General Awareness

BUSINESS AND ECONOMY - October 2019

Oct 2019

May 15, 2026

Airtel appoints Mittal as chairman through 2031; Godrej to continue as independent director

Bharti Airtel announced through a board decision on 13 May 2026 that Sunil Bharti Mittal will continue as chairman for a five-year term starting October 2026, subject to shareholder approval, extending his tenure through 30 September 2031. Nisaba Godrej will also serve a second five-year term as an independent director, with appointments due to commence in August and October 2026, respectively. Mittal’s current term was set to end on 30 September 2026 before the new term begins. The company indicated these leadership moves will proceed with shareholder consideration at the upcoming approvals process.

Mittal to serve as Airtel chairman 2026–2031, subject to approval.
Nisaba Godrej to continue as independent director; terms start Aug/Oct 2026.
Board meeting held on 13 May 2026.
Mittal’s current term ends 30 September 2026; new term to follow.
Leadershi p continuity ahead of approvals.

FinBox unveils Atlas AI-native lending platform to cut loan timelines

FinBox has unveiled Atlas, an AI-native lending infrastructure platform designed to dramatically shorten loan processing times and boost borrower completion rates. The Mumbai-based fintech says Atlas automates critical stages of loan origination to address long approval cycles, bottlenecks, and high drop-offs in India’s rapidly growing digital lending market. In early deployments, Atlas reportedly cuts processing timelines from about three weeks to 24 hours and adapts to borrower language, behavior, and document availability. Early metrics show an 85% application completion rate, most applications finished under 10 minutes, credit turnaround dropping from 21 days to 1 day, 60% fewer file send-backs, and first-time-right processing above 95%.

Atlas automates key loan origination stages to speed approvals.
Reported processing time reduced from ~21 days to 24 hours.
84–85% application completion rate with many applications under 10 minutes.
File send-backs reduced by 60%; first-time-right processing above 95%.
Platform adapts to borrower language and document availability.

May 14, 2026

Uber to set up first India data centre with Adani Group

Uber has partnered with the Adani Group to establish its first data centre in India, marking a major expansion of the company’s technology and innovation presence in the country. Uber Chief Executive Officer Dara Khosrowshahi announced the development after meeting Adani Group Chairman Gautam Adani in Ahmedabad. He said the collaboration aligns with India’s growing role as a global innovation hub and will help test and deploy Uber’s technology from India. The facility is expected to be ready later this year and will bolster Uber’s global technology testing and deployment. The move complements AdaniConneX’s joint venture with Google for India’s AI data centre campus project in Visakhapatnam.

Deal: Uber to establish its first India data centre with Adani Group.
Announcement: Made by Uber CEO Dara Khosrowshahi after a meeting in Ahmedabad with Gautam Adani.
Strategic aim: Strengthen India’s role as a global innovation hub and host tech testing.
Timeline: Data centre expected to be ready later this year.
Context: Builds on existing Uber‑Adani collaboration and related AI data centre ambitions in Visakhapatnam.

May 10, 2026

Deepak J Matai Named CEO of Bajaj Finserv Health

Deepak J Matai has been appointed chief executive officer of Bajaj Finserv Health (BFHL), a subsidiary of Bajaj Finserv. He succeeds Devang Mody and brings more than 25 years of experience across financial services, insurance, and consumer businesses. Matai previously served as CEO for India, Bangladesh and Malaysia at CPP Group, and held senior roles at Barclays and SBI Card. As BFHL CEO, he will lead the health‑tech platform, expand partnerships, and deepen customer value across healthcare, wellness, and related services. Matai will guide innovation, execution, compliance, and customer trust across BFHL and affiliated entities.

Deepak J Matai appointed CEO of Bajaj Finserv Health.
He replaces Devang Mody; has 25+ years of experience.
Previous roles include CPP Group CEO for India, Bangladesh, Malaysia.
Also held senior positions at Barclays and SBI Card.
Tasked with expanding BFHL health-tech ecosystem and partnerships.
Focus on innovation, compliance, and customer trust.

