The threat to Google’s long-standing dominance in search may be affecting its user base. Signals point to changing user behavior. At a federal antitrust trial, Apple executive Eddy Cue testified that for the first time ever, searches through Apple’s Safari browser dropped last month. According to Cue, more and more people are now using AI tools to find information, rather than traditional search engines like Google’s. The testimony moved the market, with Google’s stock diving over 9% in the afternoon after the news came out. It also highlights the high stakes of the relationship between the two companies, which has Google paying Apple more than $20 billion a year to be the default search engine on its devices.
AI Rivals Gain Ground
The sharp drop in Safari searches coincides with the rising fame of AI search alternatives like OpenAI, Perplexity AI Inc., and Anthropic PBC. These are much more powerful alternatives to what you get in a standard search engine, explained Cue. In a not-so-distant future, he sees Apple using these AI platforms as search options in Safari. But don’t expect them to take over from Google as the number one choice anytime soon.
Google’s Push Into AI
Under relentless pressure, Google has been turning sharply toward AI, integrating its Gemini AI engine into the core search business. The company now works to transform conventional searches into AI-powered query responses, but with mixed results thus far. Despite the early hiccups and public ridicule, including the infamous “glue pizza” incident, Google has kept pushing the narrative that its AI enhancements are yielding positive results. During the latest earnings call, CEO Sundar Pichai told analysts that AI Overviews drive increased search usage, with users finding the search experience more rewarding and nearly comprehensive.
Google Must Speed up Innovation
Apple’s revelation has fanned the flames of fear that the foundation of Google search, which is the foundation of its $2 trillion valuation, could be in for some long-term trouble. We now need to consider the very real possibility of AI search engines steadily encroaching on Google’s territory. And while Apple’s current stance is to keep AI engines as optional add-ons and not as default options, the trajectory seems to be toward a use case where, in increasing numbers, we sidestep the kind of searches for which we currently rely on Google. For Google, all of this means the imperative to reassure us that it’s not just innovating but also adapting—reassuring these investors, in particular, that in a very fast-evolving digital landscape, it won’t be left behind.
This month, Google is getting ready to host Google I/O 2025, its annual developer conference. However, the tech giant has unveiled a new iteration of its AI model, Gemini, ahead of its annual software presentation.
The company’s flagship Gemini 2.5 Pro AI model has been enhanced and is now available as the Gemini 2.5 Pro Preview.
With the intention of giving developers early access to its improved capabilities, the business unveiled the new model—named Gemini 2.5 Pro Preview (I/O edition)—earlier than anticipated. Google claims that the Gemini 2.5 Pro Preview has enhancements in a variety of code areas.
Google Claims: Best Coding Model Ever Made
Demis Hassabis, the CEO of Google DeepMind, wrote on X about the new AI model’s release. It is the best coding paradigm ever created, according to Hassabis. He goes on to say that the concept is perfect for developing interactive applications.
Additionally, Haasabis posted a video demonstrating how to use Gemini 2.5 Pro Preview for idea development. Haasabis expressed his excitement about sharing the best coding model brand ever created in a post on X.
The company is releasing the Gemini 2.5 Pro Preview ‘I/O edition’ today, which has significantly enhanced coding capabilities. Holds the top spot on the WebDev Arena Leaderboard and the LMArena Coding Ranking.
It excels at creating interactive web applications; this example demonstrates how useful it is for concept prototyping. Try it in AI Studio (http://ai.dev), Vertex AI, and @GeminiApp. Savour the pre-I/O treats.
New Improved Features of Gemini 2.5 Pro
Google claims that Gemini 2.5 Pro Preview offers significant advancements in several coding areas, including front-end and user interface development, code editing and transformation, and the building of complex agentic workflows.
It is anticipated that these improvements will expedite the development process, allowing programmers to create more inventive and effective apps.
According to a blog post by Google, developers who are now using Gemini 2.5 Pro will benefit from improved coding performance as well as crucial developer feedback, such as fewer function calling errors and higher function calling trigger rates.
No action is necessary to use the enhanced model, which is still available at the same price, as the prior iteration (03-25) now redirects to the more recent version (05-06).
Gemini 2.5 Pro achieves 84.8% on the VideoMME standard, demonstrating cutting-edge video comprehension. When combined with code, this allows for new flows that were previously unattainable with earlier iterations.
