Archives July 2025

National, July 29^th, 2025: From soaring demand for maids to a fivefold surge in mid-level experience hiring, the household job market is being redefined. WorkIndia, India’s leading blue and grey collar recruitment platform, has released a new report analysing trends in the domestic job market from 2023 to 2024. The data reveals a major shift in hiring and application patterns across household roles such as maids, cooks, caregivers, gardeners, and personal drivers.

One of the major findings is the 114% increase in maid job postings, highlighting a dramatic surge in demand for domestic cleaning services. Overall, job postings in the household segment saw a 4% year-on-year increase, indicating steady growth in this sector.

Interestingly, while demand has grown, job seeker interest has grown faster. Applications for household jobs rose by 63%, suggesting that more individuals are entering the domestic workforce than the available opportunities can absorb. In smaller cities and towns recorded a 95% surge in applications was recorded, even though job postings remained flat, pointing to economic pressures and rising competition in smaller city groups. There has also been a sharp drop in job postings for personal drivers, which has gone down by 48%, possibly due to the increasing popularity of ride-hailing services, which reduce the need for full-time drivers in households.

Educational qualifications also played a role in hiring trends. Job postings declined across most education levels except for candidates with less than a tenth-grade education, where postings rose by 9%. This reflects a demand for workers with basic schooling, especially in roles requiring less formal training. When it comes to experience, mid-level experienced workers saw 5.47 times increase in job postings, while freshers experienced a steep 78% decline. This indicates a clear preference for candidates who have some experience but may not be highly seasoned or expensive.

Gender-based trends also stood out. Job postings for female candidates grew by 45%, driven in large part by the maid category. Conversely, postings for female cooks dropped by 59%, while male cooks saw a 6% rise, indicating a shift in household hiring preferences for food-related roles. The top five titles with the highest number of postings were cook, housemaid, chef, Chinese cook, and Indian cook. This underscores the continued importance of culinary roles in household employment.

Salaries are also rising. The average minimum salary for household workers increased by 7.6%, with cooks receiving an 11% jump. In Tier 1 cities like Mumbai, Chennai, and Delhi, average minimum salaries rose by 10%, reflecting both demand and the higher cost of living.

Experience is being rewarded in compensation as well. While freshers saw a 3% decline in average minimum salary, experienced workers received a 14% increase, showing that employers are willing to pay a premium for reliable and skilled domestic help.

Mr. Nilesh Dungarwal, CEO & Co-founder at WorkIndia, said: “India’s household job market is undergoing a pivotal shift. The rising demand for experienced workers and a surge in applications reflect both an evolving domestic employment ecosystem and the economic urgency faced by job seekers. At WorkIndia, we’re committed to bridging this gap by connecting the right talent with the right opportunities, while ensuring dignity and transparency for workers across every household in the country.”

 Lastly, the number of applications rose by 35% across both male and female candidates, pointing to a broader workforce movement toward domestic employment, possibly driven by economic necessity or shifting employment patterns.

Overall, WorkIndia’s data paints a picture of a household employment sector in flux, where demand is steady, but job seeker interest is outpacing available roles. The surge in applications, rising wages for experienced workers, and growing gender-specific trends point to a more competitive yet increasingly structured domestic job landscape. As expectations evolve on both sides, the sector is moving toward greater formalisation, skill recognition, and wage transparency.

Ahmedabad, July 29, 2025: Bybit, the world’s second-largest cryptocurrency exchange in trading volume, made a significant impact at the India Blockchain Tour (IBT) 2025 in Ahmedabad, where a packed venue reflected the growing momentum of India’s Web3 and digital asset ecosystem, particularly in Tier 2 & Tier 3 cities.

Held for the first time in Gujarat, the event, organised by Octaloop, brought together developers, traders, builders, and investors to explore the future of blockchain, crypto, and decentralised technologies. As a key participant, Bybit engaged directly with hundreds of attendees, sharing not only product insights and educational tools but also its long-term vision on crypto growth in India.

“Ahmedabad exceeded all expectations – booths were packed, questions never stopped, and the passion for crypto was contagious. We loved connecting with the local trading community and look forward to doing more here. We showcased the recently launched Bybit Lite app version, Bybit Learn, Demo Trading, and our vision to educate 1 million Indian users by 2026,” said Vikas Gupta, Country Manager, India at Bybit.

