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Tag: #news

  • Stop Guessing: Google Lays Out Gemini 2.5 AI Prompt Limits and Pricing…

    Isn’t it frustrating to use an app that says free, but with just two or three prompts, the daily limit is reached? Or let’s say, you want to upgrade, but their pricing page CTA says “request to upgrade (ah, an extra step you might think, right?).” Especially in the case of Google’s Gemini AI, the options were only “Limited Access” or “Expanded Access,” with no prices, prompt limits, or clear details. Google reports 450 million active users every month on Gemini AI, and it’s easy to see how much confusion this causes. Finally, Google clarified everything on its “Help Center Page.” Whether you’re a free user, a paid subscriber, or somewhere in between, here are all the pricing details you need to know. Learn more.

    Hey, Google, What’s Happening With You?

    Well, Google has, for the first time ever, openly shared the numbers instead of vague wordings. So, 450 million users will now know precisely what they’ll get. Here’s the breakdown by each plan: 

    The New Limits (Per Plan Free, Pro, and Ultra Pro)…

    Gemini 2.5 Free Plan

    • 5 prompts per day, meaning one question of command = one prompt.
    • You can generate about 100 images or edits per day.
    • You’ll get about 5 Deep Research reports per month.
    • You can access 20 Audio Overviews per day. Now, it is important to note that this limit applies across all users of the three plans.

    Google 2.5 AI Pro Plan

    • You can access the Pro Plan at $19.99/month.
    • You’ll get about 100 prompts per day.
    • You can get your hands on 1,000 image generations per day.
    • And lastly, about 3 Veo 3 Fast video generations per day (it’s Google’s famous AI video tool).

    Google 2.5 AI Ultra Plan

    • The Ultra Plan costs $249.99/month.
    • You get 500 prompts per day.
    • You can generate about 1,000 images daily.
    • About 5 Veo 3 video generations per day.
    • You can access 200 Deep Research reports per month.
    • As an Ultra user, you can access 10 Deep Think prompts a day.

    Here, these are special prompts, meaning they are for complex tasks. Ultra can handle up to 192,000 tokens, like long conversations or documents. 

    What About Gemini 3? Is the Launch Near?

    Well, the timing is interesting because just when Google came up with this announcement, there were hints from here and there (about Gemini 3).

    So, the launch is near, it seems, because some users have claimed to have found references to “Gemini Beta 3.0 Pro” inside the Gemini CLI tool codebase (it’s a developer tool).

    All this strongly suggests that Google’s DeepMind team is working on it, but there’s no official confirmation yet. It will be more interesting to see how the features and performance improve once Gemini 3 is live. 

  • OYO Rebrands Parent Company as PRISM to Drive Global Expansion and Growth

    In order to better represent its enlarged worldwide portfolio and long-term vision, Oravel Stays Ltd., the parent company of the lodging chain OYO, relaunched itself as PRISM.

    On September 7, the firm declared that the OYO brand would remain its primary consumer-facing identity in the low-cost hospitality sector. OYO was founded in 2012 by Ritesh Agarwal and began as an Indian low-cost hotel aggregator before growing into a multinational travel technology and hospitality conglomerate.

    With services including hotels, holiday rentals, long-term stays, co-working spaces, and event spaces, the company now serves over 100 million clients in 35+ countries.

    OYO Adopting New Business Strategies

    With names including Sunday, Palette, and Townhouse in premium hospitality; Belvilla and DanCenter in vacation homes; Studio 6 in extended stays; and Innov8 and Weddingz.in in workplaces and celebration venues, OYO is rebranding as it seeks to position itself beyond low-cost lodging. In 2023, OYO expanded its presence in North America by acquiring G6 Hospitality, a US-based company that operates Motel 6 and Studio 6.

    The move to PRISM, according to Founder and Group CEO Ritesh Agarwal, signifies the creation of a corporate architecture that is fit for the future and will help us match our growing portfolio with our long-term goals. PRISM is driven by a robust technological engine, increased investments in AI and data science, and a dedication to assisting company’s partners in making a profit while satisfying customers throughout the globe.

