Tata Power Reports Q1FY27 PAT Of 1,401 Crore, Up 11% (YoY)

Key Highlights:

Core Business of Generation, Transmission & Distribution and Renewables delivers strong performance backed by improved operational efficiency with Revenue growth of 12%, EBITDA growth of 12% and PAT growth of 14% YoY in Q1FY27

Renewables Business PAT rises to Rs 612 crore, up 15% YoY in Q1FY27

Solar Cell and Module Manufacturing PAT grows to Rs 371 crore in Q1 FY27 with 3.9x growth YoY

Rooftop Solar PAT grows to Rs 145 crore in Q1FY27 with 1.7x growth YoY on the back of pan India execution and increased adoption across consumer segments

T&D Business reports PAT of Rs 492 crore and EBITDA of Rs 1,541 crore in Q1FY27, reflecting a growth of 11% and 14% YoY, respectively

Odisha DISCOMs PAT grows to Rs 111 crore in Q1FY27, up 6% YoY; become first Private Utility to cross 1 crore registered customer base in a single state

Fast-Tracking Pumped Hydro Growth: 324 MW of the 1,000 MW of Bhivpuri PSP capacity tied up with SECI

Growth Levers:

Pioneering Solar Manufacturing through Indigenisation of Solar Value Chain:

· TP Solar achieved its highest-ever quarterly production, with 1,001 MW of modules and 862 MW of cells manufactured at industry-leading plant yields. This helped drive revenue to Rs 2,462 crore in Q1FY27, reflecting strong year-on-year growth.

· As part of its expansion across the solar value chain, the Company is progressing with the development of a 10 GW photovoltaic ingot and wafer manufacturing facility (to be implemented in two phases of 5 GW each). The Company has signed an MoU with Gopalpur SEZ for 128 acres of land, while land development and environmental clearance activities are currently underway.

India's Single Largest Rooftop Solar Solutions (Solar + Battery Storage) Player:

· Tata Power continues to lead India’s Rooftop Solar revolution with 371 MWp installed during the quarter, up 37% YoY, and delivered Rs 1,350 crore in Rooftop revenue. Company has launched its solar plus battery solution for wider market outreach. Tata Power Solaroof’s cumulative installed capacity now stands at 5.2 GWp and serves over 4.8 lakh customers, supported by a nationwide network of 3,778 authorised Channel Partners and Retailers.

Strong Renewable Execution: Renewable portfolio now stands at 12 GW, including under construction capacity of 5.3 GW

Transmission Business - Enabling Seamless Evacuation: Secured a Letter of Intent from REC Power Development & Consultancy (RECPDCL) for the Ryapte intra-state TBCB project in Karnataka of 491 Ckm with a capex of over Rs 4,000 crore, taking the total transmission portfolio to 7,894 ckm. FY27 is expected to be a strong year for project execution and delivery, including the planned commissioning of the 164 Ckm TP Jalpura Khurja Transmission Limited project. The current under-construction transmission portfolio stands at 2,332 Ckm, providing strong potential for future growth.

Odisha DISCOMs continue to outperform: PAT of Rs 111 crore, up 6% YoY, driven by sustained operational improvements higher RoE and rising consumer demand.
Tata Power remains well-positioned to support additional consumers and partner with States through PPP and via parallel licensing models.

Mundra fully operational: Tata Power’s Mundra Plant resumed full 4,150 MW operations from 1st April 2026 and is currently running under Section 11. The plant continues to supply power to all the procurers to meet the Nation’s peak power demand; Ministry of Power has extended Section 11 directions till 30th September 2026. The SPPA with GUVNL has been signed and discussions with other States are underway.

Ensuring Nation’s energy security through cross-border partnership: Uttar Pradesh Electricity Regulatory Commission (UPERC) has cleared Uttar Pradesh Power Corporation Limited (UPPCL)’s 511 MW long-term purchase from the 600 MW Khorlochhu project in Bhutan. The Khorlochhu project is tied up under a 30-year power purchase agreement with TPTCL, with UPPCL as the offtaker. Furthermore, Tata Power and Bhutan’s Druk Green Power Corporation has signed an MoU for 404 MW Nyera Amari I & II Integrated Hydropower Project in Bhutan.

