India becomes 1st market outside US to start local production of Mercedes-Maybach GLS

(IANS/Mercedes-Benz India Photo)

New Delhi, (IANS): Mercedes-Benz India on Tuesday announced that it has achieved a major global milestone by becoming the first market outside the United States to start local production of the ultra-luxury Mercedes-Maybach GLS.

The move highlights India’s growing importance for the German luxury carmaker and underlines the company’s strong confidence in the country’s appetite for top-end luxury vehicles.

According to Mercedes-Benz India, local manufacturing of the Mercedes-Maybach GLS will not only strengthen its top-end portfolio but also help the brand respond better to rising demand while reinforcing its long-term commitment to the Indian market.

“The decision to start the local production of the Mercedes-Maybach GLS reiterates Mercedes-Benz’s deep commitment to the Indian customers, offering the pinnacle of luxury SUV, ‘Made in India’,” Santosh Iyer, Managing Director & CEO, Mercedes-Benz India, said.

“Local production will further enhance the vehicle’s appeal, reiterating our world-class manufacturing prowess and agility, catering to most demanding customer wishes for such exclusive top-end vehicles,” Iyer added.

In its 2025 sales performance highlights, the German luxury carmaker announced it has sold 19,007 units in India during CY 2025, slightly lower than the 19,565 units sold in 2024.

Despite the marginal dip in volumes, the company recorded its best-ever year in terms of revenue.

According to the company, the Top-End Vehicles portfolio, which includes the S-Class, Mercedes-Maybach models and AMG cars, showed strong resilience and grew 11 per cent year-on-year.

This segment accounted for 25 per cent of total sales, reflecting rising demand for ultra-luxury vehicles in India.

The high-performance AMG portfolio performed particularly well, registering a sharp 34 per cent growth, as Indian customers continued to show strong interest in performance-oriented luxury cars.

Mercedes-Benz India’s electric vehicle business also maintained its growth momentum in 2025.

The company’s battery electric vehicle portfolio grew 12 per cent year-on-year and accounted for 20 per cent of all top-end Mercedes-Benz cars sold in the country.

Notably, 70 per cent of the electric vehicles sold during the year belonged to the top-end segment, priced between Rs 1.25 crore and Rs 3.1 crore.

These included models such as the EQS SUV, EQS Sedan, Mercedes-Maybach EQS SUV and the Mercedes-Benz G580.The EQS SUV remained the company’s highest-selling luxury electric vehicle in India. India becomes 1st market outside US to start local production of Mercedes-Maybach GLS | MorungExpress | morungexpress.com

Read More........ → January 27, 2026

Amitabh Bachchan says, learning never stops, but outsourcing is the way forward

(Photo : IANS/File)

Mumbai, Megastar Amitabh Bachchan reflected on learning, time, and the rapidly changing nature of work, saying that while every day brings a new lesson, the pace of innovation today often makes it difficult to keep up as one grows older.

Taking to his blog, Big B shared his thought that there is often a sense of regret that certain things could not have been learned years ago.

“Each day is a learning .. and the regret is that what needs to be learnt should have been learnt many many years ago .. the regret is more because what is being learnt now did not exist then .. and now the desire and effort and energy to learn diminishes - with time and age ..”

The star observed that inventions and new systems evolve so rapidly that by the time one begins to understand them, time has already moved on.

“The speed of inventions and fresh new systems is so rapid that , by the the time you are beginning to learn it time has passed (sic).”

Drawing from recent meetings, he said the key takeaway was to get the basics right and then rely on the best and most skilled recent talents to carry the work forward.

He added: “So the take away today from several meetings is to get the basics in place and then hire the best recent talents and experts to carry out the job .. and job done (sic).”

“If you are unaware or not qualified to accomplish a given job .. no issue .. you accept it .. then hire it out to experts of choice and get it done .. the job accepted .. hired out .. and done .. rather than NOT take up a job, because you do NOT know it, but take it and get it done through a hiring process .. yes you employ or deploy the talent , at a cost , but better to do that than not accdept the job in the first place because you are not qualified for it ..”

Calling it a slightly complicated process, Bachchan said clarity eventually comes with time. He concluded by identifying the right term for this approach, outsourcing, where experts handle the work for a fee, while one retains control of the larger project.

“A bit complicated all this .. but in time it all falls into place .. aahh .. got the right expression and word that I was struggling with .. its called OUTSOURCING .. or you OUTSOURCE .. the expert or the knowledged do the work at a fee .. you maintain the job .. but outsourced to the more proficient .. the larger percentage of the commercial remains with you ..”

“The cost of outsourcing , being the commercial consideration that you are deployed with ..(sic)”

“YES .. finally understood .. in my time .. if you did not know the job, you regretted and did not or could not do it .. but now you take up the job, and get it done through OUTSOURCING (sic).”

Expressing relief at finally finding the right word, the veteran actor added that modern tools like ChatGPT make finding such answers quicker and easier than ever before.He concluded: “Oh boy what a relief to have got the term right .. and guess what .. put up the issue on ChatGPT, and within a few seconds the response was before you .. BAADUMBAAA !!!! (sic).” Amitabh Bachchan says, learning never stops, but outsourcing is the way forward | MorungExpress | morungexpress.com

Read More........ → January 26, 2026

Indonesia Masters 2026: Sindhu, Lakshya advance; Srikanth goes down in pre-quarters

Photo credit: Badminton Photos/BWF

Jakarta, (IANS) Two-time Olympic medallist P.V. Sindhu progressed to the quarterfinals of the Indonesia Masters 2026, where she will face top seed Chen Yu Fei inJakarta on Friday, as men's singles star Lakshya Sen and women's singles player Anmol Kharb also advanced to the next stage.

Former World Championship silver medallist Kidambi Srikanth, and men's doubles pair Hariharan Amsakarunan/M.R Arjun, too exited the BWF World Tour event.

With Chen leading their head-to-head 7–6, the quarterfinals against Sindhu on Friday promise to be closely fought. Sindhu booked her spot with a 21-19, 21-18 win over Denmark’s Line Hojmark Kjaersfeldt in 43 minutes.

Seventh seed Lakshya Sen also advanced and will take on Thailand’s Panitchaphon Teeraratsakul after a dominant 21-10, 21-11 victory over Hong Kong's Jason Gunawan in another 43-minute battle.

Anmol Kharb challenged former world No.1 and Olympic bronze medallist Nozomi Okuhara by winning the first game 21-16 before bowing out. Men's singles contingent Kidambi Srikanth and men's doubles Hariharan Amsakarunan/M R Arjun exited the tournament.

