4688: India-US mini trade deal nears, bids for Axis Finance , and Sebi vs Jane Street showdown| MC Tech3

In today’s episode of Moneycontrol Tech3, we unpack Microsoft’s brief suspension of services to Nayara Energy and how it’s reignited India’s debate on digital sovereignty. We also dive into Lenskart founder Peyush Bansal’s bid for Promoter status ahead of an IPO, Freshworks’ AI products crossing $20 million in annual recurring revenue and Persistent Systems’ decision to defer salary hikes by a quarter.

Another Indian has stepped into a leadership role at an MNC - Shailesh Jejurikar is the new CEO of Proctor&Gamble. A Moneycontrol Survey of economists finds that most expect the RBI MPC to hold rates steady this time. Also in this edition: four interesting IPO stories you can’t miss, investigation concludes into “predatory” Chinese fintech apps and Gensol Engineering is seeking to put its EV fleet back on the roads.

In today’s episode of Tech3, let's Lenskart’s Rs 2,150 crore IPO plans, from investor exits to AI-powered lens labs and marketing spends. Then, media veteran Sameer Nair talks OTT hits, big-screen ambitions, and why AI and micro-dramas aren’t there yet. Plus, a sharp look at India’s neobanks, once the future of banking, now evolving into fintech utilities. We also cover the IT committee’s tough words for MeitY over unspent PLI and chip scheme funds, and where India’s data protection rollout stands.

TCS CEO Krithivasan exclusively spoke to Moneycontrol addressing the TCS layoffs, revealing it is not due to AI. However, the job cuts have sparked fears across India’s IT sector, with many expecting TCS to have set a precedent. Also inside: Gig hiring is already picking up pace ahead of the festive season, India Inc’s June quarter earnings show a surprising profit growth accompanied by sales slowdown, and a simplified GST structure may be in store for the textiles sector. All this and more in the latest edition of Moneycontrol Editor’s Picks.

In today’s Tech3 from Moneycontrol, we decode the ripple effect of TCS laying off 12,000+ staffers, how Lenskart is reshaping governance and rolling out ESOPs ahead of its billion-dollar IPO, and Weaver Services’ Rs 1,200 crore fundraise that signals a shift towards non-tech bets. Plus, we track UPI’s expansion into the UK through the India-UK FTA and the early festive hiring surge that’s creating over 2 lakh gig jobs across India.

JSW Cement’s IPO is now sized at $415M, with plans to debut early August, as Apollo and SBI join the offer-for-sale. Goodyear is offloading its India farm tyre unit for $300M under its cost-cutting revamp. On trade, the UK-India FTA may be a long-term gamechanger, opening doors for British firms in Make in India and giving Indian exporters access to UK’s $122B procurement market. Meanwhile, MoEngage eyes a $200M fundraise, Indian IT majors deliver mixed Q1 results, and shooting gets its own IPL-style league. Also this week: Vajpayee’s secret Israel mission and a tribute to Jim Corbett at 150.

In today’s Tech3 podcast, we break a Moneycontrol exclusive, MoEngage is raising $200 million as it plans to flip back to India. Swiggy sees key board exits just ahead of results, while the Indian government cracks down on 25 OTT platforms including Ullu and ALTT. Plus, the India-UK FTA introduces a first-ever safeguard for AI and software IP.

In this insightful episode, presented by Moneycontrol in collaboration with GivingPi, Geetika Dadlani, Associate Director, Dasra and Head of GivingPi, explores an emerging shift in Indian philanthropy, the rise of philanthropy networks. In a sector that’s often deeply personal and sometimes solitary, she unpacks how networks like GivingPi are fostering trust, learning, and alignment, thereby contributing to shaping the future of Indian philanthropy.

Markets snapped their winning streak as IT and FMCG heavyweights dragged the Nifty to just above the 25,000 mark. Infosys, Nestle, and Persistent led the slide, while Eternal and PSU banks offered some comfort. Meanwhile, Q1 earnings kept the stock-specific action buzzing — with Bajaj Finance, REC, and Aether Industries posting robust numbers even as Cyient and IEX sent mixed signals. What are the key levels to watch our for on the Nifty and what are the cues that will shape the day for the market today? Tune in for all this and more in today’s Market Minutes — your morning podcast bringing you the top stories to kickstart your trading day, from stocks in the news to macro trends and global market cues.

The long-awaited India-UK deal has been signed and it aims to double bilateral trade to $120 billion by 2030. India is set to get zero-duty access to the UK market for a range of exports. In markets, SEBI is considering a change that could encourage more large companies to go public. Ahead of its highly anticipated IPO, NSE’s share price in the unlisted market rallied by over 36% during the June quarter to Rs 2,250.