Hate typing in the UPI PIN when you’re making an urgent payment? Of course, many have been there with trembling hands and typing in the wrong PIN under stress. Here’s the latest update, which brings good news. Now you can make UPI payments using your face or fingerprints, in addition to a PIN. This update will take effect on October 8, 2025. So, what do you need to know more about this? Learn more.
Who’s Behind This Big Update?
The National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI) is the organisation behind UPI in India. It has introduced this feature. More importantly, the update has come to light in order to showcase a new biometric payment feature at the Global Fintech Festival in Mumbai. This is a two-day event from 7 October to 9 October. It’s one of the leading fintech festivals in the world.
Why This Change Now?
In recent times, the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) approved new ways to confirm digital payments. And up until now, UPI transactions were done via entering a 4- or 6-digit PIN to complete payment. Face recognition and fingerprint authentication are part of RIB’s approval.
How Does It Work?
Many wonder with this question: how does it work? Well, for this biometric authentication to work, you’ll need your Aadhaar data. So, the Aadhaar data already contains your fingerprint and facial recognition details. Note: It’s more of an official authentication with Aadhaara rather than the normal phone facial recognition and fingerprint.
To make any UPI payment, you can verify your identity by scanning your face or fingerprint, instead of typing a PIN.
Is This Safe?
Yes, because the process relies on your unique biological traits (fingerprint and face data), and it’s hard to fake.
The privacy concerns are limited to zero as Aadhaar officially handles the process.
Aadhaar data is encrypted, meaning they are not shared directly with any payment app as the data is stored securely by UIDAI.
Moreover, it prevents PIN theft, so others cannot peek at your screen.
However, don’t share sensitive information with anyone and use only official UPI apps, such as PhonePe, GPay, Paytm, etc.
Note: If there’s any technical issue with the Aadhaar services, facial recognition and fingerprint authentication may be delayed.
Alexandr Wang, a 28-year-old co-founder of Scale AI (worth 29 billion), is one of the youngest AI billionaires in the world. He rose to fame back in 2016 when he founded his company. He studied at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology; however, he dropped out to focus on his startup. He is famously referred to as the next Elon Musk. And yet another time, he became news after he advised teens to follow Bill Gates and “spend 10,000 hours” on AI coding. Is it because of AI? Or does his young experience say something? What else did he say? For all that, learn more.
Alexandr Wang and Scale AI
He started Scale AI while studying at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology in 2016.
In 2021, his company, Scale AI, reached a valuation of $7.3 billion, making him the world’s youngest self-made billionaire at 24.
Later in 2024, the company soared with $1 billion in a Series F funding round and doubled its valuation to $14 billion.
Right now (precisely April 2025), his total net worth is $2 billion.
What Did Alexandr Wang Say
According to Alexandr Wang, teens of today spend more time learning AI-powered coding tools. It’s similar to what Bill Gates did with the software when he was in his teens.
Alexandr mentioned how Gates used to sneak out to a Seattle company as a teen to learn coding. He also compared the current AI boom to the early computer revolution.
What Did Alexandr Wang Suggest?
He especially suggested that teens should get into “vibe coding,” meaning use AI tools like Replit and Cursor to create code.
In this competitive tech era, he says that if one spends 10,000 hours practising with these tools, they’ll get an edge over the others.
He also says that it’s the perfect opportunity (a rare “moment of discontinuity,” as he calls it) and is very similar to the time when personal computing was taking off.
AI and Coding
Alexandr Wang makes a big, bold prediction that soon AI will be able to write all the code he has personally ever written.
This may happen within the next five years. Therefore, AI will become powerful enough to replicate the skills of top coders.
To which Andrew Ng, another AI expert, agrees. He says that coding has become much easier with AI now.
And that’s the exact reason why more people should learn AI coding. Furthermore, he says that understanding coding will enable people to utilise the AI tool more effectively.
And they’ll eventually become valuable assets to the company or employers.
TrusTerra, India’s first AI-backed marketplace for used electric vehicles (EVs), today announced raising ₹9 Crore in a Pre-Seed funding round led by Finvolve and India Accelerator, with co-investment from GrowthCap Ventures and participation from strategic angels including Shishir Maheswari (MD, E-Mobility/Eversource Capital), Samrath Jit Singh (Founder, Trontek Batteries), Ayush Lohia (CEO, Lohia Auto), Kapil Nirmal and other EV and fintech ecosystem investors.
