HDFC Life, one of India’s leading life insurers in collaboration with NSRCEL, IIM Bangalore (NSRCEL, the startup hub at Indian Institute of Management, Bangalore), in association with Z47 (formerly known as Matrix Partners India) as Demo Day partners, hosted ‘Demo Day’ for Futurance Phase 7. 
 

Sameer Yogishwar, Chief Operating Officer, HDFC Life
 

Futurance is the flagship open innovation initiative by HDFC Life, in its seventh phase now, aimed at collaborating with high-potential startups to solve real-world business challenges in the insurance ecosystem. It is an ongoing corporate engagement program that brings together startups, ecosystem enablers, and internal teams to co-create next-generation solutions. The initiative focuses on identifying innovative startups, evaluating their capabilities, and enabling meaningful collaborations through pilot opportunities and long-term partnerships.
 

Speaking on the initiative, Sameer Yogishwar, Chief Operating Officer, HDFC Life, said, “Innovation has always been a key growth driver at HDFC Life and we are continuously looking at staying ahead of the curve. Futurance is one such initiative to engage with the startup eco-system and collaborate towards introducing and adopting new tech designed for the insurance sector. The latest edition was AI focused and I’m excited about the outcomes as they will enable HDFC Life deliver enhanced operational efficiency and elevate customer experience.”
 

The seventh edition of Futurance focused on key technology-led use cases, including:

• Auto Code Generator

• AI-enabled Audio/Video Creation

• Site Reliability Engineering (SRE)

It saw strong participation starting with around 280 applications, then 48 startups being shortlisted, to finally five startups, making it to Futurance Demo Day. They were:
 

1. Cyberultron Consulting Private Limited

2. Divum.AI 

3. Nife Labs

4. TalentBerry (Skynetic Ventures LLP)

5. Telosa Services Pvt Ltd

They presented to the HDFC Life jury including both senior leadership and business stakeholders. After a detailed pitch and query resolution session, Telosa Services Pvt. Ltd. and Divum.AI have have been shortlisted to move ahead and share a POC with the Company, soon.
 

Commenting on the collaboration, Anish Patil, Principal, Z47, said, “AI is opening up extraordinary possibilities in insurance – from faster claims processing to hyper-personalised products and smarter underwriting, which can dramatically improve efficiency and customer experience. Indian insurers are moving decisively to build the modern, modular backends that can fully harness this potential. Our work with HDFC Life reflects a shared excitement: the companies that invest in this technology backbone today will define the future of Indian insurance. It’s a massive value creation opportunity and we at Z47 look forward to being a part of it.”
 

Adding to this, Anand Sri Ganesh, CEO, NSRCEL, IIM Bangalore, said, “Our collaboration with HDFC Life through Futurance Phase 7 reflects a shared commitment to bringing innovative startup solutions into large enterprises. At NSRCEL, IIM Bangalore, we have worked closely with the HDFC Life team to identify promising technology startups that can address real business use cases across the insurance value chain. The Demo Day marks an important milestone in this journey, where selected startups will showcase solutions with the potential to drive meaningful transformation for the industry.”

Two students from Galgotias University have secured an investment of INR 3 crore for their Artificial Intelligence and cybersecurity startup, Cybergenix Security Pvt Ltd, adding to the growing momentum around student-led technology ventures emerging from the university ecosystem.

Divyansh Kumar Mishra and Prakhar Kumar Singh of Galgotias University secure INR 3 crore investment commitment for CyberGenix, their AI and cybersecurity startup

The startup has been founded by Divyansh Kumar Mishra from the Class of 2026, currently pursuing a Diploma in Computer Science Engineering, and Prakhar Kumar Singh from the Class of 2029, currently pursuing B.Tech Computer Science Engineering with specialisation in Cyber Security and Digital Forensics.

The investment follows the successful completion of the startup’s due diligence process, with the Share Subscription Agreement currently under execution.