At the event, Bybit highlighted its simplified mobile interface for new users (Bybit Lite), demonstrated risk-free demo trading, and introduced attendees to Bybit Learn, an evolving knowledge hub for crypto education.

India is rapidly growing as one of the most emerging Web3 markets. Bybit is focused on building trusted, user-first tools and contributing meaningfully to local crypto adoption and digital financial literacy. And at the Ahmedabad leg of the India blockchain tour, Bybit had the opportunity to directly engage with Gujarat’s vibrant community of retail traders, students, and developers. The team conducted live demonstrations of Bybit Lite, the platform’s simplified mobile interface tailored for intuitive trading experiences, especially for new users. Attendees also explored Bybit learn and demo trading tools, designed to encourage responsible onboarding through education and practice. Bybit’s presence is reflected through its strong advocacy for an education-first approach, aligning with India’s evolving regulatory landscape and its mission to empower a million Indian users by 2026.

Bybit’s participation in IBT also emphasised the company’s broader belief that education and access are foundational to unlocking India’s Web3 potential. Events like this help bridge the gap between innovation and real-world users, especially in regions where awareness is growing but infrastructure and information remain limited.

Ahmedabad is the latest stop in the India Blockchain Tour, which will now move to Kolkata, followed by 5 more cities, and the flagship Metamorphosis summit later this year. Bybit will continue to support India’s blockchain ecosystem through community-driven initiatives, educational campaigns, and on-ground engagement.

Mumbai, July 29, 2025: Easy Pay, a leading Network Participant on the Open Network for Digital Commerce (ONDC), reports that Maharashtra has emerged as the top-performing state for seller onboarding. For the third consecutive month, the highest number of new sellers joining ONDC have come from Maharashtra. Easy Pay as seller network participant has been able to increase the onboarding of new sellers by 50% each month from the Maharashtra state. This surge reflects growing awareness of ONDC’s benefits, increasing demand among small businesses for wider market access, and the effectiveness of its hyper-local support model that builds trust and simplifies digital adoption.

This momentum is expected to continue and further strengthen through the rest of the year. Between April2024 and May 2025, Mumbai, Pune, and Thane led Maharashtra in ONDC order volumes. The company now aims to onboard over 1 lakh MSMEs from Maharashtra alone by the end of FY 2026–27, with a larger national target of bringing over 10 lakh MSMEs across India onto the ONDC network within next three years.

The Open Network for Digital Commerce (ONDC) is a government-backed initiative that connects buyers and sellers in a secure and collaborative ecosystem. With Maharashtra emerging as one of the key markets for MSME-led growth, the state’s entrepreneurial spirit has embraced the ONDC network. The Easy Pay’s platform allows MSMEs with seamless onboarding on to ONDC, to list their products and services, manage digital payments, and expand their reach to pan-India buyers.

Easy Pay is a full-stack digital enablement platform and one of the major participants in the ONDC network. It offers MSMEs an easy, tech-driven pathway to enter digital commerce—from creating online storefronts and accepting digital payments to accessing working capital and leveraging analytics.

The Open Network for Digital Commerce (ONDC) has said that it recorded an all-time high of 8.9 million transactions across retail and ride-hailing segments in May

The consistent rise in seller onboarding from Maharashtra highlights a clear shift in how small businesses are approaching digital commerce,” said Nilay Patel, Founder & Managing Director of Easy Pay. “We’re seeing a strong appetite among MSMEs in the state to tap into wider markets through ONDC. Our focus has been on simplifying access and building confidence at the grassroots, and the results reflect that effort.”

“I never thought selling jewellery online was possible for a small shop like mine,” says a local jeweller from Maharashtra. “Easy Pay’s team guided me patiently, step by step. They helped me join ONDC and now, I receive online orders at regular intervals. In just a few months, our business has almost doubled. It’s completely changed the way we work.”

Through its unique blend of technology, education, and local engagement, Easy Pay is enabling small businesses in Maharashtra and beyond to unlock new growth opportunities in the digital economy.

Mumbai, 29^th July 2025: Ayushakti, one of the leading Ayurveda centres is back with its annual Khichdi Festival. Started this month, the festival is on till 10^th August and will offer mouth-watering and tasty khichdi delicacies, rooted with the taste of India.