Advancing Round-the-Clock Renewable Supply through PSP: Tata Power has secured a Letter of Award from SECI, under which the Company will supply 324 MW for 40 years from its 1,000 MW Pumped Hydro Storage Project at Bhivpuri, Maharashtra.

Accelerating clean mobility adoption: Tata Power EZ Charge network now spans over 2.4 lakh home chargers, 5,900+ public, semi-public and fleet charging points and 1,200+ e-bus charging points across 717 cities and towns, with over 6 lakh registered users and ~476 million green miles covered.

Recognised on ESG parameters: Tata Power retained its MSCI ‘A’ rating and improved its S&P Global Corporate Sustainability Assessment score to 77 (from 68), alongside a CDP ‘B’ for both Climate Change and Water Security.

Tata Power, one of India’s largest vertically integrated power companies, today reported a Profit after Tax (PAT) of Rs 1,401 crore, up 11 % YoY, for the first quarter ended June 30, 2026. The Company’s revenue grew to Rs 18,898 crore, up 8% YoY; while EBITDA rose to Rs 4,249 crore, up 8% YoY.

The Company has commenced FY27 on a strong footing, with the first quarter reflecting solid execution across its businesses and reinforcing the strategic priorities that will drive the next phase of growth.

As green energy adoption accelerates, Tata Power is strategically investing across the value chain from domestic manufacturing and large-scale renewable development to cross-border clean energy partnerships and energy storage solutions. The Company is building capabilities that enhance grid flexibility and reliability through a combination of pumped hydro storage, battery energy storage systems and hybrid energy solutions. These efforts are pioneering dependable clean energy access for commercial, industrial and residential consumers.

Consolidated Financial Performance (in Rs crore) 

Particulars	Q1 FY27	Q1 FY26	% Change YoY
Revenue	18,898	17,464	8%
EBITDA	4,249	3,930	8%
Reported PAT	1,401	1,262	11%

 

Dr. Praveer Sinha, CEO and Managing Director, Tata Power, said: "India's energy sector is entering its next phase of transformation where the focus is shifting to delivering reliable, round-the-clock clean energy. At Tata Power, we have positioned ourselves ahead of this curve through our integrated and bundled supply of RTC Renewable power though solar, wind, battery storage and pumped storage projects.

This quarter marks several strategic milestones that will shape our next phase of growth. With more than Rs 5,000 crore deployed towards capex during Q1, we have begun FY27 with a strong project implementation roadmap.

The return of Mundra to full operations, industry leading solar rooftop growth and deepening cross-border energy partnerships further reinforce our position as a leading integrated power company.”

Business Highlights – Q1 FY27

Generation:

Traditional Generation demonstrated strong operational performance and resilience while maintaining minimal to zero forced outages during the Quarter. The average availability stood at robust 96.2%.

Tata Power continues to make significant engineering progress across the Bhutan hydropower projects-Khorlochhu and Dorjilung.

At the 1,000 MW Bhivpuri Pumped Storage Project, the upper reservoir has been constructed and Civil, Electro-Mechanical, Hydro-Mechanical and GIS packages awarded & works are progressing well.

Renewables

The cluster posted strong performance as quarter EBITDA increased 8% YoY to Rs 1,696 crore from Rs 1,567 crore in Q1 FY26 driven by capacity additions, higher sales from Solar Manufacturing & Rooftop solar

Total renewable portfolio at 12.0 GW, of which 6.7 GW operational (5.4 GW solar, 1.3 GW wind) and 5.3 GW under implementation.

Commissioned Ladakh’s first commercial rooftop solar project, a 50 kWp system in Leh, marking the region’s entry into distributed clean energy.

Commissioned the 100.8 MW Jewali Wind Project in Dharashiv, Maharashtra, generating ~299 million units annually and supplying clean power to Tata Power Mumbai Distribution

Rooftop Business expands its addressable market with complete solar solutions (Solar plus Battery). The order book stands at Rs 639 crore.