Earlier, Sindhu faced a tough first-round match but ultimately secured a straight-games victory over Japan's Manami Suizu in the opening round of the Indonesia Masters here on Wednesday. Sindhu had a surprising start in the first game, trailing 2-11 at the mid-game break. She had to defend four game points but managed to win the game 22-20, scoring six consecutive points. In the second game, she led throughout but couldn't establish a comfortable lead over Suizu until she ultimately won 21-18.

Meanwhile, former World No. 1 Kidambi Srikanth, who made it to the finals of the Malaysia Masters and Syed Modi International last year, faced Japan's Koki Watanabe in an exciting first-round match and edged out his Japanese opponent with a 21-15, 21-23, 24-22 victory.

After a strong start with aggressive shot-making in the opening game, Srikanth's game faltered in the second as he made errors, giving Watanabe a chance to catch up. In the third, he led 7-4 but made several errors and couldn't fully dominate Watanabe. Ultimately, in key moments, Srikanth's aggressive strokeplay helped him secure the win, keeping Watanabe at bay.

Last week, Sindhu, Lakshya Sen, Kidambi Srikanth, and H.S Prannoy made early exits from last week's India Open 2026, a HSBC BWF World Super 750 event. Lakshya Sen reached the furthest before ending his campaign in the quarterfinals. He kept pace with Lin Chun-Yi till the very end but fell short in the final exchanges as he went down in three games to end the host’s challenge.Sen won the opening game against Lin but then struggled from the faster side of the court to go down 17-21, 21-13, 21-18 in the men’s singles quarterfinals. Indonesia Masters 2026: Sindhu, Lakshya advance; Srikanth goes down in pre-quarters | MorungExpress | morungexpress.com

Read More........ → January 23, 2026

India’s GDP growth likely to scale 7.5 per cent in FY 26: SBI report

IANS Photo

New Delhi, (IANS): While the 7.4 per cent GDP growth rate projected for FY 26 in the first advance estimates of the Ministry of Statistics "is quite expected and reasonable", the actual figure is eventually likely to be higher at around 7.5 per cent, an SBI Ecowrap report released on Wednesday stated.

"We believe that GDP growth for FY26 would be around 7.5 per cent with an upward bias. The second advance estimates, incorporating additional data and revisions, are scheduled to be released on February 27, 2026. So, all these numbers are expected to change with the base revision to 2022-23," the SBI report said.

On the expenditure side, the heads that have positively contributed include the government consumption with a growth of 5.2 per cent in real terms, it said.

Exports have also held their ground with positive growth of 6.4 per cent. Private consumption growth was a tad lower at 7 per cent, possibly due to a slowdown in the agriculture sector. Per capita consumption expenditure registered a growth of 6.1 per cent. Uptick in government consumption, and traction in services has held up the demand in FY26, cushioning the impact of external headwinds, the report further said.

Capital formation, which slowed last year, has recovered in FY26. The real growth in capital formation at 7.8 per cent was higher by 70 basis points (bps) from last year’s growth. The nominal capital formation growth was also higher, indicating a revival in investment demand, the SBI report observed.

Imports have registered a growth of 9 per cent in nominal terms but a growth of 14.4 per cent in real terms. However, this is expected to moderate in FY27, given the outlook on energy prices, the report pointed out.The fiscal deficit at the end of November 25 stood at Rs 9.8 lakh crore or 62.3 per cent of the budget estimate (BE). Although the tax revenue is likely to be lower than the budgeted for FY26, non-tax revenue will be on the higher side, thereby not impacting the overall receipts much. Total expenditure is also expected to be lower, leading to a fiscal deficit of Rs 15.85 lakh crore compared to the budgeted Rs 15.69 lakh crore. With the new higher GDP figure, the fiscal deficit as a percentage of GDP is likely to remain unchanged at 4.4 per cent, the report added. India’s GDP growth likely to scale 7.5 per cent in FY 26: SBI report | MorungExpress | morungexpress.com

Read More........ → January 09, 2026

India on track to meet 500 GW non-fossil power target by 2030: MNRE Secretary

IANS Photo

New Delhi, (IANS): India is on course to achieve its ambitious target of 500 gigawatts (GW) of non-fossil fuel power capacity by 2030, with a strong pipeline of renewable energy projects already in place, a top government official has said.

India currently has around 260 GW of non-fossil fuel capacity, Santosh Sarangi, Secretary at the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) said while speaking to NDTV Profit.

This means the country needs to add about 240 GW more over the next few years, a goal he said is well within reach.

Sarangi explained that solar power will form the biggest share of upcoming capacity additions, contributing nearly 160 GW.

“Wind energy is expected to add around 30 GW, while the rest will come from a mix of small and large hydro projects and nuclear power. Nuclear energy is likely to add about 8 to 10 GW by 2030,” he stated.

“India could even exceed the 500 GW target if large-scale data centre projects move ahead as planned,” Sarangi added.

He added that electricity demand from data centres is rising rapidly, and many carbon-intensive industries are also looking to shift towards cleaner energy as part of their decarbonisation efforts.

Meanwhile, the government in last month informed that India saw highest-ever renewable energy capacity addition in 2025 at 44.51 GW (till November) which is nearly double as compared to the 24.72 GW during the same period last year.

The total renewable energy installed capacity reached 253.96 GW in November 2025, which is an increase of over 23 per cent as compared to the 205.52 GW in November 2024.The Ministry of New and Renewable Energy said on December 29 said that capacity addition is 34.98 GW, compared to the 20.85 GW during the same period last year. India on track to meet 500 GW non-fossil power target by 2030: MNRE Secretary | MorungExpress | morungexpress.com

Read More........ → January 07, 2026

New Year celebrations sweep across India amid tight security and festive fervour

Tourists celebrate and dance on Mall Road on New Year’s Eve in Manali, Kullu on December 31, 2025. (IANS Photo)

New Delhi, (IANS): India welcomed the New Year with grand celebrations, countdown parties and festive gatherings, as state governments across the country stepped up security measures to ensure that the celebrations passed off smoothly and without incident.

In major metropolitan cities, including Delhi and Mumbai, large crowds thronged iconic landmarks such as India Gate, Connaught Place and Marine Drive to usher in the New Year, creating a vibrant and festive atmosphere.

Meanwhile, authorities across the country issued traffic advisories, guidelines for restaurants and hotels, and deployed additional security forces in anticipation of massive footfall in public places.

Despite chilling conditions in Delhi, Connaught Place and Vasant Vihar saw a steady influx of revellers, with families and groups gathering in markets and open spaces ahead of the New Year celebrations.

