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Life Insurance awareness and adoption surges amongst Urban Indians; Protection Quotient now at 45: Max Life IPQ 6.0 Survey*

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Key Findings of the IPQ 6.0 Survey

India’s Protection Quotient (IPQ) reveals that 3 in 4 urban Indians now own life insuranceUrban India’s heightened awareness about life insurance products drives the overall Knowledge Index to 61; higher importance being ascribed to Cover and Riders while buying Term Life InsuranceThe South Zone most financially prepared; West India has the highest increase in IPQ over the last year Increase seen in the Protection Quotient of working women; now at par with working men Digitally-savvy urban Indians have a significantly higher Protection Quotient of 54 vs non-digital at 45  

NEW DELHI, Feb. 22, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — Max Life Insurance Company Ltd. (“Max Life“/ “Company”) today unveiled the findings of the sixth edition of its flagship survey, the India Protection Quotient survey (IPQ)* conducted in partnership with KANTAR, the world’s leading marketing data and analytics company. Tapping 4,700 respondents across 25 Indian cities, this widely inclusive survey uncovers urban India’s pulse on financial protection. Marking its 6th edition, the IPQ stands as one of the most comprehensive and long-running financial studies, covering varied cohorts, including Generation-Z, Women and Millennials, carrying forward the theme of ‘Protection for All’.

As per IPQ 6.0, urban India demonstrates remarkable progress in financial readiness, with 3 out of 4 urban Indians now owning life insurance products. The Protection Index is at an all-time high of 45 in IPQ 6.0, up from 43 in IPQ 5.0, reflecting a positive trajectory in the nation’s evolving protection awareness and adoption. This is reflected in the Knowledge Index increasing from 57 (IPQ 5.0) to 61 (IPQ 6.0) and life insurance ownership levels moving from 73 (IPQ 5.0) to 75 (IPQ 6.0). Over a five-year period, the India Protection Quotient has witnessed an impressive 10-point increase, from 35 in IPQ 1.0 to 45 in IPQ 6.0, that reiterates Urban India’s constant journey towards building financial resilience.

The latest insights unveil a shift in the nation’s financial well-being as well. Despite a modest increase from 63% in IPQ 5.0 to 65% in IPQ 6.0, urban Indians’ financial security levels have yet to fully recover to pre-pandemic levels. Corresponding with last year’s observations, metro cities are approaching the 50-point milestone this year, boasting a Protection Quotient of 49 points. In contrast, life insurance ownership and adoption in Tier II cities remain stagnant, with IPQ lagging at 36 points. In line with previous findings, South India retained its position as the most financially protected zone with a Protection Quotient of 49 points. This was followed by West India, which showcased a marked improvement in financial preparedness from 42 points in IPQ 5.0 to 46 points in IPQ 6.0. North and East zones lagged in financial protection at 41 and 40 points in this edition, respectively.

Unveiling key demographic insights, IPQ 6.0 sheds light on an interesting trend as millennials closely trail older age groups in financial preparedness, scoring at 45 and 46 for millennials and non-millennials, respectively. On the flip side, Gen Z emerges as the least financially shielded age group, holding a Protection Quotient of 42 points, largely due to lower insurance ownership. In a significant achievement, working women have successfully narrowed the financial protection gender gap. The Protection Quotient for working women has surged to 47 points, aligning with their male counterparts. Notably, 8 out of 10 working women are now investing in life insurance, marking a positive shift.

Prashant Tripathy, CEO and Managing Director, Max Life Insurance said, “Over the past five editions, the India Protection Quotient has become a true barometer for measuring urban India’s financial protection levels. By including incremental cohorts’ year-on-year, IPQ has become stronger, bigger, and more inclusive. Today, we are witnessing a remarkable shift in the financial consciousness of this diverse group, with 3 out of 4 urban Indians now owning life insurance. This opens opportunity areas for us in the space of digital transformation, creating tailored products, and building greater awareness initiatives that will help ensure an even larger insurance penetration in the country and support the vision of ‘Insurance for All by 2047′”.  