Transmission & Distribution

Announced plans to upgrade Mumbai’s Transmission and Distribution network by 2031, including a 400 kV ring network to serve data centres and metro lines.

Tata Power Delhi Distribution Limited crosses 10,000 Rooftop Solar installations in Delhi creating 160 MWp of distributed clean energy.

Electric Mobility

Commissioned ultra-fast charging stations with Indian Oil on the Delhi–Mumbai Expressway (63rd and 69th Milestones, Haryana)

Signed an MoU with Varanasi Smart City to expand EV charging across transit hubs, parking areas and tourist sites

Tata Power and Tata Passenger Electric Mobility Limited (TPEM) inaugurated Telangana's first high-speed Tata.ev MegaCharger hub in Hitech City, Hyderabad.

Beyond Gold: How Non-Par Life Insurance Is Emerging As The New Gold Standard For Certainty

For generations, Indian households have had one instinct during uncertain times: when in doubt, buy gold.

However, the recent market environment has offered investors a timely reminder: even traditional safe-haven assets can experience sharp volatility. Since the escalation of the West Asia conflict, global markets have remained choppy, crude oil prices have remained volatile, and investor sentiment has shifted quickly. In such periods, gold is typically expected to benefit from safe-haven demand. Yet, this time, gold itself came under pressure.

Gold was trading at around USD 5,278 per troy ounce at the close on February 27, the day before the conflict escalated. It later corrected sharply to around USD 4,090 per troy ounce as of July 27. (Source: Investing.com). In INR terms too, gold corrected from ₹158,585 per 10 grams at the close on February 27 to around ₹142,800–144,200 per 10 grams in late July. (Source: MCX Spot Market Price at Ahmedabad).

What makes this correction noteworthy is that it happened despite factors that would normally support domestic gold prices. During the same period, the INR weakened from 91.08 to 96.13 against the US dollar (Source: Morning Star), while basic customs duty on gold also increased. Both these factors could have cushioned gold prices for Indian investors. Yet, gold still declined.

Moreover, on June 5, the RBI and the Government announced a series of measures to attract foreign capital and support the INR, aimed at strengthening capital inflows, improving foreign currency liquidity and enhancing external sector stability. If these measures help stabilise the INR over the medium term, currency depreciation may no longer provide the same support to gold returns for Indian investors.

This raises an important question: if even gold, India’s most trusted symbol of financial security, can fluctuate during uncertain times, what should investors look for when they seek true certainty?

Certainty is becoming the new safe haven

Today’s investors are not merely looking to grow wealth. They want money that is available when life demands it. A child’s education fees will not wait for markets to recover. Retirement income cannot depend on whether gold, equities or interest rates are favourable that year. Healthcare needs, family responsibilities and long-term commitments arrive on schedule.

That is where non-participating life insurance solutions are gaining relevance — by offering something gold simply cannot promise: defined benefits, long-term protection and greater predictability.

What are Non-Par life insurance solutions?

Non-Par products are life insurance plans where the benefits are guaranteed and defined upfront at the time of purchase. They do not participate in the profits or bonuses of the insurance company and are not linked to market performance. In simple terms, the customer knows what they will receive, when they will receive it, and how it can support their financial goals.

Typically, such solutions offer annualised returns in the range of 5–7% p.a. IRR, depending on the customer’s age, premium, policy term and benefit option, with select product structures offering even higher returns. More importantly, these returns come with the advantage of life cover and guaranteed payouts, making them a strong fit for goal-based planning.

Why this matters now

The shift is already visible in investor behaviour. Indian households continue to prioritise safety, capital protection and predictable outcomes. This is not because they do not want growth. It is because they want growth that does not compromise certainty.

In uncertain times, the focus moves from “How much can I make?” to “Can I count on this money when I need it?”

That is the gap Non-Par solutions are designed to address. Unlike market-linked products, they are not exposed to daily volatility. Unlike gold, they do not depend on price movements to deliver value at a specific milestone. Unlike traditional savings instruments, they also provide life insurance protection, ensuring the family’s financial plan remains on track even if life takes an unexpected turn.