Speaking to IANS in Connaught Place, a tourist said, "I have come from Punjab to celebrate the New Year here, and I hope this year is good for everyone."

"It is cold, but we are happy to welcome 2026 here with our friends," another said.

Officials said that in areas expecting heavy crowds in the national capital, the police put comprehensive security arrangements in place to prevent any untoward incidents and to maintain law and order.

Security arrangements on the ground in Delhi were closely monitored by several senior officials, including six Assistant Commissioners of Police and one Additional Deputy Commissioner of Police. As many as 1,469 police personnel were deployed across Delhi’s West District alone to ensure public safety during the celebrations.

In Rajasthan, stringent traffic safety measures were also implemented, including the setting up of checkpoints, inspection of vehicles and strict action against those found driving under the influence of alcohol.

In Maharashtra, eateries, restaurants, hotels, orchestra bars and pubs were permitted to operate till 5 a.m. on January 1 as part of the New Year celebrations.

In Bengaluru, around 20,000 police personnel were deployed to ensure smooth New Year’s Eve celebrations, as more than ten lakh people were expected to gather at various locations across the city for the festivities.Even as people in the eastern parts of the world began bidding farewell to 2025, popular hill destinations such as Shimla and Manali witnessed a huge rush of tourists and revellers, braving the biting cold to ring in the New Year amid the mountains. New Year celebrations sweep across India amid tight security and festive fervour | MorungExpress | morungexpress.com

Read More........ → January 02, 2026

'Indian National AI Olympiad 2026' registrations open to nurture school-level AI talent

(Photo: AI generated image/IANS)

New Delhi, (IANS) ACM India, the Indian arm of the Association for Computing Machinery, on Saturday announced the launch of the 'Indian National AI Olympiad 2026' -- a nationwide initiative to identify and nurture exceptional school-level talent in Artificial Intelligence.

Registration for the INAIO 2026 test for Indian students pursuing Classes IX to XII, to be conducted online on January 18, 2026, is open until December 31, 2025.

Test results will help candidates born after August 2, 2006, qualify for IOAI 2026 in Abu Dhabi from August 2–8, 2026, ACM India said in a statement.

The Indian National AI Olympiad, to be proctored live and administered by assessment technology platform HireMee, will serve as an accredited gateway to the International Olympiad in Artificial Intelligence (IOAI).

IOAI will offer students global exposure, advanced innovation skills, and world‑class academic opportunities, it added.

Toppers of related Olympiads such as INMO (Indian National Mathematical Olympiad), INOI (Indian National Olympiad in Informatics), PLO (Panini Linguistics Olympiad), and Bebras will receive direct entry into Stage 2 of INAIO.

The multi‑stage structured evaluation model of INAIO is designed to strengthen conceptual understanding of machine learning and develop real‑world modelling abilities, with the Olympiad selecting students to represent India at IOAI.

Key benefits include international recognition, potential scholarships from top universities, and enhanced higher‑education pathways in globally recognised universities, the statement said.

Further, the top three national rankers will receive attractive prizes, as all participants will be awarded digital certificates, the statement noted.

The first 500 applicants to the programme will receive access to HireMee’s Career Navigation Assessment worth Rs 1,599, it added.

Demand for AI and machine learning engineers, data scientists, and AI governance specialists is set to surge in 2026, while cybersecurity is being reshaped by AI-driven threats.Around 74 per cent of corporate leaders in India ranked artificial intelligence (AI) among their top three technology adoption choices, according to a recent report. 'Indian National AI Olympiad 2026' registrations open to nurture school-level AI talent | MorungExpress | morungexpress.com

Read More........ → December 31, 2025

India surpasses Europe, US in locomotive production to emerge as world leader

IANS Photo

New Delhi, (IANS): India has emerged as a global leader in railway locomotive manufacturing, achieving a record production of 1,681 locomotives in the financial year 2024-25, according to a Railway Ministry statement issued on Wednesday.

This milestone surpasses the total locomotive production of regions such as Europe, the United States, South America, Africa, and Australia, reaffirming India’s growing dominance in the global railway sector.

"The continuous rise in locomotive production is a direct result of strategic decisions taken to strengthen the Make in India initiative. Between 2004 and 2014, India produced a total of 4,695 locomotives, with a national annual average of 470. In contrast, from 2014 to 2024, locomotive manufacturing witnessed a significant surge, with 9,168 locomotives produced, raising the annual average to approximately 917," the Railways statement said.

Indian Railways' locomotive manufacturing units have achieved a remarkable milestone by producing 1,681 locomotives in various categories during the financial year 2024-25. This marks an increase of 209 locomotives, or 19 per cent, compared to the 1,472 locomotives produced in the previous financial year 2023-24, the statement said.

This record-breaking production is the highest ever for locomotive manufacturing in the country, reflecting the significant achievements of all units in enhancing railway infrastructure and capacity.

The production of 1,681 locomotives during the year comprised 700 manufactured at the Chittaranjan Locomotive Works, 477 produced at Banaras Locomotive Works, 304 made at Patiala Locomotive Works, and 100 locomotives each manufactured at the Madhepura and Marhowrah units located in Bihar.

The majority of the locomotives produced in the country were intended for freight trains. Among the 1,681 locomotives produced in the financial year 2024-25, as many as 1,047 were WAG-9/9H locomotives. These locomotives are a class of heavy-duty, three-phase AC electric locomotives used by Indian Railways for freight operations, known for their high speed and power, and are the only freight-dedicated three-phase AC locomotives in India. They are among the most powerful freight locomotives in India, with the WAG-9H having a higher power rating than the standard WAG-9. The other locomotives include WAG-9 Twin locomotives, of which 148 units were produced during the year, WAP-5 locomotives (2), and WAP-7 locomotives (272).The rest were WAG-12B locomotives, and WDG 4G/6G locomotives, at 100 each and five NRC locomotives. India surpasses Europe, US in locomotive production to emerge as world leader | MorungExpress | morungexpress.com

Read More........ → December 29, 2025

Manu Bhaker, Simranpreet Kaur Brar strike gold in women’s 25m sports pistol in National Shooting C'ship

Photo credit: NRAI

New Delhi, (IANS) Double Olympic medallist Manu Bhaker and ISSF World Cup Final 2025 gold medallist Simranpreet Kaur Brar delivered top-class performances to win gold medals in the senior and junior women’s 25m sports pistol events, respectively, of the 68th National Shooting Championship Competitions (NSCC) at the Dr. Karni Singh Shooting Range in Tughlakabad near New Delhi on Monday.

