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[Update] Jio Financial Gets RBI Nod To Change From NBFC To Core Investment Company


SUMMARY

In November 2023, Jio Financial Services applied to the RBI to convert itself into a core investment company from a non-banking financial company

According to RBI guidelines, CICs are companies predominantly investing in their group entities through equity, preference shares, convertibles, or loans

JFS saw its consolidated profit after tax (PAT) double sequentially to INR 668.2 Cr in Q2 FY24, while its operating revenue increased over 61% quarter-on-quarter to INR 608 Cr

Update | July 12, 12:37 PM

Months after Inc42 reported that Jio Financial Services (JFS) applied to the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) to convert itself into a core investment company (CIC) from a non-banking financial company (NBFC), following a regulatory mandate, the company has now officially secured approval from the central bank, it said in an exchange filing.


Original Story| November 22 , 12:54 PM

Jio Financial Services (JFS), which was recently carved out from Reliance Industries Ltd (RIL), has applied to the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) to convert itself into a core investment company (CIC) from a non-banking financial company (NBFC) following a regulatory mandate.

JFS, demerged from RIL in July, was listed on the stock exchanges in August this year. The deep-pocket fintech entity has emerged as one of the major competitors to the fintech startups across segments, including payments, insurance and asset management.

In a Tuesday (November 21) exchange filing, the company reported submitting an application for a shift from NBFC to CIC to modify its shareholding pattern and control post the demerger from Reliance Industries, following RBI regulations. 

According to RBI guidelines, CICs are companies predominantly investing in their group entities through equity, preference shares, convertibles, or loans. These entities serve as passive holding companies solely for maintaining control over their group companies without engaging in other financial activities.

Jio Financial Services has denied reports of raising money through bond issuance, refuting a Reuters claim that suggested a potential fundraising of up to INR 10,000 Cr.

The company clarified that it complies with disclosure obligations under SEBI (Listing Obligations and Disclosure Requirements) Regulations, 2015, and agreements with stock exchanges.

Earlier this year, JFS collaborated with BlackRock, the world’s largest asset management company, to enter India’s mutual fund market.

Recently, JFS announced that the RBI had approved the appointments of Isha Ambani, Anshuman Thakur, and Hitesh Kumar Sethia as directors of the company. 

The company recently launched a soundbox, along with a range of other offerings – from personal and merchant lending to insurance and retail payments. 

JFS competes with the likes of Paytm, PhonePe, BharatPe, PB Fintech, InsuranceDekho, CRED, Zerodha and Groww in the fintech space.

The company saw its consolidated profit after tax (PAT) double sequentially to INR 668.2 Cr in Q2 FY24, while its operating revenue increased over 61% quarter-on-quarter to INR 608 Cr.

Inc42’s analysis forecasts the domestic fintech market to reach a market size of $2.1 Tn by 2030, with a projected 18% CAGR from 2022. Within this, lending tech is anticipated to dominate, constituting the majority at $1.3 Tn. 

JFS aims to decode the fintech business with a direct-to-consumer (D2C) approach, emphasising cost efficiencies and facilitating personalised customer interactions.