The Video to Learning App in Google AI Studio, for instance, shows how Gemini 2.5 Pro uses a single YouTube video to generate an interactive learning application.
Compared to the prior basic example, the new Gemini 2.5 Pro model offers a more useful experience with enhanced video understanding and a comprehensive user interface.
Google has said that it will change its performance grading system to give higher bonuses and stock awards to top performers while possibly cutting lower-performing employees’ pay.
The vice president of worldwide compensation and benefits at Google, John Casey, told staff members in an email headlined “Strengthening our performance culture” that more people will have the chance to receive the “Outstanding Impact” rating in yearly evaluations.
Casey stated, “High performance is more important than ever to achieve the goals we’ve set,” adding that the alterations are being made to “further reward top contributors” inside the organisation.
Focusing on Top Performers
The modifications particularly influence Google’s Googler Reviews and Development (GRAD) annual evaluation system. This system assigns a score to employee performance ranging from “not enough impact” to “transformative impact”.
The majority of workers usually fit into the “Significant Impact” group. More staff will be eligible for the coveted “Outstanding Impact” grade under the new structure, which has a direct impact on pay. Additionally, managers who perform well in the “Significant Impact” area will be rewarded with larger discretionary funds.
Casey did concede that these adjustments would be “budget-neutral”, which means that some workers will earn lower pay in order to pay for the raises for high achievers.
Someone’s Loss is Someone’s Gain
In the email, Casey informed the employees that the firm would like to make clear that, in order to finance this, the equity and bonus individual multipliers for Significant Impact and Moderate Impact ratings would be slightly reduced.
Notably, significant impact will continue to be a high rating; if it is attained, the employee will still receive more than his desired bonus. The adjustments were confirmed by Google spokesperson Courtenay Mencini, who said, “We’re making these changes to further reward top performers and continue our momentum across the company.”
The pay adjustments are in line with a larger trend in the tech sector, where organisations such as Microsoft and Meta are raising performance standards. These changes will affect Google’s 2026 pay planning and year-end reviews.
In his email to employees, Casey came to the conclusion that the aforementioned adjustments are budget-neutral and that the company is still investing in extensive and very competitive perks and compensation.
Google Fires Hundreds of Employees from its Android, Pixel, and Chrome Groups
According to a media report, Alphabet’s Google has let go of hundreds of workers from its Platforms and Devices business. This division is in charge of important products like the Chrome browser, Pixel devices, and Android software.
The layoffs come after a voluntary departure programme that was made available to staff members in January.
The action is a component of a continuous reorganisation that started last year when Google combined its Chrome and Android teams under the Pixel and Devices group. This group is headed by Rick Osterloh, a company executive. The combined company employed around 20,000 people at the time of the merger.
In an antitrust ruling that couldn’t be much clearer or more direct, a US federal court has found Google guilty of maintaining an illegal monopoly over digital advertising technology. This case, brought by the US Department of Justice in 2023, focused very closely on how Google has bundled, how it has integrated, its various ad tech products, most notably Google Ad Manager, a program that serves ads to places on the web where humans might look and Google AdX (Ad Exchange), the part of the system that holds a kind of auction to determine which ad gets served where, right at the moment when a human’s about to click something.
Judge Leonie Brinkema’s 115-page decision sets out, in clear and compelling fashion, not just the essential facts of the case and Google’s various evasions and justifications, but also the core problem raised by all this: what kind of competitive landscape Google is using its ad tech to create.
This ruling extends well beyond the company’s search engine supremacy. It cuts to the core of Google’s revenue model. Unlike some past critiques of Google’s search algorithms or concerns over users’ privacy, this case takes aim at the very structure of the company’s digital ad business. And what’s really at play here could have wide-ranging effects not just on Google but on the entire online publishing and ad world.
How Google Built Its Adtech Empire
The intricate, tightly integrated ad tech stack at Google is at the center of this case. The company started to dominate the advertising pipeline when it made two key acquisitions: DoubleClick in 2008 and AdMeld in 2011. These moves gave Google control of the tools on both sides of the digital advertising equation, publishers and advertisers.
