Report Highlights Stepped Up Engagement in India

New Delhi [India], February 17: The PCI Security Standards Council (PCI SSC), the global body that sets payment card security standards, has sharpened its focus on India and South Asia as the region’s digital payments ecosystem continues to scale rapidly, according to its first-ever annual report released this week.

The report highlights broader representation in governance, with a record 64-member global Board of Advisors for the 2025-2027 term, aimed at increasing geographical and market diversity. The PCI Security Standards Council highlights the launch of the India-South Asia Regional Engagement Board (REB) in August 2025, marking a significant step in localizing global payment security standards for one of the world’s fastest-growing payments markets.

Indian and South Asian firms now have a more direct channel into how future PCI standards are drafted and revised. The newly formed India-South REB includes key Indian and regional players across banking, fintech, payments processing and technology, including NPCI, HDFC Bank, Google, Cred, Zeta, among others. The REB will advise PCI SSC on regional risks, implementation challenges and evolving fraud patterns unique to India and South Asia.

Gina Gobeyn, Executive Director of the PCI Security Standards Council said, “As payment technologies continue to evolve and transaction volumes grow, collaboration across the global payments’ ecosystem is more critical than ever. This first annual report reflects the collective effort of our Participating Organizations, partners, and stakeholders to advance payment security for businesses and consumers everywhere.”

India has emerged as a critical market for global payment security bodies due to the sheer scale of transactions flowing through digital rails such as UPI, cards, wallets and embedded payments.

“The PCI SSC 2025 Annual Report reflects an approach that is continually aligning with an increasingly complex payments landscape. The report brings more clarity through its product-family approach and stronger alignment across standards, guidance, and training. The Council’s expanded global engagement and new regional collaboration, reinforces the industry-led momentum needed to keep payment environments resilient as threats and technologies evolve,” said Aniket Bhosle, Partner, Technology Consulting Ernst & Young LLP.

“Active engagement from India, South Asia, and the Middle East, as highlighted in the PCI SSC Annual Report, demonstrates the power of community-driven collaboration in advancing payment security. I sincerely thank the payment industry stakeholders across these regions for their continued contribution and collaboration,” added Nitin Bhatnagar, Regional Director India, South Asia and Middle East.

The PCI SSC report flags a sharp rise in transaction volumes, speed and complexity globally. The pace of change in payments continues to accelerate, and threats evolve as emerging technologies, new payment devices and third-party integrations are expanding the attack surface for fraud and cybercrime.

For India, where mobile-led payments dominate, PCI Security Standards Council said 2025 saw heightened focus on mobile payment security, e-commerce safeguards and software security standards.

The PCI Security Standards Council introduced guidance on the use of artificial intelligence in payment environments, including principles for using AI in PCI assessments, a move that comes as Indian banks and fintechs increasingly deploy AI for fraud detection, underwriting and customer onboarding.

It also set up an E-commerce Guidance Task Force to align security standards with real-world implementation challenges faced by merchants and payment processors.

PCI Security Standards Council said it will continue expanding regional participation and training programs in emerging markets, including India, as it heads into its 20th anniversary year in 2026.

Visit the PCI SSC website for more information on the annual report.

About the PCI Security Standards Council

The PCI Security Standards Council (PCI SSC) leads a global, cross-industry effort to increase payment security by providing industry-driven, flexible and effective data security standards and programs that help businesses detect, mitigate and prevent cyberattacks and breaches. Connect with PCI SSC on LinkedIn. Join the conversation on Instagram and X (formerly Twitter) @PCISSC. Subscribe to the PCI Perspectives Blog. Listen to the Coffee with the Council podcast.

Contact Details: 

Anjali Digari
anjali@cha-chi.in

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New Delhi [India], February 17: The way people discover brands is changing faster than most businesses have caught up with. Search queries that once sent users clicking through 10 blue links are now answered within AI chatbots, Google’s AI Overviews, and tools like ChatGPT and Perplexity, often without a single website visit.

