India’s Coal Backbone Holds Firm Amid Global Gas Disruptions

India’s energy ecosystem is witnessing early signs of stress amid ongoing geopolitical disruptions in West Asia, even as the government maintains that the country remains well-prepared to manage the situation. The ongoing conflict in the region has significantly impacted global supply chains, particularly energy flows through critical routes such as the Strait of Hormuz, which carries a large share of India’s crude oil, gas, and fertiliser imports. Addressing the Parliament Hon’ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi described the situation as “concerning” and acknowledged its adverse impact on the global economy and daily life, while assuring that India is taking proactive steps to safeguard energy security.

Industrial clusters across India are already experiencing localized stress, with shortages and disruptions in CNG and LPG supply pushing businesses to explore alternative fuels, including coal. India imports nearly 45–50% of its natural gas requirement as LNG, making industrial gas consumers highly sensitive to global supply disruptions and shipping route uncertainties. This shift is further reinforced by constrained LNG supplies and rising global uncertainties. At the same time, the government has highlighted that India has significantly strengthened its energy resilience over the past decade through diversification of import sources, expansion of strategic reserves, and improved supply chain preparedness.

Gas-based power capacity in India remains underutilised at below 25% PLF, as coal and renewables continue to dominate the generation mix. While the power sector remains relatively insulated, owing to its strong reliance on coal and renewables, the industrial sector continues to feel the pressure of gas shortages. In this context, coal has emerged as a critical fallback option, reinforcing its role as the backbone of India’s energy security.

India’s overall coal demand has been rising steadily, with annual consumption crossing 1.25 billion tonnes, driven primarily by the power sector, cement, sponge iron, and captive industrial users. Early signals from coal markets indicate tightening demand–supply dynamics. Coal India’s e-auction premiums have risen to around 35% over notified prices in February 2026, reflecting increased urgency among buyers to secure supply. This marks a shift from softer demand trends earlier in the fiscal year. The demand uptick is being driven by multiple factors, including substitution from gas amid LNG disruptions, seasonal ramp-up in power demand, and reduced imports leading to greater reliance on domestic coal. However, coal’s substitution potential remains largely limited to the power sector in the short-to-medium term. Structural and technological constraints continue to restrict its widespread adoption in industrial applications such as fertilisers and chemicals.

Commenting on the evolving scenario, Mr. Vinaya Varma, MD & CEO, mjunction services limited stated, “What we are witnessing is an early but clear behavioural shift in fuel consumption patterns. As LNG availability tightens and CNG/LPG supplies face disruption in several industrial clusters, buyers are increasingly turning to coal to secure operational continuity. The rise in e-auction premiums and improved offtake reflects this urgency. Coal will continue to play a critical role in ensuring India’s energy security, especially in times of global uncertainty. While we are witnessing localized tightening in demand and firming of prices, the overall market remains balanced due to strong domestic availability and adequate stock levels.”

Importantly, the situation remains measured rather than overheated. Only about 47% of auction volumes have been sold so far this year, and current premiums remain below historical peaks, indicating controlled but firming demand. Current coal stock levels at power plants remain comfortable at 18–20 days of consumption, preventing panic buying despite tightening spot demand signals in auction markets. Overall, while India is not facing an immediate energy crisis, evolving global disruptions are beginning to test the system.

TCS And Board For IT Education Standards (BITES) Open Registrations For TCS TechBytes, The Annual IT Quiz For Engineering Students

* Conducted by Tata Consultancy Services in collaboration with BITES, the IT Quiz in its 17th edition will test students’ knowledge in emerging technologies

Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) (BSE: 532540, NSE: TCS), a global leader in IT services, consulting, and business solutions, and the Board for IT Education Standards (BITES)—an autonomous body promoted by Government of Karnataka, have opened registrations to the 17th edition of TCS TechBytes—the Engineering IT Quiz. This quiz is open to engineering students (BE/BTech) of all streams and semesters across Karnataka.

