Every once in a while, the food world hands us an idea so simple it feels like a secret we should have known all along. The latest? California walnut cream. A lusciously smooth, plant-based cream made from nothing but California walnuts and water. No preservatives, no stabilizers, no ten-syllable ingredients. Just two things you already have, whizzed together in a blender for three to five minutes depending on the power of your blender.
 

That’s the entire recipe. and yet what comes out of that blender might be the most versatile thing in your kitchen this year.

The Magic Is in the Ratio: California walnut cream’s genius lies in one simple measure: the walnut-to-water ratio. Change it, and the same two ingredients transform into three completely different kitchen heroes.

Thin (30% walnuts, 70% water by weight): A silky, pourable cream that stands in beautifully for heavy cream or barista-style cream — think béchamel, creamy soups, pancake batters, or a dreamy foam swirled over your latte or iced coffee.

Medium (45% walnuts, 55% water by weight): The all-rounder. Use it where you’d reach for whipped cream, sour cream or mayonnaise — salad dressings, creamy curries and soups, scones, tart fillings, smoothies, even homemade ice creams.

Thick (50% walnuts, 50% water by weight): Rich, spoonable indulgence. A natural stand-in for cream cheese, Greek yogurt, or hummus — hello cheesecakes, dips, cake frostings, parfaits, and gelato.

California walnut Cream – Thin, Medium, Thick (Left to right)

Follow these steps for the perfect consistency for thin, medium and thick versions.
 

• Start the blender on low, then quickly increase the speed to the highest speed.

• Blend for 3–5 minutes, scraping the sides as needed.

• Stop and check the walnut cream—it is ready when completely smooth and between 60–70°C.

One important rule from renowned American chef, food writer, culinary researcher, and chef-in-residence at California walnuts, Robert Danhi, who perfected the technique: the thickness is adjusted only by adding more or less water, never by adding milk, plant milks, or any other thickener. Once blended to your desired consistency, chill it well before using. That’s when the texture truly comes alive.

Why Everyone’s Talking About It: California walnut cream taps into everything modern cooks and home chefs are looking for. It’s completely plant-based, endlessly customizable, and made from whole food- nothing processed, nothing artificial. It brings the natural richness of California walnuts, along with their plant-based omega-3 (ALA), to everyday cooking in a form that’s creamy, mellow, and remarkably neutral, which means it pairs well with both sweet and savory, desi and global.

For anyone cooking for mixed tables, vegan guests, dairy-free family members, or simply the health-curious, it’s the rare swap that doesn’t feel like a compromise.

Five Ways to Fall in Love with It This Week:

• Monday latte upgrade: Froth thin walnut cream over your morning coffee for a nutty, barista-worthy start.

• Midweek makhani moment: Stir medium walnut cream into your curries and gravies for restaurant-style richness, no heavy cream needed.

• Salad that actually excites you: Whisk medium walnut cream with lemon, garlic, and herbs for an instant creamy dressing.

• Chai-time surprise: Spread thick walnut cream on toast with a drizzle of honey and crushed California walnuts.

• Weekend showstopper: Use thick walnut cream in a no-bake cheesecake, rabri or parfait, and watch nobody guess the secret ingredient.

The Bottom Line: California walnut cream isn’t just another recipe; it’s a whole new way to cook with California walnuts. It asks almost nothing of you: one blender, two ingredients, three minutes. And in return, it hands you a base for a hundred dishes across your week, from your morning coffee to your dinner-party dessert.

Grab a jar of California walnuts, hit blend, and discover your new kitchen essential. 
 

For more recipes and inspiration, visit californiawalnuts.in

UniSteps Consulting, a leading project management and consultancy company serving engineering-intensive construction projects, has launched BcStep, a Business Operating Network (BON) designed to solve the problem of fragmentation of information, communication and workflows in the construction industry. Adding further distinction to the launch, UniSteps has partnered with acclaimed Bollywood actor Rajeev Khandelwal as the Brand Ambassador of BcSteps and will represent BcStep’s vision of creating a more connected and collaborative construction ecosystem.

