Brands
WhatsApp named India’s strongest brand in YouGov 2026 rankings
MUMBAI: WhatsApp has cemented its place as India’s most powerful brand, topping YouGov’s Best Brand Rankings 2026 with an Index score of 60.5. In a market where usefulness often matters more than glamour, the messaging app’s everyday indispensability has paid off handsomely.
YouGov’s rankings measure brand health through a composite Index that tracks impression, quality, value, reputation, satisfaction and recommendation. WhatsApp scored strongly across all six, reflecting how deeply it is woven into daily life, from family chats and work groups to payments and customer service.
Close behind are fellow digital heavyweights YouTube, which secured second place with a score of 58.7, and Google at 56.6. Together, the top three underline a clear trend: brands that simplify life and deliver consistent value are winning Indian consumers’ confidence.
E-commerce and digital payments also made a strong showing. Amazon placed fourth overall with 55.2, followed by Google Pay at 54.6. Among homegrown names, Amul held its own in sixth place with a score of 53.6, while Flipkart and Tanishq featured comfortably within the top ten. Samsung and Instagram rounded off the list, highlighting the continued pull of technology and social platforms.
Beyond the established leaders, YouGov’s data also spotlighted brands gaining momentum at speed. Quick commerce player Blinkit emerged as India’s fastest-improving brand, posting the largest year-on-year jump in Index score at plus 6.3. Spotify followed with a gain of 4.9, while Samsung and LG both recorded improvements of 4.6.
Consumer services and lifestyle brands were not far behind. Coca-Cola, Urban Company and Threads all posted notable gains, while travel and subscription services such as Singapore Airlines, Philips and YouTube Premium also climbed steadily.
On the global stage, the picture looks strikingly similar. WhatsApp leads worldwide brand health rankings, ahead of Samsung and YouTube, with Google and Netflix also featuring prominently. Retail, household and automotive brands including Adidas, Nike, Dettol, Colgate and Toyota round out the global top performers.
The message from YouGov’s 2026 rankings is clear. In India and beyond, brands that combine trust, frequency of use and genuine utility are not just liked, they are relied upon.
Brands
Jubilant FoodWorks faces Rs 47.5 crore GST demand, plans appeal
Tax authorities flag alleged misclassification of restaurant services
MUMBAI: Jubilant FoodWorks Limited has landed in a tax tussle after receiving a GST demand of Rs 47.5 crore from the office of the additional commissioner of CGST and central excise in Thane, Maharashtra.
The order, issued under the provisions of the Central Goods and Services Tax Act, 2017, relates to an alleged incorrect classification of certain services under the category of restaurant services. According to the tax authorities, this classification resulted in a short payment of goods and services tax for the period between the financial years 2019-20 and 2021-22.
The demand includes Rs 47.5 crore in GST along with an equal amount as penalty, in addition to applicable interest. The order was received by the company on March 13, 2026.
In a regulatory filing to the BSE Limited and the National Stock Exchange of India Limited, the company said it disagrees with the order and believes its arguments were not adequately considered.
The company is preparing to challenge the decision and plans to file an appeal. It added that once the redressal process is complete, the demand is likely to be dropped.
Despite the sizeable figure attached to the notice, the company said it does not expect any material impact on its financials, operations or other activities.
The disclosure was signed by Suman Hegde, EVP and chief financial officer, who confirmed that the company received the order at 19:06 IST on March 13 and has already initiated steps to contest it.
The development places the quick service restaurant major in the middle of a tax debate that could hinge on how certain restaurant-linked services are classified under GST rules. For now, the company appears ready to take the matter from the tax office to the appeals desk.