    According to the company, the new identity aims to highlight its technological foundation while bringing its many offers together.

    Why OYO is Rebranding to PRISM?

    According to the firm, a global naming competition with over 6,000 proposals led to the selection of the name PRISM. The makeover is the first significant change to OYO’s corporate identity since its inception, highlighting the company’s intention to move away from its reputation as a pure-play low-cost hotel aggregator and towards becoming a more comprehensive worldwide hospitality and travel technology platform.

    OYO’s IPO Plans and Financial Goals

    This occurs as the business, valued at $7-8 billion, prepares to submit its Draft Red Herring Prospectus (DRHP) in November. OYO submitted and refiled its draft papers with the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) in 2021 in an attempt to collect INR 8,430 crore through an IPO.

    As the firm prepares for a renewed initial public offering (IPO) later this year, the corporate rebranding comes at a critical juncture to emphasise its transformation from a low-cost hotel aggregator into a diverse global hospitality and travel-tech platform.

    Quick Shots

    •OYO brand to remain consumer-facing identity in
    budget hospitality segment.

    •Company now serves 100M+ customers across 35+ countries
    with hotels, holiday rentals, co-working, and event spaces.

    •PRISM name chosen from 6,000+ entries in a global
    competition.

    •IPO plans in November 2025, with DRHP filing for
    INR 8,430 crore fundraising.

  • Venture Catalysts Group Raises INR 150 Crore to Scale Multi‑Stage VC Platform

    Venture Catalysts, the Mumbai‑headquartered multi‑stage venture investing platform, has closed a INR 150 crore (≈US$18 million) funding round comprising a mix of primary and secondary transactions. The company said the proceeds will be used for leadership expansion, the launch of new funds, technology upgrades—including AI‑enabled diligence and LP reporting—and geographic expansion across key startup hubs. 

    The round drew participation from a cross‑section of India’s capital markets and business community. New backers include Ashish Kacholia and group, Authum Investments, Aishwarya Rai, Karthik Sundar Iyer, Hardik Patel of Finquest, LNB Group, Mukul Agarwal, Shahrukh Khan Family Office, Sakal Media Group, Utpal Sheth and Vinod Dugar of RDB Group. They join existing investors such as Radhakishan Damani (DMart), Kamal Agarwal (Haldiram), Enam Securities, Capri Global, Anil Singhvi (Zee Business) alongside founder‑investors Aman Gupta (boAt), Ritesh Agarwal (OYO), Nirmit Parikh (Apna) Srinath Ramakkrushnan (Zetwerk). 

    Founded in 2016 as an angel network, Venture Catalysts has evolved into a two‑pronged platform spanning a syndication business that deploys deal‑by‑deal capital through Angel Fund AIFs and a venture capital arm that co‑creates and incubates Category II AIFs with emerging managers and institutional anchors. The group manages north of US$500 million across vehicles, with approximately US$200 million deployed via syndication over nine years from UHNIs, HNIs and family offices. 

    The AIF lineup currently includes 100 Unicorns (sector‑agnostic idea‑stage accelerator fund; ~US$100 million; launched 2021), Beams Fintech Fund (India’s first growth‑stage fintech vehicle; ~US$90 million; launched 2022), Elev8 Venture Partners (final close ~US$160 million; targets Series B/C) and Spyre PropTech Venture Fund (India’s first proptech‑focused vehicle; ~US$50 million; launched 2025). The firm also operates VC Grid, an invite‑only community for family offices, corporate venture arms and UHNWIs. 

    Over the past decade, the platform has backed 400‑plus companies across categories, naming Renee Cosmetics, InsuranceDekho, Assiduus Global, Wiom and Kissan Konnect among category leaders. Unicorn outcomes include BharatPe and Pixis. Venture Catalysts points to notable liquidity events and follow‑ons including BharatPe, Zypp Electric, Rare Planet, ImpactGuru and Homeville, as well as strategic transactions or rounds around Astrotalk, VideoVerse and Let’s Try, and deals involving Marico (Beardo), IBM (Prescinto) and ixigo (Confirmtkt). The firm says cumulative deployment across strategies is approaching US$340 million, positioning it among leading domestic VC platforms. 