Sujeet Kothare, Chief Business Officer - Proprietary Business, Propositions and Marketing, Digital Marketing, Tata AIA Life Insurance, said: “Gold will always have a special place in Indian households because it represents trust, tradition and security. But today’s families are looking for a more predictable answer to their financial goals. When a child’s college fee is due, when retirement income is needed, or when the family requires support, they want certainty. Non-Par life insurance solutions address this need by combining guaranteed benefits with life cover. In today’s uncertain environment, that combination is becoming increasingly meaningful.”

The new gold standard of planning

This is not about replacing gold, fixed deposits or equities. Each asset has a role in a well-planned portfolio. Gold may preserve value over the long term. Equities may create growth. Fixed deposits may provide short-term stability. But Non-Par life insurance solutions bring something distinct: a guaranteed financial outcome linked to a defined life goal, along with protection for the family.

As global uncertainty continues to test traditional assumptions, investors are beginning to look beyond assets that simply appear safe. They are looking for solutions that deliver when it matters.

In that sense, Non-Par life insurance is emerging as the new gold standard for financial certainty.

Sources:

World Gold Council, Gold Demand Trends Q1 2026

SEBI Investor Survey 2025

Disclaimers:

As on 31st March 2026, the company has a total Assets Under Management (AUM) of ₹145,589 Crore

Individual Death Claim Settlement Ratio for FY 2025 -2026 is 99.45% as per the latest annual audited figures 98,01,699 families protected till 18th May 2026.

Retail Sum Assured for FY’25-26 is Rs 9,00,876 Crores As on 31st March 2026

No Goods and Service Tax shall be applicable on Individual life insurance products as per prevailing laws. Tax laws are subject to amendments from time to time. If any imposition (tax or otherwise) is levied by any statutory or administrative body under the Policy, Tata AIA Life Insurance Company Limited reserves the right to claim the same from the Policyholder.

Air India And Ministry Of Tourism Enter MoU To Jointly Promote India As A Global Tourism Destination

* First global airline to partner with the Ministry of Tourism

* Partnership to showcase India to the world through joint marketing, destination promotion, transit tourism initiatives, and enhanced traveller experiences

Air India, India's leading global airline, and the Ministry of Tourism (MoT), Government of India, have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to jointly promote India as a premier global tourism destination and strengthening India’s position as a key aviation and transit hub.

The MoU establishes a framework for coordinated initiatives across tourism marketing, destination storytelling, trade engagement, transit tourism, and visitor experience enhancement.

By leveraging Air India's expanding global network and the MoT’s flagship Incredible India initiative, the collaboration aims to boost inbound tourism, strengthen India's global visibility, and encourage more international travellers to discover the country's diverse cultural, heritage, natural, and experiential offerings.

Nipun Aggarwal, Chief Commercial Officer, Air India, said: "As the airline that proudly carries India in its name, Air India has a unique responsibility to showcase the country to the world and serve as an ambassador for the “new India” that is confident, vibrant, warm, and welcoming. As Air India expands its global network that already spans five continents and welcomes more visitors to India, this partnership with the Ministry of Tourism will help us to meaningfully put the spotlight on a nation that truly is uniquely remarkable.”

P. Balaji, Group Head – Governance, Risk, Compliance & Corporate Affairs, Air India, said: "This MoU reflects months of close collaboration between Air India and the Ministry of Tourism and a shared belief that aviation and tourism can be powerful partners in advancing India's global profile. The framework creates a meaningful platform that combines the Government’s nation-branding strengths with Air India's growing global footprint. We are excited to work with the Ministry of Tourism to create new pathways for international travellers to discover the richness, diversity, and dynamism of India."

With Air India serving 40 international destinations across five continents and welcoming millions of visitors to India each year, the airline's new world-class aircraft, digital platforms, inflight experiences, and global commercial presence will become powerful channels for taking the Incredible India story to travellers around the world.

Air India's network today spans North America, UK & Europe, Australia, Africa, and Asia - regions that together are home to nearly 95% of the world's population. Beyond the destinations it serves directly, Air India's 25 codeshare partnerships and more than 120 interline partnerships with leading airlines around the world today connect India to over 1,000 destinations worldwide. This vast global footprint, combined with Air India's uniquely Indian identity, makes the airline a natural partner for showcasing India's heritage, culture, landscapes, and tourism experiences to audiences worldwide.