The fresh capital will be deployed to scale TruEV Score™, India’s first AI-driven metric for EV health, and establish it as the benchmark for resale and financing. TrusTerra will expand its web and mobile marketplace across India’s top EV adoption cities and into Tier-2 markets, strengthen partnerships with OEMs, NBFCs, banks, and dealers, and invest in senior technology, operations, and business development hires. The company will also scale TerraCash™, its instant-sell platform, to accelerate liquidity in the used EV market.
“With our TruEV Score™ and instant-sell marketplace, TrusTerra is unlocking trust and liquidity in India’s pre-owned EV market,”said Tanvir Singh, Co-founder & CEO, TrusTerra.
This vision aligns with TrusTerra’s mission to build the resale backbone of India’s EV revolution, where battery health transparency and resale trust are essential for mass adoption.
Commenting on the investment decision, Ashish Bhatia, Founder & CEO of India Accelerator and Co-Founder of Finvolve said,“Used EV resale and battery health transparency are emerging as key drivers for EV adoption at scale. Without addressing these two pillars, the industry’s growth remains fragile. TrusTerra’s early traction and innovative approach convinced us they are not just solving a challenge but building the backbone of a truly sustainable EV resale ecosystem that can endure and expand.”
The backing from India Accelerator and Finvolve underscores investor confidence in solutions that can accelerate EV adoption by addressing two of the sector’s biggest pain points, resale value and financing access.
Pratekk Agarwaal, Founder & GP at GrowthCap Ventures, said:“TrusTerra’s TruEV Score™ has the potential to do for EVs what the Bureau score did for credit. By enabling trust in resale and unlocking financing, they are addressing one of the most critical barriers to clean mobility. We are excited to support this mission.”
With India’s EV market projected to reach 10 million annual sales by 2030, industry experts believe that resale and financing infrastructure will be critical for sustaining this growth, a gap that TrusTerra aims to close with its AI-backed marketplace.
Since inception, TrusTerra has onboarded 150+ dealers, evaluated 2,000+ used EVs for resale, and facilitated transactions worth over ₹3 Crore. Its TruEV Score™ is already being piloted with OEMs, NBFCs, and fleet operators, generating strong interest from lenders and manufacturers. Over the next 18 months, TrusTerra aims to certify 20,000 used EVs across 20+ cities, expanding its presence through its web and mobile marketplace that enables customers, dealers, and financiers to trade used EVs with verified battery scores and instant financing.
WeWork India was in the news for going public with an IPO worth INR 3,000 crore. However, all is not looking good for the company, and only two days remain before its listing. InGovern Research Services is cautioning with serious concerns about the company’s financial health, governance, and transparency. So, what are those concerns in detail? And what is next for WeWork India? For all that, learn more.
What Is the IPO Actually?
The company is raising INR 3,000 crore via an Offer for Sale (OFS). All the money will go to the investors (especially Embassy Buildcon LLP and WeWork Global, the US parent company) and not the company.
So, InGovern called it a “liquidity event” for its promoters, meaning a cash-out transaction rather than for business expansion.
How Are Regular Investors Reacting?
By Tuesday Afternoon, here’s how the subscription looked:
Retail investors: 57%
Non-institutional investors (HNIs): 21%
Qualified institutional buyers (QIBs): 177%
Employees: 177%
Therefore, only big institutions are interested in the stock. And the grey market responded with a flat price of INR 648, meaning no premium.
InGovern Official Report On WeWork India
What InGovern Is Warning About?
Financial Concerns
According to InGovern, the profit of INR 128 crore in FY24–25 that the company registered is misleading. It stated that the profit is only due to a tax credit of ₹286 crore, without which WeWork India would be at a loss.
It has:
Negative cash flow, meaning the company spends more than it earns.
As of March 2024, the company’s negative net worth is ₹437.4 crore.
High lease costs, with 43% of revenue going into rent.
High finance costs, with 29% going into interest payments.
So, the profits are an impossible situation.
Operational Issues
The company’s occupancy rate is reportedly around 80.7%, which is lower than that of its competitors, ranging from 84% to 89%.
The company’s most profitable business (70% of revenue) comes from Bengaluru and Mumbai, so it’s quite risky if the demand drops in these cities.