BcStep is a single-platform solution that enables seamless coordination & tracking for stakeholders in the construction sector

Construction projects typically involve multiple stakeholders, including Developers, Architects, Consultants, Project Management Consultants (PMCs), Contractors, Suppliers and large internal teams. BcStep is built as a digital ecosystem for the construction industry, that brings together all organisations, employees, support staff & vendors, to track and coordinate chats, emails, tasks, workflows and Digital ERP processes on a single unified network. BcStep combines ERP, HRM, Chat, Email and Task Manager into one connected ecosystem, to enable better communication & management while also tracking & recording it on one connected platform. This eliminates the fragmentation across multiple different software and ensures project coordination and continuity across stakeholders.

BcStep has a strong business proposition to improve efficiency in the areas of:

• Time spent searching across emails, chats and different systems

• Manual follow-ups and status tracking

• Administrative effort in coordinating meetings, tasks and communication

• Dependence on individuals to retain project history and knowledge

• Activity-wise & Category-wise task status tracking within the offices

• Overall project progress tracked for the stakeholders  

BcStep represents approximately five years of continuous product development, encompassing technology changes, product testing, architecture development and the creation and integration of its individual applications. BcStep is launching with a pan-India market focus, enabling construction organizations across India to participate in the BON ecosystem. The platform is being developed as an evolving construction operating ecosystem and has a strong roadmap focusing on further expansion of features and updates focusing on areas such as Site Management, Invoice Management, Contract Management and Material Management, along with expanding AI capabilities through the Mr. Bon AI Assistant.

“Building BcStep has been a long-term commitment for us, as we create the architecture for India’s construction sector to move past fragmented systems, and into one unified environment where stakeholders can work together,” said Kailash Anwala, Managing Director at UniSteps. “Over approximately five years, we have continuously developed, tested and refined the platform, while drawing on UniSteps’ more than two decades of experience in the construction industry across Project Management, Structural Consultancy, and MEP Consultancy. The result has been a powerful platform that translates real-world project coordination requirements into a digital format platform that is practical, connected and scalable. Over the next three years, our focus will be on building BcStep, establishing a strong base of paying organisations and developing it into a scalable recurring-revenue technology platform for the construction ecosystem.”

Over the next three years, UniSteps Consulting aims to establish BcStep as a significant technology platform for the construction industry, supported by a growing base of paying organisations and a scalable recurring-revenue model.
 

About UniSteps
UniSteps Consulting Pvt. Ltd. is a full-service, multidisciplinary construction consultancy specialising in Project Management, Structural Design and MEP Design for engineering-intensive construction projects. Founded in 2003, the company brings extensive experience across residential, commercial, corporate, hospitality, retail and other complex building projects. UniSteps provides integrated design and project management services, supporting projects from requirements and planning through construction and handover. Having completed more than 600 projects and with over 500 projects currently under design or management, UniSteps combines engineering expertise, project experience and practical construction knowledge to deliver coordinated solutions for complex building projects across India.

UniSteps Consulting Pvt. Ltd. is headquartered in Mumbai, with offices in Mumbai, Nashik and Patna.

This festive season, give a beloved Indian favourite a fresh and flavourful makeover with South African Pears Puran Poli. Bringing together the comforting richness of traditional Puran Poli with the naturally sweet, juicy goodness of South African Pears, this festive creation offers a delightful new take on a cherished classic.
 

South African Pears Puran Poli – Malvika Hada Kumar
 

At the heart of the recipe is a luscious puran filling made with chana dal and jaggery, elevated with the delicate sweetness and fruity notes of South African Pears. Aromatic spices such as cardamom, ginger, nutmeg and fennel add warmth and depth, creating a beautifully balanced filling that is both familiar and refreshingly contemporary. Enveloped in soft whole wheat dough and finished with a generous touch of ghee, each Puran Poli delivers the comforting flavours of tradition with an unexpected fruity surprise. The addition of South African Pears not only adds natural sweetness and texture but also brings a fresh, contemporary dimension to this festive indulgence.

Whether served as part of a festive spread, prepared for Navratri celebrations, or enjoyed as a special homemade treat when family and friends gather, South African Pears Puran Poli is a delicious celebration of familiar flavours, seasonal festivities and culinary creativity. It’s a simple yet inspired way to bring a fresh twist to tradition and make South African Pears a memorable part of the festive table.
 

