Category: FINANCE
TERI researchers outline the ways for a robust, equitable, and flexible outcome of the GGA process at COP28
Researchers at The Energy and Resources Institute (TERI) launched two crucial policy briefs ahead of the much anticipated 28th Conference of the Parties (COP28) scheduled from November 30 to December 12, 2023 at Dubai, UAE.
Former climate negotiator, Ambassador Manjeev Singh Puri, a Distinguished Fellow at TERI emphasized, “Adaptation is an imperative and absolute must in present times for the Global South. COP28 needs to make the Global Goal on Adaptation (GGA) integral to climate commitments and action”.
“Climate change demands that energy use must be sustainable; the development imperative of the Global South demands it to be inclusive, just and fair,” Mr Puri added.
Outcome on GGA will be a key determinant for the success of COP28
The policy brief titled ‘Road to Dubai and The Global Goal on Adaption’ reviewed the discussions around the GGA framework to provide perspectives on what could be a robust, equitable, and flexible outcome of the GGA process at COP28. The outcome on GGA will be a key determinant of the success of COP28.
The policy brief underscored that the definition of adaptation should lay emphasis on human and natural systems and not countries. IPCC definition of adaptation emphasizes human and natural systems and not countries. A paradigm shift in the climate regime is needed regarding adaptation. In other words, there is a need to revisit the problem statement. While the approach in climate change negotiations will be country-driven, the GGA framework implementation needs to factor in nuances and a disaggregate picture of vulnerability within countries. Means of implementation, such as capacity-building on data systems, are crucial not only for Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning (MEL) purposes but also to avoid maladaptation. All indicators, including input, output, and outcome indicators, are important.
The New Collective Quantified Goal on Climate Finance (NCQG), starting from 2025, is currently in the process of discussion; therefore, it must be based on the needs and requirements of the developing countries, especially considering the need to balance between adaptation climate finance and mitigation climate finance. Along with the Global Stocktake (GST), NCQG must also be linked to the GGA framework. An important outcome of COP28 could be that the global community commits to securing basic universal enablers of adaptation at all scales, for example, universal access to early warning systems.
Energy transitions should be inclusive and consider unique circumstances of Global South
Keeping up with the growing demands for clean energy, TERI researchers also released a policy brief titled “Just Energy Transition Partnerships, Climate Action, and Minilateralism” The policy brief cited the limited success rate of global climate agreements in generating consensus and how developing a more targeted approach to achieving goals, minilateralism has steadily emerged as an alternate approach in climate geopolitics.
The policy brief critically examined Just Energy Transition Partnerships which gained visibility from G7. The brief underscores that the current public cum private financing model adopted by JETPs is not sustainable in the long run. The primary focus on loans rather than on grants and the lack of concessional loans for developing economies make JETPs a non-starter for most countries in the Global South. It is ironic that Global South must take loans to solve a problem that they did not cause. Moreover, there is a mismatch between the funds that have been committed and the actual financial needs of economies for transitioning towards clean energy. Existing JETPs suffer from a lack of interconnection between the energy demand and the supply side. Further, there is also a need to invest in technologies such as battery storage and grids that support flexibility.
The launch of two briefs could not have been more timely, ahead of what is widely considered to be the most decisive COP.
Moneyboxx Finance expands Leadership team, Sandipan Thakur appointed as Head – Collections
Moneyboxx Finance, a BSE-listed NBFC focused on transforming credit access for micro and small enterprises in underserved India, has appointed Sandipan Thakur as Head of Collections. In this role, he will be responsible for designing, optimizing, and executing robust collection strategies for the company’s expanding customer base across semi-urban and rural regions.
Sandipan brings over 23 years of experience in Debt & Receivable Management, Legal & Litigation, and Process & Operational Risk Management, having held leadership positions at Hiranandani Financial Services Pvt. Ltd., RBL Finserve Ltd., SMFG India (erstwhile Fullerton India Credit Co. Ltd.), Citi Financial, among others.
Welcoming him to the company, Mr. Deepak Aggarwal, Co-founder, Moneyboxx Finance, said: “We are pleased to welcome Sandipan Thakur to our leadership team. His deep domain expertise in collections strategy, litigation, and operational risk will be invaluable as we continue to strengthen our portfolio and scale sustainably. As we expand our footprint across underserved regions, his leadership will play a pivotal role in enhancing our credit quality and supporting our broader vision of empowering grassroots entrepreneurs through responsible lending.”
