Semicon 2.0 scheme opens funding route for chip-design startups
MeitY has notified Semicon 2.0, offering eligible Indian startups and MSMEs milestone-linked seed funding of up to ₹15 crore or 50% of project cost, whichever is lower.
Business
Indian startups, products, funding, policy and research.
EDITORIAL PIPELINEPAGE 0112 ACTIVE NOTES
Juspay raises $50 million from WestBridge at $1.2 billion valuation; becomes first Indian unicorn of 2026
Payments infrastructure company Juspay has raised $50 million from WestBridge Capital in a round that values it at about $1.2 billion. The deal includes primary and secondary components, providing liquidity to early investors and employees, and makes Juspay the first Indian startup to turn unicorn in 2026.
IndiGo starts non-stop India–Greece flights, launching Mumbai–Athens and Delhi–Athens routes
IndiGo launched direct flights between India and Greece in January 2026, introducing non-stop services from Mumbai and Delhi to Athens. The airline said the new routes reduce travel time and remove the need for stopovers via Middle East or European hubs.
Banking services disrupted as unions strike on Jan 27 for five-day work week demand
A nationwide bank strike on January 27, called by unions under UFBU, has disrupted branch-level services in many public sector banks as employees press the government to approve a long-pending five-day work week proposal.
Juspay raises $50 million from WestBridge, becomes India’s first unicorn of 2026 with $1.2 billion valuation
Payments infrastructure firm Juspay has closed a $50 million funding round led by WestBridge Capital, pushing its valuation to about $1.2 billion. The deal includes primary and secondary components and gives liquidity to early investors and employees, as the company looks to scale globally.
India-EU free trade agreement sealed: car tariffs to fall sharply under phased plan, sensitive sectors protected
India and the EU have concluded a long-pending free trade agreement, with broad tariff liberalisation and a major phased reduction in duties on imported European cars, while protecting select sensitive categories.
Banking operations disrupted as UFBU strike presses for five-day work week and all-Saturday holiday rule
A nationwide bank strike called by the United Forum of Bank Unions disrupted branch services at many public sector lenders. Unions want a five-day work week with all Saturdays declared holidays, saying the proposal has awaited government notification despite prior understandings and settlements.
India and EU conclude talks on landmark free trade agreement, announcement expected on 27 January 2026
India and the European Union have concluded negotiations for a long-awaited free trade agreement, with a formal announcement expected at the EU–India Summit on 27 January 2026. The deal is being pitched as a major milestone for bilateral trade and strategic cooperation.
RBI advances OMO schedule; to inject ₹1 lakh crore in two tranches on Jan 29 and Feb 5
The RBI has rescheduled open market operation (OMO) purchase auctions to January 29 and February 5 to infuse durable liquidity worth ₹1 lakh crore. The move is intended to ease liquidity conditions by buying government securities via the RBI’s e-Kuber system, with results announced the same day as the auctions.
MCX shares jump after strong Q3 profit, helped by higher earnings momentum
Multi Commodity Exchange of India’s stock rose after the company reported a sharp year-on-year increase in third-quarter net profit, lifting investor sentiment in the counter.
IndiGo launches non-stop Mumbai–Athens and Delhi–Athens flights, opening first direct India–Greece routes
IndiGo has launched the first non-stop direct flights between India and Greece, operating Mumbai–Athens from 23 January 2026 and Delhi–Athens from 24 January 2026. The new routes, flown with the Airbus A321XLR, run three times a week and aim to reduce travel time and boost tourism links.
Budget 2026 expectations: Deloitte urges tax and regulatory parity to scale IFSC GIFT City as global financial hub
Ahead of the Union Budget 2026-27, Deloitte has urged the government to address tax asymmetries and compliance frictions affecting firms at IFSC GIFT City. The firm recommends parity with banking units, clearer treatment for broker-dealers and finance companies, and steps to improve certainty on anti-avoidance and transfer pricing issues to attract global institutions.