Category: Technology

Anthropic is offering its Claude AI chatbot to U.S. government agencies for just $1, stepping up efforts to become a key player in Washington’s rapidly evolving AI landscape. The Amazon-backed startup now joins OpenAI and Google in providing discounted access to AI tools as the federal government accelerates adoption across departments.

The announcement comes on the heels of a similar move by OpenAI, which recently offered ChatGPT Enterprise to government agencies at the same nominal price. Just last week, the U.S. government officially approved Claude, ChatGPT, and Google’s Gemini for federal use, thus clearing a path for these tools to power everything from national security to research and administrative operations.

“By offering expanded Claude access across all three branches of government, we're helping the federal workforce leverage frontier AI capabilities to maintain our competitive advantage and better serve the American people,” Anthropic CEO Dario Amodei said in a statement.

The symbolic $1 offers reflect a broader strategy by AI companies: securing a foothold within government operations as a way to influence how AI is regulated, developed, and deployed. Federal agencies represent not only a major market but also a powerful endorsement in the global AI race.

Anthropic has already released models designed specifically for U.S. national security needs and has landed contracts from the Department of Defense, alongside Google, OpenAI, and xAI- Elon Musk’s AI venture, which has introduced a “Grok for Government” product line.

With OpenAI also planning to open a Washington, D.C. office, the push to win over policymakers is intensifying. Companies see long-term partnerships with federal agencies as critical, keeping in mind the revenue, elevated industry standards, and regulations perspective.

As the U.S. government lays the groundwork for responsible AI use, tech firms are racing to become its go-to providers. Their offers that are available for free are strategic intentions to become embedded in the infrastructure of AI governance and deployment.

Anthropic’s $1 offer is aimed with a clear objective to play a defining role in how AI supports, secures, and serves the public sector.

The United States has launched a sweeping trade investigation into solar cell imports from India, Indonesia, and Laos. This one move could bring a sign of major blow to India's solar exports, worth nearly $790 million in 2024.

The U.S. Commerce Department announced on Monday that it has opened both anti-dumping and countervailing duty (CVD) investigations into crystalline silicon photovoltaic cells, whether assembled into modules or not,  imported under tariff codes 8541.42.0010 and 8541.43.0010.

The move follows a formal petition by the Alliance for American Solar Manufacturing and Trade, a powerful lobby group representing domestic solar manufacturers, who argue that low-cost imports are undercutting U.S. industry.

What Happens Next

The case now heads to the U.S. International Trade Commission (ITC), which will assess whether imports from the three countries have caused material injury or pose a threat to U.S. manufacturers. A preliminary ruling is expected by September 2, 2025.

In case ITC finds any evidence of harm, the Commerce Department will proceed with a two-pronged investigation wherein the initial countervailing duty findings will be due by October 13, and anti-dumping findings expected by December 26.

Why This Matters

India, which exported nearly $790 million worth of solar cells and modules to the U.S. last year, stands to lose the most if duties are imposed. Indonesia and Laos, which exported $420 million and $340 million respectively, could also face sharp declines in access to the world’s second-largest solar market.

For Washington, the action reflects growing pressure to safeguard domestic solar manufacturing, which is a key pillar of former President Joe Biden’s clean energy agenda,  even as the country remains heavily reliant on imported components to meet its ambitious renewable energy targets.

India’s smartphone market witnessed a strong rebound in the April–June quarter of 2025. Shipments rose 7.3% year-on-year, ending a two-quarter slump, according to market research firm Canalys. The growth came despite global economic uncertainties and intense competition among handset makers.

The report attributed the surge to improved consumer sentiment and seasonal promotions. Many brands adopted aggressive pricing strategies to clear older inventories and push new launches. Strong performance in online sales channels and a steady demand for mid-range devices also contributed to the upswing.

Xiaomi regains top spot

Xiaomi regained its position as the market leader with 15% market share. The company shipped 6.4 million units in Q2. Its Redmi Note series continued to drive volumes, supported by heavy online discounts and strategic partnerships with e-commerce platforms.