Soumya Mohanty, MD & Chief Client Officer, South Asia, Insights Division, Kantar commented, “We are happy to collaborate with Max Life Insurance in advancing awareness about life insurance and addressing the pressing need for financial security across the nation. As one of the longest-running studies in India, the India Protection Quotient Survey serves as a valued tool in providing critical statistical insights for the life insurance sector. Over the course of six years, the IPQ findings have revealed substantial data relating to financial behavior, savings patterns, and insurance uptake amongst urban Indians, making it an indispensable marker of the country’s financial preparedness.”

About India Protection Quotient

Instituted in 2019, India Protection Quotient is an annual property by Max Life Insurance in association with Kantar aimed at understanding the pulse of Indian consumers in the financial protection space. Launched with the underlying objective of increasing 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 and investment patterns, key anxieties, and triggers of financial protection in a contemporary world. The India Protection Quotient is a proprietary tool developed by Max Life in partnership with Kantar to gauge the degree to which Indians feel protected from future uncertainties on a scale of 0 to 100. It is based on attitudes, mental preparedness around future uncertainties, awareness, and ownership of life insurance product categories (term, endowment, and ULIP).

The following findings reveal insights that highlight urban India’s shift in attitude and approach towards financial preparedness studied by India Protection Quotient 6.0:

FINANCIAL PREPAREDNESS OF URBAN INDIANS

Highest progress seen in awareness of life insurance products, with more than 50% rise in the Knowledge Index since IPQ 1.0; Life insurance ownership soars to 75%
In a positive move, urban India has made huge strides in awareness about life insurance over the past six years, with the Knowledge Index increasing from 39 in IPQ 1.0 to 61 as per the IPQ 6.0 study. Life insurance ownership too witnessed a steady improvement from 65% in IPQ 1.0 to 75% in the IPQ 6.0 survey indicating urban India’s steady path towards financial protection from unforeseen challenges.Metro and Tier II findings reveal a large gap in the Protection Quotient 
IPQ 6.0 revealed a large gap in the IPQ scores of Metro and Tier II cities, with Metro cities inching towards the halfway mark at 49, followed by Tier I cities securing 45 points but Tier II trailing at 36 points. This disparity underscores the ongoing challenge of promoting life insurance awareness and accessibility in smaller urban centers, highlighting the need for targeted interventions to address barriers to financial pliability.Interesting trends in urban India’s financial behavior and savings patterns
The burden of rising medical expenses has emerged as the top concern among urban Indians, with nearly two-thirds of the population expressing significant apprehensions. Despite growing focus on attaining a financially stable retired life, saving for retirement takes a back seat as urban Indians prioritize other savings goals like children’s education and marriage.

OUTLOOK TOWARDS TERM INSURANCE

Gap between Awareness and Uptake of Term Insurance widens as per IPQ 6.0
Despite heightened awareness about term plans, from 64% in IPQ 5.0 to 70% in IPQ 6.0, term insurance ownership has seen negligible improvement since the previous edition, standing at 31% in IPQ 6.0, up from 30% in IPQ 5.0. The widened gap between ownership and awareness of term insurance products reflects shifting savings priorities, as IPQ 6.0 reveals how safeguarding against the untimely death of the breadwinner holds lower importance amongst respondents. In terms of other life insurance products, IPQ 6.0 highlights that 4 out of 10 urban Indians now own one or more savings products, whereas preference for ULIPs remains low at 14% ownership levels. It has also been seen that urban Indians assign higher importance to Cover and Riders while buying Term Insurance, while the priority assigned to premiums has diminished. Not thinking about life insurance, and other investments are the major barriers witnessed in this edition. An interesting point to note is that today 1 out of 4 Indians prefer Health Insurance over Life Insurance, underscoring the value ascribed to health by Indians.

MILLENIALS & NON MILLENIALS

Financial preparedness across generations reveals disparities
The latest data from IPQ 6.0 reveals an intriguing shift in financial preparedness across different generations. While millennials are nearing parity with non-millennials in terms of financial readiness with a Protection Quotient of 45 and 46, respectively, Generation Z trails slightly behind with a Protection Quotient of 42 points. IPQ 6.0 highlights a notable gap in life insurance ownership levels, with Generation Z at 69 compared to non-millennials at 79. Interestingly, Generation Z demonstrates higher scores in Security levels, indicating a strong sense of financial security at 66, surpassing non-millennials at 63. While Generation Z shows promise in financial planning, there is room for improvement, particularly in term insurance uptake.

