LPG Crisis Triggers Another Exodus Of India’s Gig And Manufacturing Workers
Six years ago, flyovers across India witnessed streams of migrant and gig workers walking miles to reach home. In particular the route is vital for India’s and the global LPG supply, accounting for nearly 29% of global trade. Nearly 90% of India’s LPG imports pass through the Strait of Hormuz. In a recent development, Iran has labelled India a “friendly nation,” allowing Indian-flagged vessels to safely commute through the route. A 5 Kg LPG cylinder, which used to cost ₹100 for households, is now being sold at ₹400 each, creating panic among people, specially gig and blue collar workers who are far away from their home towns, and depending on the urban ecosystem.
Inside Dream11’s Pivot, Xpedize Cofounder No More & More
Dream Sports’ Post-RMG Era Eight months after the government dismantled the real-money gaming (RMG) sector overnight, Dream Sports is trying to stand on its feet again. Instead of filing lawsuits, the Dream 11 maker is weaponising its existing user base to pivot to fintech and sports tech ecosystems. The Great Reset: After the ban, Dream Sports moved swiftly to preserve its cash reserves and stop the operational burn. With the launch of wealthtech platform Dream Money and AI-driven brokerage platform DreamStreet, the brand is targeting the underserved, small-town investors. Reimaging The Core: Simultaneously, the company is pivoting its erstwhile RMG platform into an ad-driven, second-screen social network.
Meghalaya Govt Signs MoU With Starlink To Pilot Satcom Services
The Meghalaya government has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Elon Musk-led Starlink to pilot satellite communications (satcom) services in the state’s remote areas. Under the partnership, the state government will work with the satcom operator to deploy the satellite broadband service in areas like healthcare, education, and agriculture. “… Connecting our remotest schools, health centres, and communities remains a challenge. Our partnership to introduce advanced satellite connectivity technology marks an important step toward bridging this gap. Prior to this in November 2025, Starlink also inked a pact with Maharashtra government to deploy satcom services for government institutions in the state. It is pertinent to note that Starlink has received clearance from IN-SPACe to kick start operations in India.
Bengaluru D2C Founders Crack Scale Code At D2CX Converge
As India’s digital economy goes full throttle, throwing up a $1 Tn opportunity and adding thrust to its target of making up a fifth of the national GDP by 2030, direct-to-consumer brands find a way to unlock a $300 Bn headroom for growth by the same time. And, driving this growth will be a 500 Mn-strong shopper base, more than 800 Mn internet users, affordable data and supportive policies. The gathering is designed for founders who are not just building in India’s high-potential D2C market, but also trying to learn from each other. On March 12, 2026, more than 65 curated D2C founders across categories such as fashion, FMCG, consumer retail, and lifestyle came together in the city.
Govt Operationalises New Rules To Boost Ecommerce Exports
The Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs (CBIC) has operationalised a new set of rules to strengthen and streamline ecommerce exports from the country. Under the new rules, the ministry has removed the ₹10 Lakh value cap per consignment on courier exports and introduced a streamlined framework for handling returned and rejected parcels. The new rules also introduce a legally-backed return to origin (RTO) mechanism for uncleared shipments. In a statement, the finance ministry said that these new export norms aim to enhance the ease of doing business, reduce logistics inefficiencies and strengthen India’s global export competitiveness. Under this, non-restricted or non-prohibited goods that remain uncleared for more than 15 days would be returned to the origin following a simplified procedure. The board has also simplified the procedure for re-import of returned or rejected ecommerce goods.
India’s Kitchen Tech Era, Nazara Eyes ₹500 Cr & More
India’s ‘Kitchen Tech’ Market Heats Up India’s kitchens rarely change overnight. However, the ongoing geopolitical tensions in West Asia have disrupted LPG supply, forcing millions of Indian households to suddenly rethink how they cook. From Gas To Electric Tops: As concerns around LPG availability began to circulate, a behavioural reset swept the country. Consumers did not abandon gas entirely, but hedged their bets by buying electric alternatives. Cooking is actively being redefined into a flexible activity assisted by automated appliances and convenience foods. Supply Chains Under Strain: This overnight demand spike is severely testing the limits of existing manufacturing lines.