Its lease model is cost-heavy, meaning that if the demand drops, the losses can skyrocket immediately.
Legal Troubles of Promoters
Some of the company’s promoters, especially Jitendra Virwani and Karan Virwani, have multiple criminal cases against them:
CBI, ED, and EOW (Economic Offences Wing)
Criminal conspiracy, cheating, breach of trust, and money laundering.
A petitioner, Vinay Bansal, has filed a case in the Bombay High Court stating that WeWork India’s IPO documents don’t disclose any of the information. It’s clearly a violation of SEBI’s disclosure rules.
So, the question looms: is the company even fit and proper” to run a listed company under SEBI rules?
Dependence on WeWork Global
WeWork India operates under a 99-year exclusive brand license from WeWork Global. Interestingly, WeWork Global went bankrupt in 2023.
Having said that, if anything were to happen to WeWork Global or the Indian promoters were to be convicted, the brand would lose its license altogether.
Currently, WeWork India heavily relies on WeWork Global for all its tech, including booking systems, visitor management, and workflow software.
So, it’s very twisted at the moment and doesn’t give a good outlook.
Audit and Governance Issues
Between FY21-22 and FY23-24, auditors raised concerns about certain weaknesses in WeWork India’s internal controls. These controls include vendor selection, procurement, and related-party transactions.
Several warnings were issued, although the company still failed to outline corrective steps in its IPO document. This also contravenes SEBI’s disclosure norms.
Pledged Shares Issue
Just before the IPO, approximately 53% of the promoter shares were pledged, meaning they were used as collateral for loans, amounting to a whopping INR 2,065 crore.
Although the pledge is temporarily lifted to meet SEBI rules, if the securities aren’t listed within 45 days, the promoters must re-pledge them.
So, this will affect the share price.
Final Thoughts…
In the end, according to InGovern, the company is only attractive given that it has a global brand, but several red flags lie underneath:
The Sambhal police have stepped up their efforts against Jawed Habib, a famous hairstylist, and his family for allegedly defrauding more than 100 individuals out of crores of rupees. Nineteen fresh cases were recently filed, bringing the total number of complaints against Javed Habib and his son Anas Habib to 20.
The wife of Jawed Habib, who was purportedly the originator of the fake company, has also been implicated in police investigations. To stop Habib’s family from fleeing the country, authorities have issued lookout notices against each individual. Additionally, Javed Habib has been called to Sambhal to be questioned. Police officers will shortly visit the family’s homes in Delhi and Mumbai after gathering information about their riches.
Police’s Version in Habib’s Case
Police claim that Habib and his son enticed investors at a 2023 event held at Royal Palace Venkat Hall in Sambhal’s Sarayateen neighbourhood under the auspices of FLC (Follicle Global Company). Approximately 150 individuals were promised 50–75% profits on their Bitcoin and Binance Coin investments.
According to reports, each investor contributed between INR 5 and INR 7 lakh, culminating in fraud that affected over 100 individuals. Investors went to the police after a year had passed with no returns. Allegedly, Habib, his son, and others closed down the business and fled.
After victims filed the initial complaint at the Raysatti police station, Superintendent of Police KK Bishnoi promised the victims that their money would be recovered and that action would be taken.
Habib’s Cases Filed Under Sec 420 & 506 of IPC
Nineteen further cases were brought against Jawed Habib, his son, and Saifullah, who had previously been in charge of Habib’s Sambhal operations, as a result of further investigations. Sections 420 and 506 of the IPC have been used to file cases, and investigators assume Habib’s wife was instrumental in the business.
According to SP Bishnoi, the estimated financial theft is between INR 5 and INR 7 crore. Under Section 107 of the CrPC, police teams have been directed to investigate Habib’s properties in Delhi and Mumbai. Should chargesheets be filed, the Gangster Act would be used, which includes seizing the property.
Quick Shots
•Total cases against celebrity hairstylist Jawed
Habib, his son Anas Habib, and associates now stand at 20.
•Accused of defrauding 100+ investors of INR 5–7
crore through a fake crypto investment scheme.
•Promised 50–75% returns on Bitcoin and Binance Coin
investments under FLC (Follicle Global Company) in 2023.
•Investment drive held at Royal Palace Venkat Hall,
Sambhal.
•Company shut down, and accused allegedly fled after
collecting funds.