Speaking about the vision behind Cybergenix, Divyansh Kumar Mishra said, “Working across Artificial Intelligence, cybersecurity, automation, and intelligent digital systems, Cybergenix is developing a context-driven AI ecosystem designed to address limitations increasingly visible across current AI infrastructure. While AI adoption has accelerated rapidly, many existing systems continue to operate as fragmented tools with limited contextual understanding, weak personalization, and inadequate integration between intelligence, automation, and security systems.”

Highlighting the technology architecture being developed at Cybergenix, Prakhar Kumar Singh said, “We are building an integrated architecture combining large language models, self-learning engines, automation frameworks, cybersecurity systems, and digital twin technology to create adaptive and behaviour-aware AI infrastructure capable of understanding workflows, user intent, and operational environments in real time.”

Among the technologies under development is a system-level AI assistant capable of interacting with applications, files, workflows, and operating environments through contextual intelligence and voice interaction. The startup is also developing digital twin systems capable of creating intelligent virtual representations of users for workflow execution, meetings, task management, and decision support. Additional capabilities include self-learning behavioural adaptation, emotion-aware interaction, cross-platform automation, voice and vision interfaces, and cybersecurity-first deployment infrastructure.

The startup has also received support through IIT Ropar’s iHub AWaDH, IIT Ropar under North Sprint Edition at Galgotias Ideathon 2025 and has been recognised through platforms including Smart India Hackathon, Eureka and multiple technology and innovation communities.

Commenting on the investment, angel investor Mr. Adil Jamal said, “A lot of young founders today are building applications on top of existing AI systems. What interested us here was that Divyansh and Prakhar were thinking much deeper about infrastructure, behaviour, automation, security, and how these systems interact in real environments. They are attempting something technically demanding and they have shown unusual persistence and clarity for founders at this stage.”

Dr. Dhruv Galgotia, CEO of Galgotias University, said, “Student-led ventures are beginning to emerge from a much larger innovation and technology ecosystem taking shape across the university. Student teams from Galgotias University have recently been selected to represent India at the Global EDVentures Startup Competition in Hong Kong, students from the university have developed live applications on Apple iOS, and several students have gained recognition through global technology and innovation platforms. The ability of students at such an early stage to attract a funding commitment of this scale also points to the growing seriousness with which young founders are approaching technology, innovation, and entrepreneurship.

Students today are getting exposure to startup building, product development, Artificial Intelligence, app ecosystems, and interdisciplinary collaboration much earlier. Access to advanced infrastructure such as the NVIDIA DGX H200 high performance computing ecosystem is also enabling students to work on AI systems and computational problems that require serious computing capability. Over time, these environments begin creating the confidence to attempt ambitious ideas and build beyond classroom assignments.”

The founders say their long-term vision is to build an integrated AI ecosystem combining Artificial Intelligence, cybersecurity, automation, and digital identity into a single intelligent platform capable of delivering highly personalised and autonomous interaction systems.

Across the Galgotias University campus, students are increasingly building products, experimenting with emerging technologies, engaging with investors, and developing deployable systems alongside their academic programmes. Startups like Cybergenix reflect how the university’s innovation, incubation, and high-performance technology ecosystem is beginning to translate into real ventures, products, and funding outcomes.

There are occasions in international commerce and diplomacy when one senses, with unusual certainty, that the matter at hand is not merely transactional, but civilisational in character. Such an occasion unfolded recently at an exclusive investors’ roundtable hosted by Invest Cyprus in the presence of His Excellency Nikos Christodoulides, the 8th President of the Republic of Cyprus, where statesmen, technologists, entrepreneurs, and investors gathered in pursuit of a common proposition: the shaping of a new bridge between Indian innovation and European opportunity.

Nikos Christodoulides, President of Cyprus, with delegation members Evgenios Evgeniou, Dr. Nicodemos Damianou, Demetris Skourides joined by Avinash Mudaliar, CEO HT Labs

Representing HT Labs, the innovation and technology arm of HT Media Group, Avinash Mudaliar, Co-Founder and CEO, participated in discussions that traversed artificial intelligence, digital infrastructure, startup ecosystems, media-tech, intellectual property frameworks, and the strategic evolution of Cyprus into a gateway for ambitious Indian enterprises entering Europe.