Govt Clears 29 More Electronics Manufacturing Projects Worth ₹7.1K Cr
The IT ministry (MeitY) has approved 29 additional applications under the Electronics Component Manufacturing Scheme (ECMS). These new proposals are expected to bring in investments worth ₹7,104 Cr, generate 14,246 direct jobs and build a projected production pipeline of ₹84,515 Cr. Overall, the total projected investment under the ECMS now stands at ₹61,671 Cr, with an estimated 65,040 direct employment opportunities. In a statement MeitY said that the newly approved projects span 16 product categories, including display modules, capacitors, connectors, resistors, flexible PCBs and lithium-ion cells. Lauding the approvals, industry body India Cellular and Electronics Association said that the increased outlay of ₹40,000 Cr for the ECMS, along with the performance of the PLI scheme, could help accelerate growth in the electronics manufacturing sector. Launched in April 2025, the ECMS aims to build a $500 Bn electronics component manufacturing ecosystem in India by FY32.
From E-Cheques To Cross-Border Rails: RBI Lays Out Its Payments Vision For 2028
India’s digital payments landscape has undergone a transformation over the past decade following the launch of Unified Payments Interface (UPI). To build on this momentum and expand the global footprint of India’s payments ecosystem, the RBI has released ‘Payments Vision 2028’, which builds on the foundation of its earlier such documents. The central bank will focus on promoting inclusivity and resilience and deepening the trust in India’s digital payments ecosystem over the next three years. The RBI has proposed several new initiatives, including increasing focus on cross-border payment solutions, exploring electronic cheques, strengthening digital payments security framework, among others. The vision document, based on the theme ‘Shaping India’s Payment Frontier’, talks about strengthening the existing systems and infrastructure.
Uber Shuts Shuttle Service In Delhi NCR To Focus On B2B Employee Transport
Ride-hailing giant Uber has pulled the plug on shuttle operations in Delhi NCR following similar shutdowns in cities like Mumbai and Hyderabad last year due to low ridership and high operating costs as the reasons behind the move. “We wanted to inform you that Uber Shuttle services in your city will be discontinued after 27 March. After this date, Shuttle rides will no longer be available,” Uber said in an email to commuters. Uber Shuttle allowed users to pre-book bus services on fixed routes, and was mainly used by commuters travelling to work between New Delhi, Gurugram and Noida. Notably, in 2024, Uber was doubling down on its shuttle services in Delhi NCR. Uber said that Delhi NCR was the only remaining city where its shuttle service was active.
OpenAI Onboards JioStar CEO Kiran Mani To Head Asia-Pacific Operations: Report
ChatGPT parent OpenAI has reportedly onboarded JioStar CEO Kiran Mani as the MD to helm its Asia-Pacific operations. As per a Bloomberg report, Mani will be based out of the AI giant’s Singapore headquarters, reporting directly to CFO Jason Kwon. Mani is expected to commence his role at OpenAI in June and has stepped down as the CEO of JioStar, as per reports. He joined JioStar in 2023 to head digital platforms (JioHotstar and Cricinfo) along with other metrics including consumer, content and revenue. Prior to that, Mani worked with the likes of Microsoft, Google, and IBM at various leadership positions.
Delhi EV Policy 2.0: Govt Sets Aside ₹200 Cr For Public EV Fleet Push
The Delhi government has unveiled a new EV Policy to recalibrate its electric mobility strategy by moving away from broad purchase subsidies to a scrappage-linked incentive model. With a ₹200 Cr allocation in the Delhi Budget 2026-27, the revised policy seeks to accelerate the retirement of high-emission vehicles while doubling down on EV adoption in the national capital. “I want to emphasise that Delhi is bringing one of the largest EV policies in the country. We are promoting e-bikes, e-autos, e-taxis, and other zero-emission mobility solutions to ensure cleaner transport in Delhi,” Gupta said. As per previous reports, the EV policy 2.0 is likely to work around purchase subsidies of up to ₹30,000, scrapping incentives of up to ₹20,000 for old CNG autorickshaws, and potential ban on registration of petrol two-wheelers, starting August 2026.
Uber In The Corporate Lane, Fino’s Troubles & More
Uber’s Employee Mobility Play Uber is trading its B2C comfort zone for India’s billion-dollar corporate commute market. As Global Capability Centres (GCCs) flood the country, the mobility giant is banking on its driver network and tech stack to disrupt the fragmented B2B industry. The GCC Gold Rush: India’s GCC ecosystem is projected to hit $100 Bn and employ 2.8 Mn people by 2030. As a result, traditional company buses and fragmented local fleets are struggling with 24/7 shift patterns, creating a massive opening for software-led disruption. For cost-conscious Indian enterprises, reliability, safety, and cost control have become as critical as the commute itself.
