HDFC Bank Inaugurates A New Tech & Digital Factory In Guwahati

HDFC Bank, India’s leading private sector bank today inaugurated its new Tech & Digital Factory in Guwahati. This facility will serve as a centre for advanced technology development, innovation, and talent incubation in Assam, helping strengthen AI, Digital and Cybersecurity talent pools. This facility is HDFC Bank’s first in Assam and fourth nationally. The Bank currently has Tech & Digital Factories in Mumbai, Bengaluru and Gurugram.

The facility was inaugurated by Hon’ble Chief Minister of Assam, Dr. Himanta Biswa Sarma in the presence of Mr. Kaizad Bharucha, Deputy Managing Director – HDFC Bank, Mr. Ramesh Lakshminarayan, Chief Information Officer, HDFC Bank, dignitaries from the Government of Assam, members from participating educational institutions, and officers of HDFC Bank.

This facility will also provide career opportunities for skilled professionals in the state, enabling them to contribute directly to next-generation technology development. The Bank will be strengthening capabilities for the Tech & Digital Factory by leveraging on local tech talent. The objective is to enable core technology advancement across AI, Cloud, Data and core engineering tracks with the aim of opening up digital product creation capabilities in the state.

The Bank has partnered with the Government of Assam as a part of Advantage Assam 2.0 under the leadership of the Hon’ble Chief Minister of Assam. Under this joint initiative, HDFC Bank and the Government of Assam intend to enhance academic knowledge with industry expertise through a structured skill-building curriculum pertaining to the BFSI and fintech sectors.

Centred on campus-to-corporate competency, the programme aligns with job requirements in the banking and fintech industry. The curriculum covers essential banking knowledge and new-age IT domains.

The programme commenced in September 2025 and over 150 students are currently being trained as a part of the programme cohort. The students will gain industry relevant knowledge, hands-on experience from HDFC Bank senior executives.

Students who are a part of this programme will undergo an internship with HDFC Bank for a duration of 2 - 4 months, enabling them with the experience of applying academic and technology concepts to real-world scenarios in the corporate environment. The course does not come at any additional cost to the students.

Commenting on this Mr. Kaizad Bharucha, Deputy Managing Director, HDFC Bank said, “We are pleased to inaugurate our new Tech & Digital factory in Guwahati. HDFC Bank and Assam Government signed an MoU at Advantage Assam 2.0 in February 2025 and we are happy to have set up this facility within one year. This was possible with strong support from the Government of Assam. This facility will allow us to roll out new digital products and services, augmenting our IT prowess. The facility will enable us to attract engineering talent from Assam, allowing them to contribute to next-generation technology evolution in the banking sector while staying closer to their home.”

HDFC Bank’s Tech & Digital Factory model continues to be the nucleus of digital execution with dedicated units focused on experience design, mobile and cloud engineering, APIs and orchestration, data and GenAI and secure-by-design architecture.

Assam has been an important enabling state for the Bank since it began its journey in the state with the launch of its very first branch in Guwahati in 2004. Since then, the Bank has expanded to 138 branches and 248 ATMs (as on December 31, 2025). According to the State Level Banker’s Committee (SLBC) report, as of December 31, 2025, the Bank’s CD ratio in Assam stood at 85.78%.

About HDFC Bank

Click here: www.hdfc.bank.in  

Timeless Artistry, New Address: Kosala By Hindalco launches Its First Flagship Store In New Delhi

Inaugurated by Padma Bhushan Mrs. Rajashree Birla, the new store in Greater Kailash brings indigenous craftsmanship and sustainable luxury to the capital

Empowering over 700 artisans across Raigarh and Janjgir - Champa districts in Chhattisgarh while preserving the indigenous craft of Kosa silk

Kosala, the social enterprise of Hindalco Industries Limited, has opened its flagship retail store in Greater Kailash (N Block), New Delhi, marking a key expansion milestone in its Kosa silk value-chain initiative in Chhattisgarh.