TCS TechBytes challenges and encourages students to expand their knowledge of technology trends and their diverse applications across industries. The objective is to build awareness of emerging technological domains, thereby enabling students to compete effectively in today’s fast‑paced, technology‑intensive industry. Each institution can send 10 teams (2 students per team) to participate in the regional finals of the quiz. No participation fee is charged. Entries must be sent by the respective institutions on or before April 13, 2026, to manager@bites.org.in

Regional rounds of the quiz will be conducted across six locations— Kalaburagi (April 15), Hubballi (April 17), Mangaluru (April 22), Mysuru (April 24) Tumakuru (May 2) and Bengaluru (May 5). The finals will be held in Bengaluru on May 5, 2026. Winners and runners-up of each regional round will receive gift vouchers worth Rs 12,000 and Rs 10,000 respectively, as well as the opportunity to compete at the State Finals to be held in Bengaluru. The finale prize for the winners and runners-up includes an educational scholarship worth Rs 85,000 and Rs 50,000 respectively, among other prizes.

The quiz will focus on the application of technology across various sectors and aspects such as the technology environment, business, people, new trends, and industry legends. It will also cover emerging areas including artificial intelligence, digital technologies, cloud computing, automation, cybersecurity, biometrics, mobility, robotics, telecommunications, social media, big data, notable personalities (international and national), software products, the history of IT, and domains where technology has made a significant impact, such as education, entertainment, literature, multimedia, music, film, the internet, banking, advertising, sports, gaming, social networking, and mobile technology.

For more information visit www.bites.org.in.

1,000 Transcranial Doppler Procedures Strengthen Stroke Diagnosis At Apollo Hospitals, Bannerghatta Road

· This non-invasive neurovascular test strengthens acute stroke diagnosis and monitoring

· Also supports rare disease detection and organ donation pathways

Apollo Hospitals Bannerghatta, a leading multi speciality hospital in the region, announced the completion of 1,000 Transcranial Doppler (TCD) procedures, marking a significant milestone in strengthening real-time stroke diagnosis and neurocritical care monitoring. The achievement highlights the hospital’s growing role in using advanced, non-invasive neurovascular technologies to enable faster treatment decisions for patients with complex brain and stroke-related conditions.

Dr. Vijay Sharma, Senior Consultant, Division of Neurology, National University Hospital, Singapore, joined virtually during the event and spoke about the evolving role of TCD in neurocritical care and its relevance in improving outcomes in time-sensitive neurological conditions.

Over the course of these 1,000 procedures, TCD has supported routine and advanced stroke evaluation at the hospital, including monitoring over 350 patients with acute stroke. The technology enabled rapid identification of intracranial arterial stenosis, occlusions and flow asymmetries, helping clinicians make time-sensitive treatment decisions and guide secondary stroke prevention. It also helped identify collateral circulation in Moyamoya disease and supported dynamic diagnosis of vascular conditions such as subclavian steal phenomenon

Speaking on the significance of the milestone, Dr (Prof) Suryanarayana Sharma P M, Consultant Neurologist at Apollo Hospitals Bannerghatta said “TCD is often described as the neurologist’s stethoscope to the brain because it allows us to assess cerebral blood flow dynamically at the bedside. Unlike conventional imaging, it provides real-time insights into how blood is actually flowing through the brain’s arteries, which can be crucial in stroke evaluation and neurocritical care monitoring. Reaching the milestone of 1,000 procedures reflects how this technology has become an essential part of our comprehensive stroke care and helps us make faster and more informed treatment decisions for patients.”

Dr. Suryanarayana Sharma has also contributed to advancing the use of TCD in stroke prevention in India, having conducted and published the first pilot project focused on tribal children with sickle cell disease. The initiative has since been expanded across multiple states with the support of government agencies and several NGOs. He further noted that vasomotor reactivity assessment is emerging as an important area of interest in stroke prevention, particularly among individuals with established vascular risk factors.

Dr. Gurucharan Adoor, Consultant Neurologist at Apollo Hospitals Bannerghatta, added “Beyond stroke diagnosis, TCD has proven valuable across several complex neurological conditions. It has helped us monitor intracranial vasospasm in patients with subarachnoid hemorrhage and tubercular meningitis. It has also helped us detect conditions that may be missed on conventional tests. Using bubble TCD, we identified 32 patients with patent foramen ovale, several previously missed on echocardiography.”

