Hindustan Zinc Hits Historic Milestone in Refined Metal Production
Udaipur, April 3, 2025: Hindustan Zinc Limited (NSE: HINDZINC, BSE: 500188), the world’s largest integrated zinc producer today announced its production numbers for the fourth quarter and year ended March 31, 2025. The company recorded historic-high annual mined metal production at 1095 KT (kilotonnes) and refined metal production at 1052 KT (kilotonnes). The company’s market capitalization stands highest among zinc producing companies globally.
| Particulars (In ‘000 tonnes, or as stated’) |
4Q | 3Q | FY | ||||||||||||||
| FY25 | FY24 | % Change |
FY25 | % Change |
FY25 | FY24 | % Change |
||||||||||
| Mined Metal | 310 | 299 | 4% | 265 | 17% | 1095 | 1079 | 1% | |||||||||
| Saleable Metal | 270 | 273 | (1%) | 259 | 4% | 1052 | 1033 | 2% | |||||||||
|
214 | 220 | (3%) | 204 | 5% | 827 | 817 | 1% | |||||||||
|
56 | 53 | 6% | 55 | 2% | 225 | 216 | 4% | |||||||||
| Silver (in tonnes) | 177 | 189 | (7%) | 160 | 10% | 687 | 746 | (8%) | |||||||||
| Silver (in million ounces) | 5.7 | 6.1 | (7%) | 5.2 | 10% | 22.1 | 24.0 | (8%) | |||||||||
| Wind Power (in million units) | 63 | 61 | 3% | 47 | 33% | 348 | 394 | (12%) | |||||||||
Includes 3.7kt, 3.4kt, 0.7kt, 10.1kt and 0.7kt of metal production from Hindustan Zinc Alloys Private Limited (100% subsidiary of HZL) in 4QFY25, 3QFY25,4QFY24, FY’25 & FY’24 respectively.
FY25
- Record Mined metal production at 1095 kt, driven by improved mined metal grades and mills recovery.
- Highest ever Refined metal production at 1052 kt, through better plant availability and operational parameters. Refined zinc production was at 827 kt, up 1% and lead production at 225 kt, up 4%.
- Hindustan Zinc Alloys Private Limited (wholly owned subsidiary of HZL), produced 10 kt of zinc alloys, contributing to an increase in Value Added Product segment for the company and in India.
- Saleable silver production at 687 metric tonnes, down 8% due to change in mining sequence and lower silver input from SK mine in line with mine grade.
4QFY25
- Highest ever Quarterly Mined metal production of 310 kt*, up 17% QoQ driven by higher mined metal grades, mills recovery and increase in production at Agucha and Zawar mines.
- Refined metal production at 270 kt, up 4% QoQ in line with plan availability. Refined zinc production at 214 kt, up 5% QoQ and lead production at 56kt up 2% QoQ.
- Saleable silver production at 177 metric tonnes, up 10% QoQ in line with lead production and higher WIP liquidation.
- Wind power generation for 4QFY25 was 63 MU, up 33% QoQ in line with wind velocity.
Nikhil Kamath’s Gruhas Leads INR 12.5 Cr Investment in LehLah
Mumbai, April 2, 2025: LehLah, a creator-led content commerce startup, has raised INR 12.5 cr in its seed funding round, led by Gruhas, a company co-founded by Nikhil Kamath and Abhijeet Pai. This investment highlights the growing appeal and market presence of LehLah. The funds will be utilised for product development, increasing brand visibility, and expanding the team.
Commenting on the funding, Nikhil Kamath said, “Shopping today isn’t just about products—it’s about trust, influence, and community. People don’t want to be sold to; they want recommendations from those they relate to. The future of commerce may belong to platforms that empower individuals to monetize their influence while making discovery and purchasing seamless. Only time will truly tell.”
Ashna Ruia, Founder, LehLah stated, “We are excited to embark on this new chapter with the backing of Gruhas, who share our vision for transforming the creator economy. This support enables us to amplify our mission of empowering creators to build thriving businesses around their passions. As we continue to innovate and scale, we are inspired by the opportunity to redefine the intersection of creativity, commerce, and community, with key partners like Nikhil Kamath by our side.”