Kosala was launched in 2021 to restore and expand the indigenous Kosa silk craft of the Dewangan community. Today, Kosala reached a key milestone with the launch of its first flagship store. The boutique was inaugurated by Mrs. Rajashree Birla, Chairperson of the Aditya Birla Centre for Community Initiatives and Rural Development, in the presence of Mr. Satish Pai, Managing Director of Hindalco Industries Limited, Mr. Saurabh Khedekar, CEO, Alumina Business, Hindalco Industries Limited and Director, Kosala Foundation with actor Ms. Yami Gautam Dhar marking the occasion.

Speaking at the launch, Mrs. Rajashree Birla- Chairperson of the Aditya Birla Centre for Community Initiatives and Rural Development said, “Kosala reflects our deep commitment to trusteeship, nurturing communities while preserving India’s rich cultural heritage. By revitalising the art of Kosa silk, we are empowering artisan families, especially women, with sustainable livelihoods and renewed pride in their craft. This store serves as a bridge between rural skill and global appreciation.”

Kosala’s impact at the grassroots level has been measurable and transformative. In FY25, 31 weaver families secured full-time engagement, while 130 artisans were employed across pre-loom and post-loom processes, strengthening integration across the value chain. Full-time weavers now benefit from assured year-round engagement, resulting in a 63% increase in income, significantly enriching their livelihoods. During the year, 379 artisans were engaged and 100 were newly skilled, reinforcing household stability and enabling the Dewangan community to move forward with renewed confidence and dignity. Since its inception, Kosala has empowered over 700 artisans, strengthening sustainable livelihoods while preserving the indigenous craft of Kosa silk.

Mr. Saurabh Khedekar, CEO, Alumina Business, Hindalco Industries Limited and Director, Kosala Foundation, said, “Kosala is anchored in two core beliefs, reviving the indigenous legacy of Kosa silk and restoring economic dignity, recognition, and continuous skill advancement to its original custodians, the Dewangan community. This store is not merely a retail milestone; it reaffirms our long-term commitment to strengthening the artisan ecosystem and enabling weaver families to thrive with pride and purpose.

We continue to prioritise the well-being of artisans and their families by extending individual life insurance coverage, expanding structured training to bring more weavers into the fold, and reimagining Kosa through a thoughtful blend of time-honoured techniques and consciously designed collections for the modern consumer.”

Capacity-building initiatives include training 25 rural youth in professional natural colour dyeing; providing sewing and embroidery skills to 100 women in partnership with the International Labour Organization and the Foundation for MSME Clusters; certifying 50 Dewangan women in Kosa reeling; and offering advanced weaving training to 25 artisans through the Weavers’ Service Centre, Raigarh. In 2024, Kosala introduced the Kosala Artisan Shilp Unnati Yojana, instituting annual recognition and incentive structures for master weavers.

Kosala was instituted as part of Hindalco’s sustainable mining initiatives in Chhattisgarh. Over the years we have built a scalable rural enterprise model that integrates market access, skill development and infrastructure investment positioning heritage textiles within a sustainable luxury framework while delivering measurable economic outcomes at the grassroots level.

About Hindalco Industries Limited

Hindalco Industries Limited is the metals flagship company of the Aditya Birla Group. A $28 billion metals powerhouse, Hindalco is the world’s largest aluminium company by revenues, and the world’s second largest Copper rods manufacturer (outside China). Hindalco operates across the value chain, from bauxite mining, alumina refining, coal mining, captive power plants and aluminium smelting to downstream rolling, extrusions, and foils. Along with its subsidiary Novelis, Hindalco is the global leader in flat rolled products and the world’s largest recycler of aluminium.

Hindalco is India’s largest copper producer, serving more than half the country’s copper requirements. Its copper facility in Gujarat, India, comprises a world-class copper smelter and refinery complex, downstream facilities, and a captive jetty. Hindalco’s global footprint spans 48 manufacturing units across 10 countries. Hindalco has been ranked the world’s most sustainable aluminium company in the Dow Jones Sustainability Indices (DJSI) for six consecutive years– 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024 and 2025.