Commenting on his appointment, Mr. Sandipan Thakur said, “I am thrilled to join Moneyboxx Finance in their commitment to making meaningful strides in enabling financial inclusion and rural entrepreneurship. The strong mission-driven culture and the team’s focus on building impactful lending solutions is truly inspiring. I look forward to contributing to this journey by designing and implementing robust, phygital collection frameworks that not only drive efficiency but also ensure a seamless and supportive experience for our customers.”
This leadership addition comes amid a phase of strong business momentum on the backdrop of 56% year-on-year growth in AUM in Q3 FY25 and has built a robust footprint of 160+ branches across 12 states, reflecting sustained efforts to empowering underserved entrepreneurs in rural and semi-urban India.
HDFC Life and Avanse Financial Services Collaborate to Secure Customers Financially
HDFC Life, one of India’s leading life insurers, has announced a strategic collaboration with Avanse Financial Services, a leading education-focused non-banking financial company (NBFC) that would enable Avanse’s educational institution loan customers to secure their loans through group credit life insurance solutions from HDFC Life.
Avanse Financial Services is an education-focused NBFC on a mission to make education financing seamless and affordable for every deserving Indian student. Its educational institution loan solutions finance the growth and working capital requirements of educational institutes in India. HDFC Life, with an array of innovative life insurance solutions designed to meet the ever-evolving needs of customers, enables individuals and groups to secure the future for themselves and their families.
Avanse Financial Services’ customer-first approach with a focus on strengthening the education infrastructure of the country, combined with HDFC Life’s innovative product suite, superior service, robust tech-led platforms, and consistently high claim settlement ratio (99.68%* for FY’25), together create a strong and compelling proposition for customers. This partnership aims to protect institutions from unforeseen financial exigencies and em-bed life insurance as an integral part of their financial foundation, enabling them to focus on their larger goal of quality education.
Speaking on the partnership, Vibha Padalkar – Managing Director & CEO, HDFC Life, commented, “At HDFC Life, we have a singular focus – financial security of our customers. With this ob-jective, we endeavour to build strong, long-lasting partnerships. We are pleased to announce that our association with Avanse Financial Services will further give an impetus to our goal of financial protection for all by offering a financial safety net to educational institutions that contribute significantly towards shaping the future of students across the country. We believe their expertise in the lending space and strong presence across India would further strengthen our reach, thus enabling us to take life insurance to their customers.”
Commenting on the partnership, Amit Gainda, Managing Director & CEO, Avanse Financial Services, said, “At Avanse Financial Services, we endeavour to make education financing accessible and affordable for every student and accelerate the growth of the Indian education delivery system. Our partnership with HDFC Life aligns with our customer-first approach and will further strengthen the financial security framework for our education institution loan customers. By integrating comprehensive protection solutions into our offerings, we aim to empower institutions to focus on delivering world-cl-ass learning while we ensure their financial resilience and long-term sustainability.”
Having received the license in 2000, HDFC Life is now in its 25th year and continues to deliver value to all stakeholders. In FY’25, the company secured over 50 million lives.
Ingram Micro to Offer All-New iPhone 17 Series, iPhone Air, Apple Watch Ultra 3 on 19th Sept’ 2025
iPhone 17 Ingram Micro India is excited to offer the new iPhone 17 featuring the innovative new Center Stage front camera, a bigger and brighter new display with ProMotion up to 120Hz, and the A19 chip for improved performance.
iPhone Air Ingram Micro India is excited to offer the all-new iPhone Air with an impossibly thin and light design with pro performance inside that is more durable than any previous model, advanced camera systems on the front and back, and fantastic all-day battery life.
iPhone 17 Pro and iPhone 17 Pro Max
Ingram Micro India is excited to offer the new iPhone 17 Pro and iPhone 17 Pro Max, featuring a striking new design powered by the A19 Pro chip that unlocks the best-ever performance, advanced camera systems, and battery life in an iPhone.