    “We are delighted to welcome such a diverse and experienced group of investors. Their confidence affirms our vision of empowering entrepreneurs across all growth stages—from idea‑stage ventures through hyper‑growth companies—while fostering vibrant accelerator communities and alumni networks,” said Anuj Golecha, Co-Founder, Venture Catalysts. “This fresh capital will deepen active deal flow, seed new fund strategies and enhance the technology backbone that supports our ecosystem—particularly AI‑driven solutions that enable investors and founders to collaborate at speed and scale.” 

    The company indicated that over the next few quarters it will onboard senior talent across investing, product and platform, expand its Category II AIF suite and strengthen on‑ground coverage across India’s top startup corridors. 

    About Venture Catalysts

    Venture Catalysts is India’s first multi‑stage venture investing platform, backing founders from idea to growth through a combination of deal‑by‑deal syndication and Category II AIFs. Since 2016, the firm has built a nationwide investing and platform network, with over US$500 million in AUM and 400+ portfolio companies, delivering multiple unicorn outcomes and meaningful liquidity events. 

  • Adani Group to Invest $60 Billion in India’s Power Sector by FY32 to Boost Clean Energy Capacity

    By FY32, the Adani Group intends to invest $60 billion in transmission and distribution (T&D), power generation, and renewable energy. In a presentation to investors, the group laid out its intentions, estimating that more than $21 billion will be invested by FY30 to increase the capacity of renewable energy from 14.2 GW in FY25 to 50 GW by the end of the decade.

    Adani Green Energy (AGEL), its renewable energy division, manages utility-scale wind and solar projects and is building what it claims is the largest renewable park in the world in Gujarat’s Khavda.

    Transmission Expansion: 30,000 km by FY30

    To expand its network, Adani Energy Solutions (AESL), which manages distribution, transmission, smart metering, and cooling, would invest more than $17 billion. By FY30, the corporation wants to have 30,000 km of transmission lines, up from 19,200 km in March 2025.

    By FY32, Adani Power plans to invest $22 billion to increase its capacity from 17.6 GW in FY25 to 41.9 GW. With facilities in Gujarat, Maharashtra, Karnataka, Rajasthan, Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh, Jharkhand, and Tamil Nadu, in addition to a 40 MW solar unit in Gujarat, the firm is the biggest private generator of thermal electricity in the nation.

    India is Emerging as Fastest Growing Power Market

    India is one of the power markets with the greatest rate of growth in the world, according to the group, with installed capacity predicted to more than double to 1,000 GW by FY32 from 475 GW in FY25. Due to the demand from data centres, electric vehicles, urbanisation, and industrialisation, it predicted that there were over $500 billion in investment prospects in the area. With 172 GW of renewable capacity in FY25, the nation ranked fourth in the world.

    By FY32, it might reach 571 GW, opening up prospects worth $300 billion. It is anticipated that solar power will grow quickly, adding more than 23 GW of capacity in FY25 alone. With an estimated increase in thermal power capacity from 247 GW in FY25 to 309 GW by FY32, an additional 80 GW of coal-based plants and $91 billion in investments will be needed.

    According to Adani Power, “Coal continues to be the foundation of India’s baseload power, providing a steady supply despite growing demand and renewable variability.” Transmission lines are anticipated to expand from 494,000 km in FY25 to 648,000 km by FY32, providing a $110 billion investment opportunity on the network side, the organisation stated.

    Quick
    Shots

    •Capacity to
    rise from 14.2 GW in FY25 → 50 GW by FY30; world’s largest renewable park
    being built at Khavda, Gujarat.

    •Adani Energy
    Solutions (AESL) to invest $17B; transmission lines to expand from 19,200 km
    (2025) → 30,000 km (2030).

    •Installed
    capacity expected to more than double from 475 GW (2025) → 1,000 GW (2032).