South African Pears Puran Poli – Malvika Hada Kumar

Ingredients –

For the Puran Filling:

1 cup chana dal

2 South African Pears, grated

1/4 cup jaggery

1 tsp ghee

1/2 tsp elaichi (cardamom) powder

1/2 tsp ginger powder

A pinch of nutmeg powder

1/2 tsp ground fennel

1/4 tsp turmeric powder

For the Dough:

2 cups whole wheat flour

1/4 cup maida

1/4 tsp turmeric powder

1/4 tsp salt

2 tbsp ghee

Water, as required
 

For Serving:

Extra ghee, as required
 

Preparation –

• Rinse and soak the chana dal in water for 3-4 hours.

• Pressure cook the soaked chana dal with water and 1/4 tsp turmeric powder for 4-5 whistles.

• Discard the excess water, then blend the cooked chana dal until smooth. Strain the mixture to achieve a smooth puran filling.

• In a pan, heat 1 tsp ghee and add the grated South African pears.

• Cook the pears until all the moisture has evaporated.

• Add 1/4 cup jaggery and cook until the jaggery melts completely.

• Add the prepared chana dal mixture along with elaichi powder, ginger powder, nutmeg powder, and ground fennel.

• Mix well and cook until the filling comes together and reaches a thick, smooth consistency. Allow it to cool.

• For the dough, combine whole wheat flour, maida, turmeric powder, and salt in a bowl.

• Add 2 tbsp ghee and mix well. Gradually add water and knead into a soft dough.

• Divide the dough and prepared filling into equal portions.

• Stuff the filling into the dough, seal, and gently roll out into puran polis.

• Cook the puran polis on a hot tawa until golden spots appear on both sides and they are cooked through.

• Serve warm with an extra dollop of ghee.

About South African Apples & Pears

South Africa’s diverse landscapes and favourable growing conditions provide the perfect environment for producing some of the world’s finest-quality fruit. A unique combination of a Mediterranean climate, fertile soils, varied terrain and more than a century of fruit-growing expertise has helped establish the country as a renowned fruit-producing region. South African Apples are predominantly grown in the Elgin Valley in the Western Cape, where growers cultivate a wide variety of green and red apples, while South African Pears have carved a strong presence in the Indian market, appreciated for their naturally sweet flavour, juicy texture and refreshing taste. With a strong emphasis on quality, expertise and sustainable growing practices, South African fruit continues to bring the distinctive taste and goodness of its orchards to consumers in India.

REAN Care Foundation (India), a Section 8 not-for-profit company working to make wellbeing accessible through technology, today announced a strategic investment of Rs. 15,00,000 (Rupees Fifteen Lakh only) in Epilepto Systems Private Limited, a Bengaluru-based technology company. The investment is for 1% of Epilepto Systems’ paid-up equity share capital and is directed at accelerating the development of DhyanApp, the company’s platform for meditation, pranayama, yoga, mantra and spiritual practice.

REAN Care Foundation (India) invests in Epilepto Systems to support DhyanApp’s development

DhyanApp is built around traditional Indian contemplative systems, presenting dhyana, pranayama, mantra and yoga as connected disciplines with their own structure, lineage and progression. The platform brings practice resources and a community of seekers together in one place, with the aim of making thoughtful, structured access more available to people across locations and languages.

Artificial intelligence is integral to the platform’s approach. DhyanApp uses AI to personalise yoga, Ayurveda and spiritual guidance according to a practitioner’s level, constitution and stage of practice. It also applies optical character recognition and AI audio processing to digitise traditional Indian scriptures at scale and make this material available in 15 languages. The intent is to widen access to source material while retaining the context and progression central to the traditions it represents.

For REAN Care Foundation (India), the investment aligns with its charitable objects. Structured access to contemplative practice can be uneven, often concentrated in particular institutions, cities and languages. By supporting a platform available on a phone and in a practitioner’s own language, the Foundation seeks to extend the same principle it applies across its work: putting useful tools directly in people’s hands.