About Kosala

Kosala is a social enterprise initiative by Hindalco Industries Limited, the metals flagship of the Aditya Birla Group, launched to revive and advance the ancient Kosa silk craft of the Dewangan community in Chhattisgarh. Conceptualised in association with Xynteo Vikaasa, a multi-stakeholder coalition working to build sustainable growth models, Kosala blends heritage with innovation to preserve a 5,000-year-old art form while strengthening the economic resilience of artisan communities. Kosala, which supports craftsmen in weaving, reeling, and dyeing, prioritizes the development of sustainable livelihoods, women's empowerment, skill enhancement, and access to international markets. Since its inception, Kosala has empowered over 700 artisans across Chhattisgarh, strengthening sustainable livelihoods while preserving the indigenous craft of Kosa silk.

Photo Caption: (From left to right: Mr. Satish Pai -Managing Director, Hindalco Industries Limited , Actor Ms. Yami Gautam Dhar, Mrs. Rajashree Birla- Chairperson, Aditya Birla Centre for Community Initiatives and Rural Development, Mr. Saurabh Khedekar -CEO – Alumina Business Hindalco Industries Limited and Director, Kosala Foundation and Neeta Shah - CEO Kosala at inauguration of Kosala Boutique in Delhi).

Nike Debuts The Pegasus 42: A Powerful Workhorse And The Best Pegasus Ride To Date

What to know
The Nike Pegasus 42 is purpose-built for peak responsive cushioning performance, helping all runners push their limits and break new ground.

The latest iteration of the storied Pegasus franchise advances a four-decade legacy of athlete-centered running innovation.

The silhouette is powered by a curved, full-length Air Zoom unit with greater energy return than its predecessor to power the path forward.

A precise balance of moderate support and cushioning makes the Pegasus 42 ideal for logging miles at a variety of paces.

The silhouette will be available April 9 at nike.com and select retail partners.

Nike Running is introducing the best Pegasus ride to date: a powerful workhorse built for peak responsive cushioning performance that allows runners to push their limits and break new ground, stride after stride.

The Pegasus 42 advances a four-decade legacy of athlete-centered running innovation, delivering an all-around, intuitive and lightweight shoe that balances Air technology, maximum responsiveness and comfort.

With 15 percent greater energy return than its predecessor, the Pegasus 42 is powered by a curved, full-length Air Zoom unit, making it exciting to lace up for jogs, community runs, training sessions and more. The fine-tuned Air experience provides a propulsive feel reminiscent of Nike’s legendary road racing footwear but engineered for everyday runs. More than ever, each Air Zoom unit is designed for maximum responsiveness — creating a bouncy, powerful sensation never before felt in a Pegasus model.

“I grew up in a running specialty store and have seen the deep passion and love for the Pegasus franchise,” says Ethan Strand, Nike athlete and NCAA indoor 3,000-meter champion. “The Pegasus 42 is an exciting evolution –– one that feels familiar, but with an improved ride. When I take it for runs, I can feel the Air underfoot, which gives me more power in every stride.”

A modified last offers a more accommodating fit and improved forefoot cushioning, especially under the toes, where an innovative spring structure accommodates an additional 3mm of cushioning without adding to the stack height in the rest of the shoe.

A plush ReactX foam midsole maintains continuity from the Pegasus 41, and a modernized waffle outsole enables smooth transitions while delivering confident traction on a variety of surfaces.

All the while, a midfoot support system and fully molded sock liner promote a comfortable, secure fit, and a new lightweight, breathable upper seamlessly conforms to the foot.

The updated design aesthetic also features a sleek midsole; a speed dash treatment across the upper; refreshed Pegasus branding; and an array of striking colorways, from bold hues to timeless tones.