    •$500B+ Market opportunity is driven
    by data centres, EV adoption, urbanisation & industrialisation.

  • Daily Indian Funding Roundup & Key News – 5th September 2025: L Catterton Marks $200M Fund Close, Dectrocel Raises ₹4 Cr, Delhivery ESOP Grant & More

    5th September saw key moves in India’s startup and business space. L Catterton marked the first close of its $200M India fund, while Dectrocel raised ₹4 Cr for its AI diagnostics platform. Delhivery granted ESOPs worth ₹20.6 Cr, Motilal Oswal turned bullish on Swiggy and Eternal, CRED launched digital gold savings, PM Modi pushed for swadeshi promotion, and Freshworks founder Girish Mathrubootham announced his exit.

    Daily Indian Funding Roundup – 5th September 2025

    Company Amount Round Lead investor(s) Sector
    L Catterton India Fund $200 Mn First Close (Fundraising) IFC; Kotak Private clients; L Catterton Asia (capped at 19.9%) Consumer / Private Equity Fund
    Dectrocel ₹4 Cr Seed / Funding IAN Group-powered BioAngels; PadUp Ventures; Vinners (IAN’s Nitin Zamre, Samir Kalia, Mitesh Shah) Healthtech / AI diagnostics

    L Catterton’s India-centric consumer fund marks first close at $200 Mn

    L Catterton’s India-focused consumer fund (Fund I) has achieved its first close at $200 million. Backed by IFC, some Kotak Private clients, and L Catterton Asia (capped at a 19.9% commitment), the fund aims to raise up to $400 million with a $200 million greenshoe option. It will target mid-market consumer businesses in food & beverage, healthcare, retail, and more, planning 7–9 investments with cheque sizes of $25–150 million. It has already backed D2C healthy-snacking brand Farmley.

    Health-tech startup Dectrocel raises ₹4 Cr led by IAN Group-backed BioAngels

    Dectrocel, a health-tech startup developing AI-powered diagnostic solutions, has raised ₹4 crore in a round led by BioAngels, with participation from PadUp Ventures and Vinners. Founded in 2020, the company’s flagship product DecXpert—approved by CDSCO—delivers faster and more accurate medical imaging analysis. The new funding will help expand operations across India, enhance multimodal AI technology, explore global markets, and introduce new diagnostic modules for CT, MRI, PET-CT, and HPB workflows.

    Key Business News for 5th September 2025

    Delhivery grants ESOP worth INR 20.6 Cr

    Delhivery has approved grants of 4,36,800 stock options under its ESOP 2012 and 2021 schemes—85,700 from ESOP-2012 and 3,51,100 from ESOP-2021—on September 4, 2025. At a current share price of INR 467 and an exercise price of INR 1, this equates to a value of about INR 20.4–20.6 crore. The ESOPs will vest over up to four years, subject to employment conditions. In Q1 FY26, the company reported a 5.6 % YoY revenue uptick to INR 2,294 crore and a profit of INR 91 crore.

    Motilal Oswal turns bullish on Swiggy, Eternal amid GST tailwinds

    Brokerage firm Motilal Oswal has upgraded Swiggy to a “buy” with a target price of INR 560 and reaffirmed a “buy” on Eternal with a INR 420 target, citing rising momentum in India’s food delivery and quick commerce sectors. Key tailwinds include upcoming festive season demand and GST reforms that leave more disposable income in consumers’ hands. Analysts anticipate 21–23 % growth for both platforms over FY26–27, as discounting eases and operational leverage improves.

    CRED takes on Jar with digital gold rewards and savings feature

    CRED has launched a pilot of a digital gold savings feature that provides select users up to INR 50 in 24-karat gold cashback into an in-app wallet. Users can accumulate gold holdings in grams and rupees, with insured delivery and coin conversion options. This initiative directly competes with micro-savings app Jar, aligning with the trend of gold-based everyday savings among digitally savvy Indians.