Apple Watch Series 11 Ingram Micro India is excited to offer the new Apple Watch Series 11 featuring sleep score, along with up to 24 hours of battery life and a display that’s 2x more scratch-resistant.
Apple Watch SE 3 Ingram Micro India is excited to offer the new Apple Watch SE 3, featuring advanced health capabilities, an Always-On display, fast charging, and more, at an incredible value.
Apple Watch Ultra 3 Ingram Micro India is excited to offer the new Apple Watch Ultra 3, featuring 42-hour battery life, and powerful new health insights.
AirPods Pro 3 Ingram Micro India is excited to offer the new AirPods Pro 3 with a new design and incredible sound quality, an exceptional in-ear fit and stability, heart rate sensing during workouts, and extended battery life.
The key offer details are as follows.
Banks Cards
The instant cashback offer is available on ICICI Bank Credit Cards EMI and Non-EMI, ICICI Bank Debit Cards EMI, and SBI Credit Cards EMI and Non-EMI.
- Instant Cashback of INR 6,000 and 6-month No Cost EMI on iPhone 17.
- Instant Cashback of INR 4,000 and 6-month No Cost EMI on iPhone 17 Pro, Pro Max and iPhone Air.
- iPhone for life: Pay 75% of the device value over 24 months and balance 25% after 24 months or 25% assured buyback at 24th month; available on ICICI Bank Credit Card on iPhone 17 series & iPhone Air.
- Instant Cashback of INR 3,000 on Apple Watch Ultra 3, INR 2,500 on Apple Watch Series 11, and INR 2,000 on Apple Watch SE 3, along with 6-month No Cost EMI.
- Instant Cashback of INR 2,000 and 6-month No Cost EMI on AirPods Pro 3.
Loan Offers
Loans Partners: Bajaj Finance Ltd, HDB Financial, HDFC Bank, ICICI Bank, IDFC First Bank & TVS Credit.
- No-cost EMI for up to 24 months on iPhone 17 and on AirPods Pro 3.
- No-cost EMI for up to 16 months on Apple Watch Ultra 3, Series 11, and SE 3.
Exchange Offers
- An Exchange Bonus of up to INR 7,000 on the iPhone 17 series and iPhone Air is applicable for all transactions (i.e. Cards, Loans and iPhone for life).
- An Exchange Bonus of up to INR 2,000 is applicable on Apple Watch Ultra 3 and Series 11 for all transactions (i.e. Cards and Loans).
Ahmedabad University launches The BxMx Programme (Dual Degree)
Taking the lead towards building diverse capabilities and skills and enhancing employability, Ahmedabad University has launched the dual degree The BxMx Programme. This unique programme allows an undergraduate student to study for a Bachelor’s programme in one discipline while completing a Master’s in another in five years.
The innovative BxMx Programme is designed to equip undergraduate Arts and Science students with a professional degree while building strong humanistic and social competencies that are pre-requisites for succeeding in a contemporary workplace. Hence, by integrating undergraduate and graduate studies, Ahmedabad University aims to create flexible employment opportunities for its students while enabling them to explore their passions.
Ahmedabad University, a research-driven liberal education university, fosters critical thinking, broadens perspectives, and builds an independent, questioning, and analytical mind. Combined with the professional degrees it offers, the University’s ecosystem significantly enhances the students’ strengths and employability across various sectors.
The new BxMx Programme aligns with the New Education Policy (NEP 2020), which strongly advocates creative combinations of different degrees to enhance critical and analytical thinking and improve employability. The programme also offers multiple entry and exit points, thereby doing away with rigid boundaries and providing opportunities for research-based specialisations and multidisciplinary work.
For example, a humanities and social sciences student aspiring to become a banker can seamlessly apply to The BxMx Programme to complete an MBA alongside their BA degree. Similarly, a student completing a BS in Mathematical and Computational Sciences or Physics can pursue a Master’s in Quantitative Finance by completing the requirements prescribed for The BxMx Programme. As the University develops other Master’s programmes, undergraduate students have access to several options for completing Master’s degrees in varied disciplines after their undergraduate education, opening the door to an exclusive educational experience.