SALARIED VS SELF-EMPLOYED

Self-employed urban Indians exhibit a 9-point improvement in Knowledge Index in just one year
As per IPQ 6.0, while salaried individuals have maintained relatively stable IPQ scores, self-employed urban Indians are making strides in financially preparing for an uncertain tomorrow. Reflecting a significant enhancement in financial literacy and awareness, the Knowledge Index of self-employed segment stands at 64 – 3 points above the nationwide Knowledge Index scores. This surge in knowledge is paralleled by a tangible increase in ownership levels, with a rise from 73% to 77%, indicating how the cohort is actively addressing gaps in financial protection.

DIGITALLY SAVVY URBAN INDIANS

With an IPQ of 54, Urban India’s digitally savvy consumers are more financially protected than any other cohort
IPQ 6.0 reveals that the Protection Quotient of digitally-savvy urban Indians is 9 points higher than their non-digital counterparts, with the score of the cohort at 54, whereas the non-digital cohort stands at 45 points. The Knowledge Index remains highest in the digitally savvy urban Indian cohort at 73, with 80% of respondents owning life insurance. While traditional channels like agents remain prevalent, there’s a shift towards online channels, reflecting digitally-savvy consumers’ preference for convenience and accessibility. The substantial jump from 11% to 24% in fitness app subscribers within a year underscores the evolving lifestyle choices and preferences of urban Indians.

Read more about the India Protection Quotient at – https://www.maxlifeinsurance.com/maxlife-ipq 

Disclaimer:

The study is conducted in the top 25 Urban metros, Tier 1 and Tier 2 cities; hence, its findings are representative of metro, Tier 1 and Tier 2 cities in Urban India only.

Metro – Delhi, Kolkata, Chennai, Bangalore, Hyderabad, MumbaiTier 1 – Ludhiana, Jaipur, Lucknow, Patna, Bhubaneshwar, Vizag, Ahmedabad, Bhopal, PuneTier 2 – Dehradun, Moradabad, Guwahati, Bokaro, Kolhapur, Jamnagar, Raipur, Ujjain, Hubli-Dharwad, TiruchirappalliIPQ 6.0 vs IPQ 5.0 data comparison is amongst 25 markets only [6 metros, 9 Tier 1 and 10 Tier 2]The minimum sample to conclude any findings of the study is 270 with an error margin of +-5.964%

* Findings represented here are as per the IPQ 6.0 survey and Max Life doesn’t assume responsibility or liability for any contradictions.

About Max Life Insurance

Max Life is a Joint Venture between Max Financial Services Limited (“MFSL”) and Axis Bank Limited. Max Life offers comprehensive protection and long-term savings life insurance solutions through its multi-channel distribution, including agency and third-party distribution partners. Max Life 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 the annual audited financials for FY2022-23, Max Life has achieved a gross written premium of INR 25,342 Cr.

For more information, please visit the Company’s website at www.maxlifeinsurance.com

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.

For more information, visit www.kantar.com 

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ModelBest and OpenBMB Open-Source MiniCPM-OCR Series, Delivering High-Performance Document Parsing and AI-Powered Quality Control

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BEIJING, Oct. 31, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — ModelBest and OpenBMB jointly announced the release and open-source availability of the MiniCPM-OCR series, a family of models for efficient document parsing and parsing-quality assessment. The launch includes two models: MiniCPM-OCR 1.0 (1.3B) and MiniCPM-OCR Jev (2B).

As the first OCR-focused model in the MiniCPM family, MiniCPM-OCR 1.0 brings top-tier parsing accuracy to a compact 1.3-billion-parameter architecture optimized for edge deployment, pushing forward the balance between efficiency and performance for open-source OCR models. Built for real-world conditions, it accurately parses scanned, photographed, curved, tilted and screen-captured documents without cumbersome image pre-correction, lowering the barrier to large-scale document digitization.

The model handles dense bilingual Chinese-English content, complex mathematical formulas, and multi-level or borderless tables, consistently performing at a leading level across a broad range of mainstream industry evaluations. Beyond full-page reconstruction, it supports key information extraction (KIE), pulling specified fields from invoices, IDs and financial statements according to business instructions.

Powered by DSpark decoding acceleration, MiniCPM-OCR 1.0 significantly increases end-to-end throughput while lowering per-page latency. For enterprises processing millions of pages—such as financial contract archives, academic libraries and government records—this means processing far more documents with the same hardware and time budget, at a substantially lower computing cost.