Amid India’s GCC Boom, Uber Takes The Corporate Transport Lane
With its 67,000 registered IT firms, 16,000 startups, numerous banks, and 400 of Fortune 500 companies, the city doesn’t sleep, indeed. Company cabs aren’t just enough to ferry an ever-increasing brigade of tech professionals working 24×7 in Bengaluru. Most enterprises, therefore, depend on vendors like MoveInSync, Routematic, and Rego Cabs that operate in the corporate commute space. Global mobility giant Uber too rolled into this bustling market for employee transportation services (ETS) earlier this year. India is projected to have over 2.8 Mn people working at 2,500 GCCs by 2030, as the market for Global Capability Centres (GCCs) looks set to explode in the coming years, surpassing $100 Bn in revenue.
Late To Quick Commerce, Can Flipkart Hit A Home Run?
However, the narrative underneath is more compelling, as it will also lean on Flipkart Minutes, the ecommerce giant’s gateway to quick commerce. And this could well be Flipkart’s real moat. Public market investors today are less interested in legacy ecommerce growth curves and more in high-frequency and retention categories that quick commerce offers. We have seen this panning out in the case of Swiggy, whose public positioning leaned significantly on Instamart. Not just this, the timing of redomiciling also aligns well with the country’s quick commerce boom, a market that is expected to spurt from $6.1 Bn in 2024 to $40 Bn by 2030.
FIR Filed Against CoinDCX Founders For Cheating, Company Denies
Crypto exchange CoinDCX has termed a Police first information report (FIR) filed against its cofounders Sumit Gupta and Neeraj Khandelwal as false claims. This follows Moneycontrol reporting that Gupta and Khandelwal were called for questioning on March 21 at a Mumbai Police station. Another report by Economic Times claimed that the duo were arrested following the FIR, which alleged cheating and financial fraud. As per the report, the action came after an FIR was filed on the complaint of a 42-year-old insurance consultant, who was duped of ₹71 Lakh by a website that allegedly impersonated CoinDCX. “Sumit and Neeraj have been called for questioning.
Indian Listed New-Age Tech Company Tracker: Market Cap, Revenue & More
For years, we at Inc42 have tracked the Indian tech startup ecosystem and seen it grow from a kid to an adult. For Indian companies, achieving a public listing has for long symbolised operational progression, transparency, and long-term viability. Meanwhile, over 60 Indian new-age tech companies have already crossed the milestone and are now listed on the bourses. The list of new-age tech companies that went public in 2025 included Meesho, Ather Energy, Urban Company, Lenskart, Groww, Pine Labs and PhysicsWallah. To consolidate all the information about listed startups, Inc42 has launched the Indian Listed New-Age Tech Company Tracker. Last updated: March 21 The Indian Listed New-Age Tech Company Tracker will be updated periodically with fresh data. [Edited by: Vinaykumar Rai].
Tesla Plans Entry Into India’s Energy Storage Market
After beginning the sales of its electric cars in India last year, Elon Musk-led Tesla is now foraying into India’s industrial energy storage market. According to Tesla’s official website, it is hiring a business development lead for energy – solar and storage in India. “We are seeking a seasoned business development lead to shape Tesla’s entry into India for utility-scale energy storage. This role will be responsible for developing go-to-market strategies, navigating regulatory landscapes, and securing key deals,” the company said in the job description. Tesla will compete with the likes of Tata Power, Adani Group, Reliance Industries, and more in the Indian industrial energy storage market. With the rapid expansion of solar energy installations in India, demand for energy storage in the country is expected to grow sharply.
Indian Family Businesses: Growth-Driven, Tech-Cautious
More than 90% of Indian family businesses are confident about growth. Additionally, this comes from PwC’s 12th Global Family Business Survey. Let’s dive into some aspects around Indian family businesses. How Growth And Technology Trajectories Are Mapped In promoter-led enterprises, expansion and technology are evaluated differently. A poorly executed ERP can disrupt reporting, create vendor dependency, and slow decision cycles for months. Promoters understand that technology decisions are not just expense items, they reshape the business structure. Generic Digital Advice Does Not Work For Family Firms The first generation built businesses on instinct, relationships, and direct oversight. Most Indian family businesses already use digital tools for accounting, billing, GST compliance, and inventory. Indian family businesses combine long-term orientation with disciplined capital allocation. The post Indian Family Businesses: Growth-Driven, Tech-Cautious appeared first on Inc42 Media.
