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Digital Transformation

ITC Infotech to Merge with Happiest Minds After Acquiring 22.1% Promoter Stake for Rs 1,330 Crore

/ Human Resource Community

ITC Infotech, the wholly owned technology services arm of ITC Limited, is set to merge with Bengaluru-based Happiest Minds Technologies, creating an AI-first enterprise targeting a turnover of USD 1 billion by FY28. As part of the transaction, ITC Infotech will acquire a 22.106 per cent stake in Happiest Minds from its promoter Ashok Soota and Ashok Soota Medical Research LLP for around Rs 1,330 crore, according to regulatory filings. Following the acquisition, Happiest Minds will be amalgamated into ITC Infotech. The combined organisation will have a workforce of more than 19,000 professionals and is expected to offer end-to-end technology solutions across build, intelligence and operations. The merger will also strengthen its presence in high-growth sectors such as hi-tech, healthcare and edtech. The promoter stake acquisition will take place in two phases. ITC Infotech will first purchase an 11 per cent stake at Rs 390 per share, followed by another 11.106 per cent stake at Rs 400 per share. Once the merger takes effect, ITC Infotech is proposed to be listed on both the BSE and the National Stock Exchange. Under the approved share-swap arrangement, shareholders of Happiest Minds will receive 25 fully paid-up equity shares of ITC Infotech with a face value of Rs 10 each for every 81 Happiest Minds shares of Rs 2 each. Following the transaction, ITC Limited will become the promoter of the merged entity with a 73.4 per cent stake. Meanwhile, Happiest Minds’ existing promoters will be reclassified as public shareholders and will collectively hold a 7.6 per cent stake in the combined company. ITC Limited and ITC Infotech Chairman Sanjiv Puri said the merger would bring together the two companies’ complementary strengths, domain expertise and technology capabilities, enabling them to offer advanced solutions across global markets. He also highlighted the shared focus on people and customers between the two organisations. According to the regulatory filings, the merged company will rank as India’s 11th-largest listed IT services company by revenue. The entity will have combined FY26 revenue of Rs 7,033 crore and operations across the US, Europe, the Middle East, Asia-Pacific and India. Happiest Minds posted consolidated revenue of Rs 2,315.11 crore in FY26, while ITC Infotech reported revenue of Rs 4,718 crore during the same period. Separately, the Happiest Minds board has approved a proposal to shift the company’s registered office from Karnataka to West Bengal, subject to approval from shareholders and the relevant regulatory authorities. The proposed merger comes amid increasing consolidation in India’s technology services sector, with companies seeking scale and stronger capabilities in artificial intelligence and digital engineering. Earlier this year, Persistent Systems announced plans to acquire German digital engineering company Nagarro, with the proposed combination targeting a USD 2.9 billion revenue run-rate and a workforce of more than 46,000 employees across over 40 countries. Source: PTI

ITC Infotech to Merge with Happiest Minds After Acquiring 22.1% Promoter Stake for Rs 1,330 Crore Read More »

IIM Kozhikode Introduces 20-Week Executive Programme on Product Innovation with AI and Agentic AI

/ Education Community

Responding to the growing demand for artificial intelligence-driven product development, the Indian Institute of Management (IIM) Kozhikode has launched a 20-week Executive Programme in Product Innovation with AI & Agentic AI. The programme is designed to equip working professionals with the expertise needed to create AI-powered products and drive innovation in an increasingly AI-centric business environment. The curriculum focuses on enabling participants to move beyond the use of conventional AI tools and develop AI-native products. It covers the complete product development lifecycle, including identifying market opportunities, understanding customer needs, rapid prototyping, deployment, optimisation, and scaling AI-enabled solutions. The programme will be delivered by IIM Kozhikode faculty alongside experienced industry professionals working on cutting-edge AI products. Participants will also attend four live masterclasses covering key topics such as AI-native product design, human-AI interaction, agentic AI systems, and emerging trends in AI-led product innovation. As part of the hands-on learning experience, learners will complete five applied mini projects and a capstone project focused on AI opportunity assessment, customer validation, experimentation, prototyping, agentic workflow development, and deployment-ready product creation. The course also offers practical exposure to more than 20 industry-standard AI and product management tools, including ChatGPT, Claude, Figma, Uizard, n8n, Mixpanel, Amplitude, Miro, Notion, Jira, and Google Looker Studio. Participants who successfully complete the programme will receive a certificate from IIM Kozhikode. They can also choose an optional one-day campus immersion, available at an additional cost, to engage in networking opportunities and academic interactions. The executive programme aims to help professionals understand how AI is transforming product strategy, business models, user experience, agile development, data strategy, and autonomous workflows, preparing them to build innovative products for the AI-first era. The launch comes at a time when AI adoption continues to accelerate globally. According to the McKinsey State of AI Report 2025, 88% of organisations have integrated AI into at least one business function, compared to 55% in the previous year. Meanwhile, insights from the Forrester 2026 and Figma AI Report 2025 indicate that 51% of AI product teams are now developing agentic AI solutions, a significant increase from 21% in 2024. Source: Indian Express  