To address the long-standing need for page-by-page manual review, ModelBest and OpenBMB also introduced MiniCPM-OCR Jev, the first OCR result decision model that acts as an “AI quality inspector.” Rather than performing OCR itself, Jev compares the source image with OCR output and rapidly assigns confidence scores to text, LaTeX formulas and tables, detecting missing characters, errors and formatting misalignments. Despite its compact 2B-parameter size, Jev delivers judgment accuracy typically associated with far larger models.

Jev supports cross-model deployment and can be integrated into existing OCR workflows without replacing the underlying OCR engine. It can automatically identify reliable results for direct processing, flag potentially inaccurate outputs for human review and select the best result from multiple OCR systems. This enables enterprises to move from full manual inspection toward risk-based, automated quality control.

The MiniCPM-OCR series is available on GitHub, Hugging Face and ModelScope, and supports vLLM, SGLang, llama.cpp and Ollama, along with SDKs, APIs, Agent Skill plugins and open-source fine-tuning code. Day-0 hardware adaptation covers AMD, Arm, Houmo AI, Intel and NVIDIA. Through the FlagOS software stack, it also has Day-0 support for AI and edge chips from CIX Technology, Huawei Ascend, Hygon, Iluvatar CoreX, Kunlunxin, MetaX, Moore Threads, Sunrise, T-Head, TsingMicro, NVIDIA and Apple Mac (Arm).

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SOURCE ModelBest

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Wulcea Elevates Consumer Trust in Heated Apparel Through Multi-National Safety Certifications and Rigorous Technical Testing

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October 31, 2026

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NEW YORK, Oct. 31, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — As smart heated clothing gains broader adoption, consumers are paying closer attention to the safety and reliability of the technology behind these products. Wulcea, a brand specializing in graphene-powered heated apparel, combines its flexible GrapheneNano™ heating technology with documented safety compliance and durability testing for its heating components and battery systems.

“Trust in smart heated apparel goes beyond warmth—it comes down to confidence in battery safety and heating element reliability,” said John C, Founder of Wulcea. “Our goal is to give users peace of mind through certified technical standards.”

Advanced Graphene Heating Elements Supported by Global Standards

At the core of Wulcea’s thermal architecture is its GrapheneNano™ heating technology. Engineered to eliminate garment stiffness, Wulcea integrates flexible graphene elements that deliver balanced warmth across key upper-body zones while preserving natural garment drape and full freedom of movement.

Wulcea supports its heating components with applicable compliance documentation for major markets. These include CE and FCC compliance documentation addressing relevant electrical and electromagnetic compatibility requirements, as well as PSE compliance for applicable products in Japan. RoHS compliance further addresses restrictions on specified hazardous substances in applicable electrical and electronic components.

Multi-Certified Battery System for Dependable Power

To power its heating elements, Wulcea pairs its heated apparel with rechargeable battery systems designed for convenient everyday use. Featuring a compact design and housed in dedicated interior pockets, the batteries provide portable power while maintaining a streamlined garment profile and comfortable fit.

Wulcea backs its battery options with comprehensive third-party accreditations. UL certification demonstrates that the battery system has been evaluated against recognized power bank safety requirements, covering key areas such as overcharge protection, short-circuit protection, and thermal safety. The battery systems are also supported by applicable CE and FCC compliance documentation, addressing relevant regulatory requirements for electrical and electromagnetic compatibility.

For daily handling and travel, RoHS compliance validates that the battery system meets stringent global standards for material safety. The battery models have also undergone applicable UN 38.3 testing, supporting compliance with international requirements for lithium battery transportation.

Real-World Durability and Practical Usability

Component compliance forms Wulcea’s foundation, but reliability is defined by real-world performance. Built for high-flex endurance, Wulcea’s flexible graphene heating elements are tested through 10,000 active flexing cycles to maintain steady thermal output through repeated bending and everyday body movement.

Everyday convenience is equally essential. Built for hassle-free care, Wulcea’s heating elements withstand 100 machine-wash cycles under standard care guidelines, maintaining internal conductivity and structural stability under repeated laundering.

Integrated NTC temperature sensors provide thermal monitoring and are designed to stop heating if temperatures exceed 131°F (55°C). Combined with runtime of up to 10 hours on the low setting and a discreet interior control button, these features support practical everyday use in cold-weather conditions.