In addition to diagnostic applications, TCD supported 30 brain death evaluations, where characteristic patterns of cerebral circulatory arrest provided confirmatory evidence in time-sensitive clinical situations. As a repeatable bedside modality, it helped support ethical clinical decision-making and facilitated organ donation pathways.

Looking ahead, the hospital plans to integrate Transcranial Doppler into dedicated Stroke Prevention Clinics to strengthen early detection and secondary prevention strategies. Routine use of TCD for embolic signal monitoring, cerebral flow pattern analysis and post-intervention follow-up is expected to enable more personalised stroke risk assessment and optimisation of medical therapy.

RMZ Foundation To Host Opening Night Of Bengaluru Art Weekend On 28th March At RMZ Ecoworld In Bellandur

* Bringing Together Artists, Patrons, And Contemporary Practice

Bengaluru Art Weekend — a 9-day city-wide celebration of art, culture, and creative dialogue — announces its partnership with RMZ Foundation for the opening night of this year's edition. On Saturday, 28 March, RMZ Ecoworld in Bellandur will open its doors to an evening of conversation, encounter, and exchange centred on where contemporary Indian art stands today.

Presented by Svasa Life and Usual Suspects, BAW 2026 and its opening night reflect the Foundation's enduring commitment to placing art at the centre of the spaces where people work, gather, and connect.

The collaboration brings together two platforms united by a conviction that art belongs beyond the gallery — in workspaces, public squares, and everyday life. RMZ Foundation shares Bengaluru Art Weekend's longstanding commitment to independent artists and to audiences who are curious, engaged, and eager for cultural dialogue: that art, made open and woven into public life, has the power to enrich the city and shape a more inclusive future.

At the heart of the evening is a commitment to placing emerging voices — practitioners redefining what Indian artistic practice looks and feels like — in direct conversation with collectors, cultural practitioners, and audiences who may be encountering their work for the first time.

The evening will unfold across three distinct moments, each designed to draw audiences deeper into the work and the discourse surrounding it. It will begin with an intimate, guided walkthrough of RMZ Foundation’s art collection at Ecoworld 30, led by the curatorial team. Conceived as a slow, conversational journey, the walkthrough invites guests to engage directly with the materials, processes, and ideas shaping each artist’s practice, creating space for reflection and exchange.

This will be followed by a panel discussion titled “Where Contemporary Art Happens Now”, featuring eminent voices such as Rakhee Shenoy (Textile Artist), Devika Sundar (Art Psychotherapist), Nidhi Mariam Jacob (Artist & Muralist), Sandilya Theurkauf, and Vivek Radhakrishnan (Sculpture & Relief Artist). The conversation will explore what it means to practice, present, and sustain art in India today. The evening will conclude with a creatives’ mixer where artists, collectors, cultural practitioners, and guests will come together in a more informal setting. Extending conversations beyond the gallery, it offers an opportunity to exchange ideas, build new connections, and engage with the city’s creative community.

MAHE Achieves Landmark Certification Of BSL-3 Laboratory, Strengthening India’s High-Containment Research Capacity

Manipal Academy of Higher Education (MAHE), an Institution of Eminence Deemed to be University, proudly announces the successful certification of its Biosafety Level-3 (BSL-3) Laboratory by Department of Biotechnology, Government of India, marking a significant milestone in the MAHE’s sustained commitment to excellence in biomedical research, infectious disease preparedness, and global health security. This achievement substantially enhances MAHE's research, diagnostic, and training capabilities. The certification underscores MAHE’s adherence to internationally accepted biosafety and biosecurity standards and reflects its unwavering commitment to the highest levels of laboratory safety and scientific integrity. With this milestone, MAHE further consolidates its position as a leading centre for advanced research, diagnostics, and capacity building in infectious diseases.

The newly certified facility is equipped with state-of-the-art infrastructure and advanced biosafety engineering. It features specialised containment architecture, negative pressure environments with directional airflow, high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filtration systems, secure access controls, and stringent operational protocols. The certification process involved a rigorous and comprehensive evaluation encompassing laboratory design, engineering controls, biosafety management systems, standard operating procedures, personnel training and competency, and emergency preparedness.