Manu shot 36 in the final to secure the gold, finishing four hits clear of Divya T.S. of Karnataka, who bagged silver with 32. Anjali Choudhary claimed the bronze medal after hitting 28 targets. Rhythm Sangwan (22) finished fourth, followed by Arshdeep Kaur (18), Annu Raj Singh (14), and Anuja Verma (11) in fifth, sixth, and seventh positions, respectively, while Parisha Gupta did not start in the final.

Earlier, Divya T.S. topped the qualification round with a score of 587-22x, ahead of Anjali Choudhary (582- 19x). Annu Raj Singh finished third with 582-16x, while Manu qualified fourth with 581-19x. Parisha Gupta placed fifth with 581-14x, followed by Rhythm Sangwan (579-17x), with Arshdeep Kaur and Anuja Verma completing the top eight with 578-19x.

In the Junior Women’s 25m Sports Pistol final, Simranpreet Kaur Brar continued her impressive run, shooting 39 to claim the gold medal. Dwaram Pranavi won silver, while Palak of Haryana picked up bronze with 20. Tanu Shree Tomar (19) finished fourth after bowing out in the shoot-off, followed by Sejal Raju Kamble (14), Megana Sadula (11), and Lavanya Kanwar (7). Parisha did not start in the final.

The junior qualification round was topped by Parisha Gupta, with Simranpreet Kaur Brar qualifying second with 578-13x. Palak (575-14x) finished third, followed by Sejal Raju Kamble (575-12x), Tanu Shree Tomar (573-11x), Lavanya Kanwar (572-17x), Megana Sadula (572-13x) and Dwaram Pranavi (572-11x).

In the Women’s Team 25m Sports Pistol event, Maharashtra clinched the gold medal with a combined score of 1726-40x, through Shital Preetam Desai (577-12x), Abhidnya Ashok Patil (575-13x) and Rahi Sarnobat (574-15x). The Army Marksmanship Unit (Anuja Verma, Sejal Raju Kamble, and Anjali Bhagwat) finished second with 1722-44x, while Haryana (Rhythm Sangwan, Vibhuti Bhatia, and Tejaswani) secured the bronze medal with 1718- 43x.

In the Junior Women’s Team event, the Army Marksmanship Unit (Sejal Raju Kamble, Jiya Jakhar, and Anjali Bhagwat) claimed gold with 1714-38x, while Delhi (Parisha Gupta, Kamakshi Kumar, and Naamya Kapoor) secured silver with 1714-36x. Punjab (Simrampreet Kaur Brar, Agam Grewal, and Jasman Kelley) won the bronze medal with 1709-40x.

The championship action continues on Tuesday (December 16, 2025) with the Men’s Skeet finals scheduled in New Delhi, while the 50m Rifle 3 Positions Women’s finals will take place at the Madhya Pradesh State Shooting Academy in Bhopal.

Other Results (25m SPW)

Youth Women

Sejal Raju Kamble (Army) - Gold (575-12x)

Lavanya Kanwar (Rajasthan) - Silver (572-17x)

Manvi Jain (Madhya Pradesh) - Bronze (570-14x)

Civilian Championship Women (Individual)

Jaspreet Kaur (Punjab) - Gold (575-17x)

Yashika Goel (Uttar Pradesh) - Silver (573-19x)

Tanisha Dabodia (Delhi) - Bronze (573-15x)

Civilian Championship Women (Team)

Delhi A (Ekta Malik, Kamakshi Kumar, Nayasha Rana) - Gold (1706-40x)

Delhi B (Tanisha Dabodia, Riya Duggal, Khushi Kapoort) - Silver (1703-44x)

Punjab (Jaspreet Kaur, Ishneet Aulakh, Ariha Aggarwal) - Bronze (1693-38x)

Civilian Championship Women (Junior Individual)

Tanu Shree Tomar (Uttar Pradesh) - Gold (573-11x)

Lavanya Kanwar (Rajasthan) - Silver (572-17x)

Dwaram Pranavi (Andhra Pradesh) - Bronze (572-11x)

Civilian Championship Women (Junior Team)

Delhi (Kamakshi Kumar, Nayasha Rana, Khushi Kapoor) - Gold (1695-37x)

Madhya Pradesh (Nancy Solanki, Aaradhya Mishra, Anchal Singh) - Silver (1686-32x)

Tamil Nadu (Vaishnavi Ramdas, Nithila Ivy Darling, Anya Padma Viji) - Bronze (1685-26x)

Senior Master Women

Sheila Kanungo (Maharashtra) - Gold

Pushpa Meghwal (Rajasthan) - Silver

Kunti Malik (Uttar Pradesh) - Bronze

Master Women

Anisa Sayyed (Haryana) - Gold

P. Sofia Lawren (Tamil Nadu) - Silver

Divya Nagar (Uttar Pradesh) - Bronze

Super Master Women

Pushpa Meghwal (Rajasthan) - GoldAbha Dhillan (Uttar Pradesh) - Silver Manu Bhaker, Simranpreet Kaur Brar strike gold in women’s 25m sports pistol in National Shooting C'ship | MorungExpress | morungexpress.com

Read More........ → December 19, 2025

Bajaj Finance loses over Rs 19,000 crore in market valuation this week

IANS Photo

Mumbai, December 14 (IANS): Bajaj Finance emerged as the biggest loser among India’s most valued companies last week, as its market capitalisation fell sharply by Rs 19,289.7 crore amid a largely bearish trend in the stock market.

Overall, eight of the top-10 most valued domestic firms together saw their market valuation erode by Rs 79,129.21 crore during the week.

The weak performance came as the BSE benchmark index slipped by 444.71 points, or 0.51 per cent -- reflecting cautious investor sentiment in equities.

Bajaj Finance’s market capitalisation declined to Rs 6,33,106.69 crore, making it the worst-hit stock among the top companies.

ICICI Bank followed closely, with its valuation tumbling by Rs 18,516.31 crore to Rs 9,76,668.15 crore.

Bharti Airtel also faced heavy losses, as its market value dropped by Rs 13,884.63 crore to Rs 11,87,948.11 crore.

State Bank of India saw its valuation fall by Rs 7,846.02 crore, taking its market capitalisation to Rs 8,88,816.17 crore.

IT major Infosys lost Rs 7,145.95 crore from its valuation, which stood at Rs 6,64,220.58 crore at the end of the week.

Tata Consultancy Services saw its market capitalisation decline by Rs 6,783.92 crore to Rs 11,65,078.45 crore, while HDFC Bank’s valuation dipped by Rs 4,460.93 crore to Rs 15,38,558.71 crore.

Life Insurance Corporation of India was the least impacted among the losers, with its market value eroding by Rs 1,201.75 crore to Rs 5,48,820.05 crore.