Danfoss: Radical rethinking on energy efficiency needed by leaders at COP28
Today’s release of the International Energy Agency’s (IEA) Energy Efficiency 2023 report shows that not enough progress is being made on energy efficiency. The report reveals a slowing in global improvements in energy intensity – the IEA’s primary measure of energy efficiency – and, in response, Danfoss President and CEO, Kim Fausing is calling on governments to commit to doubling the rate of energy efficiency improvements by 2030 at COP28 to limit global warming to 1.5C.
Much stronger policy packages of information, regulations and incentives, and a tripling of global investment in energy efficiency and electrification, is vital to double annual improvements in energy efficiency – from 2% in 2022 to 4% per year on average between now and 2030.
One of the most crucial keys to meeting climate goals will be energy efficiency as it is the single largest measure the world can take to reduce energy demand, says Kim Fausing, President & CEO of Danfoss. He says energy efficiency is, and always should be, the ‘first fuel’ for clean energy transitions.
- Kim Fausing, President and CEO of Danfoss, says: “We need to see direct action on energy efficiency from leaders at COP28 if we are to limit global warming to 1.5C. We have virtually no chance of meeting our future energy needs, and certainly no chance of achieving net zero by 2050 if we don’t radically rethink energy efficiency as a key tool to decarbonize society.”
“As the IEA stated in their Energy Efficiency 2023 report, we need much stronger policy packages of information, regulations and incentives, and a tripling of global investment in energy efficiency and electrification, to double annual improvements in energy efficiency – from 2% in 2022 to 4% per year on average between now and 2030. The Sønderborg Action Plan, developed by the IEA is a great place to start,”adds Kim Fausing. “By doubling the rate of energy efficiency improvements by 2030, we can save the equivalent of all global oil used in road transport today. That’s 40 million barrels of oil per day saved. We have the technology, and it’s the quickest and most cost-effective carbon mitigation option.”
The International Energy Agency (IEA) states that doubling the rate of energy efficiency globally to at least a 4% energy intensity improvement each year up to 2030 is needed to put the world on track to reach net zero.
Renewable energy and energy efficiency go hand-in-hand
To move to an energy system based on renewable energy, everything across society, apart from those most hard-to-abate industries, must be electrified. Most renewable energy sources produce electricity, meaning that there is a crucial need to electrify wherever possible to make it possible to use that green electricity.
In fact, by transitioning from a fossil energy system to a fully electrified one, it’s possible to cut up to 40% of final energy consumption. This means electrification is itself a form of energy efficiency, as most electric technologies have a lower rate of energy loss than a fossil-driven equivalent. An obvious example is electrical vehicles that convert 77% of the electrical energy to the wheels. In comparison, conventional gasoline vehicles convert about 12%-30% of the energy stored in gasoline to power the wheels.
Using energy at the right time can save 40 millions tons of CO2 emissions in the EU & UK
Meanwhile, simply using energy at the right time by utilizing demand-side flexibility technology can save 40 million tons of CO2 emissions each year by 2030 in the EU and UK. Additionally, the EU and UK can achieve an annual societal cost savings of €10.5 billion by 2030 and €15.5 billion by 2050. These savings already account for the majority of implementation cost of demand-side flexibility infrastructure and it can be assumed that a similar logic would prevail in other countries around the world.
“Seeing is believing, and, if climate ministers, energy ministers and finance ministers don’t know that we already have most of the solutions we need to double annual improvements in energy efficiency by 2030, I hereby invite them to visit our sites around the world to see the solutions in action.” says Kim Fausing.
Building a Legacy of Excellence and Shaping the Future of Mumbai’s Western Suburbs : HUM Developers
Since its incorporation in 2004, HUM Developers Private Limited has built a strong reputation in Mumbai’s real estate market, specializing in construction and redevelopment.
Founded by Late Shri Nilesh K. Maniar and Shri Dinesh H. Patil, the company has consistently delivered projects that stand out for their quality and timely completion.
Today, the company is led by Chintan Nilesh Maniar, Managing Director and an MBA in Finance from the UK, with the continued guidance of co-founder Shri Dinesh H. Patil. Their leadership, coupled with the expertise of Shri Sidharth Nilesh Maniar, Chartered Accountant and head of the Finance Department, has allowed HUM Developers to thrive in a highly competitive market.
What started as a traditional construction company, ventured into the field of joint development completing more than 30 residential/commercial projects in the western suburbs and extended suburbs has now focused on redevelopment projects —a vital area in the space-starved city of Mumbai.
