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Today’s edition of 11:11 unpacks Trump’s Greenland tariff gambit ahead of Davos, WEF’s calls for quadrupling clean-fuel investment, and the $600-billion AI buildout reshaping...

India’s EV revolution looks clean on the streets. It is far messier behind the scenes.Electric vehicles are being sold as the obvious answer to pollution, climate change, and rising fuel costs. Sales are rising fast, charging stations are spreading, and EVs now account for a growing share of two-wheelers and cars on Indian roads. But beneath this success story sits a quieter contradiction. While EVs reduce tailpipe emissions, the batteries that power them are creating a new environmental and economic challenge that India is not prepared for. This article unpacks the EV paradox in India and explains why adoption, at scale, is far more complex than it appears.India’s EV boom hides a growing problemIndia’s EV market is projected to reach 10 million annual vehicle sales by 2030, growing at a CAGR of 49% between 2022 and 2030. EVs can cut tailpipe emissions by 50 to 70% compared to petrol vehicles, making them a powerful climate solution.But by 2030, India is also expected to generate around 600,000 metric tonnes of lithium-ion battery waste every year. Today, the country has formal recycling capacity for only about 30,000 tonnes annually, and less than 5% of battery waste flows through regulated channels. The rest…  ​Read More​YourStory RSS Feed

Sanjay Kumar, Punit Badeka, and Manoj Kumar Gaddam share a deep-rooted obsession with precision. Their cumulative 17-year-long stint building ultra-precision optics for ophthalmic and eye-imaging systems at Hyderabad’s LV Prasad Eye Institute only helped sharpen it. So, when private participation in India’s space and defence sectors accelerated in the late 2020s, the trio identified a glaring capability gap: India largely imported high-end Electro-Optical (EO) and Infrared (IR) imaging payloads. “Timelines, costs, and strategic dependencies were outside India’s control. As of 2023, India only operated 24 active EO satellites, depending on foreign providers for nearly 80% of its high-resolution imaging data,” says Kumar. They founded EON Space Labs in December 2022 to build and qualify indigenous world-class imaging payloads for dual-use needs, spanning CubeSats, satellites, drones, UAVs, and ground-mounted optics.  “High-resolution imaging is one of the hardest proving grounds for compact and miniaturised optics, and if a startup can produce a commercially viable space-grade imager indigenously, it can scale and use it for dual-use defence and commercial applications targeting the export markets,” Kumar tells YourStory. Engineering for orbit, and beyondEON currently employs 17 people, extending capacity through strategic partners and accredited infrastructure. Bengaluru-based HHV Advanced Technologies handles the startup’s optics manufacturing, while an NABL-accredited facility in…  ​Read More​YourStory RSS Feed

In 2026, a business plan is no longer a 40-page document built to impress bankers. It is a thinking tool. One that helps founders clarify strategy, test assumptions, and communicate clearly with investors, partners, and even their own team.This guide explains how to write a business plan that actually works for startups today, based on how founders build companies and how investors evaluate them.Why business plans still matterMany founders believe business plans are outdated because pitch decks and traction matter more. That is only half true. A pitch deck sells the vision. A business plan explains the logic. Investors may not read every word, but they expect you to have done the thinking. A strong business plan forces clarity on your market, your economics, and your execution plan. In 2026, the best business plans are concise, modular, and built to evolve as the startup grows.What a modern startup business plan looks like Forget long paragraphs and academic language. A modern business plan is structured, visual, and brutally clear. Most effective startup plans today fall between 12 and 18 pages and focus on answering 3 questions:What problem are you solving and for whom?Why is your solution better than existing alternatives?Can this…  ​Read More​YourStory RSS Feed

The Delhi-Mumbai Expressway, India’s longest access-controlled road corridor connecting New Delhi and Mumbai, has introduced major toll cuts in 2026. The central government approved a toll reduction of up to 50% on select stretches, especially where construction and widening works are ongoing. This move aims to ease travel costs for motorists while ensuring smoother traffic flow and better logistics connectivity along the route. What Changed in Toll Rates The toll revision applies to parts of the expressway that are still under construction or being expanded from two lanes to four or more. Previously, these sections charged proportionally higher fees compared with standard national highways due to unfinished infrastructure and traffic diversions. Under the new policy: Toll charges previously collected around 60% of the standard rate in some stretches are now reduced to 30%. The reduction provides immediate savings for private cars, commercial vehicles, and freight transport. The revised tolls may remain in effect for up to one year or until the expressway segments are fully operational. This approach not only reduces the financial burden on travellers but also encourages greater use of the corridor despite partial closures and diversions. Why the Reduction Matters The toll cuts hold significance for various…  ​Read MoreBusiness Archives - Trak.in - Indian Business of Tech, Mobile & Startups

