Dabur appoints Herjit S Bhalla as India Business CEO; effective 23 April 2026
Dabur has named Herjit S Bhalla as Chief Executive Officer of its India Business, with effect from 23 April 2026. Bhalla will report to Mohit Malhotra, Whole‑time Director and Global CEO. Bringing over 25 years of global experience, Bhalla previously spent 16 years at Unilever starting in 2000. His appointment comes as Dabur navigates a rapidly evolving FMCG sector driven by digital channels and rural market growth. Bhalla is expected to drive domestic growth, sharpen market positioning, and oversee sales, marketing, and operations, leveraging his international perspective to enhance competitiveness in the Indian market.
Herjit S Bhalla appointed India Business CEO
Effective 23 April 2026; reports to Mohit Malhotra
Over 25 years of global experience; 16 years at Unilever
Role focuses on domestic growth, brand expansion, and operations
Aims to leverage digital expansion and rural market growth
Apr 26, 2026
Vivek Tripathi named ED & WTD at AU Small Finance Bank; RBI gives nod
The Reserve Bank of India has approved the appointment of Vivek Tripathi as Executive Director of AU Small Finance Bank for a three-year term. He will also take charge as Whole-time Director after shareholders approve the appointment, with effect from 24 April 2026. Tripathi is an experienced banker, currently Chief Credit Officer at AU Small Finance Bank, and has been with the bank since 2014. He played a key role in building the bank’s credit framework and risk management. His leadership is expected to strengthen governance and growth in the bank’s lending activities.
RBI approves Vivek Tripathi as ED of AU Small Finance Bank
Three-year term; WTD on shareholder approval
Tenure starts 24 April 2026
Tripathi previously Chief Credit Officer
Joined AU SFB in 2014; helped build credit framework
Focus on governance and risk management
Apr 23, 2026
L&T signs green ammonia supply deal with Japan’s Itochu
Larsen & Toubro (L&T) has signed a long-term agreement with Japan’s Itochu Corporation for the annual supply of 300,000 tonnes of green ammonia. The deal will be executed through L&T Energy GreenTech and supports India’s clean energy export ambitions. Green ammonia is produced using renewable energy-generated hydrogen and is considered a key low-carbon fuel for shipping and other sectors. The arrangement advances India’s energy export strategy and strengthens bilateral ties in clean energy, aligning with broader government goals to expand renewable capacity, reduce emissions, and develop infrastructure for green hydrogen and its derivatives.
Deal: 300,000 tonnes of green ammonia annually
Partnership between L&T and Itochu Corporation
Supply from Gujarat via L&T Energy GreenTech
Supports India’s green energy export goals
Green ammonia produced from renewable energy
Aims to decarbonize shipping and industry
HDFC Life reappoints Vibha Padalkar as MD & CEO for five-year term
HDFC Life Insurance Company Limited announced that its board, on 21 April 2026, approved the reappointment of Vibha Padalkar as managing director and chief executive officer for another five-year term. The decision aims to ensure continuity of leadership during a dynamic period for the Indian insurance sector. The term extends to 21 April 2031, subject to approval by shareholders at the upcoming annual general meeting and clearance from the Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India (IRDAI). The company emphasized that the reappointment will maintain strategic direction, governance standards, and ongoing initiatives in product development, distribution expansion, and risk management.
Board approval date: 21 April 2026
Reappointment as MD & CEO for five years
Term ends 21 April 2031
Subject to shareholder approval and IRDAI clearance
Aims to ensure leadership continuity
Supports growth in product and distribution strategies
Apr 22, 2026
UN Projects India's Economy to Grow 6.4% in 2026
The United Nations ESCAP forecast India’s economy to grow by 6.4 percent in 2026 and 6.6 percent in 2027, reinforcing India's position as one of the fastest-growing major economies. The Economic and Social Survey of Asia and the Pacific 2026, released by UN ESCAP, cites strong domestic demand, services expansion, and policy support as main drivers. The report notes 7.4 percent growth in 2025, aided by rural consumption, GST rate cuts and frontloading of exports before US tariffs rose in 2025. It also mentions a modest export decline to the United States in late 2025 due to tariffs, while domestic services and rural demand supported growth.
