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Protean Digital Disruptors 2026 recognizes leaders powering India’s next-gen financial ecosystem

MUMBAI, India, March 24, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — ETBrandEquity.com, in partnership with Protean eGov Technologies, successfully concluded the inaugural edition of Protean Digital Disruptors 2026, recognizing leaders driving large-scale transformation across India’s financial ecosystem.

The awards spotlighted changemakers across banking, fintech, insurance and financial services who are building technology-led, scalable and resilient systems. As India’s financial sector advances on the pillars of digital public infrastructure (DPI), embedded finance and regulatory innovation, these leaders are redefining how financial services are designed, delivered and scaled.The evaluation process was led by a distinguished jury comprising senior industry leaders and domain experts:Ratan Kumar Kesh, Executive Director and COO, Bandhan BankR. Viswesvaran, Managing Director and CEO, India Post Payments BankPankaj Sharma, Head – Business Transformation, IndusInd BankPankaj Sood, Head – Branch Banking, DCB BankRohit Kilam, Senior Leader in Digital and Financial ServicesRakesh R. Dosi, Chief Business & Product Officer, Protean eGov Technologies LimitedAnand Mihir, Partner and Leader – Financial Services Consulting (Domestic), EYPrasad Sangameshwaran, Editor, ETBrandEquityThe jury assessed nominees on innovation impact, scalability and their contribution to strengthening India’s digital financial architecture, ensuring the recognition remained credible and meaningful.Protean Digital Disruptors 2026 Winners:Anurag Chottani, Chief Technology Officer & Chief Operating Officer, Bajaj FinanceSameer Shetty, Group Executive, Digital Business Transformation & Strategic Programs, Axis BankNeeraj Singh, Whole-Time Director & Chief Technology Officer, GrowwPradeep Pandey, Chief Digital Officer, LICRavi Kumar, Senior Executive Vice President & Head of Technology, Kotak Mahindra BankGanessan Soundiram, Chief Technology Officer, ICICI Prudential Life Insurance CompanyGirish Nayak, Chief Technology Officer, ICICI Lombard General Insurance CompanyRahul Chari, Co-Founder & Chief Technology Officer, PhonePeAvinash Naik, President & Chief Information Officer, Bajaj General InsuranceMahesh Ramamoorthy, Chief Information Officer, Yes BankSaurabh Shukla, Chief Technology Officer, Bank of BarodaPinak Chakraborty, Chief Information Officer, Airtel Payments BankVishal Bhatia, Chief Information and Digital Officer, SBI Life Insurance CompanyDhruv Shankar, Chief Digital Officer, Aditya Birla Health Insurance CompanyGangadhar SJ, Head of Technology, Digit InsuranceJohnson K Jose, Group President – Chief Technology Officer and Controller Fedserv, Federal BankSony A, Senior General Manager & CIO, Digital, Technology, Alliances & Marketing, South Indian BankSiddharth Sureka, Chief AI Officer, Motilal Oswal Financial ServicesSaurabh Tiwari, Chief Technology Officer, PolicyBazaarAnkur Tripathi, Chief Information Officer, AU Small Finance BankSoumya Ghosh, Executive Vice President & Chief Technology Officer, Tata AIA Life Insurance CompanySuhail Ghai, Chief Digital Officer and Head – Operations, Axis Max Life InsuranceNaveen Macharla, Chief Technology Officer, Acko General InsuranceSajin Mangalathu, CFO, CIO and COO, Hero FincorpShallu Kaushik, Chief Digital Officer, Tata CapitalDevesh Verma, General Manager – Digital Transformation, Bank of MaharashtraBalaji Nuthalapadi, ED – Technology and Operations, Equitas Small Finance BankRamesh Lakshminarayanan, Group Head – Information Technology and Chief Information Officer, HDFC BankShrini Vishwanath, Co-founder, UpstoxSourabh Chatterjee, Chief Technology and Digital Transformation Officer, Kotak Life InsuranceBeyond recognizing achievements, Protean Digital Disruptors 2026 aims to inspire the next generation of leaders to build bold, future-ready institutions and drive purposeful innovation in a rapidly evolving landscape.Commenting on the initiative, Mr. Rakesh Dosi, Chief Business & Product Officer, Protean eGov Technologies Ltd., said, “At Protean, we are evolving into an AI-first organization, focused on enabling population-scale digital systems that go beyond incremental digitization. As DPI converges with AI, it is unlocking a more intelligent, adaptive and resilient financial ecosystem. The Protean Digital Disruptors Awards recognize leaders who are architecting this next phase of India’s digital economy, where scale, trust and innovation come together to drive systemic impact.”In an era defined by digital public infrastructure, embedded finance and intelligent compliance, leadership is no longer about incremental digitization. It is about building resilient, future-ready systems that power the nation’s economic engine. Protean Digital Disruptors 2026 highlights leaders who are modernizing legacy frameworks, enabling secure digital identities and driving fintech innovation and regulatory transformation, collectively shaping the backbone of India’s digital economy.About Protean:Protean eGov Technologies Limited is engaged in the business of developing citizen-centric and population-scale e-governance solutions. Protean is an information technology-enabled solutions company conceptualizing, developing, and executing critical and population-scale greenfield technology solutions. The company collaborates with the Indian government and has extensive experience in creating digital public infrastructure and developing innovative citizen-centric e-governance solutions.Photo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2939836/Protean_Digital_Disruptors_2026_winners.jpgLogo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2841515/Protean_Logo.jpg 