SchemaNinja.com, the platform originally built by AI SEO Expert in India Jitendra Vaswani as a WordPress schema markup plugin back in 2016, has relaunched as an AI-powered content marketing agency designed to help small and mid-sized businesses show up where it actually matters in 2026: inside the answers generated by large language models.

The pivot addresses a problem that is growing more urgent by the month. According to industry data published by Semrush in 2025, AI-generated search results are steadily eating into traditional organic traffic. Zero-click search queries, where the user never visits a destination website, now account for a massive share of all search activity. For brands that built their entire customer acquisition strategy on Google rankings, the ground is shifting fast.

SchemaNinja.com is positioning itself as the agency that helps those brands adapt before the traffic dries up.

From Plugin to Platform: How SchemaNinja Got Here

The SchemaNinja story stretches back nearly a decade. Vaswani launched the original product in 2016 as a WordPress plugin that automated structured data markup, the behind-the-scenes code that helps search engines understand what a webpage is actually about. The plugin gained solid traction, generating consistent sales and building a niche reputation among WordPress users focused on technical SEO.

But Vaswani saw the bigger picture forming. Schema markup was not just a tool for earning rich snippets in Google results anymore. Structured data has become a core signal for large language models when deciding which sources to trust, cite, and surface in their responses. The same technical foundation SchemaNinja was built turned out to be one of the most important ingredients for visibility in an AI-first search world.

That realization pushed the evolution from a standalone plugin into a full-service content marketing operation. The agency now employs a creative team led by Vaswani as CEO, with Diksha heading content management and Aishwar serving as CMO. Together, they run campaigns that span content strategy, blog creation, social media content, SEO optimization, email marketing, and critically the kind of schema integration and entity optimization that gives AI models a reason to reference a brand when someone asks a question.

What LLM Optimization Actually Means for a Small Business

The concept goes by several names right now. Some people call it AI Optimization, or AIO. Others use LLM Optimization, LLMO, or Generative Engine Optimization, GEO. Regardless of the label, the core idea is the same: structuring your brand’s digital footprint so that AI systems recognize you as a credible, authoritative source worth citing.

This is not a small technical tweak. It requires rethinking how content gets created, organized, and distributed. AI models do not rank pages the way Google’s traditional algorithm does. They synthesize information from across the web drawing on reviews, media coverage, directory citations, blog posts, and structured data to build a picture of which brands merit mention in a given context. If your digital presence is thin, inconsistent, or poorly structured, you simply get skipped.

SchemaNinja’s approach tackles this at every layer. The agency conducts a deep audit of a client’s existing digital footprint, identifies gaps in entity signals and content authority, and then builds a sustained content engine designed to fill those gaps. Blog posts are written with natural language processing in mind, not just keyword density. Schema markup is woven into every page to enable AI crawlers to parse the content efficiently. And the whole operation is tracked through analytics that measure not just traditional rankings but actual AI citation frequency.

“If a brand’s digital footprint is not optimized for large language models, that brand risks being invisible in this new economy,” said Jitendra Vaswani, CEO of SchemaNinja.com. “We are past the point where SEO means stuffing keywords and chasing backlinks. The game now is about building the kind of structured, authoritative presence that AI systems trust enough to recommend.”

How the Platform Works

The newly introduced system combines structured data architecture, entity mapping, and contextual reinforcement signals to improve how AI systems interpret brand content.

Key capabilities include:

• AI-readable content structuring

• Entity-based topic authority building

• Semantic internal linking recommendations

• Content clarity optimization for AI summaries

• Rich snippet and schema deployment automation

• Authority reinforcement across digital platforms

The goal is not just to rank higher but to become a trusted source referenced by AI systems when generating answers.

Solving a Growing Visibility Problem

Many publishers are reporting declining click-through rates despite maintaining strong rankings. The reason: users increasingly rely on AI-generated summaries.

SchemaNinja addresses this by aligning content with how language models retrieve and synthesize information.

According to the company, brands must now optimize for three layers:

1. Search engine indexing

2. Knowledge graph understanding

3. LLM answer inclusion

Most existing SEO tools only handle the first layer.