Having built its foundation on the core values of trust, transparency, and customer satisfaction, HUM Developers has thrived over two decades in the industry, consistently exceeding expectations in every project it undertakes.
As HUM Developers continues its mission of providing modern, quality housing, several ongoing projects are transforming the landscape of Mumbai’s western suburbs.
These developments, HUM Solaris, Gagansagar and Hum Durga are designed to meet the evolving needs of urban families, combining convenience, comfort, and superior connectivity.
With a team of skilled professionals comprising architects, RCC consultants, project consultants and administrative experts—HUM Developers is currently working on a number of redevelopment projects across the city.
The company’s entry into the redevelopment space five years ago marked a turning point, as it began reshaping existing buildings into modern, high-quality residential complexes.
Among the company’s proudest achievements is the VISHAL-1 project, located in Soniwadi, Borivali West which was completed in 24 months.
This 14 storied building, designed with 3 flats per floor, boasts a grand elevation, a terrace for social gatherings, a children’s play area, and stack parking for 39 cars.
The project not only showcases HUM Developers’ commitment to architectural excellence but also stands as a testament to the company’s ability to deliver projects within the stipulated timeframe.
Ongoing projects by HUM Developers continue to move ahead at a steady pace, with all of them tracking well within their deadlines—a hallmark of their professional and efficient approach.
HUM Solaris – Upper Mahavir Nagar, Kandivali West
A prestigious project very close to Kandivali Metro station offering 1 BHK to 3 BHK apartments with RERA carpet areas ranging from 472 to 944 sq. ft., HUM Solaris has received its full Commencement Certificate (C.C.), and show flats are available for viewing.
This project features Vastu-compliant homes, zero wastage apartments, and spacious balcony options. Residents will enjoy a variety of amenities, including a rooftop activity area, podium parking, and a meditation deck, all while benefiting from excellent connectivity to metro stations, schools, and shopping malls.
Gagansagar – Borivali West
Located near MCF Garden and Devidas Road, Gagansagar is a standout project in Borivali West. It offers 1 BHK, 2 BHK, and 3 BHK apartments with RERA carpet areas ranging from 467 to 1052 sq. ft.
The project features G+2 podium parking and 18 habitable floors, along with key amenities such as a mutipurpose hall, gymnasium, etc on a EcoDeck floor, star-gazing deck, and rooftop activity area. Its location offers super connectivity, with easy access to Eksar Metro Station, schools, and parks, making it a perfect choice for families.
Hum Durga – Dahisar East
Located in Dahisar East, opposite DSF Garden, Hum Durga features 1 BHK and 2 BHK apartments with RERA carpet areas ranging from 370 to 546 sq. ft. With Vastu-compliant layouts, G levels of commercial space, and 14 habitable stories, this project stands out as a premier residential offering in the area.
Amenities include a terrace garden, yoga deck, open gym, and kids’ play area. With Dahisar Station just 4 minutes away and the Dahisar (E) Metro Station within a 5-minute walk, Hum Durga offers unrivaled connectivity for urban commuters
The Future of HUM Developers and the Western Suburbs
The future of HUM Developers looks brighter than ever. With over 20 years of experience and a successful transition into the redevelopment market, the company is well-equipped to continue delivering high-quality projects.
Their focus on customer-centric innovation ensures that they stay ahead in a competitive market while retaining the loyalty of their clients.
As for the future of Mumbai’s western suburbs, areas like Borivali, Kandivali, and Dahisar are witnessing unprecedented growth in terms of infrastructure development, connectivity, and residential projects.
HUM Developers is at the forefront of this transformation, contributing to the modernization of these neighbourhood by providing residents with contemporary housing solutions that meet the evolving needs of urban living.
The western suburbs are rapidly becoming the preferred destination for families seeking modern amenities, improved connectivity, and a balanced lifestyle.
With the upcoming Metro lines and infrastructure improvements in the region, the demand for redevelopment will only rise. HUM Developers is well-positioned to take advantage of this demand, offering projects that blend quality construction with modern living at its core within committed time lines.