IIM Kozhikode Introduces 20-Week Executive Programme on Product Innovation with AI and Agentic AI Read More »

Snigdha Singh appointed CHRO at Tata Digital, to lead people strategy and talent transformation

/ Human Resource Community

Tata Digital has announced the appointment of Snigdha Singh as its new Chief Human Resources Officer (CHRO), effective July 1, 2026. In her new role, Singh will report directly to Sajith Sivanandan, Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director of Tata Digital. With more than 15 years of experience in human resources, Singh will spearhead the company’s people strategy as it continues to strengthen its digital ecosystem through Tata Neu. She said her priorities include building a high-performance, customer-focused organisation, developing future-ready leadership, fostering an agile and innovation-driven culture, and aligning talent initiatives with Tata Digital’s strategic focus on digital financial services, loyalty programmes, and sustainable growth. Before taking on this role, Singh served as Vice President – HR at Tata Consumer Products, where she led organisation effectiveness, culture, corporate social responsibility (CSR), and employee relations. Over the course of her career, she has also held HR leadership positions at OYO, Cipla, Procter & Gamble, and Tata Motors. Singh earned a Master’s degree in Human Resources Management and Labour Relations from the Tata Institute of Social Sciences (TISS) and a Bachelor’s degree in Mathematics from Lady Shri Ram College for Women. Source: Economic Times

Snigdha Singh appointed CHRO at Tata Digital, to lead people strategy and talent transformation Read More »

EPFO to Credit 8.25% Interest for FY 2025–26 by July 15, Rolls Out New Centralised Digital Platform

/ Governance Community

Employees’ Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO) is set to credit an annual interest rate of 8.25% for the financial year 2025–26 into nearly 34 crore EPF accounts by July 15. Announcing the development, Mansukh Mandaviya said that more than ₹1.44 lakh crore will be transferred to subscribers through the organisation’s newly launched Centralised IT Enabled Services (CITES) platform. The minister also confirmed that EPFO has successfully completed the migration of its member records from a decentralised system to a unified centralised database. This transition will provide members with access to a single online portal where they can check their PF balance, membership details, claim status, pensionable service records, and other benefits through one integrated interface. The new CITES platform introduces automated pre-validation of claims, allowing the system to assess eligibility, identify missing information, and notify members if their withdrawal request exceeds the permissible limit before it reaches an EPFO office. The automation is expected to reduce claim rejections and significantly improve first-time claim approval rates. The CITES initiative is part of EPFO’s broader digital transformation strategy aimed at modernising service delivery through automation and rule-based processing. The platform is expected to enhance operational efficiency while offering faster, more transparent, and citizen-centric services to EPF subscribers. Source: News on AIR

EPFO to Credit 8.25% Interest for FY 2025–26 by July 15, Rolls Out New Centralised Digital Platform Read More »

TCS Expects AI Agents to Match Human Workforce Within Three Years, Says N Chandrasekaran