Razorpay’s AI Avatar, FinSight’s Fintech Playbook & More
Razorpay’s Agentic AI Era Razorpay is moving beyond payments. Additionally, last week, the fintech major unveiled its Agentic AI Studio to build an army of AI agents to automate the messy operations of India’s small businesses. With pilots underway, can Razorpay’s AI gamble pay off before its 2027 IPO? Razorpay’s Tryst With AI: At its flagship FTX event last week, Razorpay unveiled its Agents Studio, a Claude-powered marketplace where merchants can hire purpose-built AI specialists with one click. It has already debuted four production-ready agents designed to tackle daily challenges of small and medium enterprises (SME), such as checkout drop-offs, chargeback disputes, managing subscription lapses, and forecasting cash flow. Here is all about these new-age tech players… The post Razorpay’s AI Avatar, FinSight’s Fintech Playbook & More appeared first on Inc42 Media.
Amazon Prime Video’s Next Decade In India: The Focus Turns To IPs
Amazon Prime Video is on the cusp of its 10-year anniversary in India. Additionally, for Amazon Prime Video, India is no longer an experimental market. Over the past 10 years, Prime Video has not just built a platform in India; it has helped shape the premium streaming category itself. As Gaurav Gandhi, vice president for the APAC & ANZ markets at Prime Video, puts it, the journey has been as much about ecosystem building as business growth. “Our journey for the past 9-10 years has been as much about building the category as building Prime Video,” he said, reflecting on the platform’s evolution in India, at Prime Video Presents 2026 in Mumbai. The post Amazon Prime Video’s Next Decade In India: The Focus Turns To IPs appeared first on Inc42 Media.
L’Oréal In Talks To Buy BPC Brand Innovist: Report
Beauty and personal care (BPC) startup Innovist is reportedly in talks to sell a majority of its stake to global cosmetics giant L’Oréal at a valuation of $350 Mn to $450 Mn (₹3,264 Cr to ₹4,196 Cr). Additionally, as per a report by Moneycontrol, L’Oréal would look to pick up controlling stake in Innovist initially and is likely to completely acquire the Accel-backed startup in the subsequent years. The financial details of the transaction are yet to be discerned. “The deal is expected to be sealed by April-end if these bilateral talks progress at the current pace,” a source told the publication. Inc42 has reached out to Innovist cofounder Rohit Chawla and L’Oréal for comments on the development. The post L’Oréal In Talks To Buy BPC Brand Innovist: Report appeared first on Inc42 Media.
Inside India’s $155 Bn Semiconductor Opportunity
Two geopolitical fault lines, both capable of fracturing the global economy, are converging at once. Conflict across West Asia is squeezing energy markets and exposing the fragility of concentrated supply routes. And with China signalling intent to take control of Taiwan by the end of 2026, the stakes have risen sharply for something far more foundational: semiconductors. Now, when the world again faces the possible shortage of supply chain distribution, can India become an alternative? India’s semiconductor ambitions are no longer theoretical. This geopolitical shift, along with strong policy support, could help create what may be a $155 Bn market by 2031, up from $62 Bn in 2026, as per Inc42’s “India’s Semiconductor Uprising Report 2026”. Edited by Nikhil Subramaniam.
Inside FinSight Ventures’ Bet On A Pricey Yet Durable Indian Fintech Market
When FinSight Ventures’ lead India investments, Pavel Gurianov, relocated to Bengaluru from Russia in 2022 ,his mission was clear: to understand why VCs around the world were falling head over heels for India’s consumer tech and fintech startups. 12 years and 16 investments later, Gurianov’s view of India is optimistic but pragmatic. While India’s fintech ecosystem has been an undeniable success from a global investment perspective and remains a key focus area for overseas funds, some nuances repel investors. For instance, from the dollar-investor perspective, Indian fintech startups are expensive when compared to Southeast Asia or Latin America. Then, despite the massive scale of digital payments, average transaction values in India are still relatively small, which slows revenue growth for fintech companies.