Latest news with #IPQ
Indian Express
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Indian Express
‘Indian K-pop fans are very supportive': OMEGA X subunit OX:N on visiting India and their retro-themed EP ‘N'
K-pop boy group OMEGA X's first sub-unit, OX:N, dropped their debut epilogue N earlier this month. It's their first release of 2025, coming seven months after their second Japanese mini-album To. The new unit, made up of Jaehan, Xen, Jehyun, and Yechan. takes its name from the Roman numeral IV, representing the four members and the idea of infinite possibilities. Their debut mini album packs five tracks: SUIT&TIE, title track YOU, LET ME IN, ORPHEUS, and CAUSE OF YOU. We caught up with the group virtually to talk about the themes behind their music and what inspired it all. 'SUIT&TIE' talks about the contrast between outer calm and inner turmoil. For each member of OX:N, what's one inner thought or feeling you hope listeners truly grasp when they hear the songs on N, beyond the polished exterior? Jaehan: The overarching theme of this album is love, and as we all know, love comes in many forms. I believe that in order to give love to others, you have to take care of and love yourself first. So through this album, I wanted to convey the message that it's important to learn how to love yourself. Yechan: Simply put, I just want to become a good person. On the outside, as an idol and a singer, I have to show a cool and polished image, but on the inside, there are dreams, ambition, and desire. I want to shape those feelings more healthily and grow not just as an artist, but as a person too. As a smaller unit, do you feel a stronger sense of creative freedom or responsibility? Jaehan: I feel a stronger sense of responsibility. When we had 11 members, there was this subtle feeling that someone else would cover a certain part if I didn't. But now that it's just the four of us in OX:N, it's more like, 'if I don't do it, no one else will.' That shift has made me take more responsibility, and I think that mindset pushes us in a better direction. Xen: I actually feel a stronger sense of creative freedom. When there were 11 of us, I had to convince 10 other people to get on board with my ideas. But now, I only need to persuade three, so I think I've gained more freedom to try things I've always wanted to do in this new environment. India has one of the largest K-pop fan bases in the world, and your fans here often translate Korean lyrics into regional languages. How does it feel knowing your emotions are being felt in languages you've never spoken? Xen: Through platforms like X and other social media, we've seen that a lot of people in India are supporting us and showing interest. So the first thing that came to mind was how much we want to go and meet them. If the opportunity comes, we'd love to spend time with our fans in India as soon as possible. OMEGA X is an 11-member K-pop group under IPQ. The members are Jaehan, Hwichan, Sebin, Hangyeom, Taedong, Xen, Jehyun, Kevin, Junghoon, Hyuk, and Yechan. N's first track, SUIT&TIE, plays off the idea of a refined image. It explores the tension between how one appears and what they actually feel, staying calm and composed on the outside while falling into love on the inside. The title track, YOU, is a pop-heavy song that taps into the Y2K aesthetic and early 2000s millennial sound. LET ME IN brings the emotion, exploring the regret that follows a breakup, and the slow desire to love again. ORPHEUS draws straight from Greek mythology, the story of Orpheus and Eurydice, channeling that aching longing for a lost love through soulful vocals and haunting lyrics.