Driving inbound tourism and trade engagement

Under the agreement, Air India and the Ministry of Tourism will collaborate on co-branded global marketing campaigns and tourism promotion across digital, social media, inflight branding, and other consumer-facing platforms. The partnership will also explore opportunities to extend Incredible India branding across Air India's touchpoints.

Recognising the critical role of aviation in tourism growth, the two organisations will jointly engage with tour operators, travel trade partners, and industry stakeholders across key international markets.

The collaboration will include participation in tourism exhibitions, roadshows, familiarisation trips, and other market development activities designed to boost interest in India among international travellers.

Air India and the Ministry will also work with State Tourism Boards and other stakeholders to highlight destinations across the country and support tourism-led initiatives.

Strengthening India's position as a global transit hub and developing new offerings for travellers

As Air India continues to build its hubs at Delhi and Mumbai as into major international gateways, the MoU provides for collaboration on initiatives aimed at encouraging transit and stopover tourism in India, including the development of stopover programmes.

Additionally, both organisations will explore opportunities to align with Air India's Maharaja Club loyalty programme and develop customer incentives linked to tourism experiences across India.

The Ministry of Tourism will also facilitate engagement with relevant stakeholders to explore special offers and benefits for Air India customers, including access to cultural attractions, heritage sites, museums, and other visitor experiences.

About Air India Group

The Air India Group – comprising full-service global airline, Air India, and value carrier, Air India Express – is spearheading a new era of Indian aviation. The Air India story began in 1932 when JRD Tata piloted the airline’s inaugural flight and opened the skies for aviation in India. Today, Air India Group employs more than 30,000 people, operates over 300 aircraft and carries travellers to 60 domestic and 51 international destinations across five continents.

Returning to Tata Sons in 2022 following 70 years under Government ownership, Air India Group is in the midst of a five-year transformation programme, Vihaan.AI. As part of the transformation, Air India has placed orders for 600 new aircraft. In addition to taking new aircraft deliveries, Air India is progressively retrofitting all its legacy aircraft.

The Air India Group operates South Asia’s largest aviation training academy in Gurugram, India. The construction of a new flying school and a greenfield maintenance base is in progress.

With transformation underway across all facets of the business and India’s rich legacy of hospitality, Air India is committed to being a world class global airline with an Indian heart.

For more news on Air India, visit http://www.airindia.com/newsroom

Airtel Payments Bank Partners With CSC To Expand Digital Banking And Financial Inclusion Across India

Airtel Payments Bank has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with CSC e-Governance Services India Limited to strengthen financial inclusion and enable greater access to digital banking and bill payment services across the country. The partnership was formalized during CSC's 17th Foundation Day celebrations in Kolkata.

Through this collaboration, Airtel Payments Bank's banking and digital payment solutions will be made available at CSC's network of over 500,000 Common Service Centres (CSCs), significantly enhancing access to formal financial services for citizens in rural India. Set up by the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) to oversee the implementation of Government to Citizens (G2C) schemes, CSC e-Governance provides G2C services to citizens through its outlets, known as Common Service Centers.

Customers visiting CSC outlets will now be able to open an Airtel Payments Bank savings account, link their accounts to receive eligible government benefits, and conveniently make utility and other bill payments. The partnership is aimed to accelerating the adoption of digital financial services at the grassroots level.

Mr. Krishna Kumar Singh, Senior Vice-President at CSC e-Governance Services India Limited, said “At CSC, we are committed to ensuring that every citizen, especially in rural and underserved regions, has access to essential services. Our partnership with Airtel Payments Bank strengthens this commitment by bringing secure, convenient, and accessible banking and payment solutions closer to communities across India. Together, we aim to accelerate financial inclusion, simplify digital payments, and enable greater participation in the country's growing digital economy."