The festival is taking place at Swadshakti, their Ayurvedic restaurant at Malad West in Mumbai. Mumbaikars can enjoy over 12 varieties of khichdi, grounded in Ayurvedic recipes that find a balance between flavour and wellness, will be served during this warm celebration of India’s favourite comfort food.

The festival is hosted in sync with the monsoon weather, which brings an imbalance of doshas during this season. All the recipes are crafted keeping in mind our bodies doshas (vata, pitta and kapha) to simulate good digestion.

This year the festival will offers a wholesome experience for all the taste buds with Quinoa Dal Veg Khichdi, LahsuniPalak Khichdi, Mumbai Pav Bhaji Khichdi amongst others. Each serving will come with Mung Roast Papad and Energy Kadhi.

“We are excited to host our Annual Khichdi Festival once again. Food is a form of medicine in Ayurveda, and khichdi is one of the sattvic, most easily digestible, and healing meals we can have during monsoon,” says Vaidya Smita Naram, Co-Founder of Ayushakti. “Our digestion gets compromised during this season and a bowl of warm herb-infused khichdi can work wonders on your gut, immunity, and energy levels, she added.

Our menu is made with wholesome love and understanding of food preferences of youth as well as older people. We want as many to come and enjoy a healthy meal with their family, adds Smita Naram.

Bengaluru, India | 28 July 2025: In a city that never slows down, an oasis of calm, connection, and convenience is redefining modern living. Ozone Urbana — a masterpiece integrated township by Ozone Group — rises far from the urban chaos yet remains deeply connected to the heartbeat of Bengaluru. Here, residents enjoy a life of balance, wellbeing, and spirited community.

Spread across expansive, thoughtfully planned acres, Ozone Urbana is more than just a residential enclave. It is a self-sufficient urban ecosystem — seamlessly bringing together homes, businesses, education, senior Living, and leisure within one harmonious township. With a design philosophy built on sustainability, comfort, and connectivity, Ozone Urbana meets the aspirations of today’s discerning urban families in the Bengaluru real estate sector.

Key Features of Ozone Urbana:

A Living Mosaic of All Generations
Ozone Urbana stands out as a truly intergenerational community, where seniors with a lifetime of experience, energetic working adults, and playful kids all co-exist and thrive. Community parks, open spaces, and extraordinary landscaping ensure everyone—from elders enjoying peaceful walks to children laughing in playgrounds—finds their space here.

1. State-of-the-Art Infrastructure & Utilities

• Well-laid, wide, and well-lit roads with clear signage
• Equate power systems with robust backup systems
• Clean, treated water accessible throughout
• Modern sewerage and drainage for hygiene and safety
• Effective waste management and recycling programs
• Excellent connectivity via public transport to key Bengaluru hubs

2. Diverse Residential Options

• Choice of finely crafted apartments, spacious villas, and custom plots
• Smart home features for optimized energy use and convenience
• Options for every budget, blending affordability with luxury

3. Abundant Recreational Amenities

• Swimming pool, gymnasium, sports courts, and event venues
• Vast landscaped gardens, inviting green zones, and tranquil walking trails
• Vibrant community centres encouraging social interaction and festive celebrations

4. Essential Services Within Easy Reach

• One of India’s largest senior care resident committees
• Leading schools for world-class education

5. Sustainable Living Initiatives

• Rainwater harvesting and groundwater recharge
• Green building standards across the township
• Waste reduction and proactive recycling practices

6. A Truly Connected Community

• Regular events, festivals, and cultural programs to foster bonds
• Common gardens and open seating areas that encourage neighbourly interactions
• A township where every resident is welcomed and feels at home

Ozone Urbana: Where City Life Meets Tranquil Living

Whether you’re a young professional seeking urban convenience, a growing family looking for safe and enriching surroundings, or a retiree yearning for serenity without compromise, Ozone Urbana offers an unmatched lifestyle. It’s not just where you live — it’s how you live that sets Ozone Urbana apart.

Welcome to the future of living in Bengaluru. Welcome to Ozone Urbana.

If you need a shortened version, quotes, or additional info, let me know!