The Danish pharmaceutical company intends to reduce 11% of its workforce, or 9,000 positions, in order to save 8 billion Danish krone ($1.25 billion) a year. Indian workers in Bengaluru have been laid off less than a month after Ozempic manufacturer Novo Nordisk declared it was reducing its worldwide workforce as part of a reorganisation strategy.
At least three people who are aware of the development reported to Mint, saying that it has affected junior-to-mid-level personnel in departments like sales and marketing as well as those in the company’s global business services (GBS) hub, which collaborates with its international teams. According to Mint, the commercial unit, which primarily consists of sales and marketing positions, will lay off at least 100–150 employees.
As part of the worldwide layoffs, they are anticipated to be in junior and middle order. Another official with knowledge of the situation stated that other departments are probably affected as well.
Novo Nordisk Facing with Stiff Competition
The Danish drugmaker planned to cut 9,000 jobs, or 11% of its workforce, in September, which would save it 8 billion Danish krone ($1.25 billion) annually. The announcement came as the company struggles with increasing competition from rivals like Eli Lilly in the highly lucrative obesity segment.
The company said in an emailed response to media queries on the India layoffs that it has announced that the total number of intended workforce reductions globally is approximately 9,000. Out of respect for the employees involved, the company will not share additional details about individual sites or areas.
This process takes time, and the company’ highest priority is to support its employees. The layoffs come as the pharma giant plans to launch its blockbuster once-a-week weight loss drug, Ozempic, in India soon. The Indian drug regulator approved it last month, and the launch is imminent.
Novo Nordisk launched Wegovy, another once-a-week injectable, in India in July even as competitor Eli Lilly’s drug Mounjaro was gaining significant ground.
Reasons forNovo Nordisk’s Layoffs
Since last year, Novo Nordisk’s growth has been hindered by cheaper imitation compounds in the US and fierce competition from Eli Lilly’s medicines, such as Zepbound and Mounjaro. In an effort to streamline its operations, speed up decision-making, and reallocate resources to the company’s expansion prospects in diabetes and obesity, the corporation announced worldwide employment layoffs last month.
Eli Lilly, a competing American pharmaceutical company, gained a first-mover advantage in India in March when it introduced its weight-loss medication, Mounjaro. Analysts predict that the weight-loss medication market in India, which has over 254 million obese people and over 100 million diabetics, would reach INR 10,000 crore in the next two to three years. According to data from Pharmarack, Wegovy had made INR 19 crore in sales as of August, while Mounjaro had made INR 150 crore nationwide.
Quick Shots
•Up to 150 employees to be laid off in India, mainly
in sales, marketing, and Global Business Services (GBS).
•Layoffs part of global workforce reduction
announced in September.
•Eli Lilly’s Mounjaro launched earlier in March,
already leading in sales.
•Sales as of August: Wegovy – INR 19 crore, Mounjaro
– INR 150 crore.
Artificial intelligence gift finders are transforming the shopping landscape for the perfect gift. Intelligent algorithms help match ideas perfectly for individuals based on their likes, age, and personal style. The tools that cut through the endless options and only show the best fit would save the user’s time. They can recommend things of any sort, i.e., birthday presents, holiday gifts, and gifts for all other special moments. With quick quizzes, trend tracking, and custom filters, the process now becomes simple and fun. Mixing data with a touch of creativity, they prevent guesswork and offer a real, thoughtful choice.
Amazon-linked instant results for personalized ideas
Fast shoppers wanting simplicity
Quickest output and direct buy option
Lacks advanced filtering and brand variety
GiftHuntr
Website
gifthuntr.com
Rating
4
Free Trial
Yes
Best For
Anyone looking for AI-powered gift ideas tailored by interests, occasion, and price filters
GiftHuntr – Top AI Gift Finders
GiftHuntr is the genius gift finder that kicks guessing out of shopping. Using advanced AI, it matches gift ideas-different for different ages, hobbies, and occasions. The tool enables users to fill in those details and see relevant suggestions instantaneously, thus saving hours of searching. Its price comparison function scans deals through stores, allowing one to grab the best price on other websites in real-time. Recipients get selections for birthdays, weddings, and anything else, right down to those special personal touches. Using simple filters and clickable links, GiftHuntr makes shopping enjoyable, easy, and low-key fun.
Pros
Finds personalized gift ideas instantaneously.
Bring price comparisons from different stores for savings.