His Excellency President Christodoulides, who has rapidly emerged as one of Europe’s more reform-minded and globally outward-looking leaders since assuming office in 2023, has sought to reposition Cyprus beyond the narrow confines of geography and into the broader theatre of technology, innovation, and strategic diplomacy. A former diplomat, Foreign Minister, Government Spokesperson, and scholar of political science, the President brought to the proceedings both measured intellect and unmistakable strategic intent.

The engagement reflected the increasingly vigorous India–Cyprus Strategic Partnership, which is now extending well beyond diplomacy into investment, entrepreneurship, AI, digital transformation, media-tech, and innovation-led economic collaboration.

The proceedings commenced under the stewardship of Chairman Evgenios Evgeniou, Chairman of Invest Cyprus, whose opening remarks set the tone for what would become less a ceremonial conference and more a pragmatic tête-à-tête between ecosystems.

With considerable elegance and strategic acuity, Evgeniou introduced His Excellency and commenced the discussion through references to India’s great entrepreneurial and technological narratives. By invoking Indian success stories — the rise of technology-led enterprises, startup dynamism, digital public infrastructure, and innovation at scale — he immediately established intellectual common ground between Cyprus and India.

The effect was unmistakable. The conversation moved swiftly beyond diplomatic pleasantries into substantive discussions around AI-led growth, startup acceleration, digital infrastructure, cross-border innovation, and the role of agile economies in shaping the next phase of global technological transformation.

Evgenios Evgeniou, Chairman of Invest Cyprus, remarked, “During the investors’ roundtable, leading Indian companies and entrepreneurs had the opportunity to hear directly from His Excellency President Nikos Christodoulides about the prospects Cyprus offers as a springboard for growth into the European Union, a regional business hub for the wider Middle East, and an emerging investment destination across sectors ranging from technology and financial services to education, logistics, pharmaceuticals, and advanced innovation ecosystems.

We are extremely encouraged by the response and the depth of interest demonstrated by several major Indian enterprises. A number of companies expressed serious intent towards exploring investments and long-term strategic partnerships in Cyprus. We will now undertake systematic follow-up with participating organisations and entrepreneurs to facilitate deeper engagement, provide the necessary support frameworks, and explore tangible co-building opportunities in the near future.”

Particular attention was paid to Cyprus’s emergence as a business-friendly and innovation-oriented European base for Indian enterprises seeking expansion into EU markets.

Dr. Nicodemos Damianou, Deputy Minister of Research, Innovation and Digital Policy, articulated Cyprus’s long-term vision with notable precision. He outlined a future-facing policy architecture centred around innovation sandboxes, AI enablement, startup acceleration, regulatory agility, and experimentation environments designed to allow companies to iterate rapidly while remaining connected to European frameworks and institutions.

Demetris Skourides, Chief Scientist of the Republic of Cyprus, who has been actively engaging with the Indian technology and startup ecosystem since 2024, reiterated Cyprus’s ambition to emerge as a regional innovation hub and a strategic gateway into Europe for Indian enterprises. He highlighted the country’s globally competitive IP Box regime, which offers an effective tax rate as low as 3% on qualifying intellectual property income, alongside a 120% deduction on eligible R&D expenditure.

Indian companies already operating from Cyprus reinforced the country’s growing reputation as an intelligent European operating base for AI firms, SaaS enterprises, startups, digital platforms, and media-tech organisations seeking global scale.

HT Labs, widely recognised for its strengths across product engineering, artificial intelligence, consumer technology ecosystems, digital platforms, recommendation systems, content intelligence, and large-scale media-tech innovation, shared perspectives on the future of AI-led infrastructure and scalable technology systems.

Mudaliar’s participation drew particular interest owing to his long-standing experience across product, media, technology, and consumer internet businesses. Over the years, he has been associated with building and scaling several digital ecosystems and innovation-led products across media, entertainment, content discovery, and platform businesses. His experience in navigating the intersection of technology, AI, user behaviour, and digital transformation positioned him as one of the principal voices from the Indian delegation during the strategic discussions.