Parenting in 2025 isn’t just about baby-proofing the house, it’s about cyber-proofing your wallet! As new-age Indian parents juggle school runs, grocery apps, and weekend getaways, Visa’s swift and secure payment guide is your digital payments partner. From tap-to-pay magic to dodging fraud calls like a ninja, here are five must-follow habits to keep your finances as safe as your toddler’s snack stash.

1. Add Cards to Phone Wallets: Why carry a bulky wallet when your phone can do it all? Add your Visa card to mobile wallets like Google Pay for secure, on-the-go transactions. Bonus: no more “Where’s my card?” panic at checkout.
2. Tap to Pay Like a Pro: Say goodbye to fumbling for cash or cards. With NFC-enabled smartphones, just tap and go! Contactless payments are fast, secure, and perfect for multitasking parents who have one hand on the stroller and the other on the phone.
3. OTPs Are Sacred—Don’t Share!: Your OTP is like your child’s school password, private and precious. Never share it, even if the caller sounds convincing. Always remember: banks never ask for OTPs over calls or messages.
4. Suspicious Links? Just Don’t Click: That “free toy” link might be a trap. Always verify before clicking or paying. If it looks phishy (pun intended), it probably is. Check URLs and avoid unsolicited payment requests.
5. Monitor with Mobile Banking & Notifications: Stay in the loop with real-time alerts. Mobile banking apps and transaction notifications help you track every rupee spent, whether it’s on diapers or date nights.

Being a parent is a full-time job and so is keeping your money safe. With Visa’s smart payment tips, you can focus on bedtime stories and boardroom meetings without worrying about fraudsters. So go ahead, be that cool, tech-first parent who taps to pay, reads app alerts like bedtime tales, and treats OTPs like family secrets. Stay sharp, stay secure, and parent like a fintech boss!

Tata Soulfull Launches New & Improved Ragi Bites No Maida Choco with Exciting “Scan & Win” Promo and First-Ever Nickelodeon In-Show Integration

Pune(S.N) — Tata Soulfull, a brand from Tata Consumer Products and a pioneer in the ‘better-for-you’ packaged foods space, has unveiled its latest innovation in the kids’ snacking category – the all-new and improved Ragi Bites No Maida Choco. Now more chocolatey, crunchier, and made with zero palm oil, this millet-rich snack offers the perfect blend of taste and nutrition, all with the brand’s promise of no maida and no junk. This further strengthens the brand proposition of taste first and nutrition forward. This launch marks a significant step in Tata Soulfull’s journey to transform kids’ snacking with clean, delicious, and engaging formats. With 25% crunchy millets, this guilt-free snack is loved by kids and trusted by parents, blurring the lines between breakfast and snacking in a fun way.

To elevate snack time into a fun-filled adventure, every pack now comes with a QR code that unlocks a thrilling new digital game, the “Ragi Rally” starring Tata Soulfull’s mascot, Cruncha Muncha. Kids can join him for exciting games filled with excitement, laughter, and milestones.

As part of the “Scan & Win” consumer promo, kids can enter to win a grand trip to Singapore, a dream destination packed with family-friendly attractions, thrill rides, and unforgettable memories. Alongside the grand prize, weekly winners can also take-home gaming consoles and bicycles, making every bite of Ragi Bites a chance to win big and bond with Cruncha Muncha.

In a first-of-its-kind move, Tata Soulfull is bringing Cruncha Muncha to kids’ screens through an in-show cartoon integration. The beloved snack buddy will feature in special animated segments within episodes of Nickelodeon’s hit show Chikoo aur Bunty, delivering laughter, lessons, and the brand’s core message of nutritious snacking in a format children naturally love.

This marks Tata Soulfull’s bold foray into character-led storytelling, making Cruncha Muncha more than just a mascot, he’s now a snack-time hero and a trusted buddy for kids across India.

The upgraded product comes with all-new vibrant packaging, designed to stand out on shelves and instantly appeal to kids. Cruncha Muncha takes centre stage on every pack, making the product both playful and instantly recognizable. To amplify visibility and drive participation, a full 360-degree marketing campaign is underway, including TV commercials, digital films, influencer engagement, and in-store activations — all leading up to the national promotion and nationwide promo visibility.