Focus areas for the collaboration

• Personalised yoga, Ayurveda and spiritual guidance through the platform’s AI capabilities

• Continued digitisation of traditional Indian scriptures using OCR and AI audio processing

• Translation and availability of the growing corpus across 15 languages

• Expansion of the practice library and pathways for community programmes and practitioner groups

The Foundation’s Board recorded that the investment is expected to promote and facilitate the activities of the investee company and thereby advance the Foundation’s charitable and not-for-profit objectives. As a Section 8 company, no returns from the investment will be distributed as profit; any proceeds will be redeployed towards the Foundation’s charitable objects.

Leadership comments, “Wellbeing is something a person builds daily over years. Access to good instruction for the inner life remains thin outside a few cities and institutions. DhyanApp puts that instruction on a phone, in the practitioner’s own language. That reflects the principle we apply to everything we support: useful tools in people’s hands, wherever they live.”

Praveen Vasireddy, Director, REAN Care Foundation (India), “These practices were never meant to be received in the same form by everyone. A teacher watches the student and offers what that student is ready for. Our work is to make that individual attention more accessible while remaining faithful to the source material. Bringing scriptures into more languages is intended to return them to a wider community of readers.”

Rutuparna Sahani, Chief Marketing Officer, DhyanApp

About REAN Care Foundation India
REAN Care Foundation (India) is a Section 8 not-for-profit company registered in Hyderabad, Telangana. It works to improve quality of life by supporting accessible, technology-led platforms that enable people to take charge of their own health and wellbeing. Learn more at reanfoundation.org.

About Epilepto Systems Private Limited
Epilepto Systems Private Limited is a Bengaluru-based technology company building AI-led products. It develops DhyanApp, a platform for meditation, yoga, pranayama, mantra and spiritual knowledge grounded in traditional Indian systems. To experience the app, visit dhyanap.onelink.me/quzA/9x8xtq49.

Ai+ Smartphone has launched the Nova 2 Power 5G, the latest in the Nova 2 Series, merging cutting-edge design with reliable performance and long-lasting power for a tech-savvy generation.

Ai+ Nova 2 Power 5G brings fashion and tech together with bold design, powerful performance and long-lasting power, available from 24 Sept at Rs.15,999*

In a unique twist on traditional smartphone launches, the Nova 2 Power debuted on the runway in New Delhi, showcasing a seamless blend of fashion and technology. The phone was integrated into contemporary runway looks, emphasising its role as a stylish accessory.

Built on the mantra “Design to Inspire. Power to Outlast,” the Nova 2 Power centres design in the smartphone experience while delivering the performance and endurance that consumers demand.

Where Technology Meets Fashion

As smartphones increasingly reflect personal identity, the Nova 2 Power transcends mere functionality. Its runway presentation highlights Ai+ Smartphone’s vision of placing the device at the nexus of design, aspiration, and technology. Key features include a striking dual-tone back panel, available in Colour Fusion finishes: Blue Gold Fusion and Blue Fusion, alongside Ocean Green, Deep Purple, and Midnight Black. Each colour adeptly shifts under light, adding a distinctive flair.

For the runway, the Nova 2 Power was styled with athleisure pieces by Just Billi by Rashmi Chhabra, showcasing the phone as an integral part of the ensemble.

Madhav Sheth, CEO of NxtQuantum Shift Technologies (Ai+ Smartphone), stated, “Today, technology is personal. A smartphone isn’t just functional; it’s a means of self-expression. With the Nova 2 Power, design matches performance. Its eye-catching Colour Fusion design demands attention, while the internal power supports daily life. Launching it on the runway was a fitting choice for a device at the intersection of tech, design, and personal expression.”

Design to Inspire. Power to Outlast

The Nova 2 Power doesn’t just look good; it’s engineered for endurance. A robust chipset ensures smooth multitasking, while the large 7000mAh battery and 33W fast charging keep up with demanding use throughout the day. A fluid, high-refresh-rate display and capable camera system support everything from work to gaming and content creation.

Nova 2 Power: Key Specifications

• 6.75-inch HD+ Punch-Hole IPS display, 120Hz refresh rate

• MediaTek Dimensity 7100 processor (6nm)

• Memory options: 6GB+128GB and 8GB+128GB, expandable via microSD

• 48MP AI primary camera, 8MP ultra-wide, 13MP front camera

• 7000mAh battery with 33W fast charging

• IP65 rating, dual 5G SIM, Wi-Fi 6, and Bluetooth 5.4

• Available colors: Golden Blue Fusion, Blue Fusion

Pricing and Availability

The Ai+ Nova 2 Power 5G will be available in 6GB+128GB and 8GB+128GB variants, starting at INR 15999* (Including Bank Offer).