In contrast, Reliance Industries and Larsen & Toubro were the only two gainers in the top-10 list. Reliance Industries added Rs 20,434.03 crore to its market capitalisation, which rose to Rs 21,05,652.74 crore.Larsen & Toubro’s valuation increased by Rs 4,910.82 crore to Rs 5,60,370.38 crore. Despite the mixed performance, HDFC Bank, Bharti Airtel, TCS, ICICI Bank, State Bank of India, Infosys, Bajaj Finance, Larsen & Toubro and LIC remained among the most valued company in the country. Bajaj Finance loses over Rs 19,000 crore in market valuation this week | MorungExpress | morungexpress.com

Read More........ → December 13, 2025

Advanced Electronic Interlocking system commissioned in Dumdangi

Maligaon, (MExN): The Northeast Frontier Railway (NFR) has successful commissioned the Electronic Interlocking (EI) system at Dumdangi (DMZ) in the North Dinajpur district of West Bengal under Katihar Division.

According to an update received here, it informed that this advanced Siemens MK-II EI replaces the earlier Panel Interlocking, significantly enhancing the safety, reliability and operational efficiency of train movement in the region. The upgrade is designed to support more robust, automated and digitally controlled signalling operations, it informed.

At the same time, it stated that the newly commissioned system incorporates a range of advanced features, including provision of independent and dummy shunt signals, strengthened level crossing infrastructure and improved digital monitoring capabilities.

Likewise, it stated that the system encompasses 45 routes, 33 track circuits, 9 main signals, 8 independent shunt signals, 2 dummy shunt signals, 16 points, 2 vital FNmux units along with 2 non-vital mux units for displaying the auto section.

As part of the modernization, the existing Manually Lifted Barriers at LC gates: NC-26, NC-29 and NC-31 have also been replaced with Electrically Lifted Barriers to enhance safety standards.It maintained that the successful commissioning marks a major step toward more technologically advanced, safe and reliable railway operations, further reaffirming NFR’s strong commitment to continuous modernization and the enhancement of both passenger and freight services. Advanced Electronic Interlocking system commissioned in Dumdangi | MorungExpress | morungexpress.com

Read More........ → December 06, 2025

India bolsters digital infra, over 6.34 lakh villages covered with mobile connectivity

IANS Photo

New Delhi, (IANS): The optical fibre cable network has expanded from 17.5 lakh kms in March 2018 to 42.36 lakh kms in September 2025, while the number of Base Transceiver Stations has increased from 17.3 lakh in March 2018 to 31.4 lakh in October 2025, the Parliament was informed on Wednesday.

This has led to significant growth in its digital infrastructure over the years.

As of October 2025, out of 6,44,131 villages in India, 6,34,019 are covered with mobile connectivity, of which 6,30,676 have 4G services, informed Dr Pemmasani Chandra Sekhar, Union Minister of State for Communications and Rural Development, in the Lok Sabha in a written reply.

Broadband subscriptions have risen sharply from 48 crore in September 2018 to 98 crore in June 2025. Additionally, 3.80 lakh PM-WANI Wi-Fi hotspots have been installed across the country as of October 31, 2025, the minister said.

Data consumption has also grown substantially, increasing from 8.32 GB per subscriber per month in September 2018 to 25.24 GB per subscriber per month in September 2025, while the average wireless data tariff has declined from Rs 10.91 per GB to Rs 8.27 during the same period.

Further, to ensure equitable digital access across the country the government is implementing various schemes under Digital Bharat Nidhi such as 4G saturation projects and Amended BharatNet Programme to expand digital connectivity in rural and remote areas, said the minister.

The government has undertaken several measures to strengthen the telecom sector in the country which has led to the growth of telecom sector.

These measures include rationalisation of adjusted gross revenue; rationalisation of bank guarantees (BGs); rationalisation of interest rates and removal of penalties; Dispensing with the requirement of BGs (for auctions held after 15.09.2021) to secure instalment payments and permission for surrender of spectrum after 10 years (in future auctions), among others.Other measures are dispensing with the requirement of Spectrum Usage Charge (SUC) for spectrum acquired in spectrum auctions held after 15.09.2021; removal of additional SUC of 0.5 per cent for spectrum sharing; permission for 100 per cent Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) in telecom sector under automatic route subject to safeguards; and requirement of licenses under 1953 Customs Notification for wireless equipment replaced with self-declaration. India bolsters digital infra, over 6.34 lakh villages covered with mobile connectivity | MorungExpress | morungexpress.com

Read More........ → December 05, 2025

HIV breakthrough stalled by red tape barriers in India

Dimapur, (MExN): India faces a critical moment in its effort to end AIDS nationally and globally as regulatory delays and patent-related barriers threaten access to lenacapavir, a groundbreaking long-acting HIV prevention medicine, health experts and activists warned today.

A press release from LEN-LA for All Coalition and MSF said that Lenacapavir confers virtually 100% protection against HIV infection and has been widely recognised by UNAIDS, WHO, and other technical normative agencies as a significant advance that can bring new infections under control. However, regulatory hurdles in India and patent filings by Gilead Sciences risk obstructing timely access for marginalised communities most affected by HIV, including sex workers, transgender persons, gay men and other men who have sex with men, people who use drugs, and young women and girls.

Key populations account for a disproportionate share of new HIV infections. Globally, outside sub-Saharan Africa, two out of three new infections occur among key populations and their sexual partners. Overall, new HIV infections have remained virtually unchanged for the past three years, highlighting the urgent need for more effective prevention tools deployed at scale.

“Indian manufacturers can reduce the price of generic lenacapavir to US$25–40 (Rs. 2,225 - 3,560) per person per year, which would be a game changer for countries such as South Africa, which has the highest number of new HIV infections in the world. Unnecessary regulatory delays will mean India cannot supply generic lenacapavir in 2026, weakening its role in supplying affordable HIV medicines for the world,” said Fatima Hassan of South Africa's Health Justice Initiative. “This will have a devastating effect across low- and middle-income countries that depend on Indian generics, and especially countries like ours that are being targeted by the Trump administration by arbitrary exclusion from the Gilead / PEPFAR global rollout program. We need generics urgently to save lives.”

Under India’s New Drugs and Clinical Trials Rules (NDCTR) 2019, companies may seek a waiver of the requirement to conduct local clinical trials if a medicine has been approved by the drug regulatory authorities of the US (USFDA), European Union (EMA), or other specified countries and offers a “significant therapeutic advance.” Lenacapavir has met these criteria. Without such a waiver, the timely introduction of Indian generics globally could be substantially hindered.