Easy and fun interface
Cons
Most matches depend on how well the user inputs accurately.
Too many options may confuse some users.
GiftAdvisor
Website
giftadvisor.com
Rating
4.0
Free Trial
No
Best For
Gift idea recommendations across price ranges
GiftAdvisor – Top AI Gift Finders
GiftAdvisor is a smart application to help get just the right gifts with ease. It matches the ideas from age, hobbies, and likes of the person. You simply answer a few quick questions, and in return, get a list of creative options for birthdays, holidays, and any events. The AI learns from past selections to reflect current trends, so it makes every gift feel a little more personal over time. No more stress and guesswork. Just some ideas thought through seconds later. GiftAdvisor takes the stress out of shopping for gifts, whether for a friend, family member, or colleague.
Pros
It is fast and efficient because of the easy, guided entry.
Saves time for busy families or last-minute gifts.
Broad-ranging items – from gadgets to experiences and much more.
Cons
Has no integrated one-click buys on shopping platforms.
Occasional bugs
GiftList Genie
Website
giftlist.com/genie
Rating
4
Free Trial
Yes
Best For
Finding personalized gift ideas from thousands of retailers using AI
GiftList Genie – Top AI Gift Finders
GiftList Genie comprises an AI gift finder that makes it simple and interesting to choose gifts. It matches ideas with someone’s age, hobbies, and special days. You provide some details, and Genie gives you access to a few hundred stores for gifts. Fast filters, live prices, and ratings make it a no-effort gift-finder. There is no account needed to add picks to a wish list or registry with just one click. The chatbot is quick, personal, and easy to use. GiftList Genie takes away the burden of gift shopping, making every present feel new and thoughtful.
Pros
Results tailored to user input through the latest AI features.
Gifting ideas from thousands of retailers
Swift search with instant product matches.
Cons
Many options for the same product sometimes come up
Suggestions may comprise less good products.
DreamGift
Website
dreamgift.ai
Rating
5.0
Free Trial
Yes
Best For
Personalized AI-gift recommendations across occasions & recipients
DreamGift – Top AI Gift Finders
DreamGift is a personal AI gift finder that makes shopping time-efficient. The chatbot Bliss uses a variety of questions to get some information about the recipient and the event, from which Bliss will provide a custom list of ideas for more than forty occasions. It connects to online stores for live options that you can sort by price or style. From birthdays to retirements, DreamGift turns the laborious task of gift hunting into an easy and enjoyable one. With a simple layout, people who shop at the last minute are guided to thoughtful yet inexpensive presents.
Pros
They tailor results for all ages and occasions.
Chatbot Bliss provides guidance and fine-tunes choices
Requires a lot of details from users to work its best.
Giftruly
Website
giftruly.com
Rating
4
Free Trial
Yes
Best For
Finding personalized gift ideas for any occasion using AI
Giftruly – Top AI Gift Finders
Giftruly is the personality-based AI gift finder that adds a personal touch to every occasion. Its smart engine extracts a few details about the person or event and returns creative and thoughtful ideas custom-made for you. Easy to use on web and mobile, it just asks a few questions and learns from your feedback on each search to make the next one faster and more personal. From birthdays to anniversaries to “just because” moments, Giftruly will help you find gifts that stand apart. It saves time while ensuring that every present feels genuine, warm, and memorable.
Pros
Aids users in refining their suggestions for better results.
Works across web and mobile for convenient access anywhere.
Speedy and user-friendly with solid, inventive suggestions.
Cons
There are not a lot of ranges in some categories.
Strength of the results depends on the user inputs
MyMap AI Gift Idea Generator
Website
mymap.ai/gift-idea-generator
Rating
4
Free Trial
Yes
Best For
Generating personalized gift ideas using AI based on interests, preferences, and occasions
MyMap AI Gift Idea Generator – Top AI Gift Finders
MyMap AI Gift Idea Generator is a delightful little gift brainstorming tool that renders intelligent AI along with visual maps. Provide some basic information about the person or the occasion, and it sketches out quite a good mind map of possibilities. This can be edited, made larger, or shared as an image or link. It pulls live trends from the web and also allows group planning while saving or exporting final picks quickly and with ease. The interface is very fast, and you do not even have to sign up for anything.
Pros
Visual mind maps offer the advantage of organizing multiple gift ideas at a glance.
Group brainstorming and live sharing can be done
Exporting as images or shareable links is easy.