The smartphone’s first sale will go live on Flipkart on Thursday, September 24, 2026, at 12 am.

From the runway to everyday life, Nova 2 Power represents the next evolution of the Nova Series, bringing together expressive design and dependable performance in a smartphone made to feel more personal.

Design to Inspire. Power to Outlast.

About Ai+ and NxtQuantum Shift Technologies

NxtQuantum Shift Technologies is a deep-tech Indian company building secure, sovereign digital platforms for a digital-first world. Founded by Madhav Sheth, the company develops NxtQuantum OS, India’s first sovereign operating system, and is committed to building technology that is designed, engineered and developed in India while remaining globally competitive.

About Ai+ Smartphone

Ai+ Smartphone is a next-generation brand built in India, delivering reliable and high-performance mobile experiences. Powered by NxtQuantum OS, India’s first sovereign mobile operating system. The brand focuses on delivering a clean design, ensuring long battery life, and maintaining trusted software performance, all while keeping prices accessible without compromising the user experience.

From redefining smartphones to pioneering AIoT products as part of the company’s Connected Ecosystem, Ai+ Smartphone is creating a new standard for trust, immersive experience, and accessibility. Rooted in a privacy-first architecture and a commitment to equitable access, Ai+ Smartphone stands for more than specs — it stands for India’s next era of user-owned, future-ready technology.

India’s climate places extra demands on electric vehicles. Here’s how the LFP battery technology inside VinFast vehicles is designed to deliver safe, reliable, and long-lasting performance in demanding conditions.

The LFP battery technology inside VinFast vehicles is designed to deliver safe, reliable, and long-lasting performance in demanding conditions

When buying a petrol car, most people compare engine size, fuel economy, and power. 

With an electric vehicle, the battery deserves just as much attention. It is the heart of the car, influencing everything from safety and charging speed to long-term durability and everyday driving confidence.

For Indian drivers, that’s especially important. High temperatures, long commutes, and growing highway travel all place additional demands on an EV battery.

The VinFast VF 6 and VF 7 are powered by liquid-cooled Lithium Iron Phosphate (LFP) battery packs, a technology that has become increasingly popular across the EV industry.

Here’s why.

LFP Is One of the Most Thermally Stable EV Battery Chemistries
Not all lithium-ion batteries are the same. Many electric vehicles use Nickel Manganese Cobalt (NMC) batteries, while the VinFast VF 6 and VF 7 use Lithium Iron Phosphate (LFP). Their biggest difference lies in thermal stability.

Multiple peer-reviewed studies have found that LFP batteries remain chemically stable at higher temperatures than many nickel-based lithium-ion batteries and have a significantly higher threshold before thermal runaway can occur. In simple terms, LFP chemistry is inherently more resistant to overheating under abusive conditions. This characteristic has made it one of the industry’s preferred battery chemistries for safety-focused EV applications.

Of course, no battery is completely immune to failure. Safe operation still depends on careful engineering, thermal management, and electronic controls. But starting with a thermally-stable chemistry provides an important foundation.

Liquid Cooling Adds Another Layer of Protection
Beside the battery chemistry, managing heat effectively is just as important, especially in warm climates.

The VinFast VF 6 and VF 7 use liquid-cooled battery packs. Unlike passive air cooling, liquid cooling transfers heat more efficiently by circulating coolant through the battery system.

Across the automotive industry, liquid cooling has become the preferred solution for modern passenger EVs because it provides more uniform temperature control than air-cooled systems during both driving and charging.

For drivers, that means the battery is better equipped to maintain consistent performance across a wide range of operating conditions.

LFP Batteries Are Known for Their Long Service Life
A battery is expected to last for many years, making longevity an important consideration for any EV buyer. One of LFP’s biggest strengths is its durability.

Research has consistently shown that LFP batteries can withstand several thousand charge and discharge cycles under appropriate operating conditions, generally outperforming many nickel-based lithium-ion chemistries in cycle life. Although actual battery life depends on factors such as climate, driving style, and charging habits, LFP’s long cycle life is one reason it has become increasingly common in passenger EVs worldwide.