Advertising servers such as DFP allowed websites to sell their ad spaces, whereas Google’s exchange platform AdX facilitated real-time bidding. On the demand side, big brands were served by the DoubleClick Bid Manager (now DV360). Even in its previous incarnation, DoubleClick was an advertising behemoth, and from these interconnected tools, Google created not just an efficient ad system, but also, according to the court, a strategically exclusionary one.
The court found that Google’s configuration made it hard for rivals to get a foothold. High switching costs and Google’s control over crucial components, such as pricing mechanisms and ad placement decisions, effectively locked publishers into Google’s ecosystem.
Why the Court Ruled It a Monopoly
The court decided that Google was a monopolist in ad servers and the ad server market, having a market share of consistently 84 to 90 percent, that was protected by high barriers to entry. Even competitors as potent as Meta could not challenge Google’s scale and network effects. Fixed for a long time at 20 percent, the Google tax on ad server transactions through Google’s ad exchange, AdX, didn’t change even after AdX started performing relatively worse than the ad servers of Google’s competitors.
Proof also showed that Google connected its ad server (DFP) to its ad exchange (AdX) in ways that greatly reduced competition. By making access to real-time bids contingent on using its server, Google restricted the options of publishers and slowed down the rival ad exchanges, preventing them from competing on equal ground.
Google Pay is a digital wallet platform and online payment system developed by Google to power in-app and tap-to-pay purchases on mobile devices. Google Pay enables its users to make payments with their Android devices phones, tablets, watches, etc.
In addition, the service also supports passes such as coupons, boarding passes student ID cards, event tickets, movie tickets, public transportation tickets, store cards, and loyalty cards.
It can be used for online payments, in-app purchases, contactless in-store payments, and even for sending peer-to-peer money. So whether someone is browsing for a new pair of sneakers online or buying your morning coffee, Google Pay can do all the heavy lifting for them.
In this article, we’ll take a closer look at the Google Pay business model, how it makes money and how it has become one of the most successful digital payment solutions in the world.
Safe, simple and fast payments l Google Pay hai, tick hai
Easy and Convenient Payments: Google Pay makes it easy and convenient to make payments using your mobile device. You can make payments using your phone, tablet, or smartwatch, without the need for cash or physical credit cards.
Integration with Google Services: Google Pay is integrated with various Google services, such as Google Chrome, Google Assistant, and Google Maps, which makes it easier to make payments while using these services.
Secure Transactions: Google Pay uses multiple layers of security to protect your payment information, including encryption, tokenization, and biometric authentication (such as fingerprint or facial recognition).
Multiple Payment Options: Google Pay supports multiple payment options, including credit cards, debit cards, and bank accounts. You can also add loyalty cards and gift cards to your account for easy access.
Rewards and Cashbacks: Google Pay often offers various rewards and cashback programs for using the service, such as earning rewards for making purchases or referring friends.
Bill Payments: Google Pay allows you to pay various bills, including utility bills, credit card bills, and more, all within the app.
Google Pay has been consistently rising in India, The Alphabet and Google CEO- Sundar Pichaisaid that the company has taken cues from the successful experience in the country and would soon put out a revamped digital payments product globally.
Compared to the other mobile wallets Google Pay is successful in India because of its business model which includes the following factors:
Partnership-Focused Innovation
Localization for Success
Ecosystem Integration
Small Business Support
Job Seeker Support
Digital Payment Awareness
Rural Outreach
Entity-Based UX
In-App Engagement
Cashback Offers
Google Pay focuses on partnerships, localization, and ecosystem approach as it forged deep partnerships with the central bank and government to innovate and build collectively and make products interactive and open to working jointly within the ecosystem.
The company deepened its support for small businesses through a new app called Google Pay for Business which was a free and easy way for small merchants and storefronts to enable digital payments without the hassle of a time-consuming verification process.
Google Pay also supports job seekers by introducing a spot on Google Pay to help people find entry-level positions that aren’t always easily discoverable online.
It collaborated with the Government to come up with Digital Payment Abhiyan to increase awareness about cashless payment and online financial security in the country.
The company also launched the Vodafone Idea Phone Line to help people in rural areas where the internet connection is weak to get information about everything.
Its entity-based UX users search for who they paid earlier rather than the transaction date and time. Under the entity-based model, users see individual chat leads of every individual or merchant, they transact with, whenever they have to check a payment record.
