India Startup Digest

The IMD has sounded orange and red alerts in several northern and central states as the monsoon brings intense rain. Uttarakhand is seeing the steepest risks with heavy downpours, thunderstorms, and ongoing rescue operations. Many districts face potential disruptions, with warnings for traffic, power outages, and flooding.

India is set to open their Asia Cup 2025 campaign against UAE with Shubman Gill and Abhishek Sharma at the top. Kuldeep Yadav may return to the XI, and Jasprit Bumrah leads the pace attack. The team, led by Suryakumar Yadav, is aiming for a strong start ahead of a crucial clash with Pakistan.

Airtel faced a massive network outage on August 18, 2025, disrupting voice calls across Delhi-NCR and major cities. While data services worked, millions struggled to make or receive calls for hours. Even other mobile networks were affected when calling Airtel users. Communication from Airtel was unclear, leaving users frustrated until services gradually returned by late evening.

Raksha Bandhan 2025 falls on August 9, with prime time for tying Rakhi from 5:47 AM to 1:24 PM IST. The most auspicious Abhijit Muhurat lasts between 11:59 AM and 12:53 PM. The Pooja Thali, central to the ceremony, calls for carefully chosen traditional items. City-wise Muhurat timings can differ by a few minutes.

Prof. Ajit Kumar Chaturvedi, an IIT Kanpur professor and former IIT Roorkee Director, has been appointed as the new Vice-Chancellor of Banaras Hindu University. Chaturvedi, who once taught at BHU in the 1990s, returns with decades of experience to lead the university after a seven-month top-job vacancy.

Timex Group Luxury Watches BV will offload up to 15% stake in Timex Group India through an Offer for Sale at ₹175 per share, undercutting the previous close by 7%. The offer opens to non-retail and retail investors on June 25 and 26, respectively. The move follows a 5% drop in Timex shares and could significantly reduce the promoter’s holding.

Three men have been arrested in Pilibhit after a daring pickup truck robbery. Police unraveled the plot where robbers posed as customers to book and loot a vehicle. The incident has stirred debates about safety, and authorities credit swift detective work for solving the case.

PM Modi has inaugurated Kartavya Bhavan in New Delhi, a landmark building designed to modernize India's governance. The high-tech, eco-friendly complex will house key ministries and streamline government operations. This move highlights a major shift from colonial-era offices to a more efficient, unified, and sustainable future for India's administration.

The RBI has kept the repo rate steady at 5.5% in August 2025. Home loan borrowers aren’t stuck—options like balance transfers, prepayments, or renegotiating rates can help lower EMIs. With inflation easing and growth forecasts adjusted, banks may still pass on benefits to borrowers who act smartly.

Aamir Khan addresses speculation about his relationship with Fatima Sana Shaikh after working together in Thugs of Hindostan. He dismisses rumors and clarifies they share neither a father-daughter nor romantic bond. Fatima discusses her close friendship with Ira Khan, Aamir’s daughter.