Samsung secured the second position with a 14% share and 6.1 million units shipped. The Galaxy A-series and M-series devices remained popular, offering a balance of price and performance.

Vivo followed with a 13% share, shipping 5.7 million units. The brand benefited from strong offline distribution and marketing campaigns targeting tier-2 and tier-3 cities.

Realme and Oppo rounded off the top five with 12% and 10% market shares, respectively. Both brands leveraged festive offers and promotional bundles to boost sales.

5G devices drive demand

Canalys noted that demand for 5G-enabled devices played a key role in the recovery. Nearly half of all smartphones shipped in Q2 were 5G-capable, reflecting a clear shift in consumer preferences. Telecom operators’ continued expansion of 5G coverage further fueled adoption.

“5G readiness has become a decisive factor for buyers,” said Canalys Research Analyst Ashweej Aithal. “Brands that can provide affordable 5G options without compromising on core specifications are seeing significant traction.”

Competition to intensify

Analysts expect competition to heat up in the second half of 2025. Several brands are preparing for major product launches ahead of the festive season. The market is also seeing increased activity from emerging players looking to carve out niche segments.

However, the report cautioned that challenges remain. Fluctuating currency rates, global supply chain constraints, and potential inflationary pressures could affect pricing strategies. Brands may need to balance affordability with profitability in the coming quarters.

Market outlook

The growth in Q2 marks a notable shift after two consecutive quarters of decline. In the January–March period, shipments had dropped 8% year-on-year due to weak consumer demand and excess inventory.

With Q2’s rebound, analysts are cautiously optimistic about the year ahead. They expect steady growth driven by 5G adoption, competitive pricing, and wider availability of financing options. The back-to-school and festive sales periods are likely to be key growth drivers for the remainder of the year.

As brands continue to battle for market share, consumers stand to benefit from better deals, more product choices, and faster technology adoption.

Tech billionaire Elon Musk-led electric vehicle manufacturer Tesla is ramping up its hiring efforts in India. Amid reports that the EV maker is finalising a deal for a showroom in Mumbai's Bandra Kurla Complex (BKC), Tesla has listed 20 open positions in Maharashtra, including 15 in Mumbai and five in Pune.

Tesla’s hiring and expansion efforts in India highlight its commitment to cash in on the burgeoning electric vehicle market. Tesla is looking to fill various positions, including Desktop Support Technician, Charging Developer, Service Advisor, Parts Advisor, Service Technician, Service Manager, Tesla Advisor, Store Manager, Business Operations Analyst, Customer Support Supervisor, Customer Support Specialist, Delivery Operations Specialist, Order Operations Specialist, Inside Sales Advisor, Consumer Engagement Manager. Moreover, the company is reportedly finalising a deal for a new showroom in Mumbai's prestigious Bandra Kurla Complex, which will cover an impressive 4,000 square feet.

The Mumbai showroom in the upscale BKC will reportedly have a monthly lease of around Rs 35 lakh, as one of the highest commercial rents in the region, reflecting Tesla’s confidence in the Indian market. n Pune, which houses Tesla's first office in India, five roles up for grabs. These include Application Product Engineer, Frontend Software Engineer, Application Support Analyst, Regional Security Specialist, PCB Design Engineer, Electronic Systems.

Pune is rapidly becoming an automotive hub, hosting major manufacturers like Mercedes-Benz and Tata Motors, making it a strategic location for Tesla. Tesla’s future ambitions in India include the potential establishment of a manufacturing facility. Reports suggest that government officials have proposed sites in Chakan and Chikhali, near Pune. These locations are well-known for housing significant automotive operations, further supporting Tesla’s strategic expansion plans.

Following the Mumbai showroom, Tesla plans to open another showroom in Delhi’s Aerocity. This expansion into India's capital city underscores Tesla’s intent to capture a significant market share by offering closer access to its products and services.

Reliance Industries Chairman Mukesh Ambani-led Jio Financial Services Ltd on March 4, 2025, announced its acquisition of 7.9 crore shares of Jio Payments Bank from State Bank of India (SBI) for Rs 104.5 crore.

This move will result in the payments bank becoming a wholly owned subsidiary of Jio Financial Services.