The Wire
18-07-2025
- Business
- The Wire
Axis Max Life Launches Insurance Awareness Drive across 50 villages in Uttar Pradesh under State Insurance Plan
The initiative aims to reach around 30,000 individuals across Unnao and Baghpat districts of Uttar Pradesh through hyperlocal engagements Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, India (NewsVoir) Axis Max Life Insurance Limited ('Axis Max Life'/ 'Company), formerly known as Max Life Insurance Company Limited, has launched a large-scale rural activation campaign from Lucknow under its 'Bharosa Talks - India Protection Quotient 7.0 - Rural Edition' platform, aimed at expanding life insurance awareness across 50 villages in Unnao and Baghpat districts of Uttar Pradesh. This rural campaign is a key initiative under Axis Max Life's role as the lead insurer for Uttar Pradesh under the IRDAI's State Insurance Plan, reinforcing the Company's commitment to build last-mile insurance awareness in one of India's most populous states. The activation was flagged off by Shri Sameer Verma (IAS), Special Secretary, Department of Finance, Government of Uttar Pradesh, alongside Udbhav Gupta, Executive Vice President & Head - Growth Verticals, Protection & Health, Axis Max Life. The event was also attended by Shri Sanjay Singh, Assistant Director, Directorate of Institutional Finance, Government of Uttar Pradesh, along with Axis Max Life's State Insurance Plan office bearers including Tariq Malhotra, Corporate Vice President & Head – Rural, Sumit Satyen, Vice President and Head - State Insurance Plan (SIP), and Anuj Singh from the SIP team. This on-ground outreach is designed to engage directly with the audiences of rural areas including farmers, and villagers from the same vicinity through culturally rooted interventions such as nukkad nataks (street plays), storytelling, and community baithaks. The campaign also involves influential voices like village pradhans, teachers, doctors, and females of self-help groups (SHG) to create a multiplier effect within the rural ecosystem. Sumit Madan, Chief Distribution Officer, Axis Max Life said, 'Our Bharosa Talks is a research-enabled thought leadership platform created to spark real, insight-led conversations on financial preparedness. Our latest IPQ 7.0 Rural edition points to rural India as an untapped market for life insurance, where demand exists but trust and access remain barriers. Our on-ground awareness drive across 50 villages in Uttar Pradesh brings these insights and conversations directly into the communities that need them most. It represents our commitment to meet people where they are, speak their language, and build protection narratives that resonate. Such grassroots efforts are key to achieving IRDAI's vision of 'Insurance for All by 2047'. As part of the insurance awareness drive, the daily activity plan includes morning and midday community sessions bringing together general village audience, with a special focus on women and SHG members, for interactions, talks and Q&A sessions, followed by evening engagements at local mandis and markets. A signature element of the program is the 'Spin the Wheel' game where participants learn the importance of insurance across different life stages and calculate their Human Life Value (HLV) in real time. Leads generated through these mobilizations at the grassroots levels and community engagements will be serviced by Axis Max Life's 'Aarohan' channel that focuses on emerging customer segments in rural and semi-urban India. About Axis Max Life Insurance Limited Axis Max Life Insurance Limited, formerly known as Max Life Insurance Company Ltd., is a Joint Venture between Max Financial Services Limited ('MFSL') and Axis Bank Limited. Axis Max Life Insurance offers comprehensive protection and long-term savings life insurance solutions through its multi-channel distribution, including agency and third-party distribution partners. It has built its operations over two decades through a need-based sales process, a customer-centric approach to engagement and service delivery and trained human capital. As per annual audited financials for FY2024-25, Axis Max Life has achieved a gross written premium of INR 33,223 Cr. For more information, please visit (Disclaimer: The above press release comes to you under an arrangement with Newsvoir and PTI takes no editorial responsibility for the same.).
Fashion Value Chain
16-07-2025
- Business
- Fashion Value Chain
Axis Max Life's IPQ 7.0 Reveals Rising Awareness But Persistent Protection Gap in Rural India
Key Findings: Rural India's Protection Quotient rises to 16, up from 12 in IPQ 5.0 – but urban-rural gap stands at 32 points Life insurance ownership remains significantly lower, despite awareness gains Rural women lag rural men in all protection indices – Protection Quotient at 14 vs. 17 West leads rural protection index; East lowest with just 2% ownership in Savings Plan 43% believe life insurance benefits only the family, not the individual Digital usage surges – financial transactions double; 88% use mobile for social media Axis Max Life Insurance Limited. ('Axis Max Life' / 'Company'), formerly known as Max Life Insurance Company Limited, has unveiled the rural India findings of the seventh edition of its flagship survey – India Protection Quotient (IPQ), conducted in partnership with KANTAR, one of the leading marketing data and analytics company across the world. Capturing insights from over 155 villages across India, the survey delves into the aspirations, anxieties, and evolving protection needs of India's rural population in their journey toward financial security. As per IPQ 7.0, rural India's Protection Quotient rose to 16, from 12 in IPQ 5.0. The Knowledge Index recorded a 7-point gain, yet this improvement has not translated to ownership, which remains one-third of urban India's levels. Axis Max Life's IPQ 7.0 reveals rising awareness but persistent protection gap in Rural India Prashant Tripathy, CEO and Managing Director, Axis Max Life said, 'The IPQ 7.0 Rural Edition signals a defining