“We’ve taken what runners have always loved about the Pegasus franchise and turned it into the best version yet with the Pegasus 42,” says Elliott Heath, senior footwear expert, Nike Running. “This shoe provides a balance of consistent elements that look and feel connected to its legacy, coupled with new innovation to make it even more iconic, in a Nike-only way.”

The new silhouette anchors Nike’s Pegasus franchise, one of three distinct categories comprising the brand’s simplified road running footwear lineup, which is based on trusted icons and dedicated to what runners love most: cushioning.

As Nike’s longest tenured and best-selling running shoe franchise, first introduced in 1982, Pegasus reflects a legacy of responsive cushioning for all-day energy return. Vomero, meanwhile, offers maximum cushioning for ultimate comfort, and Structure provides supportive cushioning for a stable ride.

Nike’s lineup of complementary running silhouettes provides athletes with their preferred type of cushioning for whatever run they want to take. The lineup also makes it easier for runners to determine what footwear offers them the right mix of benefits, technology and price point, providing a more inviting and accessible experience — especially for runners gearing up for the first time or adding a new shoe to their rotation.

The introduction of the Pegasus 42 — and the innovation at the heart of Nike’s entire road running footwear lineup — reflects Nike’s history as the brand built by runners, for runners, and its continued commitment to creating the most technologically advanced products to help all athletes, from the elite to the everyday, reach their greatest potential.

The Nike Pegasus 42 will be available April 9 at nike.com and select retail partners.

Notes to editor

The Nike Pegasus 42 will be available across the Indian marketplace from 9th April 2026 at INR 12,995.

About NIKE, Inc.

NIKE, Inc., based near Beaverton, Oregon, is the world's leading designer, marketer and distributor of authentic athletic footwear, apparel, equipment and accessories for a wide variety of sports and fitness activities. Converse, a wholly owned NIKE, Inc. subsidiary brand, designs, markets and distributes athletic lifestyle footwear, apparel and accessories.

For more information, NIKE, Inc. individuals can also visit https://news.nike.com and follow @NIKE.

Indian Coal Markets Conference 2026 Kicks Off, Spotlight On Coal Exchange Transforming Coal Sector

The 19th Indian Coal Markets Conference 2026 organised by mjunction services limited kicked off under the theme “COALosseum: The Coal Battleground” bringing together policymakers, industry leaders, miners, power producers, logistics players and global market experts for two days of deliberations on the future of India’s coal sector.

V S Maharaj, ED-ICT, Coal India Ltd said Coal India is in favour of phased introduction of sale of coal through the coal exchange. “We are reform-aligned not reform-resistant. We support modernization, but reform must be calibrated, phased and aligned with national energy security,” he said.

Niladri Bhattacharjee, Partner, Grant Thornton Bharat, believes Coal Exchange would be more successful in a supply-comfortable or supply-surplus scenario. “Surplus coal situation would be good for coal exchange. It will keep prices in check despite market transaction charges and encourage the market to shift from its current D2C character” Bhattacharjee said.

Both Bhattacharjee and Maharaj believe prices should get settled at lower levels during trades at the exchange.

Giving an overview of the current state of the conference, Vinaya Varma, MD & CEO, mjunction services limited said: “On one hand, we are witnessing rapid economic growth and rising energy demand. On the other, we are committed to energy transition, sustainability, and decarbonisation. In between lies coal: indispensable today yet constantly fighting hard to exist in world with other competing forces of energy such as solar, wind, hydro & even nuclear.”

Coal or renewable, whatever be the form of energy, electricity costs need to be affordable.

"Our power tariffs should be competitive. To power the data centres, power should not only be green but also affordable." Pankaj Sapate, Executive Director (Fuel), Mahagenco, commented.

Despite the rapid rise of renewable energy, coal continues to be the reliable, cost effective and round the clock source of energy and remains the backbone of India's energy security, said Raj Bandhu Santosh, VP – Fuel Management, Adani Power Ltd.

