Influencer commerce startup Lehlah raises Rs 12.5 crore in funding led by Nikhil Kamath’s Gruhas

Currently focused on fashion and beauty, Lehlah is now expanding into home accessories and gadgets. It recently partnered with Flipkart to market a wider range of products, including homeware, kitchen appliances, and other household essentials.

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Local, smaller ISPs struggle as Jio, Airtel intensify broadband push

Out of 2,000 internet service provider (ISP) licensees, 1,300 are active, and the past six months have seen multiple new licences being issued and cancelled amidst a slow consolidation, as shrinking margins make it difficult for smaller players to sustain. Even larger ISPs are burning cash, as they require costly over-the-top (OTT) tie-ups to compete with Jio and Airtel.

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ETtech Explainer: Differentiating section 69A & 79 amid X row

The Union government has reportedly submitted that this mechanism complements rather than “eviscerates” the Section 69A blocking process. It has reportedly called X’s conflation of these processes an attempt to evade intermediary obligations while retaining protection from liability for third-party content.

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Delhi DoE Class 6,7,8,9, and 11 result declared: Check direct link here

The Directorate of Education (DoE) Delhi announced results for Classes 6, 7, 8, 9, and 11 in Science, Arts, and Commerce. Students can check their results on edudel.nic.in by entering Student ID, Class, Section, and Date of Birth. Class 11 candidates must choose their stream to view the detailed results. Students across Delhi are notified.

from Latest Education news - Board Exam Results, Admit Cards, Exam Paper Analysis and Question Papers | Times of India
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Microsoft's premature release of GPT-4 test in India contributed to Sam Altman's ouster from OpenAI: WSJ report

In November 2023, Sam Altman was ousted as OpenAI CEO for lack of candor, with controversies surrounding GPT-4’s premature release, fund mismanagement, and internal conflicts leading to his eventual reinstatement.

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SaaS-ination? AI may be threatening traditional SaaS model

Artificial intelligence may be threatening the existence of the traditional Software-as-a-Service model, forcing even established companies to adapt and innovate, or risk oblivion.

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How AI is changing the way the world builds computers

The rise of AI is driving massive demand for specialised data centres packed with GPUs, which require vast amounts of electricity and water. Companies like OpenAI, Google, and Meta are investing billions to build new facilities worldwide, reshaping technology, energy, and local communities, while raising concerns over environmental impact.

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Top tech and startup stories this week

Welcome to a new edition of ETtech Unwrapped – our weekend newsletter packed with the most important stories this week. Let’s take a look.

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Dholera chips in to make expats feel at home

Dholera, India’s first semiconductor hub, is developing a "Global Tent City" for expats, featuring international food streets, cultural shows, shopping, and recreational facilities to cater to global talent and make them feel at home.

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Mid-market firms may drive India’s GCC growth numbers

India is witnessing a rise in mid-market firms establishing global capability centers (GCCs), with revenues projected to grow 15-20% between 2024-2026. Flexible, cost-effective models drive adoption, attracting firms from the US, Europe, and the Middle East.

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Uber offers driverless car tech companies a ride to market

Uber has launched autonomous vehicle (AV) rides with Waymo in Austin, Texas, aiming to become the top platform for AV commercialisation. While AVs promise scalability and efficiency, challenges include safety, regulations, and cost-effectiveness. Uber envisions a hybrid model with both AVs and human drivers.

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Groww in talks to rack up $200 million via pre-IPO funding at $6.5 billion valuation

Singapore’s sovereign wealth fund GIC, existing investor Tiger Global tapped, according to sources in the know. Groww, which started as a direct mutual funds distributor, is currently the largest stockbroker in the country in terms of active clients.

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Google unveils Gemini 2.5, claims enhanced reasoning and coding capabilities

Google describes Gemini 2.5 as a “thinking model”, capable of reasoning through its processes before responding, leading to enhanced accuracy. The company claims the model can analyse information, draw logical conclusions, and tackle complex problems more effectively.

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ClarityX launches Places Pulse tool to detect patterns in consumer movements with Mappls MapmyIndia Data

Rakhi Prasad, cofounder of ClarityX said that with this tool, businesses and policymakers can point to demand spikes, identify location-based consumer behaviour, and strategise at zero cost. The tool uses Mappls MapmyIndia's hyperlocal maps data and location tech to analyse search trends by state, category and time frame to stay updated on popular destinations.

