5024: Founders, investors gear up for a ‘SaaSocalypse’; Cognizant shrugs off AI fears; and Govt expands startup definition to include deep tech firms

On this episode of Tech 3 from Moneycontrol, we unpack the rising demand for digital gold among Indians, Airtel’s plans to corner a quarter of the data centre market and why India’s leading internet lobbying firm is pushing back against the Government’s DPDP rules.

In this edition of Moneycontrol Editor’s Picks our reporters break down everything from corporate news to policy. Find inside: the sectors for which India’s trade with US are primarily earmarked, high profile bids for RCB, Mad Over Doughnuts stake sale, a trade deal with Gulf Cooperation Council and RBI monetary policy poll. Tune in!

In today’s Tech3 from Moneycontrol, we look at the government expanding Startup India definition to formally include deeptech firms with longer benefit windows. We also track rising fears of a SaaS reset as AI reshapes software, Cognizant’s decision to pay full bonuses amid IT services uncertainty, Fractal Analytics delaying its foundation model launch due to a GPU crunch ahead of its IPO, and Alphabet’s plan to sharply ramp up capital spending as the global AI race intensifies.

Anthropic’s new legal AI tool sparks global IT stock sell off - find out what it does exactly and whether it is a cause for worry. In other news, Reliance Industries Chairman Mukesh Ambani and Blackrock’s Larry Fink hailed the era of India and called for investors to stay committed. Also find: CBIC Chairman Vivek Chaturvedi’s interview on customs duty clean up and Secretary of the Department of Economic Affairs Anuradha Thakur’s interview on the outlook for government borrowing. Tune in for all this and much more in the day’s edition of Moneycontrol Editor’s Picks.

In today’s Tech3 from Moneycontrol, we break down the sharp selloff in Indian IT stocks and why markets are reassessing IT services in an AI-led world. We also look inside the partner exits at Peak XV Partners and what they signal for venture capital economics. Plus, how the US–India trade deal is boosting sentiment for cross-border payment startups, and Marico’s acquisition of plant-based nutrition brand Cosmix.

The rising number of cashless transactions in India are driving the need for secure, reliable and easy-to-use payment software that link all stakeholders involved in an exchange. On this episode of AI Unplugged with SabPaisa, we discover what happens once users initiate a payment, what goes behind building a robust payment infrastructure and what does AI-led transformation actually look like. Moneycontrol Journalists are not involved in creation of this article

As US cuts import tariffs on many Indian goods to 18% from 50%, Moneycontrol reporters examined the implications from all angles. From the Rupee’s strong gain, to how investors should respond, to tracing the contours of the India-US deal, and what Indian exports can expect a rebound - read it all on Moneycontrol.com. Also inside: Department of Economic Affairs secretary Anuradha Thakur exclusive interview, our reports on Religare Enterprises likely demerger and the buzz around NSE’s much awaited IPO.

In today’s Tech3 from Moneycontrol, we break down senior-level exits and leadership changes at Peak XV Partners, how the US–India trade deal is easing outsourcing concerns for Indian tech firms, and why PB Fintech’s CEO Yashish Dahiya says the company is entering a new phase of growth as it considers a QIP. Plus, we look at Elon Musk’s SpaceX acquiring xAI in a massive all-stock deal combining AI and space ambitions.

India’s shopping experience – from e-commerce to physical retail stores – is changing in unprecedented ways. Buying and selling is no longer a mere transaction but a finely curated exercise designed to leave an impression on the consumer. While online stores overhaul their interfaces to offer the sensory inputs that digital mediums conventionally lack, brick-and-mortar stores are also reinventing themselves and leveraging data to keep up with changing demands. In this episode of Unusual Suspects, host Gaurav Choudhury speaks to Shriram PM Monga, co-founder and Principal Consultant at SRED Real Estate Advisory, to understand how the Indian real estate landscape has evolved over the years and where it is headed.  

In an exclusive interview with Network 18, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman highlighted Budget’s focus on keeping the economic ship stable amid global uncertainty. Our reporters also take apart the securities transaction tax announcement, revealing its impact on the market. In other news - deal activity picks up, gold loan players come under RBI lens, tax defaults rise & car makers begin the year on a strong footing.