shift – a rise in awareness and aspiration among rural Indians to secure their financial futures. However, the persistent protection gap is a clear call to action. As we collectively strive toward IRDAI's vision of 'Insurance for All by 2047,' the onus is on the industry to reimagine how we serve Bharat – through simplified products, inclusive advisory networks, and technology-led delivery models. The future of life insurance in India will not only be shaped by innovation, but by our ability to respond to the evolving needs and ambitions of rural India with empathy and intent.' Notes to Editior: The following findings reveal insights that highlight rural India's shift in attitude and approach towards financial preparedness studied by India Protection Quotient 7.0: Financial preparedness in rural India Rural India's Protection Quotient improved to 16 (from 12 in IPQ 5.0), driven by a 7-point rise in awareness. However, life insurance ownership remains far below urban levels. Despite increased familiarity with products especially term insurance (awareness up from 32% to 40%) adoption lags due to affordability concerns, poor service experience (41%), and the perception that life insurance only benefits the family (43%). 40% of rural respondents cited lack of funds as a barrier to purchasing insurance – notably higher than 31% in urban India. Gender gap: women behind on all protection indices Women from rural India report a Protection Quotient of 14, compared to 17 among men. They also lag in awareness, ownership, and financial confidence. Many still depend on male family members for financial decision-making, and few independently navigate insurance products. However, female-led households and Self-Help Groups (SHG)-affiliated women show higher engagement, and younger women (aged 25-35), especially in the South and West, are more digitally curious and financially aspirational. This opens a pathway for inclusive, gender-sensitive communication and community-based outreach. Zonal insights: West India leads, East India lags West India leads the rural Protection Quotient, closely followed by the South. These zones report higher awareness and ownership of life insurance. The East zone, however, remains the least financially protected with term plan awareness at just around 32% and term ownership as low as 3%. The urban-rural divide is most severe in this region, with a 52% gap in life insurance ownership highlighting the critical need for regional intervention and targeted education. Financial anxiety high despite growing awareness of life insurance One in four rural Indians now believe that their savings may not last even a year, although optimism is rising among the financially aware. In IPQ 7.0, 39% of rural respondents expect their savings to last more than five years up from 20% in IPQ 5.0. Still, basic expenses and debt repayments leave little room for long-term financial planning, especially in households with irregular incomes. Key drivers of Life Insurance adoption in Rural India Rural Indians buy insurance primarily to secure family goals – 41% cite old age security, 35% children's education, and 34% children's marriage. Insurance is seen as a safe and dual-benefit investment by 41% of respondents. However, many still view it emotionally, with 43% believing it only helps their family, not themselves. Public schemes remain cornerstone of rural investment More than 60% of rural Indians rely on government-backed financial products or loans through SHGs/cooperatives which are considered as accessible and trustworthy. Market-linked instruments like mutual funds have seen marginal awareness growth but still remain under-utilised. Health insurance ownership has also grown, indicating improved awareness around medical preparedness. Digital adoption surges across rural markets Digital behaviour has transformed since the last rural survey. Around 88% of rural respondents use mobile phones to use social media; around 78% of them to enjoy video/music. Online financial transactions like mobile banking, money transfer, online payments through UPI have more than doubled from 17% to 40%. Nearly half of rural India population now use digital platforms for service requests and complaint resolutions, indicating rising digital readiness for financial inclusion. Read more at – Disclaimer: The study is conducted in over 155 different villages spread over around 25 cities in India. A total sample size of around 1,620 respondents within the age group of 22 to 55 years were interviewed for the survey. The interviewees were picked from Rural Social Economic Classification (SEC) R1 and R2 households with an annual household income of INR 50,000 and above. The information collected through this survey and the results published are intended for general guidance and informational purposes only. Axis Max Life disclaims any liability for any loss, damage, or decisions arising from the use of this survey or the results provided. About Axis Max Life Insurance Limited ( Axis Max Life Insurance Limited, formerly known as Max Life Insurance Company Limited, is a Joint Venture between Max Financial Services Limited ('MFSL') and Axis Bank Limited. Axis Max Life offers comprehensive protection and long-term savings life insurance solutions through its multi-channel distribution, including agency and third-party distribution partners. It has built its operations over two decades through a need-based sales process, a customer-centric approach to engagement and service delivery and trained human capital. As per annual audited financials for FY2024-25, Axis Max Life has achieved a gross written premium of INR 33,223 Cr. About Kantar Kantar is the world's leading marketing data and analytics business and an indispensable brand partner to the world's top companies. We combine the most meaningful attitudinal and behavioural data with deep expertise and advanced analytics to uncover how people think and act. We help clients understand what has happened and why and how to shape the marketing strategies that shape their future.