LehLah is a content commerce platform that empowers creators to monetise their influence by sharing affiliate links for curated product recommendations. It bridges the gap between creators and brand partners, turning authentic content into a powerful revenue stream. By offering a seamless shopping experience for followers, LehLah drives sales and boosts conversions for brands.
Since its inception, LehLah has experienced rapid growth, partnering with leading e-commerce platforms like Myntra, Meesho, Flipkart, and Nykaa, as well as prominent D2C brands like Libas and Foxtale. This collaboration has contributed to a 46% month-on-month increase in GMV and enabled over 700,000 content pieces through its extensive creator network.
Bajaj Broking Cuts MTF Charges to Support Investors
Mumbai, April 2, 2025: Bajaj Broking, a Bajaj Finserv Group company, has announced a significant reduction in Margin Trading Facility (MTF) charges, aimed at enabling investors and traders to optimise capital and seize opportunities during evolving market conditions.
Starting from April 1, 2025, MTF interest rates under Freedom Pack has been reduced from 18% p.a. to 14.99% p.a., and under the Professional Pack, from 14% p.a. to 11.99% p.a.
Spokesperson from Bajaj Broking said, “At Bajaj Broking we keep investor interest first. We have lowered our MTF charges to make leveraged trading more affordable when investors need flexibility the most. Our goal is simple: help traders and investors make their capital work harder, reduce their borrowing costs, and make the most of investing opportunities.”
MTF, a regulated service, allows investors to buy stocks by paying only a part of the total value, with Bajaj Broking funding the remaining amount. This gives investors the ability to increase their market exposure. Interest is charged only on the borrowed amount, and pledged collateral is required as per SEBI guidelines.
In addition to the revised MTF benefits, Bajaj Broking offers low-cost brokerage through two flexible pricing plans – the Freedom Pack and the Professional Pack – designed to suit different trading styles. The Freedom Pack, which is free of cost, offers simplified pricing at ₹20 per order for delivery trades and ₹20 per order for F&O. The Professional Pack, which costs just ₹2,500 for an annual subscription, offers more competitive rates, with delivery trades at just ₹10 per order and F&O orders at ₹10 each. These plans are built to empower traders with cost efficiency, transparency, and choice.
Forever Living Products India Launches ‘Radiance by Forever’ Skincare Line
Forever Living Products India proudly announces the launch of Radiance by Forever Face Mask + Scrub and Radiance by Forever Face Toner, two innovative skincare solutions designed to work together for a refreshed, hydrated, and balanced complexion. These latest additions to Forever’s premium skincare line harness the power of natural ingredients to deliver optimal skincare results.
The Radiance by Forever Face Mask + Scrub offers a unique twin-action formula, providing users with two essential skincare benefits in one product. Designed for deep detoxification, it draws out impurities, toxins, and excess oil, while simultaneously exfoliating the skin to improve texture, reduce puffiness, and enhance hydration. Infused with Kaolin and Bentonite clay, Zinc Oxide, Aloe Vera Powder, Rice Bran Oil, and Bamboo Charcoal, the mask nourishes and revitalizes the skin, leaving it fresh and glowing.
Complementing the mask is the Radiance by Forever Face Toner, a lightweight yet powerful formula designed to balance skin pH, tighten pores, and deeply hydrate the skin. Infused with Aloe Vera and botanical extracts, this toner soothes irritation, refreshes the skin, and prepares it for better absorption of skincare products. It is an essential step in the skincare routine, providing a burst of hydration while enhancing the skin’s overall texture and radiance.
Speaking on the launch, Mr. Harish Singla, CSM, Forever Living Products India, stated, “At Forever, we are committed to delivering high-quality, nature-inspired skincare solutions that enhance both beauty and confidence. The ‘Radiance by Forever Face Mask + Scrub’ and ‘Radiance by Forever Face Toner’ embody this philosophy by offering a complete skincare experience. With their natural ingredients and innovative properties, these products are set to redefine skincare routines across India.”
Together, the Radiance by Forever Face Mask + Scrub and Radiance by Forever Face Toner form a holistic skincare regimen, catering to individuals seeking effortless and effective skincare solutions for daily use.
The Radiance by Forever Face Mask + Scrub and Radiance by Forever Face Toner are now available for purchase through Forever Living Products India’s official channels and select distributors.