Google Pay introduced the spot platform in India which is a way for the business to create an experience and engage their customers within the Google Pay app. Popular services like UrbanClap (now Urban Company), Goibibo, MakeMyTrip, RedBus, Eat.Fit,and Oven Story were the first to board in its early access program.
Scratch cards are another attraction as Google Pay provides lucrative cashback and offers on varying transactions. These cashbacks are directly credited to a linked bank account. The app also provides multiple payment options so users can transact through their mobile numbers and Virtual Payment addresses.
Biggest Contactless Payment Brands at POS in India as of March 2024
How Does Google Pay Make Money | Google Pay Revenue Model
Google Pay has several global revenue-making opportunities. The revenue might be both from transaction fees from banks or merchants which is $4.1 billion and also from ads and product offers within Google Pay which is $0.4 billion.
Google Payment India Private Limited reported its revenues for the financial year 2020-21 as ₹14.8 crore. The company further reported a net profit of ₹1.4 crore during the same fiscal.
Google Pay was first launched in August 2017. Google first named this app “Tej” and later changed the name to “Google Pay“.
Google Pay does not charge its users for accessing Google Wallet. Receiving and sending money on Google Pay is free. Previously, the company had an agenda of adding a 2.9% fee to funds via debit card. However, now the plan is dropped and it’s all free as mentioned above.
The app has over 67 million monthly active users and enabled more than 2.5 billion transactions and now has an annual run rate of over US$110 billion in transaction value. This app user can now pay at more than 200,000 stores in more than 3,500 cities and towns, and more than 2,700 online merchants.
Google Pay earns money through the following sources:
Mobile Recharges: The basic revenue model of Google Pay is mobile recharges. Whenever a user recharges on any SIM operators from this app, then they get a commission from that operator on every recharge.
Bill Payments: Google Pay allows you to pay for any kind of bill from this app such as electricity, DTH recharge, water, insurance, loan repayment, postpaid bills, and so on. Whenever you pay any company bill, it takes a commission from that company.
UPI Transaction: So this app does not earn from UPI transactions, it just analyzes your transaction data, which it uses to make its new product. The main reason most people use Google Pay is for UPI payments. The app also provides more services such as mobile recharge, and bill payment. So when people have to use either or both of these services, they use this app and this app earns from both the services.
Ad Revenue: Google Pay uses its large user base and transaction data to offer targeted ads, generating revenue through in-app promotions and merchant-sponsored offers. Ads are personalized based on user behavior and spending patterns, appearing within the app or across Google platforms. Merchants also pay to feature special offers, driving traffic to their sites or apps.
Partnerships: Google Pay earns revenue through partnerships, ads, transaction fees, and in-app purchases. It teams up with banks, e-commerce platforms, and payment providers, often sharing revenue from transactions like virtual card payments.
Google Pay Net Worth
The company’s net worth stood at ₹12.8 crore for FY21 compared to ₹10 crore at the same time the previous year.
Growth of Google Pay in India
Google mobile payment system Google Pay has emerged as the king of UPI payments in India, with an annualized transaction value worth $110 billion. Google Pay has 150 million users worldwide, with 67 million users in India. Millennials are 30% of active users of Google Pay.
According to a report by GlobalData, the value of mobile wallet payments in India experienced a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 72.1% from 2019 to 2023, reaching INR 202.8 trillion ($2.5 trillion) in 2023. Mobile wallet payments in India are projected to exceed INR 531.8 trillion by 2028.
In India, Google Pay holds a 35% market share in UPI payments. The app resembles a chat app that is easy to use and is available in local languages.
The platform is used by customers to buy train tickets, pay bills, and even purchase lunchtime meals from street vendors. In India, local stores have begun to accept Google Pay payments via a phone application. Meanwhile, the Google Pay platform’s update includes features like tokenized cards for more secure payments, food security, Google Pay for business, e-KYC, and simpler onboarding and donations.
In India, Google Pay is facing stiff competition from other fintech startups including wallets such as Paytm, PhonePe, Amazon Pay, Airtel Payments Bank, etc. The upcoming contender in the race is the Whatsapp Pay service by Facebook.
