Kamal Ghorui
Corporate India is now aligning with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s call to encourage work-from-home (WFH), reduce non-essential travel, and conserve foreign exchange. Executives across conglomerates, consulting firms, financial services, and technology companies said they are reviewing policies and may expand remote work options while restricting domestic and international travel. According to a report by Economic Times, Several firms already operating hybrid models said they will continue to follow them while monitoring the situation. KPMG India confirmed it is evaluating the announcement, while Deloitte, EY, Tata Motors, and Mercedes-Benz India reiterated their hybrid policies. Mercedes-Benz India CEO Santosh Iyer noted that business travel is already optimised to ensure only critical trips are undertaken.“We also proactively optimize business travel to ensure only business critical travel is undertaken,” managing director and CEO, Santosh Iyer told ET.
Corporate leaders voice support
The report by ET adds, Diageo India CHRO Chinmay Sharma said the company is “fully aligned” with the PM’s guidance, prioritizing virtual meetings and restricting travel to essential purposes. Coca-Cola India also continues hybrid work. RPG Group already has a 50% WFH policy, and chairman Harsh Goenka tweeted support for the PM’s appeal, urging citizens to conserve fuel and reduce avoidable imports.“We are fully aligned with the Prime Minister’s guidance. At Diageo India (USL), we will continue to prioritise hybrid working, virtual meetings over in-person engagements at this time, with business travel restricted to essential purposes only,” Chinmay Sharma, chief HR officer, Diageo India (USL) told ET.
Sector-wide adjustments
A Mumbai-based conglomerate with Middle East interests has restricted non-critical travel but ruled out WFH due to industry requirements. Axis Bank continues hybrid work for non-customer-facing roles, requiring only two office days per week. NASSCOM said the tech industry operates on hybrid models, with companies adopting prudent energy management measures amid Middle East tensions.Employee body NITES has formally requested the labour ministry to issue an advisory mandating WFH wherever feasible. Meanwhile, ed-tech firm Eruditus, which operates virtually across 63 cities, said teams are already reducing non-essential travel and replacing face-to-face meetings unless critical.India Inc’s response reflects a mix of caution and alignment with the government’s appeal. While many firms already operate hybrid or virtual models, the renewed emphasis on WFH and travel cuts highlights the dual goals of conserving resources and ensuring business continuity amid global uncertainties.