Cons
Free version only offers 5 credits
Not desirable for people who prefer classical lists
Pricing
MyMap AI Gift Idea offers custom pricing; contact them for a quote.
AI-powered personalized gift recommendation based on recipient, occasion, interests, and budget
AIgiftguru – Top AI Gift Finders
Giftguru is an excellent choice when it comes to providing easy as well as personal gift options. It is truly an automatic tool allowing for quick choice of the perfect gift picks, based on age, budget, and preferences. This way, you won’t have to rummage through the gifts at any particular store till you find the best items. No nervousness, just good, fast, and evocative results. The app gently reminds you about birthdays and other occasions for waiting. Under each profile are nice figures you saved. The sources of ideas are credible and popular outlets.
Pros
For special dates, automated reminders can be sent to it.
Simple saving and sharing of the favorite picks across profiles.
Ideas sourced from the top online marketplace
Cons
Mostly focuses on products sold by Amazon
Vague recommendations
GiftIdeasAI
Website
giftideasai.com
Rating
4.5
Free Trial
Yes
Best For
Anyone looking for personalized gift ideas for any occasion using AI
GiftIdeas AI – Top AI Gift Finders
GiftIdeas AI application is different from any other gift shopping app. In this application, all that needs to be done is to collect information about the recipient’s age, interest, and style, and then the AI brings out suggestions from the best-known stores for thoughtful ideas. Users can also create profiles and decide on prices before sifting through their creative options easily. Reminders ensure that nobody misses a birthday or holiday. The tool runs pretty fast with a clean design, which helps even last-minute shoppers. Gadget or trip, it contains options for every one-of-a-kind budget.
Pros
Find exclusive, custom gifts for your occasion.
Save time for busy or forgetful shoppers.
Integrate with popular retailers for easy purchase.
Cons
Best matches depend on how much information users provide
Users can be confused by too many choices.
Giftpack AI
Website
giftpack.ai
Rating
4
Free Trial
Yes
Best For
Companies needing AI-powered corporate gifting, automated rewards, and personalized gift workflows.
Giftpack AI – Top AI Gift Finders
Giftpack AI is a solution for smart gift finding in personal as well as corporate gifting. The engine works on interests, location, and social links to find a person with a fantastic gift in a catalogue of more than three million items. It does all this with global delivery and a completely automated process for finding and tracking. Users can manage campaigns, tag others to choose their gifts, add reminders, and also split budgets with ease. With clear dashboards for feedback as well as results, Giftpack takes it to the level of making gifting a data task.
Pros
A huge catalogue, more than 3 million items.
Powerful personalization using real recipient data and artificial intelligence.
Flexible plans that can match small teams, global enterprises, and individuals.
Cons
A cluttered interface, which might confuse first-timers.
GiftGenie is an AI-based gift finder developed for the purpose of fast, seamless, and thoughtful gift-giving. Simply mention a few words about the person-his/her hobbies, likes, or style-and seconds later, GiftGenie rips off an array of unique gift ideas for you. Powered by intelligent language tools, it personalizes each suggestion, whether for a birthday, holiday, or any other event. You may customize your suggestions, save a few favorites, or go straight to Amazon to buy your gift. Its user-friendly design and quick output transform GiftGenie from each session into one devoid of anxiety, fun, and simple, fresh ideas.
Pros
Further personalizes what they offer to the user at the end for greater relevance.
Works as gifts for occasions such as holidays, birthdays, thank-yous, and others.
Directly connected to the different Amazon pages
Cons
The focus of such queries mostly points to Amazon
Refinement features will be much less advanced
Conclusion
AI gift finders offer thoughtful present giving to be done quickly and easily. These multifaceted tools leverage intelligent technology to generate matching ideas for each person’s likes, needs, and big moments. With a few clicks, the shopper is provided with fantastic ideas that match any occasion or budget. Some of these applications have reminder functions and team gifting, while others aid in choosing surprises or sharing wish lists. Mixing all this fun and speed with insights from smart technologies proves to make gift hunting less stressful and more joyful for everyone.
An AI gift finder is a smart tool that uses artificial intelligence to recommend personalized gift ideas based on factors like age, interests, budget, and occasion. It analyzes user inputs and browsing data to instantly suggest thoughtful and relevant gifts.
Which are the best AI gift finder tools?