    Promote swadeshi products; every shop, house must have ‘har ghar swadeshi’ board: Modi

    Prime Minister Narendra Modi called on citizens—especially students and educators—to champion the “vocal for local” movement. In a recent address to National Teacher Awardees, he encouraged schools to host “Swadeshi Day/Week”, have students showcase indigenous products, and install “har ghar swadeshi” boards on homes and shops. The initiative emphasizes pride in Indian-made goods, interaction with local artisans, and reducing dependency on imports.

    Freshworks founder Girish Mathrubootham to step down from company

    Girish Mathrubootham, founder of SaaS firm Freshworks, will step down as Executive Chairman effective December 1, 2025, to fully focus on his venture fund, Together. The transition—disclosed via an SEC 8-K filing—will see Roxanne Austin, the lead independent director, become Chairperson. The change, described as amicable, marks a leadership shift four years after Freshworks’ IPO.

    Indian Startup Funding Roundup – 4th Sept 2025 | FirstClub, Colive & More
    Daily Indian funding news (4 Sept 2025): FirstClub raises $23M, Colive secures $20M, Amazon completes Axio acquisition, and more key startup updates from the ecosystem.
    StartupTalkyStartupTalky News

  • Real Money Gaming Ban Forces Head Digital Works (A23 Parent) to Lay Off 500 Staff

    The parent company of online gaming platform A23, Head Digital Works, is cutting off over 500 workers, following in the footsteps of MPL, PokerBaazi, and Games24x7. According to Storyboard18, the company is keeping about 200 workers while laying off roughly two-thirds of its workforce. This declaration was delivered by Head Digital Works at a town hall meeting on 5 September.

    Head Digital Works CEO Siddharth Sharma told media outlets in a statement that the company would give affected employees severance pay. According to Sharma, Head Digital Works’ employees have been essential to the company’s expansion, and the company carefully considered its options before deciding to let go of a sizable portion of its workforce. The business will make sure that this shift is managed responsibly, offering people affected significant support and severance, and the brand will continue to be appreciative of their contributions.

    Brand Exploring New Business Model for Future Growth

    Sharma stated that the company is now examining several business models for its future while outlining its intentions for future expansion. “We are certain that a balanced framework will develop over time, and we are still dedicated to creating a robust future and investigating new prospects for the business, even though recent legislative developments made this action necessary,” Sharma stated.

    The company’s real money gaming (RMG) business has abruptly shut down due to the Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming Act, 2025, which was signed into law by President Droupadi Murmu on August 22. In the Karnataka High Court, Head Digital Works has contested the act that outlawed RMG.

    Head Digital Works, which was founded in 2005, claimed to have over 70 million users and provided a number of real money games, including A23 Rummy, A23 Poker, and Cricket.com. However, following the Online Gaming Bill’s passage in Parliament, it was forced to stop offering real money games.

    Industry-Wide Impact: MPL, PokerBaazi, Games24x7, and More

    The new act has stopped the RMG business as a whole, not just Head Digital Works. Startups are switching to new models and firing staff in order to adapt to the new business reality after closing their real money games. Games24x7 has begun cutting staff, while Mobile Premier League intends to lay off over 60% of its employees in India.

    Moonshine Technology, which ran PokerBaazi and was backed by Nazara Technologies, has also begun firing staff members. Others, such as Dream Sports, the parent company of Dream11, have refocused on growing FanCode, their sports streaming service, and looking for opportunities in the AI market. Now offering its real money games in other countries like the US, WinZO has ventured into the microdrama space.

    Quick
    Shots

    •Layoffs announced at a town hall on
    September 5, 2025.

    •Ban on real money gaming (RMG) under
    the Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming Act, 2025.

    •Employees will receive severance
    packages and transition support.

    •Company exploring new business models
    for future growth despite RMG ban.

  • OpenAI Jobs Platform in the Making: What It Means for the Future of HR and Hiring?

    OpenAI didn’t just come for developers, writers, customer service representatives, and legal assistants; it is also coming for HRs now. OpenAI is officially building a jobs tool called OpenAI Jobs Platform. The platform will connect organizations with AI workers. OpenAI officially announced the work on the project on September 4, 2025. So far, AI has only automated the repetitive tasks of HR but has not entirely replaced them. But, with this news, can we anticipate that the day is nearer? Or is the tool only going to assist the HRs? If you are HR, what should you worry about? Learn more.

