Internet

YouTube has reaffirmed its commitment to India’s booming creator economy with a strategic Rs. 850 crore investment over the next two years. The platform, which has become the cornerstone of India’s digital content ecosystem, plans to further empower content creators through AI-powered tools, diversified revenue models, and enhanced brand partnerships. With over Rs.

The much-anticipated fourth season of Panchayat, the acclaimed Indian comedy-drama series on Prime Video, is set to premiere on July 2, 2025. Continuing the story of Abhishek Tripathi (Jitendra Kumar) and the vibrant village of Phulera, Season 4 delves into the high-stakes Panchayat elections, introducing fresh characters and dynamics. With the return of beloved cast members and the promise of new twists, fans can expect another compelling chapter in this heartwarming saga.

YouTube has appointed Gunjan Soni as the new Country Managing Director for India, marking a pivotal leadership change after the exit of Ishan Chatterjee last year. Soni, with over two decades of experience in business, technology, and e-commerce, brings a wealth of expertise from her previous roles at ZALORA, Star India, and Myntra. In her new position, she will spearhead YouTube’s growth and innovation in India, focusing on the creator economy and video commerce. Soni's appointment comes as YouTube continues to expand its influence in one of the world’s most dynamic digital markets.

Kaspersky, the global cybersecurity firm, is significantly increasing its presence in India, recognizing the country’s rapid digitalization and expanding cybersecurity needs. Over the past two years, Kaspersky has tripled its workforce in India, expanded its research capabilities, and enhanced its collaborations with both government agencies and private sector entities. The company aims to position India as a central hub for innovation and cybersecurity solutions, particularly in response to rising threats targeting IT and operational technology systems.

India's Unified Payments Interface (UPI) has transformed the landscape of digital payments, but it now faces the challenge of scaling up further to meet ambitious growth targets. On Monday, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman emphasized the need for collaborative efforts from all stakeholders to address infrastructure gaps and enhance the UPI ecosystem, while also aiming for one billion transactions per day within the next 2-3 years.

YouTube is marking its 20th anniversary in 2025 with several new features across its various platforms, including YouTube TV, YouTube Kids, and the main YouTube app. Notable updates include the expansion of the multiview feature to non-sports content on YouTube TV, the introduction of AI-powered tools for music personalization, and new voice reply capabilities for comments. The celebration highlights YouTube’s continued evolution in the digital entertainment landscape, reaffirming its central role in global media consumption.

Hathway Cable & Datacom Ltd, a major player in the cable and internet services sector, posted a slight increase in its consolidated net profit for the fourth quarter ending March 2025, reaching Rs 34.8 crore. The company also saw a rise in revenue from operations, primarily driven by strong performance in both its cable TV and broadband services. However, its annual profit showed a decline of 6.8%.

In a major step towards streamlining the tax payment process, India's Income Tax Department has launched the 'e-Pay Tax' feature on its official online portal. This new system aims to make paying taxes easier, faster, and more accessible for taxpayers, eliminating the traditional barriers of long queues and cumbersome paperwork. The initiative is designed to not only simplify the tax process but also encourage timely compliance, particularly benefiting individual taxpayers and small businesses.

India’s satellite internet landscape is on the brink of a transformational shift as the government signals openness to more industry players, citing the need for broader connectivity in underserved and rural areas. With firms like Reliance Jio and Bharti Airtel already holding licenses, and Elon Musk’s Starlink inching closer to regulatory approval, competition in the space-based broadband sector is heating up.