Speaking about the launch, Rasika Prashant, CMO, Tata Soulfull, said “With No Maida Choco, we are taking our No Junk promise a step further. This product has been developed keeping in mind the preferences of children as well as the concerns of parents, delivering a deliciously chocolatey experience that kids crave, without compromising on clean, wholesome ingredients parents can trust. The integration of Cruncha Muncha into a beloved kids’ show and the launch of a nationwide consumer promo make this one of our most ambitious and engaging campaigns to date. What makes this campaign truly special is the world we’re building around it — Cruncha Muncha now lives on-pack, on-screen and online.”

Tata Soulfull continues to lead the way in reimagining traditional Indian millets for modern families through taste, innovation and storytelling that resonates with consumers.

Mumbai, 28 July 2025 – Worldline [Euronext: WLN], a global leader in payment services, has entered into a strategic partnership with Cosmos Co-operative Bank Ltd., one of India’s oldest and most trusted urban cooperative banks, to drive digital transformation through advanced and scalable payment solutions.

As India’s financial ecosystem rapidly evolves with rising consumer expectations and regulatory advancements, co-operative banks face the dual challenge of modernizing legacy infrastructure while expanding their reach to underserved segments. This collaboration addresses these challenges head-on by equipping Cosmos Bank with a robust, future-ready digital payment stack.

The partnership will focus on strengthening Cosmos Bank’s capabilities across key areas, including:

Integrated payment Acceptance solutions

• Cutting-edge technology to enable seamless payment transaction experiences for customers.
• Tailored solutions catering to both payment and non-payment use cases.
• 360-degree data analytics to provide the bank with a real-time view of portfolio health.

Scalability and operational efficiency

• Scalable infrastructure to support growing transaction volumes and diversified customer needs without compromising performance.
• A host of Value-Added Services (VAS) to choose from.
• An experienced sales, relationship, and service team to manage customer expectations and minimize downtime.

Sheik Mohideen, Executive Vice-President at Worldline india, said: “We are delighted to partner with Cosmos Bank to empower their digital journey. At Worldline, we understand the unique payment challenges and are committed to delivering innovative, secure, and efficient payment experiences that drive long-term value.“

Ms. Arti Dhole, Joint Managing Director at Cosmos Co-operative Bank Ltd., said: “This collaboration not only enhances our payment infrastructure but also reaffirms our commitment to offering world-class banking experiences to our customers. In today’s fast-paced financial environment, staying ahead through innovation is key, and Worldline is the ideal partner to help us achieve that.“

This alliance reflects the shared vision of both organizations to promote digital innovation, financial inclusion, and customer-centric growth — paving the way for a more resilient and future-ready banking ecosystem.

Maharashtra, July 2025 — Matkar Musics is set to launch an exciting new Marathi song titled “Apsara” on August 1st, marking the dynamic screen debut of Mukul Phate and Sakshi Kamble as a lead pair. Known for his award-winning work in literature and acting education, Mukul Phate now brings his signature energy to the Marathi music world.

Mumbai, July 28, 2025: As India honoured its war heroes on Kargil Vijay Divas, RBL Bank too paid its tribute to India’s brave soldiers. It pledged to ensure that going forward, 1% of its workforce will comprise personnel exclusively from ex-armed forces. As an organization with a long heritage, the Bank has engaged ex-service personnel in a wide variety of roles in the past too.

With this initiative, the Bank intends to provide meaningful second career options to ex-armed forces personnel, while duly recognizing and capitalising on their exceptional leadership qualities, discipline, values, training, fitness, and survival instincts.

Various opportunities include core business operations, general administration, financial crimes, risk management, technology, IT services & ICT. The Bank has also planned specialized onboarding programs, assisting the new employees as they transition from armed forces to a corporate work stream.

R Subramaniakumar, MD & CEO, RBL Bank said, “As an organisation which has partnered the India story for 82 years, this initiative is our small gesture and a mark of respect to the armed forces individuals and their families. By creating opportunities, and welcoming ex-servicemen into our organization, we shall not only honour their service but also gain from their invaluable skills and experience in serving the nation. We are deeply inspired by their resilience, integrity, agility and discipline.”

The recruitment process will commence from July 28, 2025 onwards and applications need to be sent on  Exservicemen@rblbank.com email id. The Bank aims to start onboarding and training from September 2025.