A New Category: LLM Optimization

The company describes its approach as LLM Optimization (LLMO),  an evolution beyond traditional SEO.

Rather than focusing solely on keywords or backlinks, LLMO emphasizes:

• contextual authority

• entity relationships

• informational completeness

• answer-ready formatting

This allows AI systems to confidently reference a brand as a source rather than ignoring it.

Pricing Built for the Businesses That Need This Most

One deliberate choice the SchemaNinja team made was to keep pricing accessible. The entry level Schema Ninja Content Package starts at $1,200 per month and includes content strategy, blog creation, social media content, SEO optimization, email marketing setup, and monthly reporting. The Premium Content and Schema Package runs $2,400 per month and adds advanced schema markup, technical SEO audits, video content creation, landing page optimization, A/B testing, and biweekly strategy calls.

That pricing reflects the agency’s stated mission of democratizing access to AI-powered marketing tools. Large enterprises with six figure agency retainers have already started adapting to the LLM shift. SchemaNinja wants to make sure small businesses and startups are not locked out of that transition simply because they cannot afford enterprise-level budgets.

Why This Matters Right Now

The window for brands to establish themselves as trusted sources within AI models is open, but it will not stay open indefinitely. As more businesses begin optimizing for LLMs, the early movers will have a compounding advantage — their content will already be embedded in the training data and retrieval pipelines that AI systems rely on. Brands that wait risk playing catch up against competitors who locked in their authority signals months or years earlier.

SchemaNinja.com is betting that the businesses that act now will be the ones AI recommends tomorrow.

Brands ready to explore how AI-powered content marketing and LLM optimization can reshape their visibility can visit SchemaNinja.com to schedule a consultation and get started.

About SchemaNinja.com

SchemaNinja.com is an AI-powered content marketing and SEO automation agency founded by Jitendra Vaswani. Originally launched in 2016 as a WordPress schema markup plugin, the platform has evolved into a full-service content marketing agency specializing in structured data, technical SEO, and generative engine optimization. SchemaNinja serves small businesses, startups, and freelancers looking to build lasting visibility in both traditional search engines and AI-powered discovery platforms.

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Lucknow (Uttar Pradesh) [India], February 16: Lucknow is undergoing a quiet but decisive transformation. Known for its refined tehzeeb, literature, and Awadhi cuisine, the city is now emerging as a nucleus of investment, entrepreneurship, and modern infrastructure in northern India. This shift reflects a broader change across Uttar Pradesh, where policy push, connectivity upgrades, and a renewed focus on industry are repositioning the state as a land of opportunity.

A symbolic expression of this transition can be seen in new age developments that blend cultural identity with global ambition. Among them is The Centrum, an urban resort concept created by entrepreneur Sarvesh Goel, which has drawn attention for redefining hospitality in the state capital. The property is notably the only five star non franchised hotel in Lucknow, operating independently without an international brand, a distinction that industry observers see as a sign of growing local confidence.

Goel’s journey into hospitality did not follow a conventional path. With a background in education and business, he approached the sector from a perspective shaped by travel and observation rather than industry tradition. “I didn’t want to build a hotel; I wanted to build an emotion,” he told to media. “The intent was to create a place where people could disconnect from stress and reconnect with themselves.”

Colleagues describe Goel as part of a new generation of regional entrepreneurs who are investing in experiences rather than just infrastructure. His decision to conceptualize a resort environment within city boundaries reflects a belief that aspirational consumers in tier two cities are ready for global standards without losing local roots.

This vision aligns with Uttar Pradesh’s broader economic trajectory. Following major investment summits and infrastructure expansion, the state government under Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has emphasized industrial growth, improved law and order, and business facilitation. Officials project that these measures will help transform UP into a trillion dollar economy, with sectors such as manufacturing, logistics, tourism, and services driving growth.

Lucknow sits at the center of this strategy. Enhanced air connectivity, expressway networks, metro expansion, and planned industrial corridors are reshaping the city’s economic geography. The hospitality and events industry has expanded in parallel, hosting international meetings, government summits, and large private gatherings that once bypassed the region.