The establishment and certification of this advanced facility were accomplished under the leadership of Dr Chiranjay Mukhopadhyay, Director, Manipal Institute of Virology (MIV), Manipal, with strong collaborative support from Kasturba Medical College (KMC), Manipal, Manipal College of Pharmaceutical Sciences (MCOPS), Manipal School of Life Sciences (MSLS), and Manipal Institute of Technology (MIT), Manipal. The facility will serve as a dynamic platform for interdisciplinary collaboration among microbiologists, virologists, clinicians, epidemiologists, and public health experts. In addition to enabling cutting-edge research, it will play a vital role in strengthening national and regional preparedness by offering specialised training in biosafety practices, high-containment laboratory operations, and outbreak response strategies.

Dr H S Ballal, Pro Chancellor, MAHE, said, “The certification of the BSL-3 laboratory is a proud and defining moment for MAHE. It reflects our unwavering commitment to scientific excellence, innovation, and public health. Notably, this is among the first stand-alone, state-of-the-art BSL-3 facilities within a premier private university in India, poised to serve the nation at a broader level and contribute to the national BSL-3 consortium in the future.”

Lt. Gen. (Dr) M D Venkatesh, Vice Chancellor, VSM (Retd.) MAHE stated, “This advanced facility will empower our researchers to undertake critical studies on airborne and high-risk pathogens and to conduct critical work such as pathogen isolation, antimicrobial susceptibility testing, molecular diagnostics, vaccine and drug development, host–pathogen interaction studies, aerosol transmission research, and evaluation of biosafety protocols. It reinforces MAHE’s commitment to scientific excellence, innovation, and public health, while strengthening India’s biomedical research ecosystem and contributing to global infectious disease preparedness.”

Dr Sharath K Rao, Pro Vice Chancellor, Health Sciences, MAHE, added, “This facility will foster high-quality, multi-institutional and multidisciplinary research, and is poised to emerge as a centre of excellence for advanced infectious disease research in southern India.”

With this achievement, MAHE joins a select group of institutions in India equipped with certified BSL-3 laboratories, further reinforcing its leadership in biomedical innovation, infectious disease research, and global health security.

About Manipal Academy of Higher Education:

Manipal Academy of Higher Education (MAHE) is an Institution of Eminence Deemed to be University. MAHE offers over 400 specialisations across the Health Sciences (HS), Management, Law, Humanities & Social Sciences (MLHS), and Technology & Science (T&S) streams through its constituent units at campuses in Manipal, Mangalore, Bengaluru, Jamshedpur, and Dubai. With a remarkable track record in academics, state-of-the-art infrastructure, and significant contributions to research, MAHE has earned recognition and acclaim both nationally and internationally. In 2020, the Ministry of Education, Government of India, awarded MAHE the prestigious Institution of Eminence status. Currently ranked 3rd in the National Institutional Ranking Framework (NIRF), MAHE is the preferred choice for students seeking a transformative learning experience and enriching campus life, as well as for national & multi-national corporates looking for top talent.

Mourya Concepts Celebrates 20 Years With Employee-Centric Initiatives; 135 Two-Wheelers Distributed Across India

Mourya Concepts marked its 20th anniversary with a significant employee welfare initiative, distributing 135 two-wheelers to its workforce across India, reinforcing its strong people-first philosophy.

With an expanding national presence comprising 45 branches and a team of over 330 employees, the company continues to grow, driven by a focused commitment to employment generation and workforce empowerment.

Further strengthening its progressive outlook, Mourya Concepts recently gifted six Mahindra BE6 electric vehicles worth ₹1.5 crore, reflecting its emphasis on sustainability and forward-looking practices.

Speaking on the occasion, Founder Vaynugopal said, “Our employees are the backbone of our organisation. This initiative underscores our commitment to enhancing their mobility, improving productivity, and supporting their overall growth.”