Sessions through the day assessed demand trends across industries such as power, cement and sponge iron.

The 2-day event will also examine logistics issues, mining technology, sustainable equipment deployment and operational innovation, before concluding with networking engagements and the ICMC Awards.

Bain Capital Backed Dhoot Transmission Announces Partnership With Pune-Based FourFront To Strengthen E&E Manufacturing Platform

Bain Capital to support Dhoot and FourFront’s platform expansion through global automotive expertise

Dhoot Transmission Limited (“Company”), one of India’s leading electrical and electronic companies, today announced a partnership, pursuant to which FourFront Limited (“FourFront”), a Tier-1 supplier of customized electro-mechanical and electronic solutions to Original Equipment Manufacturers (“OEMs”), headquartered in Pune, will merge with one of the Company’s subsidiaries.

FourFront will become part of Dhoot Transmission’s automotive electronics and electrical platform, enabling the Company and its team to continue serving its existing customer base while moving towards the next phase of growth. The combined platform brings together complementary product capabilities, manufacturing depth, and long-standing OEM relationships to support the increasing electronics content and electrification requirements of the automotive industry.

FourFront is a trusted supplier to leading Passenger Vehicle (“PV”) and Commercial Vehicle (“CV”) OEMs in India, with a strong portfolio spanning electromechanical switches, power electronics products and electric vehicle (“EV”) products. With the rapid evolution of vehicle architectures and rising adoption of electric vehicles, FourFront is well poised to benefit from EV tailwinds, supported by its capabilities in power electronics, engineering depth, and focus on quality and reliability.

The merger represents an important step in the Company’s journey to build a scaled, integrated automotive electronics and electrical platform, offering end-to-end solutions to OEM customers across conventional and electric vehicle programs.

Bain Capital will continue to support Dhoot Transmissions and FourFront through its global automotive experience and value-creation capabilities, as it scales its automotive electronics and electrical platform and pursues its next phase of growth. This support is expected to further strengthen the combined platform’s ability to deepen OEM partnerships, expand product offerings, and drive operational excellence in line with evolving customer requirements.

Commenting on the transaction, Rahul Dhoot, Managing Director, Dhoot Transmission Group, said, “This partnership is closely aligned with our strategy of building a differentiated automotive platform with strong capabilities in electronics and electrical systems. FourFront has developed trusted relationships with OEM customers and built meaningful expertise in power electronics. As part of the Dhoot platform, FourFront and its team will be well positioned to continue delivering the same level of quality and service levels to customers while benefiting from our scale, manufacturing depth, and long-term investment approach.”

Saahil Bhatia, Partner at Bain Capital, said, “India continues to be an economy with a strong long-term growth trajectory, supported by favourable demographics, rising domestic consumption, and sustained investment in manufacturing and infrastructure. Against this backdrop, we see a compelling opportunity to support platforms like Dhoot, and now FourFront, as they scale capabilities, deepen OEM partnerships, and build high-quality automotive solutions aligned with evolving technologies such as ADAS and increasing electronics content across vehicle segments.”

“Over the last 15+ years, FourFront has built very a strong foundation and is recognized for innovative solutions, superior design capabilities, and responsiveness towards customer demands,” said Shrikant Neurgaonkar, Chairperson and Managing Director at FourFront. “The partnership with Dhoot Transmission and Bain Capital will put us in a strong position to further enhance our product offerings and continue to invest in manufacturing facilities, R&D and people for the next phase of growth. We’re very excited to partner with Dhoot Transmission to create an electronics platform focused on technical and operational excellence.”

The partnership is expected to support growth by enabling broader product offerings, deeper customer engagement, and operational efficiencies through a shared manufacturing and supply-chain ecosystem. It also strengthens the Company’s presence across PV and CV segments, aligned with long-term industry trends, including electrification and increasing electronics penetration.