Some of the best AI gift finders include GiftHuntr, GiftAdvisor, GiftList Genie, DreamGift, Giftruly, MyMap AI Gift Idea Generator, AIgiftguru, GiftIdeas AI, Giftpack AI, and GiftGenie.
Can AI gift finders save time for last-minute shoppers?
Absolutely. AI gift finders like DreamGift and GiftIdeas AI are designed for last-minute shoppers.
From rejection to heading Google’s India Startups, Ragini Das had quite a journey, inspiring many who fear failing in interviews. She was rejected by Google in the final round about 10 years ago, and she made her way back stronger. Not making it through the interview didn’t stop Ragini Das. She worked for Zomato, created ‘leap.club,’ and supported women entrepreneurs in their efforts to thrive. So, how did she become a leader at Google? What’s her story? For all that, learn more.
About Ragini Das
Education: Bachelor’s in Business Administration (First-Class Honours) from Lancaster University, UK.
Schooling: Chettinad Vidyashram, Chennai. She was the Cultural Secretary at her school.
Work experience:
She worked for 6 years at Zomato.
In 2020, she co-founded leap.club.
She was a Frontline Entrepreneur – Europe and U.S. Marketing at Trident Group India.
Done her Internships at Standard Chartered Bank and Aludecor.
Notably, she is the Chair of the Women in Startups Committee at FICCI.
Her Journey In Detail
In 2013, Ragini gave interviews at Google and Zomato. Unfortunately, she didn’t make it through at Google. However, Zomato hired her, and that became a major turning point.
Over the next six years, she was with Zomato. There, she learned how to identify her strengths and build her network.
Later, with lots of confidence, she started her own company, ‘leap.club’ in 2020. It is a professional network led by women. According to her, it’s the “most defining chapter” of her life.
It was with ‘leap.club’ that Ragini found her purpose, identity, and a chance to impact thousands of women’s careers.
‘Leap.club’ paused operations back in June 2025, and she wasn’t sure about her next move. So, she took a break, spent time on art, fitness, travel, and photography (thanks to her dog, Jimmy).
Ragini Das at Google
In August, she came across the job opening at Google for the Head of Startups role. And there it was, her next move and her “meant to be.”
Head of Google for Startups India was the perfect match for her. It was everything she had done, supporting and empowering Indian startups.
She posted about her joining on her LinkedIn profile, and she wrote, “Life has come full circle, and I’m excited to share that I’ve joined Google as Head of Google for Startups – India 🍋.”
And further added, “We’re on a mission to support thriving startups around the world by connecting them to the right people, products and best practices to help them grow. More on what’s coming up in India soon.
For now, founders building ambitious startups – I’d love to hear from you and see how we can support your journey. My inbox is open: raginidas@google.com”
Reliance Infrastructure Ltd. and Reliance Power Ltd.’s shares are under scrutiny on 7 October following their clarification of SEBI show-cause notifications regarding suspected violations of the SEBI Act of 1992 and the SEBI (Prohibition of Fraudulent and Unfair Trade Practices) Regulations, 2003.
Reliance Power stated in a filing to the BSE that it has no exposure to CLE Private Limited and that it has received a show-cause notice from SEBI regarding Reliance Infrastructure Limited’s stake in the company for suspected violations. According to Reliance Power, the business will act appropriately in this case as directed by law.
Reliance’s Response to SEBI
In a different filing, Reliance Infrastructure stated that it had previously revealed on February 9, 2025, that the conflict pertaining to the company’s exposure with CLE Private Limited had been resolved by consent terms filed before the Hon’ble Bombay High Court’s Mediation Centre in accordance with the Mediation Act, 2023.
Following an eight-month delay, Reliance Infra reported that it has now received a Show Cause Notice from SEBI for allegedly violating the SEBI (Prohibition of Fraudulent and Unfair Trade Practices) Regulations, 2003, as well as the SEBI Act, 1992. According to the Mediation Act of 2023, the settlement with CLE Private Limited has already been reached and is completely operative. Reliance Infra promised to follow legal advice and take the necessary action in this case.
Reliance Declaring CPL Issue Now Fully Resolved
Reliance Infra had earlier on February 9 declared that its dispute with CPL was fully resolved, and as a result, INR 5,777.13 crore in assets and economic interests in CPL’s assets were assigned or transferred to the company. Additionally, INR 726 crore, the decreed amount, was converted into a secured loan with customary representations, warranties, and indemnity in the company’s favour.
