India’s Unified Payments Interface (UPI) faced a temporary outage on Thursday evening, causing inconvenience to users across the country. The National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI), which manages UPI, clarified that the disruption stemmed from technical issues in a few banks' internal systems. NPCI assured users its own platform was operating normally and that it coordinated with banks to resolve the issue quickly. The outage triggered complaints on social media. UPI processed over 18 billion transactions worth ₹24 lakh crore in June 2025. Meanwhile, the debate continues over funding the platform, which is currently subsidised by the Indian government. (PC: India Today)

Over 80,000 tech workers have been laid off across 176 companies in 2025 as firms pivot toward AI-driven operations. Microsoft has cut 15,000 jobs, while Intel plans to axe 24,000–25,000 amid heavy losses. TCS is laying off 12,000 mid-to-senior employees, citing the need to be "future-ready." Meta, Google, Amazon, HP, and Panasonic have also downsized, targeting underperformance and AI realignment. Leaders like Satya Nadella and Lip-Bu Tan describe the changes as strategic, not cyclical. With automation accelerating, tech firms are reshaping into leaner, AI-focused teams to survive rapid market shifts and declining traditional revenues. (PC: India Today)

OpenAI has rolled out a new Study Mode feature in ChatGPT, now available for free across all user tiers in India. Designed to help students learn actively rather than just receiving answers, the tool uses Socratic questioning, hints, quizzes, and concept reinforcement to guide learners. Study Mode supports 11 Indian languages and enables text, voice, and image input, making it accessible for diverse educational needs. OpenAI developed this tool in collaboration with educators and is partnering with Indian EdTech firms to expand access and promote responsible AI-assisted learning.  

India has granted Elon Musk’s Starlink a Unified License to offer satellite internet services, Telecom Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia confirmed. With spectrum allocation and gateway frameworks ready, Starlink can now move ahead with rollout plans. The move follows years of regulatory delays and positions Starlink to compete with Eutelsat OneWeb and Reliance Jio-SES JV. Starlink aims to improve connectivity in remote and border regions using low-Earth orbit satellites. India’s internet subscriptions have surged to 970 million. As the nation marks 30 years of mobile telephony, Starlink’s entry marks a new era in bridging the digital divide in rural and underserved areas. (PC: India Today)

Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) will lay off 12,000 employees, 2% of its global workforce marking one of its largest retrenchment drives. Experts warn this move could trigger similar actions across India’s IT sector. The layoffs, targeting mid- and senior-level roles, stem from margin pressures, AI disruption, and skill mismatches. Analysts say the traditional service delivery model is being replaced by leaner, AI-driven structures. TCS’s updated HR policy mandates 225 billable days and limits bench time to 35 days. While TCS claims the cuts aren’t AI-driven, industry voices disagree. The shift reflects a broader transformation toward “services-as-software”, with reskilling and agility now critical for survival. (PC: Sci Tech Daily & Mint)

Tata Consultancy Services (TCS), India’s largest IT services provider, will lay off 12,000 employees about 2% of its global workforce during FY2026. The move targets mid- and senior-level roles, as the company adapts to AI-led disruptions, economic uncertainty, and evolving client demands. TCS is retraining and redeploying staff to become “future-ready,” but confirmed that some roles are no longer feasible. Affected employees will receive severance packages, extended insurance, and career support. The decision follows backlash over revised internal policies limiting bench time and billable days. CEO K Krithivasan called it a “difficult call” aimed at building a leaner, more agile organization. (PC: Forbes & TCS)

Replit CEO Amjad Masad has apologized after the company's AI tool deleted the entire codebase of SaaStr.AI during a 12-day test. SaaStr.AI founder Jason Lemkin accused Replit AI of fabricating data, lying about tests, and deleting production code. Masad admitted the “unacceptable” error, promising a refund and a detailed postmortem. He assured future safeguards, including backups, separated environments, and a chat-only planning mode. Lemkin said the AI ran commands without permission during a code freeze. Founded in 2016, Replit is a U.S.-based platform allowing users to code and deploy apps entirely via browser without local setups. (PC: NDTV)

Elon Musk’s Tesla Diner has officially opened in Los Angeles, blending retro Americana with futuristic tech. Located on Santa Monica Boulevard, the diner features a drive-in movie theatre, robot servers like Tesla’s Optimus, and comfort food served in Cybertruck-style boxes. Visitors can order directly from their car screens, with audio synced to Tesla’s sound systems. The venue includes 80 Superchargers and a rooftop dining area. Musk visited on July 14, calling it “one of the coolest spots in LA.” Originally teased in 2018, this two-storey diner marks another blend of Tesla’s innovation with lifestyle experiences. (PC: NDTV)

Indian-American tech veteran Sabih Khan has been appointed Chief Operating Officer (COO) of Apple Inc., succeeding Jeff Williams later this month. Born in Moradabad, India, and raised in Singapore, Khan has been with Apple since 1995 and played a pivotal role in building its global supply chain. CEO Tim Cook praised Khan as a “brilliant strategist” and credited him for reducing Apple’s carbon footprint by over 60%. Currently Apple’s VP of Operations, Khan also leads initiatives to improve supplier responsibility and product quality. Williams will oversee design and Apple Watch teams until his retirement later this year. (PC: NDTV)

UK’s largest telecom firm, BT Group, may slash up to 55,000 jobs by 2030, according to CEO Allison Kirkby. This marks a sharp increase from the earlier plan to reduce over 40,000 roles announced in 2023. Kirkby stated that the previous figure was underestimated and didn’t reflect the actual workforce reduction required due to AI integration and digitization. The massive cutback will come from contractors and employees alike, aiming to create a leaner, tech-driven workforce. The job cuts form part of BT's broader strategy to modernize its services and reduce costs. Kirkby emphasized this is essential to ensure BT’s future competitiveness in a rapidly evolving telecom landscape. (PC: The Times Of India)