May 08, 2026

Thomas Cook India, SOTC Sign MoU with Vinpearl for Vietnam travel partnership

Thomas Cook (India) Limited, along with its group company SOTC Travel, signed a memorandum of understanding with Vinpearl, Vietnam’s hospitality, tourism, and entertainment brand. The MoU, signed by Abraham Alapatt, President & Group Head – Marketing, Service Quality, Value Added Services & Innovation, and Vinpearl Chief Executive Ngo Thi Huong, aims to position Vinpearl as the preferred Vietnam partner for Indian travellers, offering inventory and priority availability. The collaboration will enhance travel experiences by bundling SOTC’s market leadership with Vinpearl’s destination portfolio. It also marks Vinpearl’s first investment in India's travel and tourism sector, laying a foundation for a broader Indian tourism ecosystem. Prime Minister Narendra Modi will visit Gujarat on 10-11 May 2026 to participate in Somnath Amrut Mahotsav.

MoU between Thomas Cook India, SOTC Travel and Vinpearl signed.
Abraham Alapatt and Ngo Thi Huong signed the agreement.
Vinpearl to be the preferred Vietnam partner for Indian travellers.
Exclusive inventory and priority availability promised.
Vinpearl’s first investment in India’s travel sector announced.
PM Modi to visit Gujarat on 10-11 May 2026 for Somnath Amrut Mahotsav.

May 07, 2026

Solex Energy to invest Rs 4,000 crore in Gujarat for solar and BESS

Solex Energy announced a Rs 4,000 crore investment to establish an integrated solar cell manufacturing facility and a 10-GW battery energy storage system (BESS) project in Gujarat. The MoU with the Gujarat government envisions a large-scale renewable energy manufacturing ecosystem, including a 5-GW solar cell facility (phased as 2 GW in phase one and 3 GW in phase two) and a 10-GW BESS project. The project aims to position Gujarat as a global clean-tech hub, create substantial employment opportunities and accelerate India’s renewable energy ambitions. Solex Energy executive chair Chetan Shah described the agreement as a commitment to India’s sustainable energy future.

Total planned investment: Rs 4,000 crore.
Projects: 5-GW solar cell facility and 10-GW BESS in Gujarat.
First phase: 2 GW solar cells; second phase: 3 GW.
Aims to establish Gujarat as a clean-tech manufacturing hub.
Expected employment and industrial growth benefits.

Kumar Mangalam Birla named Non-Executive Chairman of Vodafone Idea

Kumar Mangalam Birla, chair of the Aditya Birla Group, has been appointed as the Non-Executive Chairman of Vodafone Idea Limited, with the role effective from 5 May 2026. Ravinder Takkar steps down as Non-Executive Chairman and will serve as Non-Executive Vice Chairman. The leadership change signals a renewed strategic push to strengthen VI’s operations in a highly competitive Indian telecom market. Birla’s long-standing business experience across multiple sectors is expected to influence long-term revival plans and investor confidence for the flagship telecom operator, which has faced market and financial pressures in recent years.

Birla appointed as Non-Executive Chairman; effective 5 May 2026.
Ravinder Takkar moves to Non-Executive Vice Chairman role.
Prompts a renewed strategic focus for Vodafone Idea.
Birla’s Aditya Birla Group leadership connections highlighted.
Industry analysts expect potential improvements in investor sentiment.

Share on

TCY Analytics (View Subscription Plans)

Subscribe to GK Updates

I want to receive

GK Tags

June GK, May GK, April GK, INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS, ENVIRONMENT, BUSINESS AND ECONOMY, SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY, SPORTS, NATIONAL AFFAIRS, DEFENCE, PERSONS IN NEWS, DAYS AND EVENTS, AWARDS AND HONOURS, GOVERNMENT POLICIES AND SCHEMES, GENDER/ HEALTH/ EDUCATION, ART AND CULTURE, BOOKS AND AUTHORS, TOURISM AND HOTEL INDUSTRY AWARENESS, ART AND CULTURE, LAW AND CONSTITUTIONAL AFFAIRS

Start Discussion

On any topic

Take Tests

Compiled from GK updates

Login

Sign Up

Forgot Password

Download TCY App

Unlock All Services And Enjoy The Premium Benefits

US$ 10

US$ 13

US$ 15

US$ 17

US$ 19

US$ 20

US$ 21

US$ 22

US$ 23

US$ 24

US$ 25

US$ 26