In the years to come, HUM Developers is set to play a key role in shaping the skyline of Mumbai’s western suburbs, combining its legacy of trust with an unwavering commitment to delivering exceptional value to its customers.
Courtesy : In Conversation with the ‘Managing Director – Chintan Maniar’ at HUM Developers, Kandivili West, Mumbai, India
ICAI establishes State-of-the-Art Research Hub at CoE Hyderabad to Drive Innovation and Research
The Institute of Chartered Accountants of India (ICAI) established a specialized research center at the Centre of Excellence (CoE) in Hyderabad. This advanced facility is dedicated to actively contributing towards nation-building through in-depth research in critical areas such as taxation, regional and rural economic development, foreign direct investment (FDI), economic growth, income and savings trends, foreign policy, government policies, GST, employment, and environmental sustainability, among others.
To advance its research initiatives, ICAI appointed Dr. Nupur Pavan Bang as the CoE Director-cum-Dean of its Centre of Excellence in Hyderabad. A distinguished academic and researcher, Dr. Bang brings a wealth of expertise in family business, finance, and data analytics. Formerly the Academic Director at ISB’s Thomas Schmidheiny Centre for Family Enterprise, she has also imparted her knowledge through teaching roles at prestigious institutions such as Ashoka University and IIM Ranchi. Dr. Bang has also been recognized among the Top 100 Women in Finance in India (2020). She holds a Post-Doctorate from ISB and a PhD in Finance. With this illustrious background, she is entrusted with driving innovative research and positioning ICAI as a leading global think tank.
The research centre will conduct in-depth studies on critical topics such as the Union and State Budgets, certification practices by chartered accountants, financial literacy and inclusion, the role of chartered accountants in policymaking, and the intersection of good governance with ease of doing business. Insights from these research initiatives will be shared with the Government, reinforcing ICAI’s commitment to being a trusted partner in national progress and development.
Speaking on the occasion, CA. Ranjeet Kumar Agarwal, President of ICAI, remarked, “Nurturing talent with a strong foundation of knowledge and contemporary skill sets is a key focus of the Institute. ICAI aims to advance the accounting profession’s knowledge base with an interdisciplinary approach to address emerging challenges. Through state-of-the-art research, development, and innovation facilities, ICAI aims to produce impactful research that will help in policymaking, strategic decision making, cultivating professional excellence, creating rewarding opportunities for students and professionals globally and supporting the upskilling and reskilling of ICAI members, students, employees, government officials and other stakeholders.”
At present ICAI has 2 Centre of Excellence (CoE’s) at Hyderabad and Jaipur with plans to inaugurate the third Centre of Excellence in Kolkata in January 2025. Further, ICAI plans to open 8 more CoEs across the country in the next 3 years fostering Research, Innovation and Skill-building. Further, the Council has also approved the policy document on the Centre of Excellence (CoE), that aims to foster research, innovation and learning within the accounting profession and position ICAI globally as a thought leader. This policy document outlines the vision, mission, goals, objectives, governing structure, action plan and monitoring benchmark for ICAI – Centre of Excellence. It also encapsulates efforts to facilitate research, teaching and learning, training, dialogue with stakeholders, and other strategic planning to cultivate talent, conduct advanced research, and disseminate knowledge.
This year, ICAI established a Centre of Excellence (CoE) Directorate to emphasize research, continuous learning, and professional development. Acknowledging the profound challenges confronting the accounting profession— arising from globalization, evolving business models, rapid technological advancements and changing societal expectations—ICAI has launched these Centres of Excellence to lead the way in driving innovation and staying ahead of transformative changes in the field.
Dr. P.C. Jain, Convenor Centre of Excellence Directorate and a Government Nominee, along with its member and Secretary, ICAI, underscored the importance of this leadership role in fostering synergy between academic rigor and industry relevance, further solidifying ICAI’s position as a global leader in the accounting profession.
ICAI Unveils Groundbreaking CA GPT Platform Featuring Annual Reports of 5,000 Listed Companies
The Institute of Chartered Accountants of India (ICAI) through its Committee on AI in ICAI launched CA GPT-Industry Forum comprising of annual reports of 5,000 listed companies for the fiscal year 2023-24. This historic development was officially unveiled during a Global Live Webinar held on 24th November 2024, which was attended by over 10,000 Chartered Accountants from across the globe.