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by Vivek Kumar

A renewed sense of pride in homegrown brands is shaping the way consumers in cities and towns make purchasing decisions. Over half of respondents say they prefer shopping from homegrown and small business brands, citing accessibility, relatable stories, and authentic value as key reasons for their loyalty. Rukam Capital, a venture capital firm backing early-stage consumer brands, unveils this in a comprehensive study mapping the evolving behavior, preferences, and purchase drivers of Indian shoppers. India’s consumer economy is poised to become the second largest by 2030. Rukam Capital’s report- “Aspirations of New India- How Consumers Select, Shop, and Shape Brand Connections’”  aims to showcase the evolving trends in the market that in turn helps brands, startups, and investors to adapt to the evolving mindset of Indian consumers. The research captures the spirit of an India that is young, aspirational, and global in outlook yet deeply conscious of sustainability, authenticity, and community.  It further highlights that consumers have begun expressing clear willingness to pay a premium for local brands that excel in quality and champion social causes, further underscoring the appeal of startups driving community  upliftment. Commenting on the insights, Archana Jahagirdar, Founder and Managing Partner, Rukam Capital, said, “The Indian consumers are no longer passive participants in shaping trends, the market is evolving and is being pillared through affordability, aspirations and a digital sophistication. India is telling us that it is not just about what a brand sells, but how it makes them feel connected, understood, and valued. This shift is forcing even the most traditional categories to reinvent themselves beyond just seasonal triggers, whether that’s through healthier alternatives, transparent communication, or community-driven engagement. For founders, it’s a reminder that building loyalty in India now goes far beyond discounts; it’s about creating meaning in everyday consumption.” Key takeaways from the report-‘Aspirations of New India: How Consumers Select, Shop, and Shape Brand Connections’: From local to loved – homegrown brands are winning hearts of Indian consumers  Digital, dynamic and dialect are driving media habits of Indian consumers  Celebrity or influencers – who is catalyzing brand discovery and purchase decisions  Purchase drivers and deterrents for the value conscious Indian consumers  Indian consumers embrace heritage and health during festivities  Category & Channel Differentiation Discovery, Engagement & Gaming Social media responsiveness wins loyalty – 67% prefer brands that actively engage online. A new influence is also taking center stage – in-game advertisement. That was once pure entertainment has now become a powerful driver of shopping behavior The report also highlights the categories driving growth today.  Health and wellness, kitchen appliances, food and beverages, fashion accessories, and pet care are emerging as strong segments. Across categories, ease of availability, word of mouth, and strong customer service continue to be the top purchase drivers. The survey was conducted in collaboration with YouGov, with over 5000 respondents residing in 18 states to map the evolving consumer landscape of the country, representing both urban and semi-urban population.

by INC42

In today’s hyperconnected consumer landscape, FMCG brands are no longer just competing for shelf space; they are competing for attention, trust, and relevance in a vibrant digital ecosystem. The exciting shift we are witnessing is that consumers, especially digital-first millennials and Gen Z, are becoming more discerning. This marks a powerful opportunity for brands as authenticity emerged as the most valuable currency in FMCG marketing. One thing I’ve found as a cofounder is that the small moments often become the biggest touchpoints of… Source link

by Vivek Kumar

Honeywell (Nasdaq: HON) today released its Global Retailer Technology Survey, which found that India’s major retailers are fully invested in artificial intelligence (AI) and its potential to make operations more efficient. Almost all (96%) in-country retailers said they are using AI, with plans to either expand in the near future or maintain current usage of the technology, as compared to 85% globally.  The survey also highlights how Indian retailers are using AI, from smarter inventory and demand forecasting to enhanced customer service and optimized last-mile delivery. “Retailers are looking to AI to better understand what their customers want and how to best meet their needs in a constantly changing market,” said Ritwij Kulkarni, General Manager, Industrial Automation, Honeywell India. “In a country as large and diverse as India, AI has tremendous potential to create hyper-personalized customer experiences and optimize the flow of retail goods throughout the supply chain so they reach shoppers in the most efficient way.”  Other advanced technologies are making a significant impact on the retail landscape in India, with a majority of retailers already invested in machine and camera vision (CV) technologies (68%) and optical character recognition (OCR) (64%). While less common overall, augmented reality (AR) is also gaining traction, in use by 39% of surveyed Indian retailers.  OCR can significantly speed up retail workflows when replenishing the shelf inventory or identifying mislabeled prices by quickly reading labels and other product information. CV can help mitigate the growing challenge with retail shrinkage, while AR can help shoppers or employees visualize a product in a space.  While the results showed overall continued momentum for AI, Indian retailers expressed some concerns about its adoption.  Honeywell’s Global Retailer Technology Survey focused on large retailers throughout the U.S., Europe, Latin America, India and the Middle East and how they are using advanced technologies throughout their operations, including AI, automation, augmented reality, machine vision and sensors. Indian retailers participating in the survey had a minimum annual revenue of $10 million USD. Methodology Honeywell commissioned Wakefield Research to conduct the Global Honeywell Retailer Technology Survey in May 2025. This Omnibus survey polled 450 executives at large retailers about their use of AI and other technologies via an email invitation and online survey. The following markets are represented in survey data: the United States, United Kingdom, Germany, Brazil, India, United Arab Emirates and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. The threshold of “large” retailer varied by country, ranging from a minimum annual revenue of $100 million in the U.S. to minimum annual revenue of $5 million in the UAE and KSA.