News Digest
Jobs, funding, startups & career opportunities - updated every 30 minutes
'Rs 763 for 28 deliveries in 15 hours': Why Raghav Chadha invited a Blinkit delivery boy to his home
A Blinkit delivery boy from Uttarakhand, who went viral after sharing details of his daily earnings on Instagram, was invited for lunch by Rajya Sabha member Raghav Chadha, days after the AAP's politician raised concerns over gig workers’ pay and working conditions in Parliament. In a widely shared Instagram reel , the delivery worker who goes by the name "ThapliyalJiVlogs", said he earned Rs 763 after completing 28 deliveries over nearly 15 hours. Screenshots posted from the Blinkit app showed that his final delivery paid Rs 15.83, translating to average earnings of about Rs 52 an hour. The video triggered a broader online debate on compensation, working hours and income stability for gig economy workers. Following the viral clip, Chadha invited Thapliyal to his residence, where the delivery partner spoke about the challenges faced by platform workers. He described long and unpredictable work hours, fluctuating daily earnings, pressure from algorithm-driven targets and the absence ...
ByteDance plans bigger performance bonuses to retain top talent in 2026
ByteDance, the parent company of TikTok, is preparing to significantly enhance its performance-linked compensation framework, with plans to offer bonus payouts of up to 50 per cent of annual salary to its top-performing employees in 2026. The move signals a sharper focus on rewarding individual impact as competition for skilled talent intensifies across the global [...] The post ByteDance plans bigger performance bonuses to retain top talent in 2026 appeared first on HR Katha .
Indian govt sanctions Rs 366.78 crore PLI-Auto incentive for Ola Electric
Ola Electric Mobility said the Ministry of Heavy Industries has sanctioned incentives worth Rs 366.78 crore under the Indian government's Production Linked Incentive Scheme for Automobile and Auto Components (PLI-Auto Scheme), for claims pertaining to FY25. In a regulatory filing dated December 25, the EV maker said the sanction order was issued in favour of its wholly owned subsidiary, Ola Electric Technologies Private Limited. The approval relates to demand incentives linked to the determined sales value recorded during the financial year ended March 2025. The sanctioned amount will be disbursed through IFCI Limited, the designated financial institution for payouts under the PLI-Auto scheme, and released in accordance with the applicable terms and conditions of the scheme, as amended from time to time. The company said the incentive reflects its execution across scale, localisation, and technology-led vertically integrated manufacturing. Commenting on the development, an Ola Elect...
India's Middle Class Priced Out: Mumbai Homes Cost 34 Years Of Salary And Rising
Inflation-adjusted income levels haven't kept pace
Apple eyes Indian chipmakers for iPhone component assembly, packaging: Report
Apple is reportedly exploring partnerships with Indian chipmakers to assemble iPhone components, marking its first move to package chips in India. Details here.
Amazon Pay Adds Support for Biometric Authentication for UPI Payments in India
Amazon Pay has introduced the new biometric authentication feature for UPI transactions. However, the company will only allow users to make payments of up to Rs. 5,000 using the new feature. The tech giant claims that people will no longer have to enter their UPI pins to complete a transaction, as they can directly validate them using their fingerprint and facial biometrics. In the past, companies like Navi UPI, Samsung Wallet, and NPCI have also introduced this feature.
Pay hike outlook: India Inc eyes 9% salary growth in 2026; bonuses and skills take centre stage
Average salaries in India are projected to rise by 9 per cent in 2026, with organisations placing sharper emphasis on short-term incentives, performance-linked rewards and skills-based pay frameworks. The IT, ITES and Global Capability Centres (GCCs) sector continues to lead in offering innovative benefits and progressive employee policies, reflecting its focus on well-being, engagement and future-ready talent.
Google Pay launches its first credit card with Axis Bank in India
The launch comes amid rising competition among fintechs and payments firms seeking to tap India’s underpenetrated credit market, particularly among younger consumers and first-time credit users.
Axis Bank partners Google Pay to launch UPI credit card
Singapore Bank UOB Struggles With Hong Kong, China Property Loans as Prices Sink
A large wager on Hong Kong and China real estate is backfiring on one of Singapore’s top banks, which is facing up to mounting troubles in the region’s deteriorating property markets.
Volkswagen to end production at German plant, a first in company history
iOS 26.3 Beta 1 Reportedly Adds Transfer Tool for Switching to Android, Notification Forwarding for Wearables
Apple has released iOS 26.3 Beta 1 for developers. The latest update reportedly offers a new transfer tool to make switching from iPhone to Android easier. This feature allows users to shift their photos, messages, apps, passwords and other data from an Android to an iPhone model by placing both phones side by side. It also said to have a Weather wallpaper section in the Lock Screen customisation options. It is also said to include notification forwarding support for third-party wearables.
Government introduces Bill in Lok Sabha to hike FDI in insurance sector to 100%
“The common people's insurance has always been the focus of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, and the Central government has provided insurance to the marginal sections of society even during the Covid pandemic,” says Finance Minister
Narayana Health eyes low single-digit price hikes despite wage pressure
Narayana Health CFO Sandhya J said wage costs may rise due to the new labour code and inflation, while currency volatility affects capex. Technology investments and higher-end procedures are helping offset cost pressures and support margins.
Johnson & Johnson ordered to pay $40 million to two women in latest talc trial
The jury found that Johnson & Johnson knew for years its talc-based products were dangerous but failed to warn consumers; company to appeal verdict
Cabinet approves Bill to hike FDI in insurance sector to 100%
The finance ministry has proposed amending various provisions of the Insurance Act, 1938, including raising FDI in the insurance sector to 100%, reducing paid-up capital, and introducing a composite licence
Mercedes to hike vehicle prices by up to 2% to offset impact of weakening rupee
Rise in input costs, commodity prices, and increased logistical expenses, in combination with inflationary pressures, have been creating significant pressure on Mercedes' net profit
IndiGo’s ₹10,000 voucher gesture is only the start — experts say airline must fix deep internal faultlines
Aviation specialists warn that IndiGo’s compensation steps alone cannot undo the December 3–5 operational collapse; rebuilding trust with passengers and regulators requires deeper internal reforms.
Tata Power commissions 400 kV Koteshwar-Rishikesh transmission line
The transmission line will enable the evacuation of 1,000 MW of hydropower from the Tehri–Koteshwar generation complex in Uttarakhand to multiple northern states and UTs, a company statement said.
India recommends AI firms to pay creator royalties at rates set by govt panel
RBI cuts rates, loan and deposit rates to come down; GDP growth forecast hiked to 7.3 pc
American dream has new country code at IITs
IIT placements are witnessing a geographical shift, with top-paying job offers now originating from India, the Netherlands, Singapore, and the UK, rather than solely the US. US visa uncertainties and Asia's growing compensation and opportunities are driving this change, with companies building teams where talent resides.
IIT placements 2026: Record offers exceed ₹2.8 crore from global firms
Proprietary trading firms are offering lucrative packages exceeding Rs 2.8 crore to IIT students for Amsterdam-based roles. Top IITs saw strong campus placements on Day 1, with recruiters like Amazon, Qualcomm, and Nvidia offering substantial compensation. Algorithmic trading firms and market makers are also competing with high salary packages.