Funding Received by Google Pay
Founders of Google Pay in India raised $13.2 million in January 2020 in a Seed funding round for its neobank, Fi led by Sequoia India and Ribbit Capital. Also participating in the funding rounds were David Velez, Kunal Shah, and VC fund Hillhouse Capital.
In October 2020 the investment app, ETMONEY, had partnered with Google to offer Google Pay users a route to invest in mutual fund schemes and the National Pension System (NPS).
This collaboration will allow Google Pay users to identify the right mutual fund schemes and invest in them within minutes using their Google account and Unified Payments Interface (UPI) ID.
Google Pay users will not have to create a user ID to access this facility. It will be the same if one wants to invest in NPS as well. Sujith Narayanan and Sumit Gwalani, both co-founders of Google Pay India formerly called Google Tez said that the seed funding brings the Neobank startup Fi to a valuation of roughly $50 million.
FAQs
What is GPay?
Google Pay is a fast and simple way to pay using credit or debit cards saved to your Google account. It works for online purchases, in-app transactions, and in-store payments with your Android device.
What is the revenue of Google Pay in India?
Google Pay revenue in India was INR 1467 crore in 2021.
How many people use Google Pay worldwide?
Google Pay has 150 million users worldwide.
How does Google Pay make money in India?
Google Pay makes money through commissions it gets for transactions from companies or operators. For every transaction that you make using Google Pay, it gets a commission from the company.
Who are the competitors of Google Pay in India?
The top competitors of Google Pay in India are:
PhonePe
Paytm
PayPal
Amazon Pay
Whatsapp Pay
Is Google Pay profitable?
Google Pay is likely profitable for Google, though its standalone earnings are not publicly disclosed.
What is GPay business model?
Google Pay business model earns revenue through transaction fees, targeted ads, partnerships with banks and merchants, and in-app promotions.
According to a media report, Alphabet’s Google has let go of hundreds of workers from its Platforms and Devices business. This division is in charge of important products like the Chrome browser, Pixel devices, and Android software. The layoffs come after a voluntary departure programme that was made available to staff members in January. The action is a component of a continuous reorganisation that started last year when Google combined its Chrome and Android teams under the Pixel and Devices group. This group is headed by Rick Osterloh, a company executive. The combined company employed around 20,000 people at the time of the merger.
Layoffs are Aligned With the Goal of Operating With Leaner Unit
The restructuring is intended to improve efficiency and agility within the Platforms and Devices team, a Google representative told a media source while confirming the layoffs. He claimed that the company has concentrated on becoming more agile and running more efficiently ever since merging the Platforms and Devices teams last year. This encompassed addition to the voluntary exit programme that Google implemented in January, such as job reductions. But the business also pointed out that recruiting is still going on both domestically and internationally. The most recent round of layoffs comes after Google reduced its headcount in 2023, laying off about 6% of its employees worldwide.
Even with additional layoffs since then, Google still employs about 180,000 people overall. Google launched a voluntary departure programme for US workers on Chrome, Pixel, and Android projects earlier this year. The programme was designed for workers who might not agree with the combined division’s new course or who found hybrid work arrangements difficult. Notably, the programme excluded teams that worked on artificial intelligence (AI) and search.
Layoffs has Become a New Normal for Bigger Players
This layoff announcement coincides with employment cuts by a number of multinational corporations, such as Amazon, Intel, and Goldman Sachs. Such developments are happening mainly owing to the growing impact of artificial intelligence (AI) and uncertainties in the global economy. Intel is getting ready for a massive restructure following a large financial loss in 2024. Similarly, Amazon also plans to eliminate about 14,000 administrative roles in order to save $3 billion yearly. Companies are increasingly focusing on cost optimisation and automation as a result of the rapid growth in AI adoption. This adoption is resulting in job losses across a number of industries.
Goldman Sachs is also getting ready to lay off employees, with intentions to trim staff by 3–5% after an annual performance review. About 150 junior banker positions were recently cut by Bank of America; nevertheless, the majority of impacted workers were offered opportunities outside of investment banking. Given the unpredictability of the world economy, more businesses might do the same in the months to come.
