In a strong move against digital obscenity, the Ministry of Information & Broadcasting has banned 25 OTT platforms for violating Indian content laws. These platforms were found distributing pornographic and sexually explicit content, breaching IT Rules and multiple sections under the IPC and Indecent Representation Act. The order, dated July 23, 2025, directs all Indian Internet Service Providers to block access to the following apps and their websites immediately: Full List of Banned OTT Platforms: Why the Ban? According to a 90-page DoT report, these platforms hosted shows with minimal storyline and excessive sexual content. Some series ran 19 out…
Author: Aman Atulya
A Loss That Shaped a Legacy In 2014, Dr. Sakshi Duggal Kumria lost her three-month-old daughter. It was a moment that fractured her world but also ignited a deeper purpose. From personal tragedy, she rose with unwavering strength and transformed grief into guidance. Today, she’s recognized globally as a spiritual mentor, numerologist, and energy healer. Carrying Forward a Sacred Tradition Her roots in numerology trace back more than 25 years. Born to a respected numerologist mother, Sakshi inherited both intuition and insight. At a time when numerology faced widespread doubt, she stayed committed, becoming the torchbearer of a family legacy.…
San Francisco/Bengaluru, July 2025 — Conversational AI powerhouse Gupshup has secured $60 million in a fresh funding round—majority equity from Globespan Capital Partners and the balance as debt from EvolutionX Debt Capital. The company is reportedly evaluating a domicile shift to India in preparation for an upcoming IPO. Riding the AI Messaging Wave Founded in 2004 by Beerud Sheth as an SMS-based network, Gupshup has transformed into a global conversational engagement platform. It now powers over 120 billion messages annually for clients including Swiggy, HDFC Bank, and Netflix. In FY23, revenue surged 43% to ₹1,619 crore, with profits up 22%. The company’s…
Panaji, July 2025 — The Government of Goa has unveiled the Goa Startup Accelerator Program, designed to elevate local founders and build a stronger entrepreneurship ecosystem in the state. What’s Inside the Program Built under the Department of IT, Electronics & Communications (DITE&C) and the Goa Startup Promotion Cell, the five-month accelerator will support a curated cohort of 30 high-potential startups—25 registered in Goa and up to 5 outside operating locally. Entrepreneurs will engage in intensive mentorship across product-development, fundraising, tech, market access, and business strategy. The program includes masterclasses by domain experts, one-on-one clinics, and culminates in a Demo Day…
Mumbai, July 23, 2025 — PayPal has announced the launch of PayPal World, a global payments platform featuring India’s UPI as a native settlement option. In partnership with the National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI), this initiative seamlessly connects with payment systems such as Tenpay Global, Mercado Pago, and Venmo. A Regulated Boost Ahead of Launch UPI Goes Global—or Closer India’s UPI handles roughly 85% of domestic digital transactions and is now extending its reach globally via PayPal World. Indian users can pay on international merchant sites using UPI—no cards, no FX layers, just direct transfers. The NPCI aims to…
When Japjot Singh launched ANNY in 2023, the goal was clear: blend real-time trend responsiveness with inventory-light operations in India’s luxury-fashion space. Just two years later, the startup has secured ₹10 crore in Pre-Series A funding, led by early-stage investor Atomic Capital. The Built-for-Speed Model ANNY operates on a vertically integrated, inventory-light model responding to emerging consumer trends without overstocking. The result? A sharp 8× growth in revenue since inception. Singh explains: “Our model minimizes inventory risk and maximizes consumer joy. With Atomic’s backing, we’re scaling smarter.” Where the Funds Are Headed Market Opportunity & Strategic Edge India’s accessible luxury fashion…
When Abhinav Pathak sold Perpule to Amazon in 2021, he didn’t pause he doubled down. Now, alongside seasoned retail executive Abhinav Zutshi, he’s crafting a new journey with Escape Plan, a travel‑accessory startup born in Bengaluru and backed by Jungle Ventures and Fireside Ventures. A Blueprint Built for Modern Travellers Launched in May 2025, Escape Plan isn’t just another luggage brand it’s positioning itself as India’s first omnichannel travel gear platform, combining e-commerce, offline wearables in six cities, and technology-enabled quick‑commerce. Its product range spans luggage, backpacks, passport covers, neck pillows, and modular organizers designed for travellers whose last-minute needs can’t wait. The company has now…
Aravind Srinivas, CEO of Perplexity AI, delivered a candid wake-up call this week: continuous scrolling through reels and doomscrolling Instagram are costing careers. Instead, he urges young professionals to master AI tools now. A Clear Warning, Delivered Directly Speaking to ET and on tech podcasts, Srinivas emphasized the shrinking window for adaptability: “Spend less time doomscrolling on Instagram; spend more time using the AIs.” He points out that while AI updates every 3–6 months, human learning often lags creating a widening skills gap. What Career Futures Look Like Right Now From Passive Users to Productive Builders Srinivas is pragmatic about the…
July 30, 2025 marks a milestone in India’s space journey. On this day, ISRO and NASA will jointly launch NISAR (NASA‑ISRO Synthetic Aperture Radar), a $1.5 billion Earth‑observation satellite, from Sriharikota aboard the GSLV‑F16 rocket. This is the first bilateral mission jointly built by both countries. Why NISAR Matters Engineered in India, Powered by a Partnership What to Watch Next With final integration checks underway at Sriharikota, the launch window opens in late July. Once in orbit, NISAR will herald a new chapter in Earth monitoring—providing actionable insights on climate change, resource management, and infrastructure resilience. This isn’t just a satellite.…
In India, every child’s dream of studying abroad or even at a top university often comes with a heavy price tag and an even heavier question for parents: How will we afford this? That’s the challenge EduFund was built to solve. A Full-Stack Approach to Education Planning Founded in 2020 by Eela Dubey and Arindam Sengupta, Ahmedabad-based EduFund is one of India’s first full-stack platforms for education planning and financing. From SIP-based savings plans and mutual fund investing to loan approvals, visa counseling, and forex all of it lives under one roof. Now, with a fresh ₹50 crore (~$6 million)…