School Scam, Apple TV+, Sprinting

Welcome to 1947—your sharp, no-nonsense guide to India’s most important news.

It’s April 3. Today: school scam in West Bengal, Amazon Prime brings Apple TV+ to India, and sprinter Gurindervir Singh opens up. Plus, job openings at Standard Chartered, LEK Consulting, AWS, and more in Who’s Hiring. And don’t miss our new Social Spotlight section featuring sharp takes from founders, investors, and thinkers shaping India.

Policy, Governance & Regulation

> How BJP Secured Ally Support for the Waqf Bill
Sources say behind-the-scenes discussions helped BJP convince allies like Chandrababu Naidu’s TDP and Nitish Kumar’s JD(U) to back the Waqf Amendment Bill, despite their past opposition on Muslim-related issues. Concerns over Waqf property rights and state control led to 14 amendments, including safeguards against retrospective application and mandatory state consultation on Waqf land. With these changes, the bill secured coalition backing and cabinet approval. (NDTV)

> SC Upholds Cancellation of 24,000 School Jobs in Bengal Scam
The Supreme Court upheld the Calcutta High Court’s order canceling 24,000 teaching and non-teaching jobs in West Bengal, citing fraud and manipulation in the 2016 recruitment process. The “school jobs for cash” scam saw mass irregularities, with allegations of OMR sheet tampering. Over 23 lakh candidates had applied for these posts. The ruling deals a major blow to the state government, affirming that the entire selection process lacked credibility. (Bar & Bench)

Health & Environment

> Pharma Sector Dodges US Tariffs
India’s pharmaceutical industry emerged unscathed as the U.S. exempted medicines from its latest tariff hikes, recognizing their critical role in global healthcare. India exports $8.7B worth of pharmaceuticals to the U.S. while importing just $800M, reinforcing its dominance in the generics market. (Times of India)

> SC Halts Tree Felling in Hyderabad’s Kancha Gachibowli
The Supreme Court has halted all developmental activities in Hyderabad’s Kancha Gachibowli after expressing shock over the large-scale felling of trees across hundreds of acres. The Court has directed Telangana’s Chief Secretary to justify the urgency behind clearing what is alleged to be a forest area. A High Court report painted an “alarming picture” of massive deforestation, with images showing wildlife fleeing the destruction. (LiveLaw)

Business

> Government Weighs Response to US Tariff Hike
India is assessing the impact of the US’s 27% tariff on its imports and aims to push for a trade deal this year, despite no relief from President Trump’s policy. The government may support affected export sectors, with electronics ($14 billion) and gems & jewelry ($9 billion) among the hardest hit. Some analysts note that India retains a competitive edge in certain sectors due to relatively lower tariffs. (Reuters)

> Scapia Raises $40M to Expand Travel-Fintech Play
Bengaluru-based travel fintech startup Scapia has secured $40 million in a Series B round led by Peak XV Partners. Targeting Gen Z and millennials, Scapia has positioned itself as a go-to platform for travel and credit card benefits. Its co-branded card with Federal Bank offers zero joining or annual fees, no forex markup, and perks like unlimited domestic lounge access. (Indian Startup News)

Tech, Media & Telecom

> Amazon Brings Apple TV+ to Prime Video in India
Apple is partnering with Amazon to offer Apple TV+ as an add-on subscription through Prime Video in India. Prime members can access Apple TV+ content, including Ted Lasso, Shrinking, and Severance, for ₹99 per month. Apple TV+ joins other add-on services like Lionsgate Play, Discovery+, and BBC Player, as Amazon pushes to make Prime Video a one-stop entertainment hub. (Moneycontrol)

> Tech Startup Funding Rebounds in 2024
Funding for Indian tech startups surged 23% to $7.4 billion in 2024. Deal volume rose 27%, and the number of new startups more than doubled. Seed-stage funding saw the highest growth at 29%, while India retained its spot as the world’s second-largest unicorn hub, adding six new unicorns and pushing total valuation beyond $220 billion. (Moneycontrol)

> AI to Reduce UPI Fraud
The National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI) is testing AI models to detect fraudulent UPI transactions, which rose by 85% in FY 2023-24, leading to a loss of ₹1,087 crore. NPCI is using AI to assign risk scores to accounts and collaborate with banks in a "federated" model, sharing customer scores based on demographics, transactions, and device profiling. This system aims to reduce false positives and improve fraud detection. (Medianama)

Sports

> From Punjab to Podiums
India’s sprinting sensation, Gurindervir Singh, shares the story of how he overcame challenges to clock 10.20 seconds in the 100m at the Indian Grand Prix 1. Raised in Punjab’s Jalandhar district, he grew up in a family of athletes. Despite early struggles with inadequate training facilities and poor nutrition at sports hostels, he shattered national records in the U-14 and U-18 categories. His journey, marked by perseverance and resilience, has now placed him among India’s elite sprinters. (Times of India)

Quick Hits

> Lok Sabha confirmed President's Rule in Manipur, with bipartisan support but criticism of the Centre over the situation.

> EPFO simplifies the online provident fund withdrawal process by removing the need for cancelled cheques and employer-verified bank account details, streamlining claim settlements for 8 crore members.

> Union Minister Piyush Goyal criticized India's startup ecosystem for prioritizing gig jobs over deep-tech innovation, citing only 1,000 deep-tech startups as a concern.

> Flight Lieutenant Siddharth Yadav died in a Jaguar fighter jet crash, with his brother criticizing the continued use of the aging fleet, calling it "relics from the 70s."

> Digital storytelling platform Pratilipi raised $20 million at a $100 million valuation, down from $265 million in 2021.

> Abound, a financial superapp for Indians in the US, raised $14 million in a round led by Near Foundation.

> Bengaluru-based defense tech firm Tonbo Imaging raised $21 million in a pre-IPO Series D round to expand its AI-powered surveillance and targeting systems.

> Chennai-based South Indian food brand Sweet Karam Coffee raised an $8 million Series A to expand its snacks and coffee offerings.

Worth a Look

This History Channel video featuring William Dalrymple and others explores the mysteries and marvels of the Kailasa Temple in Maharashtra’s Ellora Caves.

Who’s Hiring

> Standard Chartered is hiring a Legal Counsel, Technology.

> Google is hiring a Strategic Partnerships Development Manager.

> Amazon Web Services is hiring an Associate Corporate Counsel.

> LEK Consulting is hiring a Legal Counsel.

> smallcase is hiring a Business Growth Manager.

Social Spotlight

> Zepto cofounder Aadit Palicha pushes back against rising criticism of India’s consumer internet startups.

> An MBA entrance coach reflects on the trade-offs between life in India and the West.

> A product manager-turned-VC shares key lessons from his first two years on the investing side of the table.

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