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AI bias, demand uncertainty hit pricing power of India’s IT

India’s $280 billion IT sector faces pricing pressure due to uncertain demand and AI adoption. Competition is rising, deal rates are dropping, and firms are leveraging automation and tier-2 locations to maintain profitability amid changing client expectations.

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OpenAI COO to spearhead global growth, partnerships in expanded role, Sam Altman says

OpenAI is partnering with SoftBank Group and Oracle to establish a network of data centers under the $500-billion Stargate project, aimed at powering artificial intelligence workloads. "Brad will lead our global deployment, focusing on business strategy, key partnerships, infrastructure, and operational excellence to maximize the impact of our research," Altman said.

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P2P lending slows as RBI move clouds future of key players

The peer-to-peer (P2P) lending sector has experienced a significant slowdown over the past year as the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has tightened regulations on the industry. According to two founders in the sector, the total assets managed through P2P lending platforms have plummeted from approximately Rs 10,000 crore a year ago to around Rs 3,000 crore.

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Amazon India to scrap referral fees on 1.2 crore products under Rs 300

Amazon's move, the largest seller fee reduction till date, will be applicable across more than 135 product categories including apparel, shoes, jewellery, grocery, home décor, beauty, toys, and kitchen products. Currently, referral fees – a commission sellers pay Amazon on each sale – range from 2% to 16% in these categories.

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CUET UG 2025 registration deadline extended till March 24, check direct link here

NTA has extended the CUET UG 2025 registration deadline to March 24, with fee submission due by March 25. The correction window will be open from March 26-28. Exams will be held from May 8 to June 1. Candidates should apply on cuet.nta.nic.in promptly to avoid last-minute issues. Paper-wise schedules will be announced later.

from Latest Education news - Board Exam Results, Admit Cards, Exam Paper Analysis and Question Papers | Times of India
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India’s IT sector treads the tightrope between tariff wars and recession fears

India's software services exporters face uncertainty as global tariff wars, particularly from the US, and economic concerns impact growth prospects. While demand from key sectors like BFSI showed early recovery, fears of recession, rising costs, and AI adoption challenges could dampen prospects. Hiring trends are increasingly centred around AI-related skill

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19 years of Twitter

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Top tech and startup stories this week

Welcome to a new edition of ETtech Unwrapped – our weekend newsletter packed with the most important stories this week. Let’s take a look.

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Civil society seeks rollback of DPDP changes to RTI Act

Over 30 civil society groups launched a campaign to revoke a provision in the Digital Personal Data Protection (DPDP) Act that amends the RTI Act. They argue it limits access to crucial information, hindering transparency, accountability, and media freedom, while also threatening privacy rights and government oversight.

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Leap of faith: Spiritual apps on global quest

Devotional apps like AppsForBharat, Vama.App, and Utsav expand globally, targeting the Indian diaspora with digital rituals and ecommerce. Fueled by Maha Kumbh’s surge, they drive growth through engagement and venture capital funding.

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Eye on AI, tech companies rejig top deck, plan structural overhaul

India’s IT services sector is undergoing leadership and structural changes due to AI’s rising influence and a tough business environment. Several companies appointed new CEOs, revamped roles, and restructured operations to enhance efficiency and remain competitive.

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Fintech sees early green shoots as growth-stage deals pick up

The fintech investment landscape is reviving, with growth-stage deals attracting over $550 million in 2025. Regulatory clarity, emerging wealth-tech opportunities, and major IPOs from firms like PhonePe and Groww are boosting investor confidence in the sector.

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‘Meta will launch community notes-based fact checker in the US first’, says company's senior executive

Meta will replace third-party fact-checking with community notes in the US first, delaying global rollout until 2026. Meta’s Joel Kaplan emphasised AI innovation, regulatory clarity, and India’s potential in open-source AI development.

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AI influencers are here: Turning social media into profit

Since ChatGPT's 2022 release, AI-focused creators have surged on social media, sharing insights and content on tools, models, and AI developments. Many have turned this into profitable ventures, earning through newsletters, masterclasses, and brand collaborations. Platforms like X and LinkedIn offer good opportunities, especially for niche, professional audiences.