Following this development, shares of the non-banking finance company, owned by billionaire Mukesh Ambani, saw a surge of nearly four per cent, reaching an intraday high of Rs 208 on the BSE. Jio Financial Services currently holds an 82.17 per cent stake in Jio Payments Bank, a collaborative effort between Jio Financial (backed by Reliance Industries) and SBI, the largest state-run lender in the country. With this acquisition, Jio Payments Bank will transition to being a 100 per cent subsidiary of Jio Financial Services.

“The Board of Directors of the company, at its meeting held today, have approved acquisition of 79 million equity shares of Jio Payments Bank from SBI for an aggregate consideration of Rs 104.54 crore,” JFS said in an exchange notification. The transaction has been approved by the Board of Directors of Jio Financial and is contingent on approval from the Reserve Bank of India (RBI).

The completion of the deal is anticipated within 45 days following regulatory clearance. The company has clarified that the transaction in question is not a related-party deal, and there are no promoters or group entities with any financial interest in the acquisition.

Jio Financial Services saw its consolidated profit remain steady at Rs 295 crore, marking a slight 0.3 per cent increase year-on-year for the third quarter ending in December 2024. The NBFC reported a net profit of Rs 294 crore in the corresponding quarter of the previous fiscal year. Additionally, its assets under management (AUM) grew to Rs 4,199 crore, up from Rs 1,206 crore in the previous September quarter of FY25.

The executive committee of the Central Board of Directors at SBI has approved the divestment of the bank's entire stake in Jio Payments Bank Limited to Jio Financial Services for Rs 13.22 per equity share, resulting in a total of Rs 104.5 crore. This acquisition values Jio Payments Bank at approximately Rs 586 crore. The transaction is contingent upon receiving regulatory approval from the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) and is anticipated to be finalized within 45 days of obtaining RBI approval, as stated by JFS. Jio Payments Bank started its operations in April 2018 and has garnered 1.89 million CASA customers as of December 2024. Currently, India is home to five payments banks, including Airtel Payments Bank, Fino Payments Bank, India Post Payments Bank, NSDL Payments Bank, and Jio Payments Bank.

These banks are authorised to hold a maximum customer deposit of up to Rs 2 lakh but are prohibited from providing credit to their customers. Payment banks can establish and manage their branches while also utilising business correspondents (BCs) as access points. However, BCs are not allowed to carry out offline transactions on behalf of the banks. Unlike traditional commercial banks, payment banks are not mandated to issue passbooks for customer deposit accounts.

The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has issued a notice to Paytm owner One97 Communications Ltd (OCL) for alleged violations of the Foreign Exchange Management Act (FEMA) linked to transactions worth over Rs 611 crore.

The case pertains to the acquisition of two subsidiaries, Little Internet Private Limited (LIPL) and Nearbuy India Private Limited (NIPL). One97 Communications (OCL), which owns Paytm brand, informed BSE that it has received FEMA violation notice from the ED on February 28 for its subsidiaries, Little Internet Private Limited and Nearbuy India Private Limited. OCL stated that it received the FEMA violation notice on February 28, targeting itself, its subsidiaries, and certain current and former directors and officers.

"This is in relation to alleged contraventions for the years 2015 to 2019," the filing said. About Rs 344.99 crore of the total Rs 611.17 crore is linked to investment transactions involving LIPL, an amount of Rs 245.20 crore pertains to OCL and the remaining Rs 20.97 crore relates to NIPL, according to an exchange filing. One97 Communications clarified that the alleged breach pertains to the period when the two companies were not its subsidiaries. The company, which acquired LIPL and NIPL in 2017, emphasized that it is addressing the matter in line with legal and regulatory requirements. "To resolve the matter in accordance with applicable laws and regulatory processes, the company is seeking necessary legal advice and evaluating appropriate remedies," the filing said.

"There is no impact on Paytm’s services to consumers and merchants, and all services remain fully operational," it added. The development comes amid regulatory scrutiny of Paytm Payments Bank, which last year denied any foreign exchange rule violations.