Howden India Appoints Saurabh Verma as Chief Business Officer
Mumbai, 1st April 2025: Howden is pleased to announce the appointment of Saurabh Verma as the Chief Business Officer for its India operations. With nearly 25 years of extensive experience in the insurance industry, Saurabh brings a wealth of expertise and leadership to the Howden India team. In his new position, Saurabh will be in charge of promoting regional growth and strengthening client connections.
Saurabh has held several key leadership positions in the past, including President & Head – Sales (CRS) and Strategic Account Management at Aon, Executive Vice President and Geography Leader at Willis Towers Watson, Practice Leader for Renewable Energy at Willis Towers Watson, and Regional Head at Chola MS GICL. His proven track record in building high-performing teams and developing market-leading risk solutions will be invaluable to Howden India.
Amit Agarwal, CEO of Howden India, stated “We are excited to welcome Saurabh to team Howden! His new perspective will undoubtedly enhance our growth trajectory. Moreover, Saurabh is a great fit for Howden’s culture and will play a pivotal role in fostering an exceptional workplace environment for our people.”
Saurabh Verma, Chief Business Officer, commented “I am excited and look forward to contributing to Howden India’s growth. Two and a half decades of my professional experience have taught me to stay continuously invested in forming exceptional teams that seek collaboration, operational brilliance, and client-centric solutions. As Chief Business Officer, I will further Howden’s unique endeavour to be an employer of choice and foster culture of empowerment and ownership.”
Saurabh holds a BE in Mechanical Engineering, an MBA in Marketing & Systems, and is a Fellow of the Insurance Institute of India (FII).
Samsung to Launch Bespoke AI Jet Ultra, World’s Strongest Cordless Vacuum
GURUGRAM, India – April 1st 2025: Samsung, India’s largest consumer electronics brand, today announced the global rollout of the Bespoke AI Jet Ultra, the world’s most powerful cordless stick vacuum cleaner,1 which was unveiled at the Welcome to Bespoke AI global event held this month. Featuring the upgraded AI Cleaning Mode 2.0 and advanced HEPA filtration system, this latest innovation builds on Samsung’s leadership in smart home cleaning appliances.
“Samsung has proven its next level innovation in the cordless stick vacuum cleaner segment by launching the most powerful model in the world,” said Jeong Seung Moon, EVP and Head of the R&D Team for Digital Appliances Business at Samsung Electronics. “Building on the previous achievement of the Bespoke Jet AI, which was the world’s first UL verified AI-powered cordless stick vacuum cleaner,2 we’re confident that this new model will be a true game changer in the global market.”
The Bespoke AI Jet Ultra boasts suction power of up to 400W3 to tackle even the toughest cleaning tasks. The HexaJet Motor is the key component that generates high suction power. Its unique Hexagon stator structure with a second-stage diffuser and an impeller with the reduced thickness improve airflow and increase motor efficiency, thus enabling up to 400W of suction power. Plus, the motor allows the vacuum cleaner to run for up to 100 minutes on one battery when using Min mode,4 so users can clean their whole house in one go.
Intelligent Cleaning Support Through AI Cleaning Mode 2.0
The Bespoke AI Jet Ultra also introduces the upgraded AI Cleaning Mode 2.0.5 By sensing the brush load and vacuuming air pressure, this mode can classify a total of six different cleaning environments6 using Samsung’s AI Optimum Tech and automatically adjust the cleaning performance. When using the Active Dual Brush, it can recognize whether a carpet is normal or long-pile. The vacuum cleaner senses corners7 with the Slim LED Brush+, as well. And by adjusting the suction power and brush speed8 for the different cleaning environments, it uses power more efficiently, reducing battery power use by 21% and increasing maneuverability by 8% with performance akin to Mid mode.9
Advanced HEPA Filtration System
Complementing this powerful and intelligent experience, Samsung has enhanced the filtration system to ensure dust particles are captured when air is expelled from the vacuum cleaner. The Bespoke AI Jet Ultra features a Multi-layered Filtration system that effectively traps fine dust.10 When air comes in, internal compartments like the cyclone and a metal mesh grille filter catch dust particles in succession. As a result, it achieves a filtration efficiency of 99.999%.11
Another distinctive benefit is that Samsung has implemented HEPA filtration into its Multi-layered Filtration system. With this system, the Bespoke AI Jet Ultra captures dust particles as small as 0.3µm, allowing less dust12 to escape into the air.