For owners, that means greater confidence that the battery can continue delivering dependable performance throughout years of everyday driving.

Fast Charging Helps You Spend More Time Driving
Both the VinFast VF 6 and VF 7 support DC fast charging, allowing the battery to recharge from 10% to 70% in less than 30 minutes under suitable conditions.

Whether you’re travelling between cities or simply topping up during a busy day, shorter charging stops make electric driving easier to fit into everyday life.

Charging time naturally varies depending on charger capacity, battery condition, ambient temperature, and other operating factors, but fast charging remains one of the key advantages of modern EV ownership.

A Long Battery Warranty Offers Added Peace of Mind
For many first-time EV buyers, battery replacement is one of the biggest concerns.

VinFast addresses that concern with a comprehensive ownership package.

In India, VinFast’s battery is covered by a warranty of up to 10 years or 200,000 km, whichever comes first. The VF 6 comes with a 7-year or 160,000-km vehicle warranty, while the VF 7 is covered for 10 years or 200,000 km. Owners of both models also receive complimentary maintenance for three years or 36,000 km, along with free charging at participating V-Green charging stations until March 31, 2029, under the current programme.

Together, these benefits help reduce ownership uncertainty while lowering the overall cost of switching to electric.

The Bottom Line
Battery capacity may be the specification that gets the most attention, but it tells only part of the story. The chemistry inside the battery, how it is cooled, how efficiently it manages energy, and the confidence provided by long-term warranty coverage all play an important role in everyday ownership.

By combining LFP battery chemistry with liquid cooling, fast charging, regenerative braking, and comprehensive warranty support, the VinFast VF 6 and VF 7 are built around technologies that have become well established across today’s EV industry.

About VinFast
VinFast (NASDAQ: VFS), a subsidiary of Vingroup JSC, one of Vietnam’s largest conglomerates, is a pure-play electric vehicle (“EV”) manufacturer with the mission of making EVs accessible to everyone. VinFast’s product lineup today includes a wide range of electric SUVs, e-scooters, and e-buses.

VinFast is currently embarking on its next growth phase through rapid expansion of its distribution and dealership network globally and increasing its manufacturing capacities with a focus on key markets across North America, Europe, the Middle East and Asia.

Learn more at: www.vinfastauto.in.

Ansell, a global leader in safety, inaugurated its new manufacturing facility in Kovai today, reinforcing the company’s ongoing capital investment in its long-term strategic objectives. The facility is already producing for the local market, with additional capacity coming online in the months ahead to support Ansell’s key strategic markets. 
 

A significant boost for India’s medical manufacturing ecosystem

“Ansell has built its reputation in surgical over decades, and Kovai is an investment in the long-term strength of that business. As the site ramps up, it extends our manufacturing footprint for surgical gloves and deepens our commitment to the markets where we hold the strongest positions and the closest customer relationships, including the United States, Germany, France and the United Kingdom,” said Jennifer Ross-Murphy, Chief Medical Business Officer, Ansell.
 

Sustainability was a core consideration in the facility’s design, with renewable energy generation and a water recycling system that reclaims a significant share of water used in operations, reflecting Ansell’s ongoing commitment to responsible, environmentally conscious manufacturing across its global sites.
 

The new manufacturing site in India supports Ansell’s broader mission of protecting healthcare workers and patients by expanding access to high-quality surgical gloves, reinforcing the company’s commitment to reliability and safety across the healthcare environments it serves.

About Ansell
Ansell (ASX: ANN) is a global leader in safety solutions and an integrated manufacturer of personal protection equipment for healthcare and industrial workplaces. Each day, over 10 million workers in more than 100 countries trust their safety to Ansell brands such as HyFlex, Ringers, MICROFLEX, TouchNTuff, GAMMEX, Kimtech, KleenGuard, and AlphaTec. Driven by a vision to lead the world to a safer future, the company continuously pursues new product and service innovations that predict, prevent, and protect against workplace risk while promoting sustainable sourcing and manufacturing.
 

Information on Ansell and its products can be found at www.ansell.com. #AnsellProtects

For many years, gold has held important value as a store of wealth among Indian families. But with changing times, the mindset of people has changed. Due to which the, gold which was lying in lockers and cupboards has started being used to raise money.