“Few medical interventions demonstrate such remarkable efficacy. In clinical trials, lenacapavir has shown 100% effectiveness in preventing HIV among cisgender women and girls, and a 96% reduction in HIV risk within a gender-diverse group that includes cisgender men, transgender men, and non-binary individuals. Now we need the policies that will allow us to deliver this superior protection tool to all who need it, including a waiver of India’s requirement for national clinical trials,” said Dr Antonio Flores, Senior HIV/TB Advisor, MSF.

Community networks said that delays could have immediate and severe consequences. “Access to more effective HIV prevention tools like lenacapavir from the HIV programme free of cost is vital because our exposure to HIV through sex work is a daily worry for us,” said Dr Protim Ray, representative of Kolkata-based, sex worker–led collective Durbar Mahila Samanwaya Committee. “When revolutionary prevention tools like lenacapavir are delayed or locked behind red tape, it’s not just policy — it’s our lives at stake.”

In addition to regulatory barriers, health groups including the Third World Network have raised concerns about Gilead’s patent filings in India, arguing that the claims may lack sufficient novelty. If granted, the patents could restrict open competition among generic manufacturers producing active pharmaceutical ingredients (API) and finished formulations, undermining India’s capacity to manufacture and supply affordable generics. Although Gilead has granted royalty-free, non-exclusive licenses to six generic manufacturers, including four Indian companies, to supply lenacapavir to 120 low- and lower-middle-income countries and territories, key regions with high HIV incidence among key populations, including parts of Latin America, are excluded. This undermines equitable global access and restricts local production.

Granted patents in India will prevent Indian generic companies that have not been licensed by Gilead from supplying locally or to countries excluded from Gilead's list of 120 eligible countries. Advocates say Gilead’s multiple patent claims must be expeditiously rejected.“A decisive action is urgently needed. Regulatory authorities, patent offices, and global partners must work together to ensure that long-acting HIV prevention becomes accessible without delay, and that communities most at risk are not once again left behind,” said Eldred Tellis of the global LEN-LA for All Coalition. This coalition includes Health GAP (Global), the Health Justice Initiative (South Africa), Sankalp Rehabilitation Trust (India), Just Treatment (UK), and ABIA (Brazil). HIV breakthrough stalled by red tape barriers in India | MorungExpress | morungexpress.com

Read More........ → December 04, 2025

Rupee crashes to record low beyond 90 per dollar

(AI Image/IANS)

New Delhi, (IANS) The Indian rupee fell sharply on Wednesday, slipping past the crucial 90-per-dollar level for the first time ever.

The currency dropped to a new record low of 90.13 against the US dollar, breaking its previous all-time low of 89.9475 touched just a day earlier.

The decline in the rupee came amid weak trade and portfolio flows, along with growing uncertainty over the India-US trade deal.

These factors kept the currency under continuous pressure throughout the session.

The sharp fall in the rupee also weighed on domestic equity markets. The Nifty index slipped below the 26,000 mark -- reflecting cautious sentiment among investors.

The Sensex also dropped nearly 200 points in early trade as the weakening currency raised concerns about inflation and foreign investor activity.

Analysts said that the market mood remained tense as traders watched for signs of stability in the rupee and clarity on trade negotiations between India and the United States.

“The rupee depreciation will halt and even reverse when the India-US trade deal materialises. This is likely this month. A lot, however, will depend on the details of the tariffs to be imposed on India as part of the deal,” analysts stated.

Meanwhile, the Indian stock market opened on a quiet note on Wednesday, with both benchmark indices showing minimal movement in early trade.

The Sensex inched up by just 12 points to 85,151, while the Nifty slipped 18 points to 26,014.

At the opening bell, shares of HUL, Titan, Tata Motors PV, NTPC, BEL, Trent, Bajaj Finserv, Kotak Bank, Ultratech Cement, Maruti Suzuki, L&T, Power Grid, and ITC were among the top losers in the morning session.

“A real concern now, which has contributed to the slow drifting down of the market, is the continued depreciation in the rupee and fears of further depreciation since the RBI is not intervening to support the rupee,” analysts stated.“This concern is forcing the FIIs to sell despite the improving fundamentals of rising corporate earnings and strong rebound in GDP growth,” they added. Rupee crashes to record low beyond 90 per dollar | MorungExpress | morungexpress.com

Read More........ → December 03, 2025

Ahmedabad named host of Centenary Commonwealth Games 2030

Ahmedabad named host of Centenary Commonwealth Games 2030. Photo credit: IOA

Glasgow (Scotland), (IANS) Ahmedabad, India, has officially been confirmed as the host city for the Centenary Commonwealth Games in 2030, marking a historic milestone for the Commonwealth Sport Movement. This will be the second time that India will host the Commonwealth Games after New Delhi in 2010.

The decision confirms that the world’s most populous nation will host the landmark edition of the Games after delegates from 74 Commonwealth member nations and territories approved India’s bid at the Commonwealth Sport General Assembly in Glasgow on Wednesday.

India put forward a strong vision for the 2030 Games, with Ahmedabad, Gujarat, as the main host city. This plan builds on the groundwork laid by Glasgow 2026 and allows India to celebrate its centenary in a memorable way.

Moments after Amdavad was chosen to host the 2030 Commonwealth Games, 20 Garba dancers and 30 Indian dhol drummers spontaneously performed in the General Assembly Hall. Their vibrant cultural display surprised delegates and offered a glimpse of the heritage and pride that athletes and fans can anticipate from a Games held in Gujarat, India.

Garba is Gujarat’s traditional folk dance. The performance included members of Glasgow’s Indian community and individuals from other parts of the Commonwealth. It showcased both diversity and unity as part of the Movement, marking the journey from the Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games to its Centenary edition.

The inaugural Commonwealth Games took place in 1930 in Hamilton, Canada. At the latest Games in Birmingham, England, in 2022, Australia led the medal tally. The top five nations also included England, Canada, India, and New Zealand.

Donald Rukare, President of Commonwealth Sport, said, “This is the start of a new golden era for Commonwealth Sport. After a 'Games reset', we head to Glasgow 2026 in fantastic shape to welcome the 74 teams of the Commonwealth before setting our sights on Amdavad 2030 for a special Centenary edition of the Commonwealth Games.

“India brings scale, youth, ambition, rich culture, enormous sporting passion, and relevance, and I'm delighted to report strong interest from a range of nations to host the 2034 Games and beyond. We start our next century for the Commonwealth Games in good health.”