Mumbai Real Estate Sees Record Stamp Duty, Premium Sales in FY25
Mumbai’s real estate market capped off FY 2024–25 on a robust note, clocking over 15,603 property registrations in March 2025, a 10.3% year-on-year (YoY) increase, according to data from the Inspector General of Registration (IGR) accessed by Knight Frank India.
Stamp duty collections for the month touched ₹1,597 crore, the highest ever recorded in a single month, reflecting a 45% YoY surge. The record-breaking revenue was primarily driven by a notable rise in high-value property transactions and sustained demand for premium homes.
On a month-on-month (MoM) basis, March saw property registrations rise by 29%, while stamp duty collections jumped 71%, making it the most active month for Mumbai’s real estate market in the past year. Residential properties accounted for 80% of the total registrations in March, underscoring the strong sentiment among homebuyers.
The daily stamp duty collections grew from ₹35 crore in April 2024 to ₹52 crore in March 2025, while daily property registrations rose from 388 to 503 units during the same period, reinforcing the trend of increased traction in the mid-to-premium housing segments.
For the entire financial year FY 2024–25, Mumbai recorded 143,948 property registrations, marking a 9% YoY growth compared to 132,723 registrations in the previous fiscal. Stamp duty collections for the year increased by 22%, further validating the market’s shift towards higher-value transactions.
Here is what real estate industry leaders have to say:
Mr. Prashant Sharma, President, NAREDCO Maharashtra
“The consistent rise in Mumbai’s property registrations, surpassing the 15,000 mark in March 2025, is a strong testimony to the city’s enduring real estate appeal. The 10.3% YoY growth in registrations and a remarkable 45% surge in stamp duty collections reflect both the growing aspiration for homeownership and the significant momentum in premium housing. This performance, driven by stable economic conditions, robust infrastructure development, and growing confidence in the market, reaffirms that Mumbai continues to lead India’s real estate transformation. We expect this momentum to accelerate further with anticipated interest rate easing and continued government push for urban infrastructure.”Ms. Shraddha Kedia-Agarwal, Director, Transcon Developers
“The impressive growth in property registrations and stamp duty collections in March 2025 clearly indicates a shift in buyer sentiment towards quality living and long-term investment. With a rise in transactions for high-value homes and an increasing preference for larger apartments, it’s evident that homebuyers are prioritizing comfort, lifestyle, and future-ready infrastructure. We have seen a similar uptick in demand across our premium developments, especially in well-connected suburban micro-markets. This data underlines the growing maturity of Mumbai’s real estate market.”Mr. Nishant Deshmukh, Founder and Managing Partner, Sugee Group
“The March 2025 property registration numbers is a reflection of Mumbai’s real estate strength and the increasing buyer confidence in long-term investments. A 22% YoY growth in stamp duty collection for the full financial year clearly shows an upswing in high-value transactions, and we’re witnessing this trend across premium micro-markets including Central Suburbs. The rise in demand for larger homes is particularly encouraging, as it reinforces the growing preference for spacious living in the city’s evolving urban fabric. Our projects have been strategically positioned to cater to this very need, and the market response has been very encouraging.”Mr. Samyak Jain, Director, Siddha Group
“Mumbai’s increased property registration numbers and rising demand for spacious apartments are indicative of a strong, evolving housing market. The surge highlights the aspirational shift of today’s homebuyer, who is now more inclined toward investing in premium, well-located properties. We have always believed in offering value with design, and the current trend validates the need for thoughtfully designed homes that align with changing lifestyle aspirations.”
Galaxy A26 5G: Samsung’s Budget-Friendly AI Smartphone
April 01, 2025: Samsung, India’s largest consumer electronics brand, continues to push the boundaries of AI democratization with the launch of Galaxy A26 5G, its most affordable smartphone with the power of AI. Crafted for a seamless experience, Galaxy A26 5G delivers a balance of style, durability, performance, and innovation, making it a perfect choice for everyday use.