Business Standard
19-06-2025
- Business
- Business Standard
Widening Gender Gap in India's Financial Protection Levels - Axis Max Life India Protection Quotient 7.0
NewsVoir New Delhi [India], June 19: Axis Max Life Insurance Ltd. ("Axis Max Life"/ "Company"), formerly known as Max Life Insurance Company Ltd, in partnership with KANTAR, the world's leading marketing data and analytics company, has released gender-specific findings from the seventh edition of its India Protection Quotient (IPQ) study. Under the Company's 'Bharosa Talks' initiative, IPQ 7.0 highlights a widening gap in financial preparedness between working men and women in urban India. According to the study, working men's Protection Quotient score rose to 50 (from 47 in IPQ 6.0), while working women's score remained stagnant at 48 indicating a break in last year's parity. Despite urban India's overall improvement in financial protection, working women continue to face unique anxieties across key life milestones such as retirement planning, children's education, and marriage. Additionally, women expressed higher levels of concern around inflation, medical emergencies, and loss of a breadwinner, further amplifying the need for gender-responsive financial planning and support frameworks. Prashant Tripathy, CEO & Managing Director, Axis Max Life, said, "As India progresses on its journey toward financial security, it is vital that we recognise the varied realities shaping people's protection needs. The IPQ 7.0 findings reveal that working women continue to face structural and emotional barriers to financial preparedness. This calls for not only greater awareness, but also collective effort across the industry to make protection more inclusive, accessible, and aligned to the evolving fabric of Indian society." Implications & Path Forward The study underscores the need to embed gender-sensitivity across insurance design, advisory models, and education programs. From savings-led planning tools to customised advisory support, the industry must act with urgency to ensure India's women feel secure, seen, and protected. Instituted in 2019, India Protection Quotient is an annual Survey by Axis Max Life Insurance in association with Kantar aimed to understand the pulse of the Indian consumers in the financial protection space. Launched with the underlying objective to increase penetration of Term insurance as the most fundamental and economical form of life insurance, the survey aims to reveal the state of Urban Indians with regards to current financial security levels, changing savings & investment patterns, key anxieties & triggers of financial protection in a contemporary world. India Protection Quotient is a proprietary tool developed by Axis Max Life in partnership with Kantar to gauges the degree to which Indians feel protected from future uncertainties on a scale of 0 to 100. It is based on the attitudes, mental preparedness around future uncertainties, awareness, and ownership of life insurance product categories (Term, endowment and ULIP). The information collected through this survey and the results published are intended for general guidance and informational purposes only. Axis Max Life disclaims any liability for any loss, damage, or decisions arising from the use of this survey or the results provided. Axis Max Life Insurance Limited, formerly known as Max Life Insurance Company Ltd., is a Joint Venture between Max Financial Services Limited ("MFSL") and Axis Bank Limited. Axis Max Life Insurance offers comprehensive protection and long-term savings life insurance solutions through its multi-channel distribution, including agency and third-party distribution partners. It has built its operations over two decades through a need-based sales process, a customer-centric approach to engagement and service delivery and trained human capital. As per annual audited financials for FY2024-25, Axis Max Life has achieved a gross written premium of INR 33,223 Cr. For more information: Kantar is the world's leading marketing data and analytics business and an indispensable brand partner to the world's top companies. We combine the most meaningful attitudinal and behavioural data with deep expertise and advanced analytics to uncover how people think and act. We help clients understand what has happened and why and how to shape the marketing strategies that shape their future.