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Apollo Athenaa Launches ‘Holding Hope’, India’s First Dedicated Handbook for Cancer Caregivers, during National Cancer Survivors Month

Authored by Dr. Jyoti Wadhwa, Principal Lead – Medical and Precision Oncology, Apollo Athenaa, the handbook aims to empower caregivers with practical guidance, emotional support, and clinical insights throughout the cancer journeyNEW DELHI, June 16, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Marking Cancer Survivors Month and reinforcing the importance of holistic cancer care, Apollo Athenaa, Asia’s first comprehensive cancer centre dedicated exclusively to women, marked a significant step in India’s oncology support landscape with the launch of Holding Hope: A Handbook for Cancer Caregivers—India’s first dedicated resource designed exclusively to support individuals caring for loved ones with cancer.

While cancer survivorship is often celebrated through the resilience and recovery of patients, the journey is rarely undertaken alone. Behind every survivor is a network of family members and caregivers who provide emotional, physical, logistical, and financial support throughout diagnosis, treatment, recovery, and beyond. Data indicates that 95 per cent of cancer patients in India have at least one primary caregiver; 57 per cent are supported by three to four caregivers, and 23 per cent have five to seven individuals involved in their care1. Yet despite their critical role, caregivers often navigate this demanding responsibility without access to structured guidance or dedicated support.Recognising this unmet need, Holding Hope: A Handbook for Cancer Caregivers has been authored by Dr. Jyoti Wadhwa, Principal Lead – Medical and Precision Oncology, Apollo Athenaa, along with Dr. Hussain Shaik, Associate Consultant – Medical Oncology, Apollo Athenaa. Drawing on years of clinical experience and patient interactions, the handbook serves as a practical companion for caregivers, offering actionable guidance on managing treatment journeys, navigating difficult conversations, supporting emotional well-being, understanding medical decisions, and prioritising self-care.Speaking on the occasion, Dr. Jyoti Wadhwa, Principal Lead, Medical and Precision Oncology, Apollo Athenaa said, “When we celebrate cancer survivors, it is equally important to acknowledge the caregivers who stand beside them through every treatment cycle, every setback, and every milestone. With over 15 lakh new cancer cases reported in India in 20242, the number of families navigating the complexities of cancer care continues to grow. Caregivers are often the silent pillars of strength in a patient’s journey, yet many feel unprepared for the emotional and practical challenges that come with the role. Through Holding Hope, we wanted to create a trusted resource that equips caregivers with knowledge, confidence, and reassurance at every stage of the cancer journey.”Sharing his experience as a caregiver, Mr. Sudesh, who has supported his wife through her cancer journey said, “When a loved one is diagnosed with cancer, caregivers often find themselves navigating uncertainty, difficult decisions, and emotional challenges with little guidance. The launch of Holding Hope is a welcome initiative. Its practical advice on managing treatment, understanding medical decisions, supporting emotional well-being, and prioritising self-care will help many caregivers like me feel more informed, prepared, and supported.”Highlighting the importance of equipping caregivers with the right knowledge and support, Dr. Hussain Shaik, Associate Consultant, Medical Oncology, Apollo Athenaa added, “Caregivers play a vital role in the cancer journey, often serving as the bridge between patients and healthcare teams. However, many find themselves navigating complex medical decisions, treatment-related challenges, and emotional stress with little formal guidance.” This handbook combines evidence-based medical information with practical caregiving strategies and real-life experiences to help caregivers better understand their role and foster stronger communication with patients and clinicians. Importantly, it also addresses an often-overlooked aspect of caregiving, the need for caregivers to prioritise their own physical and emotional well-being while supporting their loved ones.The launch of Holding Hope reflects Apollo Athenaa’s broader vision of advancing patient-centred and family-centred cancer care. By placing caregivers at the heart of the oncology continuum, the initiative seeks to strengthen support systems that contribute meaningfully to patient outcomes, quality of life, and long-term survivorship.As conversations around cancer care continue to evolve, Apollo Athenaa hopes that Holding Hope will encourage greater recognition of caregivers and foster a more compassionate, informed, and inclusive approach to cancer survivorship in India.1 Profile of cancer caregivers among adult Indian rural cancer patients: A prospective survey. | Journal of Clinical Oncology 2 https://sansad.in/getFile/loksabhaquestions/annex/185/AU3233_xEZ9oE.pdf?source=pqalsAbout Apollo AthenaaApollo Athenaa, a unit of Apollo Hospitals Enterprise Ltd, is Asia’s first dedicated cancer centre for women, rooted in empathy and powered by science. It is not just a facility—it’s a mission. Apollo Athenaa is envisioned as a safe, specialised space exclusively for women, combining cutting-edge oncology expertise with compassion, dignity, and privacy. Women are the cornerstones of families and communities, and their health directly impacts the strength of the nation. Recognising the need for timely, specialised, and compassionate care, Apollo has taken a pioneering step forward. Apollo Athenaa provides comprehensive women-focused cancer care, from preventive screenings and advanced diagnostics to surgical oncology, breast oncoplasty, fertility preservation, and reconstructive care. Supported by multidisciplinary expertise and precision oncology, the centre also offers nutrition, physiotherapy, onco-psychology, and palliative care, ensuring a continuum of services that place women’s health, dignity, and well-being at the forefront. Log on to: https://www.apollohospitals.com/hospitals/apollo-athenaa-womens-cancer-centre 