Mr. Pranav Kaushal, Chief Sales and Distribution Officer at Airtel Payments Bank said, "This partnership with CSC e-Governance marks an important milestone in our mission to make banking accessible to every citizen, regardless of where they live. For India's digital economy to grow inclusively, formal banking must reach the last mile, anchored by infrastructure that is secure, reliable, and built close to the citizen. By combining CSC's unparalleled grassroots network with our digital banking capability, we are creating a powerful channel to bring banking and digital bill payments within easy reach of millions. Together, we aim to foster trust, financial dignity, and lasting empowerment at the grassroots level."

This collaboration marks a significant step in expanding the reach of India's digital public infrastructure by combining CSC e-Governance's trusted citizen service network with Airtel Payments Bank's digital banking capabilities. Together, the two organisations will create a stronger ecosystem that simplifies access to formal banking, enables seamless delivery of government benefits, and supports the country's vision of a digitally empowered and financially inclusive India.

About Airtel Payments Bank

Airtel Payments Bank offers a diverse range of safe, simple, and rewarding digital banking solutions through its robust digital platforms and extensive network of over 5 lakh active banking points spread across the country. As one of the fastest growing digital banks in the country, it has built a strong and inclusive digital payments system that empowers millions of customers. Airtel Payments Bank is focused on contributing to the Government’s vision of Digital India and Financial Inclusion by taking digital banking services to the doorstep of every Indian.

For more details visit - https://www.airtelpayments.bank.in/      

Flying Flea Expands Retail Footprint In Bengaluru

Bringing the brand closer to its community across the city, Flying Flea, the new city+ electric mobility brand from Royal Enfield, has expanded its customer touchpoints in Bengaluru.

In addition to its first store in Jayanagar, which opened on April 10, 2026, the brand is now adding 10 new retail touchpoints. The swift network expansion comes in response to the exceptional interest in the Flying Flea C6, the first motorcycle from the brand. Strategically located, the new touchpoints will ensure easy accessibility to sales and after-sales support across key areas in Bengaluru. Underscoring Flying Flea’s commitment to building a connected, convenient, and seamless ownership experience, a hub-and-spoke ecosystem has been designed to deliver efficient and reliable service. A dedicated service hub in BTM Layout provides specialised technical support, while multiple spoke centres across Bengaluru cater to routine service and maintenance requirements.

Available in Storm Black and Flea Green colourways, the Flying Flea C6 is priced at ₹2.79 Lakh (ex-showroom); ₹1.99 Lakh (Battery-as-a-Service). Every FF.C6 comes with 24x7 Roadside Assistance.

 

New Flying Flea Touchpoints	Location	Status
Jagadamba Automobiles	Whitefield	Operational
HSR Enterprises	Rajaji Nagar	Operational
Avahan Motors	Kalyan Nagar	Operational
Electronic City Motors	Electronic City	Operational
Kwality Mobikes Private Limited	Banashankari	Operational
Acclaim Motors	Yelahanka	Operational from August 1st week
Ridecraft Ventures Pvt Ltd	Marathahalli	Operational from August 1st week
Shrish Motors LLP	Peenya	Operational from August 1st week
Torqua	Nagarabhavi	Operational from August 1st week
Sai Ram Auto Craft Pvt Ltd	B Narayanpura	Operational from August 1st week
Armour Motors	Kengeri	Operational from August 1st week

 

Inspired by the original Flying Flea of the 1940’s - the modern Flying Flea C6 is thoughtfully reinterpreted for today's rider. It seamlessly blends agility with advanced connected technology, delivering a deeply intuitive riding experience.

Flying Flea is an embodiment of masterful metallurgy, ingenious chemistry and rider-first wizardry where hardware and software work as one seamless organism. Every element of the FF.C6 is crafted not just to look distinctive, but to enhance how the motorcycle feels and functions in the city. While it is underpinned by top-notch engineering and advanced technology, the experience for the rider remains simple, intuitive and effortless. Designed to make urban exploration easy and accessible for people of all abilities, Flying Flea removes complexity without compromising capability. Engineered to connect, adapt and evolve with its rider, Flying Flea transforms technology into a meaningful, everyday advantage.