Over the past two decades, Mourya Concepts has built a strong reputation across sectors, including valuation, chartered engineering, and real estate services. Its journey continues to be anchored in trust, expansion, and meaningful job creation across India.   

LGE India Manufacturing Plants Accelerate Transition To Renewable Energy With Solar PPAs With Hinduja Renewables And Sunsure Energy

The initiative will generate over 3.2 crore units of clean electricity annually, equivalent to powering up to 50,000 Indian households each year

As part of its commitment to expand clean energy adoption across its manufacturing operations, LGE India, one of India’s leading consumer electronics brands, has signed long-term solar Power Purchase Agreements (PPAs) with Hinduja Renewables Energy Private Limited (HREPL) and Sunsure Energy. LGE India will source solar power for its Greater Noida and Pune manufacturing facilities, thereby reducing its carbon footprint while strengthening its transition towards sustainable manufacturing.

As part of these tie-ups, LGE India has signed a 9.80 megawatt peak (MWp) solar PPA with HREPL for its Pune manufacturing facility and an 11 MWp solar PPA with Sunsure Energy for its Greater Noida facility. LGE India will source approximately 3.21 crore units of renewable energy annually for both facilities, collectively offsetting around 0.61 million metric tonnes of CO2e over the project lifetime.

“This project represents a defining milestone for LGE India, marking our first captive renewable energy project in the country and reinforcing our decisive shift towards sustainable manufacturing,” said Mr. Hong Ju Jeon, Managing Director and Chief Sales and Marketing Officer, LGE India. “It strongly aligns with LG’s global sustainability commitments, including our transition towards achieving 100% renewable energy under the RE100 initiative. Beyond powering our operations, these collaborations also strengthen our contribution to meeting India’s net-zero ambitions for 2070 and accelerate our journey towards responsible manufacturing. By integrating clean energy with our production ecosystem, we are not only reducing our carbon footprint but also enhancing the global competitiveness of LGE India’s products.”

HREPL will supply 1.61 crore units of clean power annually from its 27.7 MWp solar plant in Nanded, Maharashtra, helping meet 40% of the Pune facility’s energy needs and offset 0.31 million metric tonnes of CO2e over the project lifetime. Similarly, Sunsure Energy will supply approximately 1.6 crore units of renewable electricity annually from its 82.5 MWp solar plant in Erach, Uttar Pradesh, enabling LGE India to meet around 30% of its Greater Noida facility’s energy requirement and increase total renewable energy consumption at the plant to approximately 50%, while offsetting 0.30 million metric tonnes of CO2e over the project lifetime.

Mr. Deepak Thakur, MD & CEO, HREPL said, “We are pleased to be a part of LGE India’s sustainability journey. This milestone underscores LGE India’s long-term commitment to renewable energy adoption and will help accelerate its transition to a clean manufacturing to achieve carbon neutrality and propel it towards a more sustainable future. This project reflects HREPL’s commitment to delivering reliable green power solutions that help organisations reduce their carbon footprint.”

Highlighting the tie-up, Mr. Shashank Sharma, Founder, Chairman & CEO, Sunsure Energy said, “Sunsure Energy is at the forefront of driving India’s industrial decarbonisation across sectors and geographies and is proud to advance the clean energy transition of LG Electronics in India. This collaboration goes beyond a power purchase agreement - it marks the beginning of a long-term relationship with LG Electronics India, a company known for its quality, engineering excellence, and consistency - values that strongly resonate with us at Sunsure. Through this collaboration, LGE India’s products manufactured in India will be powered by clean energy, enabling consumers to make more sustainable choices.”

Both the agreements are for a period of 25 years and will officially begin in the second quarter of CY2026. These agreements mark LGE India’s first strategic equity investment in an Indian special purpose vehicle (SPV) for power generation.

About LG Electronics India Ltd

LG Electronics India Limited (LGEIL) was established in January 1997 in India. It is focused on various consumer electronics and B2B businesses, from home appliances and media entertainment to HVAC and commercial displays. LGEIL's manufacturing units at Greater Noida and Ranjangaon, Pune has the capacity to manufacture LED TVs, air conditioners, commercial air conditioning systems, washing machines, refrigerators, and monitors.