KPMG and PwC served as financial advisors, and Trilegal served as legal advisors to Dhoot Transmission. KPMG Corporate Finance and Desai & Diwanji served as advisors to FourFront

About Dhoot Transmission Limited

Dhoot Transmission is one of India’s leading electrical and electronics companies. They are engaged in design, engineering, manufacturing and supply of critical wiring harnesses, electronic sensors and controllers, switches, other electronic products, delivering robust, application-specific architectures across platforms. The company has a significant presence in the automotive industry, supplying to major OEMs, and has recently expanded into the EV sector. The company has 20+ manufacturing facilities globally.

About FourFront Limited

Incorporated in 2007, FourFront Limited is a Tier 1 supplier of customized electro-mechanical and electronic solutions to leading OEMs in the automotive industry, with a strategic focus on the EV segment. They are engaged in the designing and manufacturing of electromechanical and power electronics products, primarily serving the automotive industry.

UPL Wins Sustainability Transformation Award 2026 For Global Leadership In Sustainable Agriculture

UPL, a global leader in sustainable agriculture solutions, has been honoured with the Sustainability Transformation Award 2026 by Enqube Vikas Bharat. The award recognizes UPL’s pioneering efforts driving industry‑leading progress in environmental stewardship and sustainable innovation.

The honour celebrates organizations demonstrating measurable ESG performance and embedding sustainability at the core of business growth. For UPL, this recognition reaffirms its continued commitment to strengthening resilient agricultural ecosystems and delivering long‑term value through responsible, sustainable growth.

Dr. Mritunjay Chaubey, Chief Sustainability Officer, UPL Limited, said, “In FY25, we not only met but significantly exceeded our Environmental Footprint Reduction targets. This progress was reinforced by our ESG Score of 77 in the 2025 S&P Global Corporate Sustainability Assessment, well above the sector average. This award reaffirms our commitment to embedding sustainability at the core of our operations. At UPL, we remain focused on building resilient agricultural systems and supporting farmers through practical, scalable solutions.”

UPL continues to strengthen its sustainability journey through investments in innovation, partnerships and programs that promote responsible agricultural practices, improve farmer livelihoods, and contribute to building a more resilient global food system.

Key Sustainability Achievements:

· Environmental Footprint Reduction: Surpassed five-year targets by reducing water consumption intensity by 49%, carbon emission intensity by 38%, and waste disposal intensity by 52% against a 2020 baseline.

· S&P Global Corporate Sustainability Assessment: UPL achieved an ESG Score of 77 (out of 100) in the 2025 S&P Global Corporate Sustainability Assessment, significantly outperforming the Chemical sector average of 32.

· Sustainable Product Portfolio: Successfully generated 38% of total revenue from differentiated and sustainable agricultural solutions, versus 35% last year.

· Renewable Energy Transition: 56% of the electric power at two of its largest manufacturing plants now comes from renewable sources.

· Social & Community Impact: Positively influenced the lives of ~1.75 million people through dedicated livelihood, education, health and sanitation initiatives.

· Sustainable Sourcing: Reached a milestone of 60% sustainable sourcing, ensuring that the majority of its supply chain adheres to rigorous ESG standards.

· Water Conservation: Successfully constructed and revitalised more than 23 water conservation structures, including ponds, lakes and check dams, in last 5 years.

· Biodiversity Conservation: UPL is restoring Gujarat’s vital intertidal ecosystems through large‑scale mangrove plantations in Vagra Taluka, Bharuch, where over 4.95 lakh saplings have been planted across 250 acres. Through its social forestry initiative, 2.66 lakh trees have created 715 acres of green cover since 2016. Launched in 2015, UPL’s Sarus Conservation Project continues to protect the iconic Sarus Crane in Kheda and Anand districts, with FY25 recordings showing 1,431 birds across 400 sq. km, a 186% increase from the FY16 baseline of 500.