AWESOME INTELLIGENCE
Samsung brings Awesome Intelligence to Galaxy A26 5G, making everyday tasks smarter and easier. The Intelligent AI Suite enhances user experience with features like Circle to Search with Google, AI Select, Object Eraser, My Filters and more.
Circle to Search with Google – a fan-favourite on Galaxy A series devices last year – now goes beyond just images, allowing users to identify songs, discover information, and take instant actions with minimal effort. With the latest upgrades, users can now get even more done on their phone. Circle to Search with Google will quickly recognize phone numbers, email addresses and URLs on the screen, so that users can take actions with minimal effort.
Galaxy A26 5G also comes with the Object Eraser which allows users to remove unwanted objects from photos. Users can manually or automatically select objects to erase, achieving a cleaner, more polished final image with just a few taps.
AI Select intuitively understands the context by enabling instant search and extraction of information with a single click. My Filters enables users to create their personalised filters. This innovative function allows users to capture the look and feel of their preferred photos by mimicking their colours and styles and instantly applying them to new images. Each custom filter is conveniently saved in the Camera app for easy access in future projects, allowing for a more personalized and creative photography experience.
AWESOME DESIGN AND DISPLAY
Galaxy A26 5G stands out with its premium glass back appearance in four stylish colours—Peach, Mint, White, and Black—allowing users to express their personality through its expressive design. The larger 6.7-inch Super AMOLED display enhances viewing experiences with a 120Hz refresh rate. The device is also thinner than its predecessor, measuring just 7.7mm in thickness, making it sleek and easy to hold.
AWESOME PERFORMANCE
At the heart of Galaxy A26 5G is the Exynos 1380 processor, ensuring seamless multitasking, enhanced gaming, and smooth everyday performance. The vapour chamber is now 3.7 times larger as compared to the last generation, which keeps the device running efficiently even during intense gameplay. Backed by a 5000mAh battery with 25W fast charge support, Galaxy A26 5G provides all-day power to keep up with your lifestyle.
AWESOME CAMERA
Photography enthusiasts will love the flagship 50MP OIS Main Camera, which captures crisp, blur-free images. The 8MP Ultra-Wide Camera is perfect for expansive landscapes, while the 2MP Macro Camera enables detailed close-up shots. A 13MP Front Camera ensures high-quality selfies, and helps capture sharp, steady images
AWESOME DURABILITY
Galaxy A26 5G sets a new benchmark for durability in its segment, and is designed to withstand everyday challenges while ensuring long-term reliability. The Corning Gorilla Glass Victus+ offers superior scratch and drop resistance, providing enhanced protection against accidental bumps and falls. The IP67 water and dust resistance rating ensures added peace of mind, making Galaxy A26 5G resilient against spills, splashes, and dust exposure.
The Galaxy A26 5G is built to last with segment-leading 6 years of OS upgrades and 6 years of security updates, ensuring users benefit from the latest software advancements and robust security protections for years to come. By combining a durable build with future-ready software support, Samsung reinforces its position as a brand that prioritizes long-term value and reliability for consumers.
AWESOME PROPOSITION
Designed to offer a premium experience at an accessible price point, Galaxy A26 5G is now available at an incredible price of INR 22999* starting today on Samsung.com, Samsung Exclusive Stores, leading online platforms, and retail stores across the country. Galaxy A26 5G comes with 8GB RAM in two storage options – 128GB and 256GB, both of which are expandable up to 2TB via microSD, providing ample space for all content.
Gartner Forecasts GenAI Spending to Hit INR 644 Billion in 2025
STAMFORD, Conn., April 1, 2025 — Worldwide generative AI (GenAI) spending is expected to total $644 billion in 2025, an increase of 76.4% from 2024, according to a forecast by Gartner, Inc.
“Expectations for GenAI’s capabilities are declining due to high failure rates in initial proof-of-concept (POC) work and dissatisfaction with current GenAI results,” said John-David Lovelock, Distinguished VP Analyst at Gartner. “Despite this, foundational model providers are investing billions annually to enhance GenAI models’ size, performance, and reliability. This paradox will persist through 2025 and 2026.
“Ambitious internal projects from 2024 will face scrutiny in 2025, as CIOs opt for commercial off-the-shelf solutions for more predictable implementation and business value. Despite model improvements, CIOs will reduce POC and self-development efforts, focusing instead on GenAI features from existing software providers.” said Lovelock.