HT Labs also expressed strong interest in leveraging Cyprus’s sandbox environments and innovation-friendly regulatory frameworks to test and scale its emerging Technology-as-a-Service (TaaS) and Slurrp businesses. Discussions explored the possibility of co-building opportunities across AI-led media systems, digital infrastructure, recommendation engines, content intelligence frameworks, and next-generation consumer engagement platforms, using Cyprus as an agile experimentation and European deployment base.

Speaking during the engagement, Avinash Mudaliar observed, “Cyprus is fast emerging as a strategic innovation bridge connecting India to Europe. What distinguishes the country is its ability to combine European market access with agile policymaking, startup-friendly thinking, and a deeply collaborative innovation ecosystem. The passion, consistency, and commitment exhibited by Cyprus towards building future-facing technology infrastructure is extraordinary. For Indian businesses seeking global scale in AI, media-tech, and digital infrastructure, Cyprus presents a compelling opportunity.”

Demetris Skourides remarked, “Cyprus is building a future-ready innovation ecosystem designed for global collaboration across AI, digital transformation, and emerging technologies. With strong incentives including the 3% IP Box regime, 120% R&D deductions, startup and digital nomad visa programmes, and a focus on entrepreneurial agility and international co-creation, we aim to become a trusted gateway for companies seeking long-term growth in Europe. The arrival of global innovation ecosystems such as Plug and Play and semiconductor design firm Tenstorrent, combined with the technology sector contributing nearly 16% to Cyprus’s GDP, is a strong signal of international investor confidence in Cyprus’s innovation economy.”

Special mention must also be made of Stavros Stavrou, President of the Cyprus-India Business Association, whose stewardship of the wider engagement ecosystem ensured that discussions retained both strategic seriousness and uncommon warmth. His efforts in strengthening India–Cyprus commercial and innovation relationships were visible throughout the proceedings, particularly in fostering an environment where governments, investors, startups, and technology leaders could engage with unusual candour and intellectual openness.

Following the formal roundtable discussions, both Stavros Stavrou and Demetris Skourides spent additional time in detailed post-session conversations around long-term India–Cyprus collaboration opportunities, AI ecosystems, innovation sandboxes, and the future of technology-led partnerships between Indian enterprises and Cyprus. These interactions moved beyond protocol and reflected a genuine intent towards sustained engagement, co-building possibilities, and strategic technology partnerships.

Their acknowledgement and appreciation of HT Labs’ participation reflected the seriousness with which the Cyprus ecosystem is approaching long-term collaboration with Indian innovation leaders.

By the conclusion of the roundtable, one truth had become abundantly clear: Cyprus no longer seeks merely to participate in the European innovation conversation. It seeks to shape it.

And for Indian enterprises standing at the threshold of global expansion, Cyprus is making an increasingly persuasive case that the road into Europe may well pass through Nicosia.

Reinforcing its commitment to preventive healthcare and building immunity beyond childhood, Fortis Hospital Mulund today announced the launch of its dedicated Adult Vaccination Clinic. The clinic, led by Dr Kirti Sabnis, Consultant – Infectious Diseases Specialist, Fortis Hospital Mulund, was inaugurated by Padma Shri Dr. Himmatrao Bawaskar, along with Dr S. Narayani, Business Head-Fortis Hospitals Maharashtra & Dr Vishal Beri, Facility Director-Fortis Hospital Mulund, in the presence of senior clinicians, hospital leadership and support staff, underscoring the importance of adult immunization in strengthening public health outcomes.

Adult Vaccination Clinic inaugurated at Fortis Hospital Mulund by (L-R) Dr S Amey, chief guest Padma Shri Dr Himmatrao Bawaskar, Dr K Sabnis, Dr V Beri, Dr S Narayani and Dr S Gore

The clinic addresses the growing yet often overlooked need for adult immunization, offering comprehensive vaccination counselling, risk assessment, and immunization services — all under one roof. It seeks to build awareness about the critical role vaccines play in protecting adults from diseases such as Influenza, Pneumonia, Hepatitis B, Shingles, Tetanus, HPV, and other infections that can significantly impact adult health and quality of life.