Google has revealed plans to further integrate Gemini AI into Docs. One of the two new features added to the Google Workspace app is the ability to produce audio versions of documents in the format of podcasts. Additionally, Docs now has a new “Help me refine” tool that Google claims functions similarly to a writing coach. With the help of this forthcoming feature, Google Docs will soon have the ability to generate audio. Users will soon be able to produce complete audio versions of their documents, according to Google. Users will also be able to select podcast-style summaries for the most important highlights. The audio overview function in Google’s NotebookLM platform, an AI-powered research and note-taking tool, served as the model for this feature. This includes an audio summary function that transforms papers into captivating audio conversations that can be downloaded or listened to, summarising important topics through a dialogue between two AI hosts. It is anticipated that Docs’ podcast-style overview feature would function similarly.
Revival of Google Meet
Google Meet has also undergone a number of modifications. Meetings may now automatically create summaries, record action items, and assign follow-ups thanks to Gemini. These features allow participants to remain in the room rather than hurriedly transcribing notes. According to Google, it’s a more intelligent approach to maintain productive meetings with transparent results. Google is using artificial intelligence (AI) to assist in identify and stopping any attacks before they become more serious. Without more manual control, these improvements help firms maintain compliance and security by adding a proactive layer of protection. According to Google, the rollout has started, and in the upcoming months, wider availability will follow. According to Google, as artificial intelligence (AI) transforms the modern world, the company is now concentrating on making cutting-edge technology really accessible and helpful while integrating it into consumers’ daily tasks.
Google Infused AI in its Cloud System as Well
Google Cloud’s generative AI capabilities are still expanding rapidly. Google introduced new Vertex AI tools and services, including an agent building kit and the Agent2Agent protocol that facilitate a multi-agent ecosystem, at Google Cloud Next 2025 on April 9. Additionally, Google’s cloud division revealed improvements to Agentspace, a platform that was introduced in December and offers enterprise clients agents and search capabilities powered by artificial intelligence. Multi-agent systems depend on models with improved reasoning capabilities, such as those found in Gemini 2.5, according to Aashima Gupta, global director of healthcare strategy and solutions at Google Cloud. They also rely on connecting to an organisation’s corporate data and integrating with its workflows.
After receiving a positive early response, Google said that it is making its AI Mode function available to a larger number of Labs users in the US. However, previously this service was only available to Google One AI Premium customers. Google is also launching a significant improvement as part of its wider rollout: multimodal search capabilities driven by Google Lens and a customised version of its AI model, Gemini. With this improvement, users can upload or snap an image, pose a query about it, and get thorough, contextualised responses that include useful links for additional research. There is more to the new tool than just visual search. AI Mode now examines the entire context in addition to the image, which basically includes comprehending the relationships between objects as well as textures, colours, shapes, and layout. It recognises particular objects in the picture using Lens technology and then uses a method called “query fan-out” to conduct several searches in order to obtain more detailed information. According to Google, consumers can better comprehend what they’re viewing and make educated judgements because the outcome is a more relevant and nuanced response than regular search.
Google Highlights the Feature by Showcasing an Example
To demonstrate this capability, Google provided an example. In the above example, AI Mode correctly identified every book on the shelf by deciphering the image’s details. After that, it produced pertinent queries to learn more about those titles and locate related, highly regarded recommendations. A carefully chosen list of suggested books was provided in the answer, along with links to further information and places to buy. Asking follow-up questions will allow users to focus their search. On March 25, Google made AI mode available to a limited number of users. After the introduction, customers have commended AI Mode for its clear interface, quick response times, and capacity to answer complex enquiries, according to the US-based software company’s blog post. Many people utilise AI Mode for open-ended tasks like product comparisons, how-to guides, and trip planning, and the blog post from Google claims that questions entered in AI Mode are typically twice as long as those put in regular Google Search.
Google Continuously Exploring the AI Sector
There is a lot of promise for Google’s AI advancements in the future. Google keeps funding AI research and development, investigating cutting-edge fields including computer vision, reinforcement learning, and natural language processing. AI’s potential to create more immersive experiences, boost productivity, and revolutionise a variety of industries is intriguing . All of this becomes more lucrative when it is combined with other technologies like augmented reality, virtual reality, and the Internet of Things. Google’s unrelenting quest for AI-driven innovation has changed how people use technology and reshaped entire sectors. Google’s AI-powered products, which range from virtual assistants and translation services to navigational aids and photo management software, have become essential components of our everyday lives.