/ Human Resource Community

Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) is poised to witness a major shift in its workforce structure, with Tata Sons Chairman N. Chandrasekaran predicting that the company will have as many AI agents as human employees within the next three years. Addressing shareholders at TCS’ 31st Annual General Meeting, Chandrasekaran said the company is rapidly expanding the deployment of AI agents across internal operations, customer solutions, and business processes as part of its long-term artificial intelligence strategy. He emphasized that AI is becoming a critical growth engine for the company and is transforming the way enterprises operate. According to Chandrasekaran, TCS has recorded strong momentum in its AI business, with AI-related revenues growing at a compound quarterly rate of over 22 percent during the past four quarters. The company’s annualised AI revenue reached USD 2.5 billion in the final quarter of FY26, reflecting increasing demand for AI-driven solutions. Rejecting concerns that artificial intelligence could threaten the IT services industry, he described AI as one of the most significant opportunities for enterprise technology. He highlighted five major growth areas emerging from AI adoption: modernization of legacy systems, AI-powered redesign of business processes, governance and management of AI agents, sovereign AI initiatives, and the rise of physical AI applications in industrial environments. Chandrasekaran noted that TCS has already launched sovereign AI projects in India and Europe, while also deploying AI-powered robotics solutions for global clients. He added that growing enterprise investments in AI are expected to drive technology spending worldwide over the next two years. Despite rapid technological change, TCS continues to maintain strong business performance. The company reported consolidated revenue of Rs 2.67 lakh crore in FY26, marking a 4.6 percent year-on-year increase, while net profit rose 8.8 percent to Rs 52,820 crore. TCS also secured contracts worth more than USD 40.7 billion during the fiscal year. He concluded that in the evolving AI landscape, trust, context, and deep client relationships will remain the most valuable differentiators for technology companies. Source: ANI

TCS Expects AI Agents to Match Human Workforce Within Three Years, Says N Chandrasekaran Read More »

Eros Innovation Launches Cultural AI Platform Across 34 Languages

/ Human Resource Community

Eros Innovation has officially unveiled its Cultural AI Platform, introducing what it describes as the world’s first artificial intelligence ecosystem built to understand, preserve, and express culture across languages and digital experiences. Initially showcased at the IndiaAI Impact Summit in February 2026, the platform is now live in 34 global languages. At its core are two proprietary technologies—Eros LCVM (Large Cultural Voice Model) and Eros Persona AI—which together form the foundation of a new category the company calls “Cultural AI.” Unlike traditional AI models that primarily focus on language processing and content generation, the Cultural AI Platform is designed to capture cultural context, emotional expression, identity, and performance nuances. Eros says its LCVM technology can generate performances lasting up to five minutes while maintaining voice consistency, accurate lip-syncing, emotional depth, and cultural authenticity across multiple languages. The platform is powered by a rights-cleared dataset comprising more than 11,000 films and over 100,000 characters. It integrates multilingual voice generation, music creation, storytelling, character performance, and persistent digital identities within a unified AI architecture. Accessible through the Eros Universe Super App, the ecosystem enables creators to build, animate, and engage with culturally intelligent digital personas. The platform consists of five interconnected layers: Eros LCM for cultural intelligence and storytelling, Eros LCVM for voice, music, and performance generation, Eros Persona AI for persistent digital identities, Eros Creator for enterprise and creator tools, and Eros Universe as the consumer-facing distribution platform. The company emphasized that all AI-generated Personas are fictional identities and are not intended to replicate or represent real-world actors, performers, or public figures. Commenting on the launch, Ridhima Lulla, Co-Founder and Co-President of Eros Innovation, said the platform is the result of years of research focused on building AI systems capable of understanding culture rather than merely processing language. Founder and Chairman Kishore Lulla described LCVM as a significant step toward advancing India’s sovereign AI vision, calling it the voice layer that enables cultural intelligence to be experienced across 34 languages. The platform was formally launched by S. Krishnan, Secretary, Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY), who highlighted the importance of developing AI technologies that preserve linguistic diversity, cultural heritage, and creative traditions as India strengthens its sovereign AI capabilities. Source: ANI

Eros Innovation Launches Cultural AI Platform Across 34 Languages Read More »

AI Era Sparks ‘Great Flattening’: McKinsey Calls for Leaner, Faster Organizational Structures