While vaccination is commonly associated with childhood immunization, adults too remain vulnerable to several infectious diseases due to waning immunity, ageing, chronic illnesses, occupational exposure, travel requirements, and compromised immune systems. The clinic will offer personalized vaccination recommendations based on an individual’s age, health status, lifestyle, travel plans, and medical history.

Speaking at the launch, Dr. Kirti Sabnis, Consultant – Infectious Disease Specialist, Fortis Hospital Mulund, said, “Strikingly, in India, 95% of deaths related to vaccine-preventable diseases occur in adults! Adult vaccination remains one of the most underutilized preventive healthcare measures in India. Many adults are unaware that protection from certain diseases declines over time and that vaccination continues to be important throughout life. Our Adult Vaccination Clinic has been designed as a one-stop destination where individuals can receive expert guidance on recommended vaccines and get vaccinated conveniently in the same visit. Through this initiative, we hope to improve awareness, increase vaccine uptake, and support healthier ageing.”

The clinic will also cater to individuals with special healthcare needs, including patients undergoing organ transplantation, bone marrow transplantation, cancer treatment, or those living with chronic medical conditions that may require tailored immunization schedules.

Dr. Vishal Beri, Facility Director, Fortis Hospital Mulund, said, “At Fortis Hospital Mulund, we believe that the future of healthcare lies not just in treating medical concerns, but in preventing them. The launch of the Adult Vaccination Clinic is an important step towards strengthening preventive healthcare in our community and empowering individuals to take proactive measures to protect their health. As life expectancy increases and chronic diseases become more prevalent, adult immunization assumes greater significance in reducing disease burden, preventing complications, and promoting healthy ageing. Through this initiative, we aim to make evidence-based vaccination services more accessible while fostering greater awareness about the role of immunization across every stage of life.”

Commenting on the importance of adult immunization, Padma Shri Dr. Himmatrao Bawaskar who joined in as the chief guest, said “Preventive healthcare is the cornerstone of a healthier society. Adult vaccination is a powerful yet often overlooked intervention that can prevent serious illnesses, reduce hospitalizations, and improve quality of life. Initiatives such as dedicated vaccination clinics play a crucial role in creating awareness and making preventive care more accessible to the community.”

Dr. S. Narayani, Business Head – Fortis Hospitals Maharashtra, said, “In India, while childhood vaccination has significantly improved public health outcomes, awareness around adult vaccination continues to remain limited. Through the launch of the Adult Vaccination Clinic at Fortis Hospital Mulund, we aim to bridge this gap by making expert guidance and access to vaccines more convenient. As healthcare rapidly shifts towards prevention, initiatives like these play a critical role in reducing the burden of infectious diseases, preventing complications that arise from gaps in adult immunity, and ensuring that people live not just longer, but healthier, more protected lives.”

The Adult Vaccination Clinic will function from Monday to Saturday between 12:00 PM and 5:00 PM at Block A, OPD Area, Fortis Hospital Mulund, and will offer walk-in consultations, counselling, and vaccination services.

As India continues to focus on preventive healthcare and disease prevention, the launch of the Adult Vaccination Clinic marks an important step toward improving adult immunization coverage and strengthening community health outcomes.

About IHH Healthcare
IHH is a leading multinational healthcare provider shaping the future of care. Driven by our aspiration to Care. For Good., we unite medical excellence and innovation, pushing boundaries through our trusted brands such as Acibadem, Gleneagles, Fortis, Island, Mount Elizabeth, Pantai, Parkway and Prince Court. Across 10 countries, including Malaysia, Singapore, Türkiye, India and Greater China, our 70,000-strong team delivers world-class excellence every day, within and beyond our 140 healthcare facilities, including more than 80 hospitals. Our comprehensive services span the full healthcare continuum, from primary and ambulatory to quaternary care, complemented by diagnostics, imaging, rehabilitation, telehealth and home care. In partnership with our stakeholders, IHH is advancing value-based care, building a sustainable healthcare ecosystem and creating meaningful impact, as we work towards our vision to become the world’s most trusted healthcare services network. www.ihhhealthcare.com.