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Affle Announces Strategic Acquisition of AdColony Technology Assets and Trademark from DT

Acquisition Strengthens Affle 3i Consumer Platform Tech Stack and Reinforces Commitment to Accelerated Growth with Ongoing Commercial Partnership with DTSAN FRANCISCO and GURUGRAM, India, June 16, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Affle, a global technology company that delivers premium consumer conversions for advertisers with its verticalized AI-powered Consumer Platform, announced that Affle MEA FZ LLC has entered into a definitive asset purchase agreement with DT (NASDAQ: APPS), formerly Digital Turbine, to acquire select strategic AdColony assets including the AdColony SDK for Android and iOS devices, tech platform, existing integration with in-app publishers and mediation platforms, the brand name, domain and the goodwill exclusively related to the assets.

The acquisition aligns with Affle’s 10X growth strategy to augment its Consumer Platform technology stack with broader SDK reach, spanning a wide and diverse range of mobile publisher connections globally. Affle’s deep verticalization strategy and expanded IP portfolio ensure enhanced human-vs-non-human data distillation to drive premium consumer conversions through its differentiated CPCU (Cost Per Converted User) business model.”We are excited to announce this strategic acquisition of assets as part of our 10X growth plan,” said Anuj Khanna Sohum, Chairperson, MD & CEO of Affle. “The integration of AdColony is a significant step towards driving global scale for Affle’s advertisers with premium conversions powered by deeper audience intelligence across all our industry verticals. With our integrated stack, we will unlock greater ROI for our advertisers and publishers alike, and thus drive long-term value for our stakeholders.”The transaction enables DT to further focus investment and resources on its core media and distribution platforms and differentiated data and intelligence assets.”We made the strategic decision following our Fyber and AdColony acquisitions to consolidate around a single exchange platform, which became the foundation for what is now DTX,” said Bill Stone, CEO of DT. “That decision allowed us to simplify our technology stack, focus our investment, and build a stronger long-term platform. Affle is a natural partner for these AdColony assets, and this transaction creates an opportunity to deepen our commercial relationship, leveraging our respective supply, demand and technology strengths to deliver greater value for advertisers, publishers and partners.””This acquisition reinforces Affle’s commitment to continuously scaling globally and delivering personalized recommendations across the connected consumer journeys,” said Sameer Sondhi, CEO of North America and Chief Strategic Investments Officer at Affle. “AdColony brings a long-standing and trusted reputation with publishers globally that complements Affle’s broader strategy. The acquisition further strengthens Affle’s ability to drive deeper engagement with both existing and new advertisers worldwide. Enhanced reach, combined with richer audience intelligence for premium consumer conversions, will enable truly differentiated impact.”Through this acquisition and its ongoing commercial partnership with DT, Affle aims to deliver enhanced value for advertisers, publishers and stakeholders globally.About Affle Inc.Affle Inc. is a global technology company enabling verticalized AI-led consumer conversions for advertisers globally, powered by the differentiated CPCU business model across Mobile, CTV and other agentic/autonomous intelligent connected devices (AICDs). Affle 3i Consumer Platform enables advertisers to optimize targeting, personalize user engagement and maximize ROI by combining proprietary data, deep audience intelligence and advanced agentic AI capabilities. With innovative technology integrations, Affle maximizes user engagement at every stage of the consumer journey across connected devices with algorithms that go beyond automation and efficiency to deliver next-gen experiences through deep human-vs-non-human data distillation.Affle Inc. is a step-down US subsidiary of Affle 3i Limited, which is listed on the NSE: AFFLE and BSE: 542752.For more information, visit – www.affle.com   