/ Human Resource Community

A new leadership perspective emerging from McKinsey & Company suggests that the age of artificial intelligence may fundamentally reshape how organizations are structured—starting with eliminating excess management layers. According to insights highlighted in a report by Business Insider, companies are increasingly exploring how AI-powered systems and agents can streamline operations by reducing hierarchical complexity. The idea is simple: fewer layers, faster decisions. Speaking on The McKinsey Podcast, senior partner Alexis Krivkovich emphasized that AI is equipping leaders with what she described as a “superhuman capacity” to oversee broader responsibilities. This enhanced capability could allow organizations to flatten traditional structures and operate with greater speed and efficiency. Over the past decade, many companies have added one or more layers between top leadership and frontline employees—sometimes up to three. While intended to improve oversight, these additional tiers have often led to slower decision-making and increased operational costs. AI, however, is now being positioned as a solution that can simplify coordination, automate routine functions, and improve real-time decision support across departments like HR, finance, and legal. This structural shift is being widely referred to as the “Great Flattening,” reflecting a move toward more agile, horizontally aligned organizations. Industry leaders are already echoing this sentiment. At IBM, senior executive Mohamed Ali noted that businesses will need entirely new systems to manage AI tools alongside human workers, including frameworks for governance and oversight. Meanwhile, Eno Reyes of Factory highlighted that traditional org charts are likely to evolve into flatter, more collaborative structures as AI becomes deeply embedded in workflows. As AI adoption accelerates, organizations worldwide may soon find that success depends not just on technology—but on how effectively they redesign themselves around it. Source: TOI

AI Era Sparks ‘Great Flattening’: McKinsey Calls for Leaner, Faster Organizational Structures Read More »

India Announces $175 Million Special Economic Package for Seychelles, Strengthens Strategic Partnership

/ Governance Community

India has announced a $175 million Special Economic Package for Seychelles, marking a significant step in deepening bilateral cooperation between the two Indian Ocean neighbours. Prime Minister Narendra Modi made the announcement during a joint press briefing with Seychelles President Dr Patrick Herminie in New Delhi. The economic package will support priority sectors including social housing, e-mobility, vocational training, healthcare, defence cooperation and maritime security. In addition, India and Seychelles signed seven Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) spanning areas such as health, meteorology, electronics and information technology, and good governance. A key agreement focuses on technical and scientific collaboration between the India Meteorological Department and the Seychelles Meteorological Authority, aimed at strengthening weather forecasting and climate resilience. Another MoU enables the training of Seychellois civil servants in India, while a digital transformation pact will allow Seychelles to leverage India’s experience in building efficient and inclusive digital governance systems. Prime Minister Modi expressed that India and Seychelles share a relationship rooted in history, trust and a common vision for the future. He noted that Seychelles holds a vital place in India’s Vision MAHASAGAR (Mutual and Holistic Advancement for Security and Growth Across Regions), particularly as a trusted maritime partner in the Indian Ocean. Emphasising health cooperation, he said India remains a dependable partner through the supply of affordable medicines, medical tourism and the development of healthcare infrastructure. President Herminie said his visit reflects the long-standing friendship and mutual respect between the two countries. He added that both nations share a clear roadmap for cooperation over the next five years, with maritime security and regional stability at the core of their partnership. He also welcomed the MoU on sharing proven digital solutions to accelerate Seychelles’ digital transformation. This is President Herminie’s first official visit to India since assuming office in October last year and coincides with the 50th anniversary of diplomatic ties between the two nations. During his visit, he is also scheduled to meet President Droupadi Murmu and Vice President C. P. Radhakrishnan. Source: Newsonair

India Announces $175 Million Special Economic Package for Seychelles, Strengthens Strategic Partnership Read More »