Gold loans are rising rapidly in India as people unlock the value of their gold to fund education, healthcare, business and other financial needs

Gold loans are seeing rapid growth in India as there has been an increase in borrowers pledging jewellery to meet the funding requirements instead of selling it. The recent data reflects that this trend has accelerated in 2026.

Credit against jewellery by NBFCs, including housing finance companies, has increased to 68.5% year-on-year in July 2026 as compared to 43.9% in the previous year. Bank credit against gold jewellery also increased by 88.1% year-on-year.

At the end of July, outstanding gold-backed credit was around Rs. 3.54 lakh crore for NBFCs and Rs. 5.52 lakh crore for banks. Gold loans were also amongst the fastest-growing retail loan categories for NBFCs during the month.

Rising Gold Prices have Increased Borrowing Capacity
One of the major reasons behind the surge is the high increase in gold prices. Domestic gold prices were very high in 2026 compared to the previous year. During Q2 2026, India’s domestic gold price rose by 59% compared to the previous year, despite price easing from its earlier peaks. This played an important role in increasing the demand for gold loans.

The amount you can borrow against gold jewellery depends partly on the gold value and applicable loan-to-value (LTV) limit. With a rise in gold prices, you can get a loan of a higher amount with the same quantity of gold.

People Don’t have to Sell their Gold
Indian families are deeply connected to their gold jewellery due to its financial and emotional value.

By selling gold, you can get cash on an instant basis, but the asset is gone forever. A gold loan, however, works very differently. A borrower has to pledge the jewellery as collateral to get a loan. After the loan is repaid, the collateral is released and given back to the borrower.

This can make gold loans quite attractive when people need funds for short-term needs like medical emergencies, education, business needs, or any other large expenditures.

The trend is particularly notable as gold recycling has reduced despite being 60% higher YoY. Gold holders no longer want to sell their gold for cash and have increasingly opted for collateralised borrowing to monetise their holdings instead.

Gold Loans Are Secured
Another important reason for the growth in gold loans is their secured nature. A gold loan is backed by physical gold pledged with the lender. This is quite different from a personal loan where there is no asset involved.

Collateral gives extra security to lenders against probable repayment concerns. It also helps borrowers to get credit by using an asset they already own.

This is quite helpful for those individuals who don’t have a strong credit history or for those who find unsecured borrowing quite expensive.

Banks are Increasing their Presence
Gold lending was previously an important business for specialised NBFCs. But over time, things have changed, and now even banks are increasingly participating in this segment.

The recent data shows that bank lending against gold jewellery has increased very fast, with outstanding credit reaching approximately Rs. 5.52 lakh crore by July 2026.  Earlier, at the end of May 2026, the outstanding gold loans stood at around Rs. 5.1 lakh crore for banks, which reflected 105% YOY growth.

Unsecured Lending is Being Watched Closely
The rise in gold loans should also be viewed against the broader changes that are occurring in India’s retail credit market. The RBI has brought certain measures in recent years for strengthening risk management around unsecured consumer credit. As lenders start focusing on risks associated with unsecured borrowing, secured products can become an important part of their lending strategy.

This never means that people are not taking online loans or other unsecured credit. But the rise in gold loans shows that both lenders and borrowers are increasingly using existing assets to access funds.

RBI Has Standardised Gold Loan Rules
The rapid expansion in gold-backed lending has also been accompanied by a stronger regulatory framework. The RBI’s Lending Against Gold and Silver Collateral Directions, 2025 introduced standardised requirements that cover areas such as valuation, assaying, LTV limits and the release of pledged collateral.

For consumption loans, the framework permits maximum LTV ratios of:

• 85% for loans up to Rs. 2.5 lakh, up from the long-standing 75% cap.

• 80% for loans above Rs. 2.5 lakh and up to Rs. 5 lakh

• 75% for loans above Rs. 5 lakh

These requirements are intended to create greater consistency and transparency in gold-backed lending. For smaller borrowers and households in semi-urban and rural India, this is a direct lift in credit accessibility.

The Bigger Picture
The rapid rise in gold loans reflects the changing role of gold in Indian households. Gold is now not just considered an asset which is purchased, stored, and passed on to generations. It is also used as collateral to get access to formal credit.