    What’s New at OpenAI?

    OpenAI will soon (by mid-2026) come up with a tool to assist businesses in finding the best AI talent in the market.

    The tool will basically connect the businesses and workers (who are trained in AI) directly, meaning no middlemen.  The company is already in talks (about the hiring platform) with some big companies, including Walmart, Boston Consulting Group, Accenture, and the Texas Association of Business. Plus, Sam Altman plans to speak with President Trump about AI’s impact on society.

    OpenAI will not only deal with big businesses, but it is also working to partner with local businesses as well as the government. So, this is a massive development for OpenAI, HRs, and job seekers. 

    Sam Altman, the CEO of OpenAI, said, “Big moves are reshaping the way we work, hire, and adapt in the age of AI. From new platforms to fresh opportunities, the landscape is shifting fast. Let’s break it down.”

    How Will the OpenAI Jobs Platform Work?

    • The whole process is AI-powered, and the tool will help:
    • Helps businesses match with the right AI workers who best fit the roles.
    • Businesses can hire for full-time, part-time, or specific task positions, and more.
    • The tool will categorize workers into different experience levels, such as beginners and advanced experts. 

    Competition to?

    • Once the tool goes live, it will be a direct competition with LinkedIn (which is the world’s biggest job networking platform).
    • Interestingly, LinkedIn was co-founded by Reid Hoffman, who was one of the earliest investors in OpenAI.
    • LinkedIn has been moving towards AI and simultaneously adding new AI features to improve job matching and hiring.

    When Will It Launch?

    OpenAI didn’t give an exact date, but while talking to TechCrunch, a spokesperson mentioned that it aims to go live by mid-2026.

    Certifications & Training

    • Additionally, OpenAI is also launching certification in “AI fluency” and will roll out a pilot program later in 2025.
    • All these certifications are part of OpenAI Academy, which is a free online learning program.
    • The company is already partnering with Walmart on the certification program.
    • The whole aim of this initiative is to certify 10 million Americans by 2030.
    • Moreover, the company is focusing on going beyond ChatGPT, perhaps its own browser and social media apps.

    Should Hrs Be Worried?

    There are several similar discussions on the same topic on the internet. Is OpenAI coming for?

    Fidji Simo, CEO, Applications at OpenAI, said, “We can’t prevent disruption, but we can help people become fluent in AI and connect them with companies that need their skills.”

    It’s both yes and no, because:

    Yes…

    • AI will replace the roles that focus on screening resumes, shortlisting candidates, and doing basic matching.
    • Companies will cut down on their dependency on external recruiters, meaning less or no business for recruiting agencies.

    No…

    • Well, the nature of the job encompasses not only hiring employees but also includes employee relations, workplace culture, training, retention, conflict resolution, performance management, and compliance. AI can not replace that.
    • Human Resources, the name itself says it all. AI can not handle human interaction, emotional intelligence, and decision-making.

    How Hrs Can Save Themselves (And Thrive)?

    Formula to make yourself an irreplaceable HR: Upskill (certifications) + make AI your assistant + Become a Communication and Conflict Expert.

    • Get yourself familiar with any AI-powered recruiting platforms (be it LinkedIn or OpenAI Jobs Platform).
    • Make AI your assistant to filter, match, and speed up the hiring process.
    • Earn AI Certifications to showcase your AI skills.
    • Harness your skills in communication to become an expert in mentoring, conflict management, workplace engagement, building company culture, and handling sensitive conversations.

  • Freshworks Founder Girish Mathrubootham to Step Down from Company

    The founder of Freshworks, Girish Mathrubootham, who oversaw the company from its founding in 2010 to its initial public offering (IPO) in 2021, announced that he would leave the company as executive chairman on December 1, 2025.

    Why Girish Mathrubootham is Stepping Down?