At its core, the FF.C6 brings together advanced material science, intelligent energy management and performance engineering for a truly exhilarating ride experience. The platform advances performance, intelligence, and connectivity with core components including the motor, battery, BMS, and vehicle control software, enabling deep integration and control. Built from the ground up as a fully optimised, rider-centric electric motorcycle, the FF.C6 delivers a compelling blend of performance, efficiency and neo-vintage design.

Powered by a team of 200+ engineers across India and the UK, and backed by 45+ patent applications, Flying Flea is a true greenfield innovation, developed entirely in-house at the Flying Flea Tech Centre. It is motorcycling-reimagined. In recognition and affirmation of the brand’s ethos, Flying Flea won the prestigious Red Dot Award for the FF.C6 under the ‘Design Concept’ category and the Good Design Award under the Transportation category in 2025.

Flying Flea continues to strengthen its customer-first approach, making electric mobility more accessible while laying the foundation for a robust ownership and service experience. Flying Flea C6 rollout will follow a phased, city-by-city approach.  

South Africa Makes Travel Easier With 48-Hour ETA Visa For Eligible Indian Travellers

From wildlife safaris and the Cape Winelands to scenic drives along the Garden Route and the vibrant city of Cape Town, South Africa continues to attract Indian travellers looking for a diverse range of experiences. Now, travelling there has become easier with the introduction of South Africa's Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA).

The ETA enables eligible Indian passport holders to apply for travel authorization entirely online, with applications intended to be processed within 24 to 48 hours. Introduced for short leisure and work visits (up to 90 days), the digital system streamlines the application process, replacing lengthy paperwork to make the journey from holiday planning to departure faster and more seamless. The ETA is digitally linked to a traveller's passport, allowing eligible visitors to travel to South Africa for tourism and work purposes without the need for a traditional visa sticker, while also supporting multiple entries during its validity period.

Applying is simple. Travellers need to create an account on the official South African Department of Home Affairs ETA portal, take a photo of the passport you will use to travel to South Africa, complete the online application, upload the required documents, verify their identity using smartphone-based biometrics, pay the relevant application fee and submit the application electronically. Once submitted, applicants can track the status of their application online in real time.

The ETA is currently available for travellers arriving through O.R. Tambo International Airport (Johannesburg), Cape Town International Airport and Lanseria International Airport, with rollout to additional ports of entry to follow in the future. It is available to travellers holding valid ordinary passports who are eligible for the programme and is intended for visitor stays of up to 90 days. The ETA serves as pre-authorization to travel, with final admission completed by South African border authorities upon arrival.

The introduction of the ETA reflects South Africa's continued efforts to create a more efficient and digitally enabled immigration process. Powered by secure biometric verification and automated processing, the platform aims to simplify immigration procedures, while strengthening border security and improving the arrival experience for international visitors.

Commenting on the introduction of the ETA, Ms. Neliswa Nkani Hub Head MEISEA, South African Tourism, said, “Indian travellers are increasingly looking for destinations that combine extraordinary experiences with greater convenience. South Africa's new Electronic Travel Authorisation is an important step towards making travel planning simpler and faster for eligible visitors, allowing them to spend less time navigating paperwork and more time looking forward to everything our country has to offer. From iconic wildlife experiences and breathtaking landscapes to vibrant cities and rich cultural heritage, South Africa is ready to welcome Indian travellers with greater ease than ever before.”

To further support the introduction of the Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA), South African Tourism launched a dedicated digital campaign, across its social media platforms this month.

The introduction of the ETA comes as outbound travel from India continues to grow, with travellers increasingly seeking destinations that offer memorable experiences alongside greater convenience. Travellers are encouraged to check their eligibility and complete their application through the official South African Department of Home Affairs ETA portal well ahead of their travel.

SonicWall Research Finds Manufacturing Cybersecurity At A Breaking Point As Factory Floors And Corporate Networks Collide

* New Manufacturing Protect Brief reveals 43 million camera attacks and the highest industrial control attack rate of any industry

SonicWall today released its 2026 Manufacturing Protect Brief, a vertical-specific companion to the SonicWall 2026 Cyber Protect Report.