Wipro Cuts FY26 Fresher Hiring Outlook After Soft Q3 Performance

/ Human Resource Community

Wipro has scaled back its fresher recruitment plans for the ongoing financial year FY26, now expecting to hire 7,500–8,000 graduates, compared to its earlier guidance of 10,000–12,000. The revision follows a subdued performance in the third quarter, during which the IT major onboarded only around 400 freshers. Addressing analysts during the company’s Q3 earnings call, Saurabh Govil, Chief Human Resources Officer at Wipro, said campus hiring remained slow in the quarter, prompting the company to reassess its annual intake target. Despite the moderation, Wipro’s cumulative fresher hiring for the year so far has crossed 5,000. While overall volume hiring has eased, the company is sharpening its focus on AI and deep-tech talent. Wipro has partnered with universities to set up nearly 50 Centres of Excellence, where it co-develops specialised curricula in areas such as artificial intelligence, cybersecurity and data analytics, and recruits students trained through these programmes. The company is also offering premiums for candidates with relevant client-facing experience and investing heavily in upskilling existing employees through certifications. During the October–December quarter, Wipro added 6,529 employees, taking its total workforce to 2,42,021. The headcount increase was largely due to the integration of the Harman DTS acquisition and the rebadging of staff from a major deal signed in the previous fiscal year. On compensation, Wipro said decisions on salary hikes are still under consideration. Financially, the company reported a 7% year-on-year drop in consolidated net profit to ₹3,119 crore in Q3 FY26, impacted by one-time restructuring costs and the implementation of labour codes. Revenue from operations, however, grew 5.5% to ₹23,555.8 crore, up from ₹22,318.8 crore in the same quarter last year. Source: PTI  

Wipro Cuts FY26 Fresher Hiring Outlook After Soft Q3 Performance Read More »

Ambani rolls out draft Reliance AI Manifesto, eyes 10x productivity leap and nationwide impact

/ Human Resource Community

Reliance Industries Chairman Mukesh Ambani has unveiled a draft Reliance AI Manifesto, laying out a sweeping plan to reposition the conglomerate as an AI-native deep-tech enterprise while aiming for a tenfold boost in productivity across its workforce of over six lakh employees. The initiative also targets a 10x impact on India’s economy and society. Describing artificial intelligence as “the most consequential technological development in human history,” Ambani said Reliance intends to spearhead India’s AI journey, much as it played a central role in the country’s digital transformation. The group’s stated mission is to deliver “Affordable AI for every Indian”, embedding AI across businesses while ensuring safety, trust and accountability. According to Ambani, the manifesto is not a slogan but a practical action guide. “At Reliance, we are transforming ourselves into an AI-native deep-tech company with advanced manufacturing capabilities,” he said, adding that the draft manifesto will steer this transformation. Internal transformation through AI Part I of the manifesto focuses on reshaping Reliance’s internal operations. AI is positioned not as a standalone technology initiative but as a fundamentally new way of working. The group plans to reorganise around outcomes and end-to-end workflows, supported by shared digital platforms and robust governance frameworks. AI and agentic automation will be deployed to reduce repetitive tasks, enhance decision-making, and improve speed and quality, while maintaining clear human accountability. Execution will be driven by small, cross-functional teams or “pods” with defined ownership and measurable goals, supported by continuous data, learning, operations and automation systems. Core workflows such as procure-to-pay, order-to-cash, hire-to-retire and plant-to-port will be redesigned to eliminate manual handoffs, close digital gaps and enable real-time visibility. Ambani stressed that AI will augment human capability rather than replace jobs, saying the focus is on raising standards and unlocking collective potential. A common 12-layer Digital Functional Core (DFC) will standardise data, integration, security and controls across Reliance businesses, while allowing individual units autonomy over their platforms. Governance, audit trails and human-in-the-loop mechanisms will be embedded to balance speed with safety, compliance and trust. Driving India’s AI-led growth Part II extends the vision beyond Reliance, positioning the group as a catalyst for India’s broader AI transformation. Ambani said that just as AI can deliver a 10x improvement in efficiency and outcomes within Reliance, it can also generate a similar multiplier effect for the country through the group’s businesses and philanthropic efforts. Employees have been invited to submit ideas on AI applications across Reliance’s diverse portfolio—from Jio’s 500-million-plus subscribers and the country’s largest retail network to energy, materials, life sciences, financial services, media and philanthropy. Ambani also pointed to opportunities in indigenous AI hardware, robotics and cross-sector innovation to boost efficiency, sustainability and technological self-reliance. Ideas can be submitted between January 10 and 26, after which the manifesto is expected to evolve into a shared organisational commitment. “Let us begin—together,” Ambani said, calling on employees to help build “a New Reliance and a New India.” Source: PTI

Ambani rolls out draft Reliance AI Manifesto, eyes 10x productivity leap and nationwide impact Read More »