Kauvery Hospital Tirunelveli recently conducted a Basic Life Support and Automated External Defibrillator (AED) awareness and training program for the staff of Southern Railways at Tirunelveli Railway Station. Organised with the support of the railway station administration, the program attracted more than 100 railway staff members and members of the public.
 

Basic Life Support and Automated External Defibrillator (AED) awareness and training program
 

Kauvery Hospital had donated AED devices to Southern Railway in the past to strengthen emergency response preparedness at the railway station.
 

The training program will equip the railway staff to effectively use AEDs to provide immediate assistance during critical medical situations.
 

The program was led by Senior Doctor, Emergency Medicine, who provided practical training and demonstrations on the usage of AED machines and Basic Life Support techniques during emergency situations.
 

The session focused on creating awareness about immediate lifesaving measures that can be performed before advanced medical care arrives.
 

Dr. Lakshmanan, Medical Administrator of Kauvery Hospital, Tirunelveli, spoke about the importance of emergency preparedness and timely response in public places such as railway stations.
 

Railway Chief Medical Officer Dr. Raja Gobalan, along with the Railway Station Master and Railway Station Manager, attended the event and extended their full support in organising the program and ensuring the active participation of the railway staff members.

Truecaller, the leading global communications platform, today announced the appointment of Sandeep Bhushan to its Board of Directors, bringing in a seasoned leader with deep expertise in technology businesses, monetisation, and consumer trust at scale.

Truecaller Appoints Meta & Samsung Veteran Mr. Sandeep Bhushan to its Board

Bhushan brings in over 25 years of experience across consumer, digital, and media businesses. He most recently served as India Director of Global Marketing Solutions at Meta, where he built and led a multi-billion-dollar business, helping catalyse broader digital economic participation in the company’s largest and most complex market.

His career spans leadership roles at Samsung, where he led marketing and operator partnerships for its smartphone business, and at WSJ-Mint, where he was a founding member and COO, helping build one of India’s most influential business media platforms. Prior to this, he started his career at Unilever and held leadership roles for over a decade. This unique combination gives him a rare perspective across advertisers, platforms, and media ecosystems.

Truecaller is actively pivoting its advertising strategy from a reliance on traditional programmatic display ads toward a diversified, high-intent B2B SaaS model and premium, rich-media formats. This pivot is designed to reduce dependence on third-party ad partners and instead maximize revenue through direct business relationships.

Bhushan’s expertise in navigating complex consumer and media markets, designing monetisation strategies and balancing growth with long-term user trust is expected to play a key role in shaping the company’s next phase of expansion.

Truecaller has seen strong growth in recent years, with over 500 million active users globally and a rapidly expanding advertising and enterprise verification business, particularly in high-growth markets such as India, Middle East and LATAM.

Commenting on his appointment, Sandeep Bhushan said, “Truecaller has built a powerful platform at global scale, where trust and monetisation must evolve together. As digital ecosystems mature, getting this balance right becomes a key differentiator. I look forward to engaging with the Board and management team to help shape the next phase of the company’s continued growth journey.”

Nami Zarringhalam, Co-founder of Truecaller, said, “Sandeep’s appointment to the Board marks an important addition. His strong background in scaling monetisation and consumer franchises across top global platforms will bring valuable perspective to our journey, along with a strong understanding of high-growth markets like India and APAC. His experience will be invaluable as we continue to scale our multiple revenue streams.“

Bhushan is currently a Board member at Traya Health. He holds no shares in Truecaller and is considered independent in relation to the company, its management, and its major shareholders.

About Truecaller

Truecaller is an essential part of everyday communication for over 500 million active users, with more than a billion downloads since launch and close to 68 billion unwanted calls identified and blocked in 2025 alone. The company has been headquartered in Stockholm since 2009 and has been publicly listed on Nasdaq Stockholm since October 2021.

Visit www.truecaller.com for more information.