On January 31, the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) directed Paytm Payments Bank to halt most of its operations from March 1, 2024, citing "persistent non-compliances and material supervisory concerns."

The Delhi High Court has awarded Lifestyle Equities damages of $39 million, approximately Rs 340 crore, after ruling that Amazon infringed upon its 'Beverly Hills Polo Club' trademark.

The order was passed by Justice Prathiba M Singh, and a detailed copy is awaited. According to a report in Bar and Bench, in 2020, Lifestyle Equities CV initiated a trademark infringement lawsuit against Amazon Technologies and others, alleging that they used a deceptively similar mark on apparel and other products sold on their platforms.

Specifically, it was claimed that Amazon Technologies was manufacturing and selling products under the brand 'Symbol' with the infringing mark, and Cloudtail India was also involved in the sale of these products on the Amazon.in marketplace.

The High Court initially granted an interim injunction on October 12, 2020, restraining Amazon and others from using the infringing logo and directing Amazon Seller Services to remove the infringing products from their platform.

Amazon Technologies did not appear in court and was proceeded against ex-parte. The interim injunction was confirmed and made absolute, the report added. In 2023, Cloudtail India expressed willingness to accept a decree of injunction and proposed a settlement involving damages, but mediation was unsuccessful. Cloudtail acknowledged using the infringing mark from 2015 to July 2020, with revenue from infringing products amounting to Rs 23,92,420 and a profit margin of approximately 20 per cent.

The report stated that Cloudtail's counsel argued that damages should be solely its responsibility, citing an Amazon Brand License and Distribution Agreement that placed liability on Cloudtail for any breaches.

However, Lifestyle contended that the infringing mark was not part of this agreement and that both Amazon and Cloudtail should be held liable. The court acknowledged Cloudtail's admission of liability but emphasised that Lifestyle could not be denied the opportunity to seek damages from Amazon. Based on the undisputed sales figures provided by Cloudtail, the court decreed the suit in favour of Lifestyle against Cloudtail, awarding damages of Rs 4,78,484, representing 20 per cent of the revenue from infringing products.

The court recognised Amazon Seller Services' role as an intermediary and their compliance with its directions. Since no substantive relief was sought against them, and they agreed to remove any future listings of infringing products, they were removed from the list of parties involved.

Rohan Kapoor, head of Swiggy Food Marketplace, has shed light on the key attributes he seeks in potential employees, underlining a focus on resilience, drive, authenticity, and strong character.

During a recent appearance on the Josh Talks Podcast, Kapoor articulated his belief that hiring transcends mere technical proficiency; it is more about nurturing individuals who embody these core qualities.

He stated emphatically, "Hiring is more art than science. You can have all the checklists in the world, but at the end of the day, teams aren’t built on bullet points, they’re built on people," highlighting his philosophy that effective teams are constructed around people, not just qualifications. Resilience stands out as one of the primary traits Kapoor prefers, reflecting his conviction that it is a predictor of how candidates will manage adversity in their professional roles. Kapoor said that the ability to navigate personal and professional challenges is indicative of a candidate's capacity to perform under pressure. Alongside resilience, the drive remains a critical attribute. Kapoor emphasised that while skills can be imparted, the intrinsic hunger and ambition that fuels an individual's success cannot be taught.

"You can teach skills, but you can’t teach drive. You can hand someone an opportunity, but you can’t make them hungry for it. And in an interview, you can almost always tell in the first few minutes," Kapoor remarked, pointing to the immediacy with which genuine motivation becomes evident. Authenticity also plays an essential role in Kapoor's hiring criteria. He stressed that within the first few minutes of an interview, it is usually apparent whether a candidate is genuine or projecting a façade. He values honesty and sincerity, as they often correlate with a candidate’s ability to blend well within a team. Kapoor’s approach diverges from conventional hiring practices that rely heavily on checklists and qualifications, instead valuing real human connections and interpersonal dynamics.

In addition to the aforementioned qualities, Kapoor places significant weight on character, believing it is equally as important as competence. He asserts that great teams are built on a foundation of strong character. This perspective suggests that while technical competence is necessary, it is the ethical and moral fibre of individuals that ultimately drives team success and cohesion.