Marriott International Closes A Steller Year In South Asia With Over 100 Deals Signed, Driving 143% Increase Over The Previous Year

* 2025 marked a milestone year for Marriott International in the region as the company’s strengthened development pipeline underscores sustained market confidence in South Asia.

Marriott International, Inc. (NASDAQ: MAR, “Marriott”) today announced a stellar year in South Asia for 2025, signing a record of 102 deals, representing over 12,000 rooms, with India leading the growth momentum, accounting for 99 of total deals signed. Deals signed rose 143% year over year, and rooms signed increased 76%, marking the company’s strongest development year in the region.

The company delivered double-digit RevPAR growth in the region alongside its highest-ever annual deal signings in South Asia, reinforcing the region’s importance within Marriott’s global growth strategy, with India at the region’s core. RevPAR for the South Asia comparable portfolio increased 10% year-over-year, driven by ADR growth, reflecting sustained pricing power, premium demand trends, and strengthening brand preference across segments.

Marriott International’s President for Asia Pacific excluding China, Rajeev Menon believes India is poised to become the company’s third-largest market globally within the next three to five years, driven by the country’s strong and sustained growth in travel and hospitality demand. He stated, “India and South Asia are entering a structurally different phase of growth. What we are witnessing is not cyclical uplift; it is long-term demand transformation. Rising domestic consumption, rapid infrastructure build-out and increasing owner confidence are reshaping the hospitality landscape. The South Asia region’s record signings in 2025 signal deep conviction in Marriott’s brands, our Marriott Bonvoy platform, and our ability to scale with purpose across every segment of the market.”

Gateway Cities, Leisure Destinations and Emerging Hubs Drive Momentum

At the close of 2025, Marriott has 219 open properties across South Asia with over 36,000 rooms, of which 204 properties are in India, underscoring the country’s central role in the region’s expansion strategy.

Growth across the South Asia region reflects both scale and diversification. Major metros such as Mumbai, Delhi NCR, Bengaluru, Hyderabad and Pune continued to anchor base performance. At the same time, expansion momentum accelerated across secondary business hubs including Ahmedabad, Chennai, Kolkata, Coimbatore, Kochi/Trivandrum, Indore, Dehradun, and Surat. Leisure and mixed-demand destinations such as Goa, Jaipur, Udaipur, Rishikesh and Shimla recorded faster lifts, underscoring evolving travel patterns. The result is a more resilient and diversified growth profile: metros underpin earnings stability, while secondary and leisure markets expand footprint and unlock incremental upside.

Marriott’s development activity in South Asia remains strong, with a pipeline of 157 properties and more than 27,000 rooms across the region.

Disciplined Development and Balanced Portfolio Expansion

Conversions and portfolio agreements played a pivotal role in driving scale in the region, complemented by new-build developments that strengthened Marriott’s presence across established and emerging markets in South Asia. In 2025, 38% of rooms signed in the region were in Tier I gateway cities, reinforcing strength in core urban markets. The signings reflected a well-balanced brand mix, with 13% of rooms in the luxury portfolio, 31% in the premium segment, and the remaining 55% across select-service and midscale brands, underscoring broad-based demand across customer segments.

Marriott’s record development year in South Asia was further propelled by a significant demand in large, multi-property portfolio deals, which made up 25% of rooms signed, while conversion deals accounted for nearly 50% hotels signed in the region, reflecting strong momentum in brand conversions.

Portfolio deals signed across 2025, are set to introduce projects across seven brands, including the planned debut of The Ritz-Carlton Reserve in Sri Lanka, alongside The Ritz-Carlton, JW Marriott, Marriott Hotels & Resorts, Moxy Hotels, Courtyard by Marriott, and Fairfield by Marriott reflecting the depth and flexibility of Marriott’s brand architecture to meet different demand profiles. Together, these signings represent 2,488 rooms across key markets including Chennai, Thiruvananthapuram, Bengaluru, Varanasi, Pune, Gujarat and Navi Mumbai.

