India’s competition regulator, the Competition Commission of India (CCI), has intensified its probe into potential cartel activity involving prominent cement manufacturers. UltraTech Cement, its subsidiary India Cements, Dalmia Bharat Cement, and Shree Digvijay Cement have been directed to furnish extensive financial documentation—including audited statements and income tax records—spanning up to nine fiscal years.

Life Insurance Corporation of India (LIC) has unveiled two innovative offerings—Nav Jeevan Shree and Nav Jeevan Shree Single Premium—designed to address evolving financial needs across life stages. These products combine life insurance with wealth accumulation, enabling policyholders to build a corpus through regular or lump sum premiums. In an environment marked by fluctuating interest rates, LIC emphasizes guaranteed additions throughout the policy tenure, reinforcing its commitment to financial security and stability.

In a strategic move to promote gender inclusion and empowerment within the financial services sector, Aadhar Housing Finance Ltd has inaugurated its first all-women-operated branch in Indore. This initiative marks a significant milestone for the company, which currently manages nearly 600 branches across India. The Indore branch, managed entirely by a nine-member female team, sets the tone for a broader expansion, with 12 more such branches planned in the current financial year.

Microsoft’s recent decision to cease operations in Pakistan has sparked concern among industry leaders and policymakers, highlighting deeper structural and economic issues within the country’s technology ecosystem. Jawwad Rehman, former Microsoft Pakistan head, urged government intervention through a bold, KPI-driven engagement strategy with global tech firms to reverse the trend. Meanwhile, former President Arif Alvi lamented the lost opportunity as Microsoft chose Vietnam for expansion amid Pakistan’s unstable business environment.

Pharmaceutical giant Lupin Ltd has announced the launch of its Ipratropium Bromide nasal spray in the U.S. market, offering two strengths—0.03% and 0.06%—to treat runny nose symptoms linked to allergic and nonallergic rhinitis as well as the common cold. The formulations are bioequivalent to Boehringer Ingelheim’s Atrovent nasal spray, which reported annual sales of approximately USD 63 million as of May 2025.

Godrej Consumer Products Ltd (GCPL) projects its standalone India business margins to remain below the normative range in the June quarter, driven primarily by commodity cost pressures and price-volume adjustments. Despite this, the company anticipates healthy high-single-digit value growth supported by strong volume expansion. The home care segment is poised to deliver double-digit value and volume growth, while personal care faces headwinds due to softness in soaps.

Campus Activewear Ltd, a prominent sports and athleisure footwear brand, has officially entered the Sri Lankan market via a collaboration with Hameedia Group’s menswear brand, Signature. This alliance will enable Campus to distribute its footwear across Signature showrooms, H-Sports outlets, and online platforms, broadening consumer access in Sri Lanka. The partnership aims to replicate Campus’s robust growth in India by tapping into Sri Lanka’s expanding demand for trendy and affordable lifestyle products.

Reliance Retail Ventures Ltd (RRVL) has acquired a minority stake in UK-based FACEGYM, marking its entry into the high-growth facial fitness and skincare segment. The partnership aims to introduce FACEGYM’s innovative non-invasive facial workouts combined with advanced skincare formulations to Indian consumers. Leveraging Reliance’s omnichannel beauty platform, Tira, the company plans to establish standalone studios and curated spaces across major cities over the next five years.

India’s delegation, led by chief negotiator Rajesh Agrawal, has returned from Washington following a critical round of negotiations on an interim trade agreement with the United States. While progress has been made, unresolved issues remain in sensitive sectors such as agriculture and automobiles. With the suspension of the US’s 26 percent reciprocal tariffs on Indian goods set to expire on July 9, both countries are striving to finalize the pact before this deadline.

Dabur’s consolidated revenue is projected to grow modestly in low-single digits in the June quarter, impacted by subdued beverage sales due to unseasonal rainfall and a shortened summer season. Despite this, the company’s home and personal care (HPC) division, driven by oral, home, and skincare products, is expected to deliver robust growth, with flagship brands gaining market share. Dabur’s international business is also poised for double-digit constant currency growth.