Pichai Sundararajan, or Sundar Pichai, is an American executive and is the CEO of Alphabet Inc. and its famous subsidiary Google. He began his career as a management consultant at McKinsey & Co. and joined Google in 2004.
He was in charge of the product management and innovation efforts section for Google’s client software products. This included Google Chrome, ChromeOS, and Google Drive. In 2010, he announced the open-sourcing of the new video codec VP8 by Google and the new video format, WebM.
In 2015, Pichai became the next CEO of Google and stepped into the new position after completing the formation of Alphabet Inc., the latest holding for Google’s family. In 2017, he was appointed to the Board of Directors in Alphabet Inc.
Sundar Pichai – Biography
Full Name
Pichai Sundararajan
Born
10th June, 1972
Birthplace
Madhurai, Tamil Nadu
Nationality
American
Education
Jawahar Vidyalaya Senior Secondary School Vana Vanu School IIT Kharagpur (BTech) Stanford University (MS) University of Pennsylvania (MBA)
Sundar was born on 10th June 1972, in the city of Madhurai, India, into a Hindu Tamil Brahmin family. His father, Regunatha Pichai, was an electrical engineer for GEC, the British conglomerate, and his mother, Lakshmi Pichai, was a stenographer.
Sundar did his schooling at Jawahar Vidyalaya Senior Secondary School in Chennai and then at Vana Vani School for Class XII. He went on to study metallurgical engineering at IIT Kharagpur and went on to do his Master’s from Stanford University in material science and engineering. He then completed his MBA from Wharton School from the University of Pennsylvania, and he was a Siebel Scholar and Palmer Scholar as well.
Sundar Pichai – Career Highlights
Sundar started his career in engineering and product management at Applied Materials and Management consulting at McKinsey & Company. He then joined Google in 2004, where he was the leader of product management and innovation for their client software products such as Google Chrome, ChromeOS, and Google Drive. He moved on to head the development of other applications such as Google Maps and Gmail.
In 2009, he gave a demonstration of ChromeOS and then released the Chromebook in 2012. In 2013, Pichai added Android to the list of products that Google oversaw. In 2015, he was selected to become the next CEO, and once Alphabet Inc. was formed, he stepped into the new position.
Sundar was the initial brains behind Google’s infamous search toolbar. The toolbar was one of the biggest reasons for the increase in user searches, but it merged with Google Chrome. Chrome went on to become one of the most-used web browsers in the world. He also worked on other Google Products, such as Google Pack and Google Gear. He is on the Board of Advisors at Ruba Inc. and headed the Jiva Software (2011-2013).
In 2014, Sundar was suggested to be a strong contender for Microsoft’s CEO 2014, but that position went to Satya Nadella. In 2019, Sundar became the CEO of Alphabet, Inc., and his compensation was over $200 million in 2022.
Sundar has been involved in multiple controversies over the years.
In 2017, he was criticized for firing a Google employee who wrote a 10-page manifesto criticizing the company’s pro-diversity policy. In the same year, he was a speaker at the World Internet Conference in China where he commented that Google works to help Chinese small and medium businesses to get their products to countries outside China.
In 2018, Sundar was called and questioned by the United States House Judiciary Committee on a wide range of Google-related issues, such as political bias on Google’s platforms, the company’s plans or censored search apps in China, and their privacy policies. As a response, Sundar commented that Google cannot influence search results and they do not have any plans for censoring searches in China.
In 2024, Google fired 28 employees who protested against Project Nimbus. As per Sundar the office is not the place to fight against disruptive issues and warned the present employees from using the brand as a personal platform.
2025 saw Google issue a response to Donald Trump and Elon Musk’s cease DEI initiatives by removing their annual cultural events such as Pride Month, Black History Month, and Holocaust Remembrance Day.
Sundar Pichai – Philanthropy
Sundar was responsible for some of Google’s philanthropic initiatives. He was responsible for participating in charitable endeavours to solve societal issues and advance global development. He helped set up Google’s charitable division, Google.org, which is actively engaged in multiple projects to use technology to solve urgent global issues.
Google for Education is another program that provides instructors and students all over the world with free resources, tools, and training opportunities.