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Hit a regulatory bump? Interministerial panel set up to address fintech troubles

The government has formed an inter-ministerial committee to address fintech industry challenges, balancing innovation with regulation. It includes key regulators and fintech leaders, aiming to analyze sector growth and propose policy recommendations within three months.

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Exporters take wind out of shippers’ sails

Worried by the uncertainty from the US' incoming tariffs, exporters in sectors like electronics, gems, jewellery, apparel, and footwear are facing various logistical challenges to speed up deliveries by air, instead of using their usual shipping methods.

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PSPCL extends apprenticeship application deadline for lineman trade to April 17

Punjab State Power Corporation Limited (PSPCL) has extended the deadline for Assistant Lineman applications to March 17, 2025. The total vacancies have also been increased from 2,500 to 3,000, providing more opportunities for candidates. These positions are available across various categories, with a significant number reserved for women. Interested candidates with an ITI in Wireman or Electrician trade can apply through the online portal before the new deadline.

from Latest Education news - Board Exam Results, Admit Cards, Exam Paper Analysis and Question Papers | Times of India
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Uber in early discussions with EV ride-hailing startup BluSmart for a possible acquisition

Uber is in early talks to acquire BluSmart Mobility, boosting its electric cab presence in India. The move comes amid Gensol Engineering’s financial troubles, increasing competition, and Uber’s strategic focus on the mobility sector.

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TSPSC Group 3 result 2025 declared at tspsc.gov.in: Check direct link here

The Telangana State Public Service Commission (TSPSC) has announced the Group 3 Preliminary Examination results for 2025 on March 14. Candidates can check their results on the official TSPSC website by entering their hall ticket number and date of birth. The exam, held on November 17 and 18, 2024, aimed to fill 1,365 vacancies. A general rank list has also been published along with the results for candidates to access.

from Latest Education news - Board Exam Results, Admit Cards, Exam Paper Analysis and Question Papers | Times of India
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Intel's new CEO to receive $1 million as base salary

The company named Tan as the CEO on Wednesday, tasking the industry veteran to lead a faltering transition to a successful chip manufacturing firm as well as chip design house. He will take charge on March 18.

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Venture firm 3one4 Capital returns entire first fund capital to sponsors

3one4 Capital fully returned its first fund’s capital, with unrealised returns set for 4x gains. The 2016 fund backed startups like Darwinbox and Licious. The firm has exited multiple investments and anticipates IPOs from key portfolio companies.

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JPMorgan engineers' efficiency jumps as much as 20% from using coding assistant

The efficiency gains from the coding assistant will also allow JPMorgan's Indian centres to devote more time to high-value projects focusing on artificial intelligence and data, said Lori Beer, global chief information officer, JPMorgan Chase.

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Safe harbour regime is a big hurdle in GCC growth path, say experts

Experts urge reforms in India’s transfer pricing laws to boost Global Capability Centres (GCCs). They recommend a flexible safe harbour regime, tax incentives, single-window clearances, and talent development to enhance India’s competitiveness and attract more GCC investments.

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Musk-led cuts drive US consumer protection agency to ask for Amazon trial delay

The FTC requested a trial delay in its Amazon Prime lawsuit, citing severe resource shortages due to Trump-era cuts. Amazon denies wrongdoing. The judge asked for a written request by Friday.

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Energy storage startup AmpereHour Energy raises $5 million from Avaana Capital

AmpereHour Energy raised $5 million from Avaana Capital and UC Impower to expand manufacturing, R&D, and product development. The startup, specialising in energy storage, aims to scale capacity to 1 GWh in 18 months amid rising industry demand.

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Apple preparing for a major software overhaul: Report

The revamp, which is loosely based on Vision Pro's software, would include a style update of icons, menus, apps, windows and system buttons, the report said. Vision Pro is Apple's mixed-reality headset.

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ET Corporate Awards | At the core, our startup DNA still continues: Zomato CFO Akshant Goyal

While receiving the Emerging Company of the Year award at The ET Awards for Corporate Excellence in Mumbai, CEO Deepinder Goyal said Zomato is a unique business in India, in terms of the amount of direct and indirect employment the business creates.

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5G’s cosmic ring: Unlocking global connectivity with non-terrestrial networks

Satcom is answering the call for enhanced connectivity, but are India’s 5G non-terrestrial networks ready to take off? The integration of 5G NTN could revolutionise connectivity, enabling remote services and opening new revenue streams for telecom players, though challenges remain in scaling and profitability.