For most of the last decade, the Indian used car market was framed as a fallback. It was the option buyers considered when a new car felt unaffordable, when the loan didn’t come through, when waiting for a fresh model felt unrealistic. The Gears of Growth 2025 report by Cars24 and Team BHP records the moment that framing changed. The report states plainly that used cars are no longer a backup option. They have become a consistent, first-choice decision made throughout the year. The data behind this statement is striking, and the implications for India’s automotive industry are larger than the line itself suggests.

Cars24 x Team BHP Gears of Growth 2025 Report

Year-round demand is the clearest signal of a mature market

The single most telling number in the report is that every month of 2025 contributed between 6 percent and 10 percent of annual used car volumes. There were no festive surges. There were no off-season slumps. The Indian used car market simply hummed along at a steady pace through the calendar. As the report puts it, when a market stops depending on festivals, discounts, or external triggers, it signals maturity.

This is a meaningful shift. The traditional Indian auto market has long been defined by sharp peaks around Diwali, Onam, Navratri, and year-end discount cycles. New car sales still ride this rhythm. The used car market, the Gears of Growth 2025 report suggests, has moved past it. Demand has decoupled from the calendar, and buying decisions are being made when they are needed, not when they are subsidised.

Intentional buying, not opportunistic buying

The report describes 2025 buyers as intentional and need-driven. They are not waiting for discount windows. They are buying when their life situation calls for it, when financing comes together, when the right model becomes available. This is the behaviour of a primary-market consumer, not a fallback one.

Two factors are anchoring this shift. The first is affordability. The report observes that affordability continues to guide pre-owned car buying decisions, with consumers prioritising value retention and lower ownership costs as rising new car prices reshape the market. As new car prices climb, used cars are not just attractive, they are increasingly the more rational option for a value-conscious household.

The second is trust. The report notes that consistent monthly engagement reflects growing trust in the used car ecosystem, as buyers gain confidence in certified inspections, transparent pricing, and seamless digital discovery. In other words, the same buyer who would have hesitated over a used car a few years ago now has the verification, pricing transparency and digital tools to feel confident in the decision.

Premiumisation reinforces the first-choice story

Used cars being the first choice does not mean buyers are choosing less. The Gears of Growth 2025 report finds that premium used car demand is led by models such as Creta, City, Nexon and Elite i20, indicating a strong appetite for feature-rich vehicles. Buyers are increasingly upgrading within a controlled budget, preferring newer-age vehicles with higher trims and better safety features.

Premiumisation in the used car market, the report says, mirrors new car trends but remains firmly value-oriented. Feature depth, safety credentials and brand trust are emerging as key decision drivers in premium used car purchases. This is the language of a buyer who is choosing, not settling.

The five-year price arc that backs this up

The average selling price of a used car in India has moved from ₹4.49 lakh in 2021 to ₹5.66 lakh in 2024, before settling at ₹5.47 lakh in 2025. A modest GST-driven correction aside, the longer arc is one of steady upgrading. The Gears of Growth 2025 report attributes the ASP rise to four factors: a shift toward newer model years, rising demand for premium body types like SUVs and premium hatchbacks, feature and variant premiumisation, and supply constraints in newer vehicles.

All four are first-choice buyer behaviours. None of them reflect a market of last resort. They reflect a market where buyers know exactly what they want and are paying for it.

What this means for India’s automotive industry

The structural shift the Gears of Growth 2025 report describes has direct implications for how the Indian auto industry should think about its consumer. The used car buyer of 2025 is not a downgraded new car buyer. They are a different consumer making a different kind of decision. They are buying year-round, researching digitally, validating their choices through reviews and inspections, and increasingly paying for feature-rich, premium models.

For carmakers, dealers, financiers and digital platforms, this means the used car market is no longer a derivative segment. It is a primary one, with its own demand patterns, its own decision drivers and its own consumer logic. The framing of pre-owned as backup, as compromise, as substitute, no longer matches the data.

As the Gears of Growth 2025 report concludes, pre-loved cars are no longer a second choice made on compromise. They are the smarter first move, balancing aspiration, value and reliability. In a market this large, that is a structural moment worth noticing.