    As he turns his attention to his venture fund, Together, his departure marks a significant shift for one of India’s most well-known SaaS (software as a service) companies, just four years after going public in the US. It also highlights the difficulties founder-led companies have in growing beyond their original architects.

    Company’s Filing to US SEC

    In an 8-K filing with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), Freshworks revealed the development. According to the company, Rathna Girish Mathrubootham informed Freshworks Inc. (the “Company”) on September 3, 2025, that he would step down from his positions as Executive Chairman, a Class III member of the Company’s Board of Directors (the “Board”), and Chairman of the Board on December 1, 2025, to focus entirely on Together Fund, the venture fund he co-founded.

    In response to this notification, the Board designated Roxanne Austin, Lead Independent Director, as the Board’s Chairperson, effective December 1, 2025. Since May 2021, Ms Austin has been the lead independent director and a member of our board of directors.

    Additionally, Austin and Mathrubootham will collaborate to ensure a seamless change in board leadership. There was no disagreement on the company’s operations, rules, or practices that led to Mr. Mathrubootham’s resignation. The document further said that the Board will have nine members beginning on December 1, 2025, and that there will be only two Class III directors overall.

    Mathrubootham’s Journey in Freshworks

    For one of India’s most well-known SaaS founders and angel investors, Mathrubootham’s departure signifies the end of an era. He was a former Zoho executive who founded Freshworks in 2010 and guided it to its 2021 Nasdaq IPO. He left his position as CEO of the corporation in September 2024, just three years later, and was replaced by Dennis Woodside as executive chairman.

     Mathrubootham has previously stated in an open interview with Moneycontrol that he will concentrate more on AI strategy and Freshworks’ long-term goals. “I’ve always thought that people should maximise their abilities, which is why I’m thrilled about this change.” “I’m a product manager at heart, and I think this is the right time for Freshworks to undergo this transition,” he added, excluding any plans to leave the company entirely. “AI is transforming the industry.”

    However, as the market changes due to AI, he has been spending more time in Chennai in the past year, working with his venture fund Together to support the upcoming generation of SaaS companies.

    Quick
    Shorts

    •Departure revealed in an 8-K SEC
    filing; reason: focus on Together Fund, his venture capital firm.

    •Roxanne Austin, Lead Independent
    Director, to take over as Chairperson from Dec 1, 2025.

    •No disagreements with company
    policies or operations cited in Mathrubootham’s resignation.

    •Departure marks the end of an era for
    Freshworks, signaling shift from founder-led to professional leadership.

  • Soft Drinks, Energy Drinks Prices Rise as GST Increased to 40%

    The GST Council authorised an increase in taxes on sin and luxury goods on 3 September, establishing a new 40% bracket for commodities including tobacco, pan masala, aerated drinks and luxury cars, despite the announcement of huge GST rate cuts.

    With the government moving to a simpler regime with two primary slabs of 5% and 18% in addition to a special 40% rate, the decision represents a significant reform of the indirect tax system.

    What are Sin Goods?

    Tobacco and sugary drinks are examples of sin goods, also known as demerit goods, which are things deemed hazardous to society or health. These are subject to the highest GST tax rates in an effort to deter consumption and raise more money for social programs.

    Sin items will henceforth be taxed at 40%, in contrast to basic goods that are taxed at 5% or 18%. Business organisations in the healthcare and MSMEs sectors support GST 2.0 as a major push for relief and self-reliance.

    Higher Tax to Reduce Consumption of Sin Goods

    Because sin items, like tobacco and sugary drinks, are deemed detrimental to society or health, a higher GST rate on them is appropriate. The government aims to deter consumption and generate more money for public welfare by making items more expensive. According to the Economic Times, cigarette use alone is thought to cost India more than 1% of its GDP in lost productivity and medical expenses.

    The levy’s twin purpose of reducing consumption and promoting social activities is further supported by the fact that the money collected by taxing them at a higher slab is frequently utilised to assist welfare and health programmes. Furthermore, despite price increases, buyers frequently keep purchasing these goods since demand for them is very inflexible regarding prices. Sin goods are a dependable source of income for the government since this guarantees that tax collections will increase gradually even if consumption does not decline dramatically.