PT Usha, President of the Commonwealth Games Association of India, said, “We are deeply honoured by the trust shown by Commonwealth Sport. The 2030 Games will not only celebrate a hundred years of the Commonwealth Movement but also lay the foundation for the next century. It will bring together Athletes, communities, and cultures from across the Commonwealth in a spirit of friendship and progress.”

Aside from confirming the hosts for 2030, Commonwealth Sport also announced that 15 to 17 sports will be included at Amdavad 2030.

The Amdavad 2030 team will collaborate with Commonwealth Sport and the International Federation community to develop a vibrant and engaging sports programme that resonates locally while appealing globally.

This will follow Commonwealth Sport’s recent Sport Programme Review, which outlines the sports included in the Commonwealth Games: Athletics and Para Athletics, Swimming and Para Swimming, Table Tennis and Para Table Tennis, Bowls and Para Bowls, Weightlifting and Para Powerlifting, Artistic Gymnastics, Netball, and Boxing.

The process to finalise the remaining sports in the programme will begin next month, with the complete line-up for the Centenary Games being announced next year.

The sports being considered include: Archery, Badminton, 3x3 Basketball and 3x3 Wheelchair Basketball, Beach Volleyball, Cricket T20, Cycling, Diving, Hockey, Judo, Rhythmic Gymnastics, Rugby Sevens, Shooting, Squash, Triathlon, Para Triathlon, and Wrestling. The host may also suggest up to two new or existing sports.

Duncan Scott, multiple Commonwealth champion swimmer, said, “The Commonwealth Games are a special part of my career. Taking part in the home Games is incredible, so I’m excited for Indian Athletes who’ll get to do that in 2030. And for everyone else, we’ve got an opportunity to expand our horizons and experience the ambition and colour of Amdavad and India. I loved the chance to compete in the Gold Coast in Australia as part of a travelling Team Scotland.

“We look forward to handing over the Games to Amdavad in great shape after welcoming all to Glasgow next year.”

Jaismine Lamboria, World Champion Boxer from India, said, “It truly is a proud moment to see India become the host of the Centenary Commonwealth Games. Amdavad will give Athletes and fans a very warm and vibrant welcome, and having the opportunity to compete on home soil in 2030 will be a huge motivation for me and for many others. I’m excited for the next decade for Indian sport.”

--IANSvi/bsk/ Ahmedabad named host of Centenary Commonwealth Games 2030 | MorungExpress | morungexpress.com

Read More........ → December 02, 2025

More than 1 billion 5G subscriptions expected in India by 2031: Report

IANS Photo

New Delhi, (IANS): India is set to cross 1 billion 5G subscriptions by the end of 2031, a new report said on Thursday.

This would give the country a 79 per cent 5G subscription penetration, reflecting rapid growth in adoption just three years after the service began rolling out nationwide, according to the November 2025 edition of the Ericsson Mobility Report.

The report highlights that India is one of the fastest-growing 5G markets globally. By the end of 2025, the country is expected to reach 394 million 5G users, accounting for 32 per cent of all mobile subscriptions.

Ericsson India MD Nitin Bansal said that mobile data usage in India is the highest in the world, with average consumption at 36 GB per month per smartphone, projected to rise to 65 GB by 2031.

He added that affordable 5G FWA (Fixed Wireless Access) equipment and heavy data usage are driving this surge.

Globally, the report forecasts 6.4 billion 5G subscriptions by 2031, making up about two-thirds of all mobile subscriptions.

In 2025 alone, global 5G subscriptions are expected to reach 2.9 billion, rising by 600 million in a single year.

Network coverage is also expanding quickly, with 400 million more people gaining 5G access in 2025.

By the end of that year, half of the global population outside mainland China is expected to be covered.

Mobile network data traffic rose 20 per cent between Q3 2024 and Q3 2025, driven mainly by India and China.

By 2025, 5G networks will handle 43 per cent of all mobile data, a number expected to jump to 83 per cent by 2031.

Fixed Wireless Access continues to grow as a major 5G use case. The EMR estimates that 1.4 billion people will be connected through FWA by 2031, with 90 per cent of these users on 5G networks.Currently, 159 service providers already offer 5G-based FWA services, representing about 65 per cent of all FWA operators worldwide, the report said. More than 1 billion 5G subscriptions expected in India by 2031: Report | MorungExpress | morungexpress.com

Read More........ → November 30, 2025

World Boxing Cup Finals: Minakshi, Preeti, Arundhati, Nupur win gold as Indian women shine bright on historic final day

IANS Photo

Greater Noida (Uttar Pradesh), (IANS): Minakshi (48kg), Preeti (54kg), Arundhati Choudhary (70kg), and Nupur (80+kg) powered to gold medals as India’s women boxers delivered riches on a landmark day for the nation at the World Boxing Cup Finals 2025 in front of a packed house at the Shaheed Vijay Singh Pathik Sports Complex.

Their triumphs came in several key divisions that will feature at the 2028 Olympic Games—where boxing moves to full gender parity—highlighting India’s growing competitive strength on the road to Los Angeles.

Their dominant performances capped a remarkable campaign for the host nation, which also saw Jadumani Singh, Pawan Bartwal, Abhinash Jamwal, and Ankush Phangal finish with well-earned silver medals, underlining India’s rising stature across both men’s and women’s Olympic-class weight categories.. Seven more Indians will be fighting for gold in Session 7, including reigning World Champion Jaismine Lamboira, two-time former World Champion Nikhat Zareen, and dual World Boxing Cup medalist Hitesh Gulia.

Minakshi set the tone for the day with a near-flawless 5:0 win over reigning Asian Champion Farzona Fozilova, unleashing her trademark aggression from the opening bell. The World Champion combined speed with razor-sharp accuracy, cracking open the bout with a blistering left–right combination in Round 1 and maintaining complete control through assertive jabs, clean counters, and airtight defence.

Preeti followed with another dominant 5:0 performance, overpowering Italy’s World Championship medallist Sirine Charrabi with relentless pressure. She repeatedly drove Charrabi into the corner, landing crisp face punches and dictating the tempo through superior footwork and sustained attacking bursts.

