India's restaurant sector stands at a critical juncture, with the potential to provide 1.5 crore jobs by 2028—an increase of over 70% from its current workforce of 85 lakh. This growth hinges on receiving the right governmental support, such as industry status and the inclusion of input tax credit (ITC) on GST. The National Restaurant Association of India (NRAI), representing over 5 lakh restaurants, has highlighted significant challenges, including tensions with food delivery aggregators like Swiggy and Zomato.

A transformative initiative is underway in India’s Northeast and West Bengal to revolutionize rubber farming through the iSPEED program, a vital component of the Rs. 1,100-crore INROAD project. Backed by major tyre manufacturers like Apollo Tyres, CEAT, JK Tyre, and MRF, this project aims to enhance the quality and yield of rubber crops. Over the next five years, the iSPEED program will provide over two lakh smallholder farmers with access to cutting-edge infrastructure, training, and resources.

Equitas Small Finance Bank's net profit for the March quarter of FY25 plummeted by 80%, falling to Rs 42.11 crore, primarily due to a sharp increase in provisioning for bad loans. While the bank saw a modest rise in total income, its asset quality showed mixed signals, with an uptick in gross non-performing assets (NPAs). Despite the decline in profit, the bank managed to reduce its net NPAs, signaling some improvement in managing bad loans. The significant rise in provisions and the deteriorating NPA situation weighed heavily on the bank’s financial performance.

Exide Industries reported an 11% drop in standalone profit after tax (PAT) for the March quarter, with profits falling to Rs 254.60 crore from Rs 283.75 crore in Q4 of the previous fiscal year. Despite this decline, revenue from operations showed a 4% increase, reflecting growth in key segments such as mobility and solar. The company's EBITDA also decreased due to rising raw material costs, particularly for antimony, impacting margins.

Kotak Alternate Asset Managers (Kotak Alts) has announced a significant Rs 1,200-crore investment in Ace Designers Ltd. (ADL), a leading CNC machine manufacturer based in India. This capital infusion aims to support the company’s plans to expand its manufacturing capacity, enhance its product portfolio, and strengthen its international presence. With a history spanning over four decades, Ace Designers is poised for growth, with projected revenues for FY25 reaching Rs 2,400 crore.

Sukhchain Gogi has officially taken over as the new chairperson of the Punjab Energy Development Agency (PEDA), following the tragic passing of her husband, Gurpreet Bassi Gogi, earlier this year. Her appointment marks a significant milestone for the state’s renewable energy initiatives, as Punjab intensifies efforts to harness solar power and energy-efficient solutions. The state government has emphasized its commitment to ramping up renewable energy infrastructure, with plans to expand solar energy projects, including the installation of solar pumps and rooftop plants.

In response to escalating procurement costs, Mother Dairy has announced a price hike of up to Rs 2 per litre for its milk products, effective April 30, 2025. The company attributed this adjustment to significant increases in the cost of milk procurement, which has surged by Rs 4-5 per litre in recent months. This price revision, impacting the Delhi-NCR market, comes as the company strives to maintain balance between supporting farmers and ensuring affordable products for consumers.

Franklin Templeton Alternative Investments recently announced the first close of its Franklin India Credit Alternative Investment Fund (AIF), securing Rs 205 crore in initial commitments. With a target corpus of Rs 1,000 crore, the fund aims to invest primarily in debt securities, capitalizing on the demand for alternative investment opportunities in the Indian market. The move reflects Franklin Templeton’s strategic expansion into the debt investment space, catering to institutional and high-net-worth individual investors.

Prestige Estates Projects Ltd, a leading player in India’s real estate sector, has officially made its entry into the highly competitive Delhi-NCR residential market with a monumental new development. The company has launched its first housing project in the region, "The Prestige City-Indirapuram," a sprawling township in Ghaziabad, Uttar Pradesh. This ambitious project, expected to generate a revenue potential of Rs 12,000 crore, reflects the company’s aggressive strategy to tap into the growing demand for premium residential properties in the National Capital Region (NCR).

In a recent interview, Rahul Bhatt—fitness professional and son of filmmaker Mahesh Bhatt—offered an unfiltered take on his family’s public figures, including actor Ranbir Kapoor and half-sister Alia Bhatt. While reserving high praise for Kapoor’s role as a father, Rahul declined to comment on his acting, emphasizing character over career. He also compared Alia to his full sister, Pooja Bhatt, offering a blunt critique of her stardom in contrast to Pooja’s legacy.