Forecasts 6.4% growth in 2026 and 6.6% in 2027
Strong domestic demand and services growth cited
7.4% growth in 2025 noted
GST cuts and export frontloading mentioned
Exports to the US declined in late 2025 due to tariffs
SBI Projects GDP Growth at 6.8–7.1% for FY27
On 21 April 2026, the State Bank of India (SBI) released its latest growth projection, predicting a GDP expansion of 6.8 to 7.1 percent for fiscal year 2026-27 (FY27). The note cites robust domestic demand, services expansion, and policy support as key drivers, despite global headwinds from energy prices and geopolitical tensions. The SBI forecast remains above many international estimates and supports expectations of steady investment, consumption and export growth. Analysts warn about risks from external shocks, inflation volatility, and fiscal consolidation, but still anticipate a healthy growth path into FY27.
Forecast range: 6.8%–7.1% for FY27
Domestic demand and services lead growth
Policy support cited as a driver
External risks include tariffs and energy prices
Outlook remains relatively positive
BSE Housing Finance Index Launched to Track Sector Performance
The BSE Housing Finance Index was launched on 20 April 2026 by BSE Index Services to track the performance of housing finance companies listed in the broader market. The index focuses on firms providing home loans and related services as homes and real estate expand in India. It uses a subset of stocks from the BSE 1000 and includes only housing finance players. The index will be reconstituted twice a year, in June and December, to reflect market changes. Analysts expect the new benchmark to help investors gauge sector health and support fund flows into housing finance and affordable housing initiatives.
Index launched on 20 April 2026
Tracks housing finance companies from BSE 1000
Reconstitution twice a year: June and December
Aims to gauge sector health for investors
Supports housing finance and affordable housing funding
South Korea’s POSCO Group and India’s JSW Steel signed a final agreement to invest 10.7 trillion won (about $7.3 billion) to build an integrated steel plant in India, with each company holding a 50 percent stake. POSCO plans a 5.3 trillion won investment. The project aims to create a production hub and strengthen supply chains in the region and follows a 2024 memorandum of understanding and a 2025 non-binding heads of agreement. Officials say the venture could boost jobs and technology transfer, reinforcing ties between Indian manufacturing and foreign steel giants.
Investment: 10.7 trillion won (~$7.3 billion) for a steel plant.
Tim Cook to step down as Apple CEO on 1 September 2026
Tim Cook will step down as Apple's chief executive officer on 1 September 2026 after a 15-year tenure. He will become Executive Chairman, and John Ternus, currently head of hardware engineering, will succeed him as the next CEO. Apple says the transition will guide the company into a new era driven by artificial intelligence and next-generation hardware. Cook, who became CEO in 2011 after Steve Jobs, led Apple's expansion into wearables, services, and new product lines beyond the iPhone. Ternus joined Apple in 2001 and has overseen hardware innovations, including Apple Silicon and the revival of Mac sales.
Tim Cook will step down as Apple CEO on 1 September 2026.
Cook becomes Executive Chairman; John Ternus named next CEO.
Transition aims to advance AI and next-gen hardware focus.
Cook’s tenure began in 2011 after Steve Jobs.
Ternus leads hardware innovations and Apple Silicon development.
UN projects India’s economy to grow 6.4% this year
According to the United Nations Economic and Social Survey of Asia and the Pacific 2026, India's economy is projected to grow 6.4 percent in the current year. The UN report notes strong domestic consumption, policy support, and structural reforms as drivers. It references India’s 2025 growth at about 7.4 percent and cites front-loading of exports ahead of tariff changes in major markets. Analysts say the forecast aligns with other international projections that India will maintain robust growth despite global headwinds, helped by services expansion and infrastructure investment.
UN projects India growth at 6.4% in 2026.
Drivers include domestic consumption and policy reforms.
2025 growth estimated around 7.4%; export front-loading noted.
Forecasts suggest India remains among fastest-growing major economies.
Sustained growth supported by services and infrastructure investment.
Asit Tripathy Elected President of Odisha Steel Producers’ Association
The Odisha Steel Producers’ Association (OSPA) unanimously elected former Odisha Chief Secretary Asit Tripathy as its President during a 20 April 2026 meeting. The new industry body includes leaders from Jindal Steel, Tata Steel, Jindal Stainless, JSW Steel, and ArcelorMittal Nippon Steel (AMNS). OSPA aims to strengthen industry coordination, policy dialogue, and sustainable growth in Odisha, a major steel and iron ore producing state. Tripathy brings decades of governance, public policy, and industrial administration experience. His leadership is expected to provide strategic direction and better stakeholder engagement for long-term industrial development in the region.
Election: Asit Tripathy elected President (20 April 2026).
Members include Jindal Steel, Tata Steel, Jindal Stainless, JSW Steel, AMNS.
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