Author: News Desk
India has seen the shutdown of 11,223 startups so far in 2025, a sharp 30% rise compared to 8,649 closures in 2024, according to Tracxn data shared with financialexpress.com. The year is not even over, highlighting the challenges facing the country’s entrepreneurial ecosystem. The closures span multiple sectors. Healthcare booking platforms lost 762 startups, investment tech saw 579 shut down, internet-first brands lost 817, fashion tech recorded 840 closures, HR tech saw 846, and education IT lost 549. Prominent names that shut down this year include Hike, Beepkart, Astra, Ohm Mobility, Code Parrot, Blip, Subtl AI, Otipy, Log 9 Material, and…
The government will launch a simplified GST registration system starting November 1, 2025, offering automatic approvals within three working days for most new applicants, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman announced on Thursday. This initiative is part of the GST 2.0 reforms approved earlier by the GST Council, aimed at making compliance easier and reducing human intervention in the registration process. Automatic registration will apply in two situations: for applicants identified by the system through risk and data analysis, and for those who self-assess that their monthly output tax liability will not exceed around ₹2.5 lakh. Sitharaman said nearly 96% of new…
Kitex Garments Limited, one of the world’s biggest makers of infant clothing, is entering a new phase of growth. Based in Kerala, the company is investing heavily to expand capacity, strengthen its global presence, and launch its trusted brand in India’s growing domestic market. Sustainability remains at the heart of everything it does. Chairman and Managing Director Sabu Jacob says, “For more than three decades, our strength has come from our commitment to quality. That’s what guides us as we grow in an ever-changing world.” Building Global Trust Founded in 1992, Kitex quickly became a major exporter of infant apparel…
Billionaire investor Radhakishan Damani, founder of Avenue Supermarts (DMart), has reportedly invested about Rs 90 crore in eyewear retailer Lenskart Solutions ahead of its upcoming IPO. The investment comes just before Lenskart’s debut in the public markets, with the IPO expected to open for subscription next week. The company plans to raise around Rs 2,150 crore through a fresh issue of shares. Additionally, existing promoters and investors will sell 13.22 crore shares, as outlined in the Draft Red Herring Prospectus (DRHP). Those participating in the offer for sale (OFS) include Lenskart’s founders Peyush Bansal, Neha Bansal, Amit Chaudhary, and Sumeet…
Contrary to previous claims by Kerala’s Sports Minister V Abdurahiman, Lionel Messi and the World Cup-winning Argentina squad will not be visiting Kerala next month. The Argentine Football Association (AFA) confirmed their November schedule, which does not include India. Argentina’s November Schedule The AFA stated that the national team, led by coach Lionel Scaloni, will travel to Spain for training before heading to Luanda to play a friendly against Angola on November 14. After the match, the team will return to South America to continue preparations until November 18, when the FIFA World Cup concludes. Match in Kerala Postponed Sponsor…
The Ministry of Defence (MoD) announced on Thursday that the Defence Acquisition Council (DAC) has cleared procurement proposals worth ₹79,000 crore to strengthen the capabilities of the Indian armed forces. The exact timeline for these acquisitions has not yet been disclosed. For the Indian Army, approvals were granted for the Nag Missile System (Tracked) Mk-II (NAMIS), the Ground Based Mobile ELINT System (GBMES), and High Mobility Vehicles (HMVs) equipped with Material Handling Cranes. The NAMIS (Tracked) is expected to bolster the Army’s ability to neutralize enemy combat vehicles, bunkers, and other fortifications, while the GBMES will provide continuous electronic intelligence…
Every year, Delhi faces the same suffocating problem: toxic air that turns daily life hazardous. In recent days, air quality across the city and its surrounding satellite towns has hovered between “poor” and “very poor.” The situation worsened sharply after Diwali, when fireworks filled the night sky with smoke. Reports called it the worst post-Diwali air quality in four years. Once again, the city finds itself confronting a predictable yet avoidable pollution crisis. No single factor is to blame. Firecrackers, vehicular emissions, and stubble burning in Punjab, Haryana, and Uttar Pradesh combine to create dangerous air. Winter conditions—colder temperatures and…
The Indian Navy’s INS Sahyadri, an indigenously built Shivalik-class guided missile stealth frigate, took part in the Japan-India Maritime Exercise (JAIMEX-25) from October 16 to 18, concluding with a port call at Yokosuka, Japan, on October 21 for the Harbour phase, according to the Ministry of Defence. During the sea phase, INS Sahyadri conducted operations alongside the Japanese Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF) vessels Asahi, Oumi, and the submarine Jinryu, focusing on advanced anti-submarine warfare and missile defence drills. The exercises also included flight operations and underway replenishment, enhancing interoperability and operational coordination between the two navies. The Ministry noted that JAIMEX-25 reflects the strong navy-to-navy ties underpinning the India-Japan Special Strategic and Global Partnership,…
Kerala is set to build its first underwater tunnel, linking Vypin and Fort Kochi, as part of the state’s coastal highway initiative. The 3 km tunnel will run beneath the sea, cutting the existing 16 km road distance. The project is estimated to cost around Rs 2,672 crore, which includes Rs 1,225 crore for twin-tube tunnels and Rs 500 crore for land acquisition. Once completed, the tunnel is expected to save passengers up to Rs 1,500 per month and reduce travel time by nearly two hours. The Kerala Rail Development Corporation Limited (KRDCL) has been asked by the state government…
US-based Starlink is planning to establish nine gateway earth stations across India, including locations in Mumbai, Noida, Chandigarh, Kolkata, and Lucknow, as it prepares the infrastructure ahead of the commercial rollout of its satellite communication services in the country, according to sources familiar with the matter. The company has applied for 600 gigabit-per-second capacity over India through its Gen 1 satellite constellation, with the spectrum provisionally assigned for demonstrating security compliance. So far, Starlink has permission to import 100 terminals, limited to testing fixed satellite services. Queries sent to SpaceX, Starlink’s parent company, went unanswered at the time of reporting. To ensure safe operations, stringent security conditions have…