With NBFC gold-backed lending rising 68.5% YOY in July 2026 and bank lending against gold jewellery also expanding rapidly, the importance of gold loans has increased in India’s retail credit market.

The underlying idea is simple: Instead of selling gold when cash is required, households can now use it as collateral to unlock liquidity while retaining the possibility of getting the jewellery back after repayment.

Boldpurity, a clinical skincare brand founded by cosmetic scientist Khatija Shabana, has been named one of five global finalists in the Best Use of Technology (Brands) category at the 2026 BeautyMatter Awards. Boldpurity is the first Indian skincare brand to reach the finalist list in this category, standing alongside four established international technology-led brands.
 

Khatija Shabana, M.Pharm, Certified Cosmetic Scientist and Co-founder of Boldpurity
 

The recognition comes less than two years after the company set up its own research and manufacturing facility in Hyderabad, choosing to engineer its formulations from the molecular level rather than source ready-made bases from contract manufacturers.
 

“Most skincare brands buy a formula and build a story around it. We did the opposite. We built a laboratory, then spent 18 months solving delivery problems that the industry had accepted as unsolvable at cosmetic scale. Being judged against global technology leaders and placed in the top five tells us that work holds up anywhere in the world,” said Khatija Shabana, M.Pharm, Certified Cosmetic Scientist and Co-founder of Boldpurity.
 

The Science Behind the Recognition

Two proprietary delivery systems formed the basis of Boldpurity’s submission. Both were conceived, developed, stability-tested and manufactured entirely in-house, and both are the subject of patent filings in India.
 

Nano-scale PDRN with dual-encapsulation — SkinReset™ PDRN Serum

Salmon-derived PDRN is conventionally used at kilodalton molecular scale, which limits how it can be formulated and delivered in a topical product. Boldpurity reduced PDRN to nanoparticle dimensions and built a two-layer encapsulation system around it: one layer designed for immediate release on application, the second engineered to release gradually over eight hours. The result is a single serum that delivers PDRN in two distinct phases, a capability standard single-release PDRN formulations do not offer. Developing the carrier chemistry and completing stability work took more than 12 months.
 

Precision micron spicules with bioactive coating — CellMorph™ 500 Spicule Serum

Spicule-based products typically rely on particles around 400 micrometres in size. Boldpurity engineered its spicules down to 0.9 microns, a roughly 444-fold reduction, while preserving structural integrity, and then applied a proprietary coating of apple stem cell bioactives to each particle. Pairing precision sizing with a bioactive surface creates a delivery mechanism that unites physical texture support with skin-conditioning actives. Bringing this level of micron-scale precision from pharmaceutical-style development into a cosmetic product required 18 months of process engineering.
 

Why It Matters for Indian Beauty

India is one of the fastest-growing skincare markets in the world, yet the formulation technology behind most domestic brands is still imported or licensed. Boldpurity’s finalist placement is an early signal that original, patent-pending delivery science can be built in India and evaluated on equal terms with the global industry’s most technically advanced brands.
 

“This is not a regional or emerging-market award. The category is judged on formulation innovation, delivery engineering and validation, with the same yardstick applied to every entrant. That is exactly the standard we wanted to be measured against,” added Syed Fouzan, Co-founder of Boldpurity.
 

About the BeautyMatter Awards

The BeautyMatter Awards recognise excellence across the global beauty industry, with finalists selected by an independent panel on merit. The Best Use of Technology (Brands) category honours brands whose proprietary formulation, delivery or manufacturing technology represents a genuine technical advance. The full list of 2026 finalists is available at awards.beautymatter.com/finalists-2026. Winners will be announced on December 7, 2026, in New York City.
 

About Boldpurity

Boldpurity® is a clinical skincare brand headquartered in Hyderabad, India. Co-founded by Khatija Shabana (M.Pharm, Certified Cosmetic Scientist) and Syed Fouzan, the company formulates, manufactures and clinically tests every product in its own facility rather than relying on third-party or white-label formulations. Its flagship technologies, SkinReset™ PDRN Serum and CellMorph™ 500 Spicule Serum, are both patent-pending.
 

Learn more at boldpurity.com.