4869: Govt tightens IT Rules on deepfakes; Diwali, GST cuts fuel UPI spike in Oct; Zoho to take on PhonePe and Google Pay with new payments app | MC Tech3

In today’s Tech3 from Moneycontrol, we dive into the marathon journey of Meesho’s Vidit Aatrey as he gears up for a Rs 4,250 crore IPO, why Perfios CEO says AI adoption in India’s banking sector is still at an experimentation stage, Oracle’s surprising new bet on AI-powered ambulances, and WazirX’s long-awaited return after a crippling cyberattack.

Tune in to the day’s newsletter to learn more about the Union Budget’s 5-year sectoral plan in alignment with Viksit Bharat, a possible record outlay for MGNREGA, Zoho’s new consumer payments app, lifetime trustees at Tata Trusts, the pre-IPO advisory boom and OpenAI’s plan to keep users within its ecosystem.

In today’s Tech3 from Moneycontrol we bring you the top stories shaping India’s tech and startup ecosystem. The government proposes stricter IT Rules to regulate deepfakes, ensuring clear labeling and transparency. UPI transactions surge this October, fueled by Diwali shopping and GST cuts. Zoho prepares to launch Zoho Pay, aiming to compete with Google Pay and PhonePe. Plus, India Quotient raises $129 million for its fifth fund, signaling renewed investor confidence in early-stage Indian startups.

Vedanta is pursuing a deal to acquire Jaiprakash Associates Ltd, the investigation into the IndusInd Bank fraud case has taken a new turn, EPFO is stepping up its enforcement drive and FIIs are finally making a quiet comeback. Also find our reports on India’s progress on trade pacts and the country’s first Household Income survey in 5 decades, among other big headlines from the day.

In today's Tech3 from Moneycontrol, we bring you the top startup and tech updates. Infosys posts strong Q2 numbers while Wipro’s growth remains steady. Zomato-parent Eternal sees revenue surge but profit dips, with Blinkit driving rapid expansion. Ola Electric launches Ola Shakti, entering the battery energy storage market as part of its diversification strategy. And in the funding space, our scoops got confirmed: Zepto closed a massive $450 million round, while Kuku raised $85 million to double down on AI content.

The Centre is planning to merge smaller public sector banks with larger banks such as Punjab National Bank, Bank of Baroda, and SBI by FY27. Emirates NBD’s India unit is likely to acquire a 51% stake in RBL Bank. Only about 20% of stocks are cheap today, and even that comes with legitimate concerns, as 50-60% of stocks trade in an overvalued zone, said Maran Govindasamy.

In today’s Tech3 from Moneycontrol, Coinbase makes a fresh bet on CoinDCX at a $2.45 billion valuation, eyeing India and the Middle East as the next crypto frontier. Logistics firms race against the festive clock as Diwali deliveries go into overdrive. India to get a new credit rating agency after nearly a decade, shaking up the scorecard. And Paytm cleans house with a major internal restructuring.

LG Electronics India made a stunning stock market debut with a 50% premium — the best since Zomato’s 2021 listing — while Andhra Pradesh pulled off a major win by securing Google’s $10 billion data centre investment in Visakhapatnam through deft policy moves. Meanwhile, Piramal Finance and KKR are exploring exits from their insurance investments, the government is turning to quick commerce apps to ensure GST rate cuts reach consumers, and new EPF withdrawal rules promise more clarity but longer wait times. As Bihar gears up for elections with women voters in focus and Indians spend big on luxury overseas travel, the pre-Diwali mood is buoyant.

In today’s Tech3 from Moneycontrol, get the latest from India’s tech and startup world. Google plans a $15 billion AI hub in Visakhapatnam, creating over one lakh jobs and strengthening India’s AI infrastructure. The government is tracking GST price cuts in real-time using quick-commerce platforms, ensuring festive savings reach shoppers. Meanwhile, Lenskart’s grey market valuation hits $10 billion ahead of its IPO, and BHIM reports revenue and expenditure figures after its spin-off from NPCI.

Shapoorji Pallonji Group scrambles to repay $1.2 billion in debt, India’s IPO pipeline grows with Orkla India eyeing a billion-dollar listing, Pegatron expands its India footprint, the government weighs big insurance reforms, and Delhi records its cleanest October air in nearly a decade. All this and more in today’s edition of Moneycontrol Editor’s Picks.