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Top tech and startup stories this week

Welcome to a new edition of ETtech Unwrapped – our weekend newsletter packed with the most important stories this week. Let’s take a look.

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US to hold hearing on China's efforts to boost semiconductor industry

The investigation, initiated by former President Joe Biden in December, seeks to safeguard American and other semiconductor manufacturers from China’s extensive state-led expansion of its domestic chip supply.

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Razorpay enters Singapore; targets $5 billion in payment volume from Southeast Asia over two years

The digital payments firm currently processes around $1 billion in TPV in Southeast Asia, said cofounder and MD Shashank Kumar.

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Blinkit, Zepto hike commissions to boost per-order earnings

Blinkit and Zepto are raising commissions to boost revenue amid competition and investor concerns. Zepto’s hikes align with its IPO plans, while Blinkit is shifting to a variable model. Both firms continue aggressive expansion despite increased cash burn and market pressures.

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Public sector banks eye fintech tie-ups for MSME loans

Public sector banks are strengthening fintech partnerships to boost MSME lending amid a government push. Co-lending models and digital solutions are driving growth, though operational challenges remain in scaling supply chain financing.

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Founders on a second innings: For some, it’s a venture out; for others, a point to prove

Amid a tech and venture capital reset, many founders have left their startups to launch new ventures, leveraging past experience and networks. Emerging sectors like AI and deeptech are attracting entrepreneurs seeking fresh opportunities.

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SpaceX aims for Thursday Starship test flight

Elon Musk's SpaceX is now aiming for Thursday to conduct the next test flight of its massive Starship rocket, following a last-minute cancellation on Monday.

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Lenskart’s Peyush Bansal charts global expansion amid IPO buzz

Lenskart CEO Peyush Bansal highlighted that, although discussions about an IPO are ongoing, the company is primarily focused on growth and maintaining consistency with customers, which is crucial for long-term success.

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Cybertrucks to Smart Gadgets, Mobile World Congress bustles with cutting-edge tech in Barcelona

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Quick commerce sector burning Rs 5,000 crore per quarter: Zomato CEO Deepinder Goyal

Quick commerce player Blinkit accounts for 2-3% of the industry cash burn but has a 40-45% market share. Its focus is on sustaining growth while ensuring discipline in cash allocation for investment, said the CEO of Blinkit’s parent, Zomato.

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IN-SPACe proposes tech consortium to steer auto industry towards ISRO’s sensors

However, to make this a reality, the high prices of ISRO’s sensors need to be cut to a tenth. According to IN-SPACe chairman Pawan Goenka, to achieve this goal, an entirely different production process needs to be put in place.

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Apple defeats US consumer lawsuit over iCloud storage, for now

U.S. District Judge Eumi Lee in San Jose, California, on Friday said the plaintiffs in the class action had not shown Apple violated federal or state antitrust law. However, she ruled they could amend their complaint and refile it.

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Corporate payments fintech startup Ramp valued at $13 billion after share sale deal

The five-year-old startup hit the new valuation as it sold $150 million worth of its secondaries to investors including Singaporean wealth fund GIC, Thrive Capital, Khosla Ventures and General Catalyst, Ramp said in a statement on Monday.

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Together eyes final close of Fund-II by June to up AI play

Venture capital firm Together Fund expects to close its $150 million Fund-II by June and ride India's artificial intelligence (AI) wave. Founded in 2021 by Freshworks founder Girish Mathrubootham and Eka Software founder Manav Garg, Together plans to focus on AI through its second fund and support 19-20 firms in the segment.

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ETtech Deals Digest

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Tech to let you hear the future: AI-driven sound innovation

Shyam Gollakota, a professor at the University of Washington, is using AI to enhance how we hear and interact with sound. The technology can isolate individual sounds, place it in a spatial context, and control what the listener hears, improving auditory experiences.

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Fair Winds: TCS to navigate challenges with AI and emerging opportunities

TCS had its share of ups and downs in the last 12 months, but what lies ahead for the $29-billion IT giant in 2025? As the company faces increasing competition and a changing market, opportunities in AI, digital transformation, and deal consolidation could steer its growth.

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