The findings show that factories are increasingly opening up critical new entry points for hackers. Consequently, while the total volume of cyberattacks on the manufacturing sector has actually decreased, hackers are executing much more precise, highly targeted strikes on these digital gaps.

Manufacturing recorded a 56.2% year-over-year decline in intrusion prevention (IPS) volume in the first half of 2026, the steepest drop of any tracked vertical. But the decline does not reflect reduced risk. Absolute volume remains significant at 474 million events, and as more operational technology connects to IT infrastructure, the attack surface is expanding even as attackers grow more selective about where they strike.

"Manufacturing’s attack surface looks nothing like it did even five years ago, and the security model hasn’t caught up," said Michael Crean, SonicWall SVP of Managed Services. "Every connection added for operational convenience, remote monitoring, predictive maintenance, vendor access to production systems, is also a connection an attacker can walk through. A stolen credential shouldn’t be able to reach the production floor, but in most manufacturing environments today, it can."

SonicWall’s Manufacturing Protect Brief draws on data from SonicWall’s global network of more than one million security sensors to document the specific attack patterns, legacy vulnerabilities and ransomware campaigns defining the manufacturing threat landscape in the first half of 2026.

Key Findings from the 2026 SonicWall Manufacturing Protect Brief

The Hikvision IP Camera Command Injection vulnerability (CVE-2021-36260), disclosed in 2021, continued to generate 43 million hits in H1 2026, the single largest IoT attack signature across any industry SonicWall tracks.

IoT attacks were manufacturing’s second-largest attack category by volume, generating 46.2 million hits, with more than half of manufacturing networks detecting exploitation attempts.

Manufacturing recorded the highest SCADA attack detection rate of any tracked vertical.

Ten ransomware families were active against manufacturing networks in H1 2026; the Zhen family alone generated 22.2 million hits concentrated on just two devices, a pattern consistent with an active, ongoing incident rather than a broad campaign.

Apache Log4j2 generated 13.8 million detection events on manufacturing networks, more than four years after the vulnerability was first disclosed.

Unlocked Doors

Between networked security cameras, industrial sensors, and smart building controls, today's factories are packed with connected devices that were never designed with modern security in mind. They run on old software, are rarely patched, and sit on the exact same networks as critical production lines. This means old vulnerabilities never really go away. For example, a well-known Hikvision camera flaw from five years ago is still one of the most common threats detected on factory networks today.

The danger multiplied as companies connected their corporate offices to their physical plant floors to allow for remote monitoring and automated maintenance. Because these networks are linked, a single employee password stolen through a phishing email is often all a hacker needs to jump from the front office straight into the systems that control physical machinery.

"Manufacturing doesn’t have a sophistication problem, it has an architecture problem," continues Crean. "The factory floor is now part of the corporate network. Until we start continuously verifying every user and restricting their access to only the specific apps they need, one stolen password will continue to be enough to shut down a plant."

The Architecture Problem Has a Known Solution

The vulnerabilities documented in the Manufacturing Protect Brief are well understood, and the controls that address them exist. SonicWall Cloud Secure Edge applies Zero Trust principles to every access request, granting application-level access only and continuously re-verifying identity and device posture rather than treating a validated credential as a blanket pass to the network behind it.

For manufacturers managing vendor and maintenance access to production systems, remote monitoring tools and ERP integrations, replacing broad VPN-based access with application-level Zero Trust removes the condition that makes credential compromise consequential: a stolen login no longer grants a path to the systems that run the production floor.

About SonicWall
For more than 30 years, SonicWall has championed a partner-first model that combines purpose-built technology, cloud-delivered security services and real-time threat intelligence to help businesses prevent breaches, reduce risk and stay operational in the face of evolving modern threats. We are committed to deliver the best security outcomes for our customers where others deliver features and functions.  Through its unified cybersecurity portfolio and global community of over 17,000 partners, SonicWall enables managed service providers to actively manage, continuously optimize and measurably protect networks, cloud environments, endpoints and applications. The company is redefining cybersecurity around outcomes that matter to business leaders, including breach prevention, compliance achievement, cost efficiency and reduced human error, because protection is not about what a product can do but about what it actually delivers.