This powerful GPT integrates approximately 5,000 listed companies’ annual reports into the ICAI CA GPT platform, enabling Chartered Accountants to access and analyse financial data with unprecedented ease. The reports, covering a wide spectrum of industries, are now seamlessly integrated into over 70 GPTs (Generative Pre-trained Transformers) across various industries, empowering professionals to perform complex financial analysis with a single click.
On this occasion, CA. Ranjeet Kumar Agarwal, President, ICAI highlighted the Institute’s ongoing efforts to leverage cutting-edge technologies like AI, Big data, Machine Learning or other emerging technologies that are essential tools for accounting, auditing, taxation, management consultancy and other services that CAs provide.
He stated “Our CA GPT Initiative has already begun to make a transformative impact. Launch of CA GPT has received widespread acclaim, providing Chartered Accountants with AI-powered tools for accounting, auditing and taxation. This industry-specific GPT, which includes analysis of annual reports from 5,000 listed companies, will be an invaluable resource, providing members with easy access to insights tailored to their industries and professional needs. Additionally, ICAI is also empowering our members with the requisite knowledge and skills to harness the transformative potential of AI in finance and accounting through a certificate course that provides professionals in-depth insights into AI-driven tools, data analytics and automation techniques, equipping them to navigate and lead in the rapidly evolving financial landscape.”
Earlier,ICAI launched CA GPT on July 1st, 2024 and made it available free of cost to all Members. At present CA GPT consists of 19 specialized GPTs that includes 16 specialized GPTs (of various ICAI Committees), CA GPT – UAE VAT and UAE Corporate Tax dedicated towards digitizing tax compliance & planning for members to navigate through UAE’s evolving tax landscape, Constitution of India – providing quick access to Constitutional insights for enhanced legal compliance work and the recently launched Industry Forum – annual reports of 5,000 listed companies. As on date, more than 70,000 Members are actively using CA GPT and have generated over 2.5 Lakh Prompts.
In July 2024, ICAI launched GPT for CA Students also, providing customized tools for Foundation, Intermediate, and Final levels. It includes past papers, study materials and the ICAI syllabus to support students in their preparation. Over 50,000 students are currently using the GPT, generating more than 2.5 Lakh prompts.
Further, to support members and handhold them to learn AI, an exclusive Certificate Course on AI for Members was also launched on July 16, 2024, during the AI Innovation Summit (AIS 2024) in Hyderabad. More than 150 batches with 7500+ Members Registered and 3000+ Members have completed the certificate course. The course has seen proactive participation throughout the nation, with participants coming from more than 20 States and 80 Branches. Foreign ICAI chapters are also showing interest in the AICA Certificate Course.
EnVision 2023, IITM Research Park’s Flagship Energy Conference set to drive tech-led energy transformation in India
Industry, academia, startups and government unite to brainstorm innovation that combats climate change
Climate change and rising greenhouse gas emissions demand global action. Climate technology is pivotal in combatting this challenge and paving the way towards a Net-Zero future. Positioning India as a driving force in this transition towards a cleaner, more sustainable future, IITM Research Park in partnership with the India Energy Storage Alliance(IESA) announced the 2nd edition of ‘EnVision,’ India’s First Energy Festival, on 4th & 5th December 2023.
A first of its kind energy conference, EnVision aims to explore India’s renewable energy challenges and opportunities, assess technology readiness, outline its commercialization roadmap, and more across critical areas including:
- Green buildings
- Solar manufacturing
- Electric mobility
- Energy storage
- Nuclear energy
- Climate finance
- Heating & cooling
- Climate Policy
- Green hydrogen
- Waste to energy
- Motors & controllers
With these key energy themes in focus, delegates will participate in curated keynote sessions, expert talks by over 30+ industry specialists in the energy sector, participate in 4 brainstorming sessions bridging R&D to commercialisation, join 5+ panel discussions, and experience an exhibition featuring 50+ industries, startups and innovators from across India, presenting a comprehensive view of the climate tech solutions essential for the Net-Zero energy transition.
IIT Madras Research Park, as part of its 10X program is pursuing an ambitious vision to drive India in achieving Net-zero and EnVision plays a key role in establishing and initiating a movement towards this larger vision.