     Only a few specific things are eligible for the special rate, which is primarily applied to luxury and sin goods. Prior to this, the majority of these commodities were subject to both GST and Compensation Cess. In order to preserve the total tax incidence on the majority of items, the Cess rate is currently being combined with GST, as the government has chosen to discontinue the Compensation Cess charge. According to the Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs, other goods and services were already subject to the maximum GST rate of 28%; hence, the special rate was applied to them.

    Quick
    Shots

    •GST Council introduces new 40% slab
    on sin and luxury goods from September 3, 2025

    •Products like tobacco and sugary
    drinks, considered harmful to health and society.

    •Objective is to discourage
    consumption while raising funds for public welfare and healthcare programs.

    •Sin goods have price-inelastic
    demand, ensuring steady tax collections despite higher prices.

  • Social Media Ban in Nepal: Facebook, X, YouTube Among 26 Platforms Blocked

    On September 4, 2025, the K.P. Sharma Oli government banned up to 26 social media sites, including YouTube, Facebook, Instagram, and X (previously Twitter), claiming that they had not complied with Nepal’s registration criteria by the deadline.

    The Ministry of Communications and Information Technology announced in a public notice that it has directed the Nepal Telecommunication Authority to deactivate any social media platforms that are not registered until they are. Following several petitions, the government once more gave social media companies seven days to register in Nepal on August 28. That deadline ended on the evening of September 3.

    Stern Notice to Social Media Platforms

    The Ministry’s representative, Gajendra Thakur, stated on the afternoon of September 3 that the government hoped social networking companies would contact them before midnight. He claimed that the government would take appropriate action if they didn’t.

    At a meeting held at the Ministry on 4 September, it was decided to impose the ban because no one came forward. Supporters of free speech have criticised the action, claiming it is more about censoring opposing views than it is about regulation. They think that many social media businesses may have refused to register because they felt the government’s registration requirements, which include strict inspection and control procedures, were unreasonable and offensive.

    Ban Hampering Nepal’s Image: Acharya

    The Centre for Media Research’s director, Ujjwal Acharya, referred to the decision as shortsighted and claimed that the ban will harm Nepal’s reputation as a democratic country. According to Acharya, the government made the choice without considering how it would affect regular people. This choice will damage Nepal’s democratic image for years to come and will leave a bad impression on the world stage.

    A recent Supreme Court decision and the government’s own Directives Relating to the Regulation for Usage of Social Media served as the foundation for the decision to ban the websites. The highest court in Nepal ruled two weeks ago that social media and internet platforms, whether they are native or foreign, must be required to register with a relevant government.

    However, Mr Acharya contends that the government’s impractical requirements are the reason platforms have not complied. He claims that the Nepali government’s suggested oversight and control procedures are just too invasive. TikTok was prohibited by the then-Pushpa Kamal Dahal government in November 2023, which sparked intense outrage.

    Oli Government in the Firing line

    The Oli government has been criticised for being more retaliatory towards online critics since it took office almost 14 months ago. Its attempt to pass a new social media regulation bill earlier this year was also strongly opposed. Experts cautioned that the government was trying to regulate almost all internet activity under the pretence of regulation.

    In the most recent instance, the government had already issued four registration requests to platforms, each with a comparable deadline. However, only the Ministry made those prior requests. This time, a Cabinet decision issued the registration directive. Social media users blasted the ban as soon as it was announced, calling it foolish, injudicious, and an example of the government shooting itself in the foot. Many users posted what they claimed to be their final remarks since they thought the platforms would fall down at any time.

    Quick
    Shots

    •Platforms failed to comply with
    Nepal’s mandatory registration rules by the September 3 deadline.

    •Ministry of Communications ordered
    ISPs to block unregistered platforms; says it’s about regulation and
    compliance.

    •Free speech advocates claim the move
    is political censorship rather than regulation.

    •Ujjwal Acharya warns ban will damage
    Nepal’s democratic image and global reputation.