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U.S. News Unveils 2026-2027 Best Global Universities Rankings

Universities in more than 100 countries are evaluated in the newest edition. WASHINGTON, June 16, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — U.S. News & World Report, the global authority in education rankings and consumer advice, today published the 2026-2027 Best Global Universities rankings, which evaluate more than 2,250 schools on academic research and reputation.

The latest edition includes universities from more than 100 countries. The following countries have the most schools in the overall rankings:China: 409United States: 275India: 123United Kingdom: 93Japan: 86″For students seeking universities with strong academic excellence and global recognition, the Best Global Universities rankings offer an essential comparative resource,” said LaMont Jones, Ed.D., managing editor for Education at U.S. News. “Our methodology focuses on a school’s research mission and scholarly impact, helping students identify institutions that are truly at the forefront of global knowledge creation.”Of the 51 subject rankings, four will have more schools ranked this year, including: water resources; chemical engineering; energy and fuels; and clinical medicine.Powered by data and metrics from the Web of Science Core Collection and InCites Benchmarking & Analytics provided by Clarivate, a leading global provider of transformative intelligence, the Best Global Universities methodology weighs factors that measure a university’s global and regional research reputation and academic research performance.For the overall ranking, this includes bibliometric indicators such as publications, citations and international collaboration. Each of the 51 subject rankings has its own weighting based on academic research performance in that specific area.2026-2027 U.S. News & World Report Best Global Universities*See the full rankings here.Overall Best Global Universities – Top 10Harvard UniversityMassachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT)Stanford UniversityUniversity of OxfordUniversity of CambridgeTsinghua UniversityUniversity of California BerkeleyYale UniversityUniversity College LondonColumbia UniversityAfrica – Top 3University of Cape Town (South Africa)Cairo University (Egypt)University of Witwatersrand (South Africa)Asia – Top 3Tsinghua University (China)National University of Singapore (Singapore)Peking University (China)Australia/New Zealand – Top 3University of Melbourne (Australia)University of Sydney (Australia)University of New South Wales Sydney (Australia)Europe – Top 3University of Oxford (United Kingdom)University of Cambridge (United Kingdom)University College London (United Kingdom)Latin America – Top 3Universidade de Sao Paulo (Brazil)Pontificia Universidad Catolica de Chile (Chile)University of Buenos Aires (Argentina)The Best Global Universities rankings serve the broader U.S. News mission of providing trusted information and rankings – such as Best High Schools, Best Colleges and Best Online Programs – to empower all students in making informed choices about their education.For more information on the Best Global Universities, visit X, TikTok, Facebook and Instagram using #BestGlobal.About U.S. News & World ReportU.S. News & World Report is the global leader for journalism that empowers consumers, citizens, business leaders and policy officials to make confident decisions in all aspects of their lives and communities. A multifaceted media company, U.S. News provides unbiased rankings, independent reporting and analysis, and consumer advice to millions of people on USNews.com each month. A pillar in Washington for more than 90 years, U.S. News is the trusted home for in-depth and exclusive insights on education, health, politics, the economy, insurance, personal finance, travel, automobiles, real estate, careers and consumer products and services.About ClarivateClarivate is a leading global provider of transformative intelligence. We offer enriched data, insights & analytics, workflow solutions and expert services in the areas of Academia & Government, Intellectual Property and Life Sciences & Healthcare. For more information, please visit www.clarivate.com.

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