According to Reliance Infra, Reliance Infrastructure Limited and CPL submitted the consent terms under Mediation Application No. 181/2023 to the Hon’ble Bombay High Court in accordance with the Mediation Act, 2023, in order to settle their unresolved disagreements and claims. It stated that all pending claims and disputes against CPL had been fully and definitively settled for INR 6,503.13 crore.
Quick Shots
•Reliance Power and Reliance Infrastructure shares
under scrutiny on October 7.
•EBI issued notices for alleged violations of SEBI
Act, 1992 and SEBI Regulations, 2003.
•Reliance Power confirmed no exposure to CLE Private
Limited (CPL).
•SEBI notice linked to Reliance Infra’s stake in
CPL.
•Settlement resolved through Bombay High Court
Mediation Centre under the Mediation Act, 2023.
•Despite the prior resolution, SEBI issued a notice
after 8 months.
Venture Catalysts, India’s premier early-stage investor and integrated incubator, today announced that it has led the $850K seed round in Umagine Hydrogen Pvt. Ltd. (branded H2 Carbon Zero), a deep-tech manufacturer of modular, stackable fuel-cell systems for stationary power generation. The round also saw participation from Faad Networks, which accelerates the company’s plan to build India’s first gigawatt-scale factory dedicated to hydrogen fuel cells and to replace diesel generators across telecom towers, data-centres, remote micro-grids and defence outposts, and solve for long duration energy storage.
H2 Carbon Zero designs and manufactures fuel cell systems ranging from sub-kilowatt modules for defence equipment to multi-megawatt blocks for grid-scale, long-duration storage. The company’s proprietary system architecture allows customers to integrate hydrogen, battery and solar assets in plug-and-play fashion, slashing installation times and total cost of ownership. Each unit is built entirely in India, aligning with the government’s National Green Hydrogen Mission and its emphasis on local value creation.
H2 Carbon Zero was founded by chemical engineer Santosh Gurunath and civil engineer Laxmikant Banjarey, both of whom carry deep domain expertise and entrepreneurial track records. Santosh Gurunath brings 13 years of experience across oil & gas, solar energy, EV infrastructure and hydrogen, having led Shell’s hydrogen production and safety initiatives and served as a management consultant at McKinsey and BCG. Laxmikant Banjarey is a product innovator with over 11 years in assisted mobility, e-mobility and climate-tech, co-founding Arcatron Mobility Frido in 2014 to deliver frugal manufacturing and cutting-edge design solutions.
Commenting on the investment, Dr. Apoorva Ranjan Sharma from Venture Catalysts, said, “Clean, dispatchable power is the last missing piece of India’s renewable-energy puzzle. H2 Carbon Zero’s 100% indigenous technology converts green hydrogen into electricity while emitting nothing but water, giving businesses the reliability of diesel without the carbon, the noise, or the particulate pollution. We are backing this team because they combine world-class electrochemistry with frugal Indian engineering, allowing us to address a US$1.5 billion domestic market and a US$25 billion global opportunity with price points that can compete head-to-head with fossil fuels. By catalysing their growth at the seed stage, we intend to anchor India’s leadership in the rapidly expanding green-hydrogen economy, which analysts project to scale thirty-fold this decade.”
Santosh Gurunath from Umagine Hydrogen Pvt. Ltd., said, “We are thrilled to embark on the next phase of our journey with the support of Venture Catalysts and Faad Networks. As societal and regulatory forces converge on the need for clean backup and off-grid power, we will double down on deploying hydrogen fuel cells across diverse applications with a singular goal: to make the diesel generator obsolete within a few years. The capital raised enables us to begin site work on our gigawatt facility, expand our engineering and operations teams, and complete field trials with early anchor customers in telecom, construction and defence.”
The investment underscores Venture Catalysts’ conviction that climate-tech hardware backed by robust unit economics can deliver both outsized impact and attractive returns, even in a funding environment that has become more selective. By pairing capital with its 5,500-strong mentor network and global supply-chain partners, Venture Catalysts will guide Umagine Hydrogen Pvt Ltd through regulatory certifications, scale-up manufacturing and export market entry, positioning the startup as a key contributor to India’s ambition of becoming a net-zero economy by 2070.
Adepu Bindu