The Wire
19-06-2025
- Business
- The Wire
Widening Gender Gap in India's Financial Protection Levels - Axis Max Life India Protection Quotient 7.0
New Delhi, Delhi, India (NewsVoir) Key Findings: • Working women's Protection Quotient score remains at 48; working men's rises to 50 • Women feel less financially secure across life goals like retirement, education, and marriage • Higher concern among women about inflation, healthcare costs, and loss of a breadwinner Axis Max Life Insurance Ltd. ('Axis Max Life'/ 'Company'), formerly known as Max Life Insurance Company Ltd, in partnership with KANTAR, the world's leading marketing data and analytics company, has released gender-specific findings from the seventh edition of its India Protection Quotient (IPQ) study. Under the Company's 'Bharosa Talks' initiative, IPQ 7.0 highlights a widening gap in financial preparedness between working men and women in urban India. According to the study, working men's Protection Quotient score rose to 50 (from 47 in IPQ 6.0), while working women's score remained stagnant at 48 indicating a break in last year's parity. Despite urban India's overall improvement in financial protection, working women continue to face unique anxieties across key life milestones such as retirement planning, children's education, and marriage. Additionally, women expressed higher levels of concern around inflation, medical emergencies, and loss of a breadwinner, further amplifying the need for gender-responsive financial planning and support frameworks. Prashant Tripathy, CEO & Managing Director, Axis Max Life, said, 'As India progresses on its journey toward financial security, it is vital that we recognise the varied realities shaping people's protection needs. The IPQ 7.0 findings reveal that working women continue to face structural and emotional barriers to financial preparedness. This calls for not only greater awareness, but also collective effort across the industry to make protection more inclusive, accessible, and aligned to the evolving fabric of Indian society.' Implications & Path Forward The study underscores the need to embed gender-sensitivity across insurance design, advisory models, and education programs. From savings-led planning tools to customised advisory support, the industry must act with urgency to ensure India's women feel secure, seen, and protected. About India Protection Quotient Instituted in 2019, India Protection Quotient is an annual Survey by Axis Max Life Insurance in association with Kantar aimed to understand the pulse of the Indian consumers in the financial protection space. Launched with the underlying objective to increase penetration of Term insurance as the most fundamental and economical form of life insurance, the survey aims to reveal the state of Urban Indians with regards to current financial security levels, changing savings & investment patterns, key anxieties & triggers of financial protection in a contemporary world. India Protection Quotient is a proprietary tool developed by Axis Max Life in partnership with Kantar to gauges the degree to which Indians feel protected from future uncertainties on a scale of 0 to 100. It is based on the attitudes, mental preparedness around future uncertainties, awareness, and ownership of life insurance product categories (Term, endowment and ULIP). Read more at - Disclaimer: The study is conducted in top 25 Urban metro, Tier 1 and Tier 2 cities; hence, its findings are representative of metro, Tier 1 and Tier 2 cities of Urban India only. • Metro – Delhi, Kolkata, Chennai, Bangalore, Hyderabad, Mumbai • Tier 1 – Ludhiana, Jaipur, Lucknow, Patna, Bhubaneshwar, Vizag, Ahmedabad, Bhopal, Pune • Tier 2 – Dehradun, Moradabad, Guwahati, Bokaro, Kolhapur, Jamnagar, Raipur, Ujjain, Hubli-Dharwad, Tiruchirappalli • IPQ 7.0 vs IPQ 6.0 data comparison is amongst 25 markets only [6 metros, 9 Tier 1 and 10 Tier] • The minimum sample to conclude any findings of the study is 270 with an error margin of -5.964 The information collected through this survey and the results published are intended for general guidance and informational purposes only. Axis Max Life disclaims any liability for any loss, damage, or decisions arising from the use of this survey or the results provided. About Axis Max Life Insurance Limited Axis Max Life Insurance Limited, formerly known as Max Life Insurance Company Ltd., is a Joint Venture between Max Financial Services Limited ('MFSL') and Axis Bank Limited. Axis Max Life Insurance offers comprehensive protection and long-term savings life insurance solutions through its multi-channel distribution, including agency and third-party distribution partners. It has built its operations over two decades through a need-based sales process, a customer-centric approach to engagement and service delivery and trained human capital. As per annual audited financials for FY2024-25, Axis Max Life has achieved a gross written premium of INR 33,223 Cr. For more information: About Kantar Kantar is the world's leading marketing data and analytics business and an indispensable brand partner to the world's top companies. We combine the most meaningful attitudinal and behavioural data with deep expertise and advanced analytics to uncover how people think and act. We help clients understand what has happened and why and how to shape the marketing strategies that shape their future. (Disclaimer: The above press release comes to you under an arrangement with Newsvoir and PTI takes no editorial responsibility for the same.). This is an auto-published feed from PTI with no editorial input from The Wire.