Aligning Technical Standards with Everyday Warmth

By combining graphene-based heating technology with documented battery safety compliance and durability testing, Wulcea continues to focus on the technical foundations of dependable heated apparel. This approach reflects the brand’s emphasis on bringing together safety considerations, practical functionality, and everyday comfort for cold-weather use.

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NIDS Co., Ltd. Confirms CES 2027 Participation, Pursues Expansion of Global Supply Chain for Environmental Sensors

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October 31, 2026

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Company introduced optical and gas sensors at SEDEX and is strengthening its composite sensor business for robotics, home appliances, automotive, and smart building applications

SEOUL, South Korea, Oct. 31, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Environmental sensor manufacturer NIDS Co., Ltd. has confirmed its participation in CES 2027 and is moving to expand its global business-to-business (B2B) supply chain. Building on its experience supplying sensors to domestic and international home appliance and automotive companies, the company aims to secure overseas customers and extend its applications into smart building HVAC and robotics.

NIDS recently participated in the Korea Semiconductor Industry Association’s Sensor Pavilion at SEDEX 2026, held at COEX in Seoul, where it introduced its next-generation sensor modules. The company said the exhibition allowed it to raise awareness of its technology among domestic home appliance and electronic component industry professionals and to lay the groundwork for collaboration in the sensor field.

The company will use CES 2027 as its next stage. NIDS plans to firm up discussions on sensor module supply with global home appliance makers, HVAC specialists, and robotics companies. It aims to extend the industry contacts gained at the domestic exhibition overseas and to convert product introductions into actual supply opportunities.

Founded in 2000, NIDS develops and manufactures environmental sensors and air quality management solutions. According to the company, it has supplied more than 10 million sensors cumulatively to domestic and international companies, including Dyson, Samsung Electronics, and Hyundai Motor. Drawing on this supply track record, the company intends to showcase its precision sensing technology and mass-production capabilities to overseas customers.

Its main products include particulate matter sensors, optical gas sensors based on non-dispersive infrared (NDIR) technology, composite environmental sensors, and electronic nose sensor modules. The particulate matter sensors measure PM1.0, PM2.5, and PM10, while the gas sensor lineup targets carbon dioxide (CO₂), carbon monoxide (CO), and other gases. The electronic nose is used for detecting everyday odors, gas leaks, and fires. The company said it designs the core components required for air quality measurement in-house and has a system in place to mass-produce 5 million units annually.

The area where NIDS will expand development and supply going forward is next-generation composite sensor modules. The company has been pursuing a sensor business that responds to industry-specific demand in home appliances, automotive, and smart building HVAC, and is now concentrating its capabilities on markets such as robotics, industrial safety, and odor detection based on this technology. Building on its experience supplying individual components, NIDS plans to continue developing and supplying, on a B2B basis, modules that handle multiple types of environmental data.

The company will also highlight its sensor product lineup and its newly developed ultra-compact MEMS sensor technology at the exhibition. NIDS plans to introduce its optical and gas sensor lineup along with examples of their application in actual air quality management systems. By explaining both the measurement functions of its components and its experience operating sensors for finished-product services, the company aims to broaden the scope of partnership discussions.

NIDS explained that, because it owns its precision sensors, it can control sensor sensitivity and tune algorithms to suit the system in which they are applied. Drawing on this technical operating experience, the company plans to pursue partnerships with customers and to promote its business capabilities extending from sensor components to air quality and odor management and industrial safety management.

NIDS will also leverage its existing branch network in its overseas market development. Through its overseas bases in the United States, Japan, and China, the company plans to widen its touchpoints with buyers and seek new supply opportunities in conjunction with its CES participation. Its goal is to generate export results by combining exhibition participation with its local networks.

The company intends to keep expanding the global supply of sensor components as a core pillar of its business. Building on the supply experience accumulated in home appliances and automotive, it will broaden its partners to robotics, HVAC, and smart buildings, and respond to industry-specific air quality measurement demand through the development of next-generation modules.

“We plan to continue expanding the development and B2B supply of next-generation composite sensor modules needed across a range of industries, including home appliances, automotive, and smart building HVAC,” NIDS said.

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SOURCE NIDS Co., Ltd.

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