smaller dependent businesses rely on, creating unintended disruptions in business continuity. When timelines are accelerated, opportunities for iterative engagement, testing, feedback and co-development between firms and their smaller partners are also reduced, limiting collaborative solutions that would benefit the broader ecosystem.

The immediate implementation of Rule 23 and Rule 16 under the Digital Personal Data Protection (DPDP) Act could wreak havoc on innovation and scaling for Indian startups. Rule 23 allows the Central Government to demand information from Data Fiduciaries, potentially disrupting operations and causing compliance challenges. Rule 16's exemption for research and statistical purposes, while beneficial, adds complexity. These abrupt changes create uncertainty, hindering startups' ability to plan, invest, and scale effectively in a rapidly evolving market.

About Empower India

Empower India, a new age think tank group, focuses on governance and regulatory issues and how these impact the ease of doing business and investment opportunities in the country.