General Awareness

BUSINESS AND ECONOMY - October 2021

Oct 2021

Apr 28, 2026

Parminder Singh appointed CEO of Reliance Enterprise Intelligence Limited

Parminder Singh has been appointed Chief Executive Officer of Reliance Enterprise Intelligence Limited (REIL). The appointment signals India’s push toward enterprise-scale artificial intelligence adoption across sectors. Mr. Singh brings leadership experience from major global tech firms and has previously held senior roles at Google, Apple, Twitter and IBM. He also served as Chief Commercial and Digital Officer at Mediacorp and founded AI ventures such as ClayboxAI and WeKamp. In his new role, he will lead the company’s AI strategy, product development and cross‑industry implementation, aiming to accelerate digital transformation for Indian enterprises while expanding REIL’s global footprint and capabilities.

Parminder Singh named CEO of Reliance Enterprise Intelligence Limited (REIL).
Background includes senior roles at Google, Apple, Twitter and IBM; founder of ClayboxAI and WeKamp.
Role focuses on accelerating enterprise AI adoption and cross‑industry AI deployments.

Apr 27, 2026

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

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