Goel believes the demand was latent rather than absent. “When we completed the property, there was no defined market for such a space in Lucknow,” he said. “We had to demonstrate that if you create a world class experience, people will come. Today guests travel from across India because they want a resort atmosphere without leaving the city.”

Observers say the project’s design philosophy mirrors Lucknow’s evolving identity. Instead of replicating colonial or international styles, the architecture draws from Awadhi heritage while incorporating contemporary amenities. Wooden cottages, landscaped open areas, and privacy focused layouts attempt to recreate the calm of a distant retreat within an urban setting.

The emphasis on cultural authenticity also resonates with the city’s recent global recognition. Lucknow was designated a UNESCO Creative City of Gastronomy in October 2025, honoring its culinary legacy from dum pukht traditions to iconic dishes such as galouti kebabs and biryani. The recognition has strengthened the city’s brand as a cultural destination while encouraging tourism and investment in food and hospitality ventures.

Urban development experts note that such projects serve a dual function. They cater to rising consumer expectations while signaling investor confidence in the region’s future. The presence of independent high end ventures suggests that local entrepreneurs are willing to take risks traditionally associated with metro markets.

Goel maintains that adaptability has been central to the concept. The property hosts diverse events ranging from cultural exhibitions to high level meetings and destination weddings. “A hospitality space should evolve with the needs of the people it serves,” he said. “It should not just provide rooms, but create memories and experiences.”

His approach reflects a leadership style focused on long term vision rather than short term returns. Associates say he views the project as part of a larger effort to position Lucknow as a global city that still preserves its identity.

Uttar Pradesh’s emergence as an investment destination has altered perceptions that once limited it to agriculture and traditional industries. New sectors such as electronics manufacturing, defense production, data centers, and tourism are gaining ground. Analysts argue that if infrastructure development continues at the current pace, cities like Lucknow could become major economic nodes in the next decade.

For now, the convergence of policy support, entrepreneurial ambition, and cultural capital is reshaping the narrative. Lucknow is no longer defined only by its past but increasingly by its capacity to innovate.

As Sarvesh Goel’s experiment suggests, the future of Uttar Pradesh may lie in leaders who are willing to imagine beyond conventional boundaries. In that sense, the story of one urban resort also reflects a larger story of a state repositioning itself on India’s growth map, driven by vision, opportunity, and the confidence to build something new.

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New Delhi [India], February 16: AVG Logistics Limited, (BSE – 543910, NSE – AVG), a leading multimodal logistics solutions provider, hasannounced its unaudited financial results for Q3 & 9M FY26.

 Consolidated Key Financial Highlights

Q3 FY26 Financial Highlights

Revenue From Operations of ₹134.08 Cr

EBITDA of ₹27.20 Cr

EBITDA Margin of 20.29%

PAT of ₹5.40 Cr

PAT Margin of 4.03%

9M FY26 Financial Highlights

Revenue From Operations of ₹402.13 Cr

EBITDA of ₹77.73 Cr

EBITDA Margin of 19.33%

PAT of ₹15.46 Cr

PAT Margin of 3.84%

Commenting on financial performance, Mr. Sanjay Gupta Managing Director & CEO, AVG Logistics Limited said, “We have delivered a stable performance during the period, with steady revenue supported by consistent execution and operational discipline. It reflects the resilience of our integrated logistics model and sustained demand across key segments and strengthening our operational capabilities and financial flexibility.

Building on this foundation, we remain focused on sustaining operational stability and driving calibrated growth through continued emphasis on network expansion, technology adoption, strategic partnerships, and financial prudence, positioning the business for gradual scale enhancement and long-term value creation in the coming periods.”

Q3 FY26 Key Operational Highlights

LNG Fleet Expansion Initiative

The Company has introduce LNG-powered fleets. This initiative strengthens technical expertise, enhancing operational efficiency, reducing emissions, and supporting sustainable growth across key logistics segments.

Credit Rating Upgrade

The Company’s long-term bank facilities have been upgraded from IVR BBB (Stable) to IVR BBB+ (Stable), while short-term facilities have improved from IVR A3+ to IVR A2.

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