Arundhati Choudhary—former Youth World Champion—delivered one of the day’s most complete performances, dismantling Uzbekistan’s Aziza Zokirova with a commanding 5:0 win. Returning after 18 months, she blended sharp offence with disciplined defence, scoring heavily with decisive jabs and maintaining total tactical control across all three rounds. The gold surge continued as Nupur edged Uzbekistan’s Sotimboeva Oltinoy 3:2 in a tense, tactical showdown.In the men’s finals, India picked four silver medals. Jadumani Singh (50kg) fought with heart but fell 1:4 to Uzbekistan’s Asilbek Jalilov, while Pawan Bartwal (55kg), who had produced one of the tournament’s biggest upsets earlier in the week, went down to Samandar Olimov. Abhinash Jamwal (65kg) lost a spirited contest 1:4 to Japan’s seasoned Shion Nishiyama, and Ankush Phangal (80kg) was bested by England’s defending World Cup champion Shittu Oladimeji. World Boxing Cup Finals: Minakshi, Preeti, Arundhati, Nupur win gold as Indian women shine bright on historic final day | MorungExpress | morungexpress.com

Read More........ → November 24, 2025

More than 1 billion 5G subscriptions expected in India by 2031: Report

IANS Photo

New Delhi, November 20 (IANS): India is set to cross 1 billion 5G subscriptions by the end of 2031, a new report said on Thursday.

This would give the country a 79 per cent 5G subscription penetration, reflecting rapid growth in adoption just three years after the service began rolling out nationwide, according to the November 2025 edition of the Ericsson Mobility Report.

The report highlights that India is one of the fastest-growing 5G markets globally. By the end of 2025, the country is expected to reach 394 million 5G users, accounting for 32 per cent of all mobile subscriptions.

Ericsson India MD Nitin Bansal said that mobile data usage in India is the highest in the world, with average consumption at 36 GB per month per smartphone, projected to rise to 65 GB by 2031.

He added that affordable 5G FWA (Fixed Wireless Access) equipment and heavy data usage are driving this surge.

Globally, the report forecasts 6.4 billion 5G subscriptions by 2031, making up about two-thirds of all mobile subscriptions.

In 2025 alone, global 5G subscriptions are expected to reach 2.9 billion, rising by 600 million in a single year.

Network coverage is also expanding quickly, with 400 million more people gaining 5G access in 2025.

By the end of that year, half of the global population outside mainland China is expected to be covered.

Mobile network data traffic rose 20 per cent between Q3 2024 and Q3 2025, driven mainly by India and China.

By 2025, 5G networks will handle 43 per cent of all mobile data, a number expected to jump to 83 per cent by 2031.

Fixed Wireless Access continues to grow as a major 5G use case. The EMR estimates that 1.4 billion people will be connected through FWA by 2031, with 90 per cent of these users on 5G networks.Currently, 159 service providers already offer 5G-based FWA services, representing about 65 per cent of all FWA operators worldwide, the report said. More than 1 billion 5G subscriptions expected in India by 2031: Report | MorungExpress | morungexpress.com

Read More........ → November 21, 2025

Maruti Suzuki's green push, unveils concept FUTURO-e

Maruti Suzuki's green push, unveils concept FUTURO-e, Greater Noida: A view of the BMW pavilion surrounded by visitors at the Auto Expo 2018 in Greater Noida on February 12, 2018. (IANS File Photo)

NEW DELHI, (IANS): Maruti Suzuki on Wednesday unveiled its concept electric vehicle 'FUTURO-e' at the Auto Expo 2020 here.

The concept model is an SUV coupe and a company statement said that the "futuristic electric coupe-style concept vehicle will bring a fresh global design perspective to the Indian landscape".

Speaking at the global premier of FUTURO-e, Kenichi Ayukawa, Managing Director and CEO, Maruti Suzuki India Limited said: "The key highlight of the 15th edition of the Auto Expo is our resolve to bring greener technologies for mass adoption." Other major attractions of Maruti Suzuki at the expo would include an all new Vitara Brezza and a new IGNIS.

Vitara Brezza that debuted in Auto Expo 2016 will get a new look and the much awaited petrol BS6 engine in Auto Expo 2020.

"Redefining the premium compact SUV segment, the new IGNIS will be presented in an upgraded SUV-like smart design with enhanced toughness," the statement said.

The new IGNIS will come with a stylish new exterior design, state-of-the-art technology and a spacious cabin, it added.

Maruti Suzuki will display 17 vehicles at the expo, including Celerio, S-Presso, WagonR, Swift, Dzire, Baleno, Ertiga, S-Cross, Ciaz S, XL6 and Swift Hybrid (Japan model). Maruti Suzuki's green push, unveils concept FUTURO-e | MorungExpress | morungexpress.com

Read More........ → November 16, 2025

Maruti Suzuki's Jimny 5-door export from India surpasses 1 lakh units milestone

IANS Photo

New Delhi, (IANS): In a landmark achievement, the Jimny 5-door SUV has surpassed a cumulative export of 1 lakh units from India, Maruti Suzuki India Limited said on Thursday.

Jimny 5-door export journey began in 2023, shortly after the SUV made its debut in India. The SUV, manufactured exclusively in India, has been shipped across more than 100 countries, including Japan, Mexico, and Australia.

"Jimny 5-door’s entry in Japan in January 2025, under the name 'Jimny Nomade', sparked off an overwhelming response with orders crossing the 50,000 mark within days of introduction. This reflects Jimny’s strong resonance in one of the world’s most evolved and quality-conscious automobile markets," the company said.

According to Maruti Suzuki, the Jimny 5-door is built for performance, combining a ladder-frame chassis with Suzuki’s proven ALLGRIP PRO (4WD), offering superior off-road dynamics and stability.

Powered by a 1.5-litre petrol engine, it embodies a balance of durability, simplicity and dependable performance, traits that appeal to both rugged terrain drivers and global customers attuned to quality and functionality.

“The Jimny has over half a century of heritage globally. Jimny 5-door crossing 1 lakh export mark is a proud achievement for Maruti Suzuki. We are deeply thankful to customers around the world for their trust in this acclaimed SUV," Maruti Suzuki India Limited Managing Director and CEO, Hisashi Takeuchi, said.

Jimny’s strong off-road DNA, reliable performance and uncompromising quality have earned admiration in over 100 countries, he added.

The Jimny, along with 16 other models exported by Maruti Suzuki, stands as a shining example of ‘Make in India for the World’.

The year-on-year rise in the company’s exports reflects the love and confidence of customers in our products and highlights India’s rise as a hub for world-class automobile manufacturing, Takeuchi said.

This achievement reinforces Maruti Suzuki’s robust and sustained export growth trajectory.

With over 2 lakh vehicles exported in H1 FY 2025-26, the company grew by around 40 per cent and recorded its highest-ever half-yearly export volume. In FY 2024-25, the Company had exported over 3.3 lakh vehicles.Maruti Suzuki commands over 46 per cent share in India’s passenger vehicle exports.Maruti Suzuki's Jimny 5-door export from India surpasses 1 lakh units milestone | MorungExpress | morungexpress.com

Read More........ → November 12, 2025