GenAI spending is poised for significant growth across all core markets and submarkets in 2025 (see Table 1). GenAI will have a transformative impact across all aspects of IT spending markets, suggesting a future where AI technologies become increasingly integral to business operations and consumer products.
Table 1. Worldwide GenAI Spending Forecast (Millions of U.S. Dollars)
|
2024 Spending |
2024 Growth (%) |
2025 Spending |
2025 Growth (%) |
|
| Services | 10,569 | 177.0 | 27,760 | 162.6 |
| Software | 19,164 | 255.1 | 37,157 | 93.9 |
| Devices | 199,595 | 845.5 | 398,323 | 99.5 |
| Servers | 135,636 | 154.7 | 180,620 | 33.1 |
| Overall GenAI | 364,964 | 336.7 | 643,860 | 76.4 |
AI Capable Consumer Devices to Drive GenAI Spending
GenAI spending in 2025 will be driven largely by the integration of AI capabilities into hardware, such as servers, smartphones and PCs, with 80% of GenAI spending going towards hardware.
“The market’s growth trajectory is heavily influenced by the increasing prevalence of AI-enabled devices, which are expected to comprise almost the entire consumer device market by 2028,” said Lovelock. “However, consumers are not chasing these features. As the manufacturers embed AI as a standard feature in consumer devices, consumers will be forced to purchase them.”
Gartner’s GenAI spending forecast methodology relies heavily on rigorous analysis of the sales by over a thousand vendors across the entire range of GenAI products and services. Gartner uses primary research techniques, complemented by secondary research sources, to build a comprehensive database of market size data on which to base its forecast.
The Gartner GenAI spending forecast delivers a unique perspective on GenAI spending across the hardware, software and IT services segments. These reports help Gartner clients understand market opportunities and challenges. The most recent GenAI spending forecast research is available to Gartner clients in “Forecast Alert: GenAI IT Spending, 2023-2028, Worldwide.”
Additional leadership trends will be presented during Gartner IT Symposium/Xpo, the world’s most important conference for CIOs and other IT executives. Gartner analysts and attendees will explore the technology, insights and trends shaping the future of IT and business, including AI, business transformation, cybersecurity, customer experience, data analytics, executive leadership and more. Follow news and updates from the conferences on X using #GartnerSYM, and on the Gartner Newsroom.
Upcoming dates and locations for Gartner IT Symposium/Xpo include:
September 8-10, 2025 | Gold Coast, Australia
October 20-23, 2025 | Orlando, FL
October 28-30, 2025 | Tokyo, Japan
November 10-13, 2025 | Barcelona, Spain
November 17-19, 2025 | Kochi, India
IREDA Loan Sanctions Up 27% to Rs 47,453 Crore in FY 2024-25
Mumbai, 1st April 2025: Indian Renewable Energy Development Agency Limited (IREDA) today reported significant growth in its financial performance for the fiscal year ending March 31, 2025, as per provisional data.
Loan sanctions for FY 2024-25 stood at ₹47,453 crore, marking a 27% increase from ₹37,354 crore in the previous year. Loan disbursements rose by 20% to ₹30,168 crore, compared to ₹25,089 crore in FY 2023-24. The outstanding loan book also expanded by 28%, reaching ₹76,250 crore as of March 31, 2025, up from ₹59,698 crore in the previous year.
Shri Pradip Kumar Das, Chairman & Managing Director, IREDA, stated, “Announcing IREDA’s annual performance on the last day of the financial year underscores our strong commitment to the highest standards of corporate governance and transparency with our investors. IREDA’s consistent growth in loan sanctions, disbursements, and loan book reflects our strong dedication to financing renewable energy projects. We remain committed to supporting India’s clean energy transition through innovative and accessible financing solutions.”
“I sincerely thank Hon’ble Union Minister; Hon’ble Union Minister of State, Ministry of New & Renewable Energy; Secretary, MNRE; our Board of Directors; Regulators; and officials of MNRE and other ministries for their unwavering support. I appreciate the dedication and relentless efforts of the Team IREDA, whose commitment drives our success”, Shri Das added.