Khurasani Imli, a fruit from Mandu in Madhya Pradesh, received the Geographical Indication tag in June 2026. The GI ties the fruit to Mandu’s iconic baobab trees and links its identity to local culture and regional agriculture. The GI status helps protect the fruit from imitation and supports local livelihoods by enabling branding and premium pricing. Producers expect increased demand from domestic and export markets as well as enhanced tourism related to Mandu’s cultural heritage. Authorities emphasise that GI protection preserves traditional knowledge and contributes to rural development in the Mandu area.
Product: Khurasani Imli from Mandu, Madhya Pradesh.
GI Tag granted in June 2026.
Linked to Mandu’s baobab trees and regional heritage.
Impact: supports rural development and local economy.
India Remains ADB’s Largest Private Sector Market in 2026
India remained the largest market for the Asian Development Bank's private sector operations in 2026. The ADB's private-sector arm is expected to provide nearly USD 1 billion in direct financing to private businesses in India this year. When funds mobilized from other sources are included, the total investment flow could reach around USD 2 billion. The bank's data highlight sustained private sector activity and growing investor confidence in India as a destination for ADB-backed projects. By supporting private firms, the ADB aims to help mobilize capital, encourage job creation, and promote technological adoption. These figures reflect India's continuing importance in the bank's regional private sector strategy.
India is the largest market for ADB private sector operations in 2026.
Direct financing to Indian private businesses: nearly USD 1 billion.
Total investment flow with mobilized funds: around USD 2 billion.
Implication: stronger private sector activity and investor confidence.
Supports job creation and technology adoption in India.
Jun 21, 2026
Bharat Buildcon 2026 inaugurated in New Delhi under One Nation, One Expo
Bharat Buildcon 2026 was inaugurated at the Yashobhoomi Convention Centre in New Delhi, with the theme One Nation, One Expo. The four‑day event focuses on building materials and the construction industry, bringing together policymakers, industry leaders, manufacturers, builders and international buyers. The opening ceremony featured Union Minister Manohar Lal Khattar, with other dignitaries including Jitin Prasada representing the Ministry of Commerce & Industry. The expo is organised with CAPEXIL under the Ministry of Commerce & Industry to promote domestic manufacturing and export opportunities in the sector. It aims to boost industry collaborations and showcase innovations from India and abroad.
Event: Bharat Buildcon 2026, New Delhi, 18 June 2026, at Yashobhoomi.
Theme: One Nation, One Expo; focus on building materials and construction industry.
Inauguration: Union Minister Manohar Lal Khattar; Jitin Prasada represented Ministry of Commerce & Industry.
Organisers: CAPEXIL under the Ministry of Commerce & Industry.
Must‑know: CAPEXIL promotes exports of building materials.
Jun 19, 2026
Cipla appoints Shivam Puri as CEO of One India Business; effective 1 July 2026
Cipla Limited announced the appointment of Shivam Puri as Chief Executive Officer of its One India Business, with effect from 1 July 2026. Puri currently serves as MD and CEO of Cipla Health. The leadership change aims to integrate Cipla’s consumer wellness and pharmaceutical operations and strengthen the company’s domestic healthcare strategy. Puri brings over two decades of leadership experience in FMCG and healthcare. The move reflects Cipla’s focus on expanding its domestic footprint while leveraging synergies between its consumer and prescription businesses.
Appointment date: 1 July 2026
New role: CEO of Cipla’s One India Business
Puri also MD/CEO of Cipla Health
Strategic goal: integrate consumer wellness with pharma operations
The Reserve Bank of India launched RBI Reelathon 2026 at its Thiruvananthapuram office in June 2026. The campaign targets college students, emphasizing cyber-enabled financial fraud prevention, safe digital banking, responsible borrowing, and timely fraud reporting. The initiative uses creative reel-making to engage youth and improve financial literacy. State police collaborations and educational institutions are involved to broaden reach and reinforce practical knowledge about online security, consent, and consumer rights. The program reflects ongoing RBI actions to strengthen financial education alongside regulatory measures and digital payments expansion.
Campaign: RBI Reelathon 2026
Location: Thiruvananthapuram office
Audience: College students
Focus: Cyber fraud prevention, safe digital banking
Method: Creative social reels
UPI services expand to France with Lyra Collect
India expanded Unified Payments Interface (UPI) services to France in June 2026. The launch occurred at Galeries Lafayette Nice Massena in Nice, marking a milestone in India’s digital payments outreach. NPCI International Payments Limited (NIPL) partnered with French payment service provider Lyra Collect to enable cross-border transactions. This expansion aims to boost remittances, e-commerce, and travel-related payments while showcasing India’s fintech capabilities on a global stage. Indian and French financial ecosystems are expected to benefit from faster settlements, lower costs, and improved user experience for cross-border transfers.
Sarvam AI becomes India’s unicorn after Series B near 234 million USD funding
Sarvam AI, a Bengaluru-based sovereign AI startup, joined India’s unicorn club after raising 234 million USD in the first close of its Series B round. The investment values the company at about 1.5 billion USD and reflects accelerating interest in India’s domestic artificial intelligence ecosystem. The round was led by a consortium of investors including HCLTech, with additional participation from existing backers. Sarvam AI plans product expansion across industry verticals, deeper public sector partnerships, and international market exploration. The funding underscores the country’s growing reputation in AI research, responsible deployment, and scalable, governance-focused AI applications.
Sarvam AI raises 234 million USD in Series B first close