Under his direction, Google has made a commitment to make more sustainable objectives, such as going carbon zero and running their offices on renewable energy altogether. He is also a big advocate for digital inclusiveness and has worked on projects to narrow the gap.
In 2021, Sundar was devastated to see the state of India and pledged the assistance of INR 135 Crore to Give India and UNICEF to be used for medical supplies and help spread critical information.
Sundar Pichai – Awards and Recognition
Sundar was in the Times’ Annual List of the 100 most influential people in 2016 and 2020. He was also a part of the Time 100 AI list in 2024. In 2022, he received the Padma Bhushan from the Indian Government for the Trade and Industry segment.
Sundar Pichai- Personal Life
Sundar Pichai with his Wife
Sundar is married to Anjali Pichai (nee Haryani), and they have two children. Anjali is from Kota, India, and they studied at IIT Kharagpur together. He is interested in football, cricket, chess, sketching, and watching Bollywood movies. He currently lives in Los Altos Hills, California. Sundar maintains a low profile and prefers keeping his family out of the limelight.
Sundar Pichai – Facts
Sundar has multiple degrees – a BTech in metallurgical design from IIT Kharagpur, a Master of Science from Stanford University, and an MBA from Wharton School, University of Pennsylvania.
He loves playing soccer and cricket and loves watching F.R.I.E.N.D.S.
In 2014, Sundar was a major contender for Microsoft CEO, but Satya Nadella was chosen.
Sundar and Anjali are college sweethearts who met in the first year of their college.
He has an exceptional memory and can recollect all phone numbers he has ever dialled.
They have a cute pet dog, Jeffree.
FAQs
When did Sundar Pichai join Google as a manager?
Sundar Pichai joined Google in 2004 as the head of product management and development.
Is Sundar Pichai an entrepreneur?
No, Sundar Pichai is the CEO of Alphabet and Google.
Did Sundar Pichai invent Chrome?
No, Sundar Pichai didn’t invent Chrome but he was actively involved in the development of Chrome.
What did Sundar Pichai study?
Sundar Pichai studied at IIT Kharagpur and earned a degree in metallurgical engineering.
India plans to eliminate the Google tax, a 6% equalisation levy levied on online advertising services provided by Google and Meta, starting on April 1. The action is probably intended to appease US President Donald Trump, who has threatened to impose retaliatory tariffs on nations that, starting on April 2, impose digital taxes on US internet businesses. Nirmala Sitharaman, the finance minister, introduced 59 amendments to the Finance Bill in the Parliament on Monday, including the clause. In order to encourage them to migrate to India, the other major revision suggests eliminating the phrase “indirectly” from a clause controlling offshore funds. In connection with search and seizure evaluation, a new word, “total undisclosed income”, is introduced in another modification.
India is Strengthening its Partnership With US
The above development makes it clear that the sole purpose of a search and seizure procedure is to tax unreported income. To allow the Income Tax Department to make modifications while processing a return, a new subclause is being proposed. The planned change to eliminate the equalisation levy follows trade negotiations between the US and India, with New Delhi seeking to avoid the impending announcement of reciprocal duties on April 2. In addition, the government has suggested eliminating the income tax benefits that these businesses currently enjoy in place of the equalisation levy. To please Trump, some other nations, like the UK, are also thinking about eliminating the internet tax.
Experts believe that the government of India (GoI) made a wise decision in eliminating the equalisation charge because the revenue was not very high, and, at the same time, it was raising concerns for the US government by giving the impression that there were “non-tariff” tax obstacles. They added that India might use this action as leverage in talks with the US on trade tariffs. In addition to providing taxpayers with predictability, the ruling allays partner countries’ worries about the levy’s initial unilaterality, including those of the US.
Amendments in Offshore Funds
Additionally, the government has suggested changes to offshore fund managers’ Section 9A. According to the Finance Bill, Indian citizens could not “directly or indirectly” participate in or invest in more than 5% of the corpus. A media report on February 10 stated that the phrase “indirectly” appeared to be impeding foreign fund managers’ desire to move to India. Many trade analysts feel that the proposed amendments to the Finance Bill, 2025, are largely clarifying in nature, in line with the government’s mission to address doubts and issues being faced by the taxpayers and businesses at large.