Kapoor's approach positions character as a non-negotiable trait in his hiring decisions, underscoring the importance of personal integrity and ethical conduct. Kapoor's insights, shared via platforms like Instagram, reinforce his belief that successful teams are anchored by robust personal attributes rather than merely technical skills.

His hiring philosophy advocates for a balance, where the intrinsic qualities of resilience, drive, authenticity, and character are seen as the bedrock of high-performing teams. This perspective invites a broader industry reflection on how hiring practices can evolve to prioritise personal qualities alongside technical abilities, potentially leading to more cohesive and effective teams.

PhonePe, a prominent player in digital payments, has announced its initiation of the process for a potential public listing on the Indian stock exchanges, as stated in a release today.

While not specifying a specific timeline for completing the initial public offering (IPO) procedures, the company noted its favourable revenue growth and progress toward profitability as factors prompting the decision to embark on preparations for an IPO. This development follows over two years of PhonePe relocating its headquarters from Singapore to India.

Established by Sameer Nigam and Rahul Chari, PhonePe holds a dominant position in the Unified Payments Interface (UPI) sector, commanding approximately 47% of the market share. Subsequently, the fintech startup separated its various business ventures – including insurance, international payments, and insurance distribution – into distinct subsidiary entities under the parent company.

The company stated, “PhonePe’s strong top-line and bottom-line growth across its diverse business portfolio, as detailed in its FY23-24 annual report, makes this a suitable time to prepare for a public listing.” In December 2022, PhonePe moved its main office from Singapore to India with the goal of being listed on local stock exchanges. As a result, the fintech company, led by Sameer Nigam, reorganized its corporate structure by establishing its new non-payment ventures as wholly-owned subsidiaries in anticipation of its IPO strategy.

PhonePe recently made the decision to leave the account aggregator business earlier this month and transitioned to a partnership model with existing AAs. In less than two years of obtaining its non-banking financial company AA license, the company voluntarily surrendered it to the Reserve Bank of India. By August 2024, the leading digital payments company achieved a positive adjusted profit after tax (PAT) of Rs 197 crore in FY23-24, excluding ESOP-related costs. This followed a recovery from a loss of Rs 738 crore in FY22-23. Additionally, PhonePe reported a significant 74% year-on-year revenue growth, with revenue reaching Rs 5,064 crore in the previous fiscal year, up from Rs 2,914 crore.

In the fiscal year 2024, PhonePe recorded an operating revenue of Rs 5,064 crore, with a net loss of Rs 1,996 crore. By excluding employee stock options from the financial calculations related to core business activities, the company reported a net profit of Rs 197 crore. According to a company statement, as of January 2025, PhonePe, headquartered in Bengaluru, boasts more than 590 million registered users and over 40 million merchants. The platform also facilitates over 310 million daily transactions, with an annualized total payment value (TPV) exceeding Rs 145 lakh crore.

Mark Zuckerberg-led Meta Platforms, the parent company of Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp and other tech arms, kicked off its company-wide global layoffs on February 10.

Around 3,600 positions or about 5% of Meta’s workforce have been impacted by the mass layoffs, Bloomberg reported. The company crackdown on “low-performers” as it scours for new talent to dominate the AI race have been met with backlash from the affected employees. Several former Meta workers have spoken out on social media.

Sharing the ordeal on Blind, a platform that provides an anonymous forum and community for verified employees to discuss issues, one sacked employee slammed Meta's 'lack of empathy' in handling the layoffs. The individual was sent a termination email at 5 am. "No ERBP or Manager meeting, No Phone, No nothing. Just a email to personal account and blocked us out completely. Where the f*ck is the empathy to meet the affected and give a feedback when you labelling someone "low performer".

Many of us worked in the company for so many years! Feel so betrayed," the post read. Several employees alleged that they were let go while on medical or parental leave.

One former employee wrote, “I consistently exceeded expectations for multiple years, had a baby in 2024, and got laid off.”

According to various reports, Meta workers who were let go were notified via email. Reportedly, the company is offering US-based employees severance packages that include 16 weeks of salary, in addition two weeks for each year of service.