These portfolio deals reflect growing owner preferences to collaborate with a single hospitality platform and deep confidence in the company’s long-term ability to deliver value through scale, brand strength and meaningful expansion across South Asia.

Milestone Portfolio Expansion and Brand Debuts

The opening of The Westin Jaipur Kant Kalwar Resort & Spa signified Marriott’s 200th property in India, underscoring the company’s scale advantage in one of its most dynamic global markets. In Nepal, The Soaltee Kathmandu joined The Autograph Collection, marking a significant premium brand debut in South Asia. Meanwhile, Moxy Kathmandu opened in December 2025, introducing the lifestyle brand to Nepal, tapping into a growing demographic of younger, experience-driven travellers.

Marriott also introduced Series by Marriott™ through a founding multi-unit deal in India. The agreement resulted in the conversion of 26 hotels to the brand in a single day, adding approximately 1,900 rooms to Marriott’s portfolio overnight.

As of year-end 2025, Series by Marriott comprises 37 open properties (approximately 2,500 rooms) across 23 cities in India, operating as Fern Hotels & Resorts, Series by Marriott. The portfolio represents the brand’s inaugural global debut and showcases a collection of eco-sensitive hotels rooted in sustainability and regional charm, underscoring Marriott’s ability to scale locally resonant brands at speed while expanding access to the Marriott Bonvoy platform.

Looking Ahead: 2026 Luxury and Lifestyle Momentum

Marriott’s growth momentum across South Asia is set to be further strengthened in 2026 with plans to open over 50 hotels within the year including:

JW Marriott Ranthambore Resort & Spa – Expanding Marriott’s experiential wildlife and luxury resort portfolio.

Le Méridien Dehradun Resort & Spa – Deepening premium presence in an emerging Himalayan gateway.

New Delhi Marriott Marquis Aerocity – Introducing Marriott Marquis to the capital, enhancing large-format meetings and convention capabilities.

The St. Regis New Delhi Aerocity – Elevating ultra-luxury positioning in one of India’s most strategic urban markets.

Noor Mahal, Autograph Collection - A brand debut in India bringing Autograph Collection’s distinctive independent spirit to the country’s evolving travel landscape.

Together, these developments reinforce Marriott’s commitment to delivering distinctive luxury and premium experiences, while meeting the evolving expectations of travellers across South Asia.

Deepening loyalty and creating value maximiser for Marriott Bonvoy members

Marriott continues to deepen the value proposition of Marriott Bonvoy, its award-winning travel platform, across South Asia by extending loyalty beyond stays and embedding the brand more meaningfully into members’ everyday lives. In August 2025, Marriott became the first global hospitality company in India to collaborate with Flipkart, one of the country’s largest e-commerce and retail platforms. The collaboration marked a significant first-mover advantage in the market, enabling millions of consumers to engage with Marriott Bonvoy in new ways, seamlessly integrating travel rewards into everyday shopping behavior.

Building on this ecosystem, Marriott has forged a four-year strategic partnership with the International Cricket Council (ICC) from 2026 to 2029 as its official accommodation partner, positioning Marriott Bonvoy at the center of one of the region’s most powerful cultural and sporting platforms. The collaboration unlocks exclusive access, curated experiences and once-in-a-lifetime Marriott Bonvoy Moments for cricket fans and members, reinforcing emotional engagement while driving brand affinity at scale. Together, these strategic partnerships underscore Marriott’s strategy of building a loyalty ecosystem that combines global travel with culturally resonant, high-frequency engagement creating differentiated value for members while strengthening long-term brand connection across India and South Asia.

Looking ahead to 2026 and beyond, the company remains focused on purposeful expansion, deepening brand density across high-growth markets, and accelerating access to its Marriott Bonvoy ecosystem. Reinforcing its leadership in South Asia, Marriott offers a diverse portfolio of 219 open properties across 19 brands in five countries, catering to distinct traveler segments.