India’s first Vande Bharat Sleeper Train has officially been launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, marking a major leap in India’s long-distance rail travel segment. For the first time, the Vande Bharat platform is being extended from fast daytime chair-car services to modern overnight sleeper travel, enabling faster travel over long corridors with upgraded comfort and design. A New Category in Indian Rail Travel Until now, Vande Bharat trains ran mainly as semi-high-speed seated services. The Sleeper variant introduces 1AC, 2AC, and 3AC sleeper berths, making it suitable for journeys exceeding 12 hours. It retains a design speed of up to 180 kmph, although operational speeds depend on route readiness and signalling upgrades. Five Stunning Features That Make It Stand Out 1. First Sleeper Variant in the Vande Bharat LineupThis is the first sleeper-style Vande Bharat train in the country, allowing India to compete with modern international overnight rail standards. It is expected to eventually replace older Rajdhani-style stock on major trunk routes. 2. Upgraded Comfort and AmenitiesThe coaches feature redesigned berths with improved cushioning and suspension, automatic plug-style doors, silent gangways, bio-vacuum toilets, reading lights, ambient lighting, and better thermal insulation. The focus shifts from basic overnight accommodation to…  ​Read MoreBusiness Archives - Trak.in - Indian Business of Tech, Mobile & Startups

n the December quarter, India’s top IT services companies reported minimal net workforce growth even while deal pipelines and demand commentary remained healthy. Across Tata Consultancy Services, Infosys, Wipro, HCLTech and Tech Mahindra, the sector saw a net decline of nearly 3,000 employees, with top firms collectively adding only about 160 workers. Structural Shift Over Cyclical Slowdown Analysts and insiders interpret the static or declining headcount not as a temporary slowdown but as evidence of a fundamental change in delivery models. With artificial intelligence, automation, and platform-based execution gaining traction, firms are achieving productivity gains that reduce reliance on traditional human-intensive delivery. This decoupling of revenue growth from workforce expansion signals a deeper transformation in how IT services are built and delivered. Divergence Among IT Majors The headcount trend is not uniform across all companies: Tata Consultancy Services (TCS): Reported the largest drop, shedding over 11,000 roles as part of restructuring and natural attrition. Infosys: Bucked the trend with a net increase of about 5,000 employees, driven largely by freshers onboarding and confidence in demand. Wipro: Also added staff, bringing its total above 240,000 with continued focus on key skill areas. HCLTech and Tech Mahindra: Reported mixed or slight net…  ​Read MoreBusiness Archives - Trak.in - Indian Business of Tech, Mobile & Startups

Last week, Musk stated that the AI5 chip's design was "almost done" and that the AI6 chip was still in its early phases. Musk...

Silver prices in India have climbed dramatically in a short span. In the first 18 days of 2026, the rate jumped from about ₹2,38,000 per kilogram to roughly ₹2,95,000 per kilogram, a gain close to ₹57,000 in under three weeks. This represents a significant acceleration following already strong performance in 2025. What’s Driving the Rally? Multiple factors are underpinning the rally: Industrial Demand: Silver’s use in solar energy, electronics, electric vehicles, and advanced manufacturing has grown, tightening physical supply. Investor Interest: Rising participation from retail and institutional investors seeking safe haven and diversification has buoyed prices. Global Market Trends: Worldwide macro conditions like ongoing geopolitical uncertainty and central bank buying have strengthened precious metal appeal. Market Impact The sharp rise has influenced several market segments: Equity Response: Shares of companies linked to silver production and trading, such as metal producers and miners, saw gains as investor sentiment turned bullish. Jewellery Sector: Retail jewellery buyers face higher input costs, particularly relevant during wedding and festive seasons. ETFs & Commodities: Silver-linked exchange-traded funds have attracted increased inflows, reflecting broad investor engagement. Outlook and Risks Analysts point out that while demand fundamentals remain strong, silver is inherently more volatile than gold. Price swings…  ​Read MoreBusiness Archives - Trak.in - Indian Business of Tech, Mobile & Startups

Inside India’s Next Big Deeptech Bet This year’s Republic Day parade is set to feel different. Beyond the imported jets,…