In a major relief for startup founders planning to go public, the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) announced on Tuesday that it has amended its rules to allow promoters to retain employee stock options (ESOPs) granted at least one year before filing IPO papers.

According to the official notification, employees who are identified as promoters or part of the promoter group in the draft IPO documents can now continue to hold or exercise ESOPs, Stock Appreciation Rights (SAR), or any similar benefit, provided these were granted at least one year before filing.

Until now, SEBI’s rules did not allow promoters to hold ESOPs or similar share-based benefits.

Startup executives categorized as promoters found the procedure challenging because founders who possessed such benefits had to liquidate them before submitting draft documents for an IPO.

The modification, according to the regulator, is intended to address issues that founders encounter during the listing process, particularly when businesses use reverse flipping to relocate their headquarters from overseas to India.

It is anticipated that this action will facilitate the initial public offering (IPO) process for businesses and give founders who were granted ESOPs before launching their public listing ambitions more freedom.

Due to clearing firms’ declaration of settlement vacations on September 5 and 8, 2025, the market regulator earlier this week updated the settlement schedules for the equity and derivatives divisions.

SEBI has announced that on September 9 (Tuesday), the cash and Securities Lending and Borrowing Mechanism (SLBM) segment settlement would take place for the trade days of September 4 (Thursday) and September 5 (Friday).

The market watchdog said on Monday that the settlement for trades made on September 8 (Monday) and September 9 (Tuesday) would be finalized on September 10 (Wednesday).

According to reports, Meta is paying contractors in the US as much as $55 (about Rs 4,850) per hour to create AI chatbots in Hindi for Indian users.

According to a Business Insider story, these positions are a part of Meta’s broader strategy to increase its AI presence in rapidly expanding regions like Mexico, Indonesia, and India.

The publication’s research of job advertisements indicates that staffing companies such as Crystal Equation and Aquent Talent are hiring contractors.

Character development for chatbots that will function on WhatsApp, Instagram, and Messenger is the primary emphasis of the project.

In addition to having at least six years of expertise in character development, storytelling, and AI content processing, candidates must speak Hindi, Indonesian, Spanish, or Portuguese fluently.

However, Meta has not formally confirmed the hiring decision. However, the study discovered that Aquent Talent posted Spanish-language opportunities for what it called a “top social media company,” while Crystal Equation posted Hindi and Indonesian language positions on behalf of Meta.

Meta’s attempt to develop digital companions who feel culturally appropriate for Indian customers is demonstrated by the choice to hire contractors to create localized chatbot personalities.

In the past, CEO Mark Zuckerberg has stated that chatbots might “complement real-world friendships” and make it easier for users to engage with virtual pals.

However, Meta has come under fire for its increasing emphasis on AI chatbots. According to earlier reports, some of Meta’s bots gave false medical advice, even generated racist comments, and had inappropriate romantic or sexual chats with children.

There have also been privacy concerns. As previously reported by Business Insider, contractors examining chatbot chats frequently discovered private information such as names, phone numbers, emails, and selfies, raising concerns about the handling of such data.

US politicians have demanded more stringent oversight of Meta’s AI rules in the wake of these disclosures.

India defeated South Korea 4-1 in the final on Sunday at Rajgir, Bihar, to win their fourth Hockey Men’s Asia Cup title. The victory guarantees India’s spot in the World Cup in Belgium and the Netherlands next year and is their first continental championship in eight years.

The home team’s goals came from Sukhjeet Singh, Dilpreet Singh, and Amit Rohidas, with Dilpreet scoring twice. Son Dain of Korea scored a consoling goal in the last quarter, but it was insufficient to stop India’s supremacy. Jugraj Singh came very close to adding to the score, but his penalty attempt was saved.

After crushing China 7-0 in the Super 4s, India went into the final full of confidence, and the win rounded off an unforgettable campaign. With two goals from Abhishek and goals from Shilanand Lakra, Dilpreet Singh, Mandeep Singh, Raj Kumar Pal, and Sukhjeet Singh, that victory demonstrated their attacking depth.

After winning the Asia Cup in 2003, 2007, and 2017, this is India’s fourth Asia Cup victory. South Korea, which won five titles in 1994, 1999, 2009, 2013, and 2022, is still the most successful team in the competition’s history.

Hockey India has paid out Rs 3 lakh to each player after the men’s team won the Asia Cup after defeating South Korea 4-1 in a thrilling final held at the Rajgir Sports Complex on Sunday. The stadium was crowded with spectators who came to support the home team.

The Indian men’s team’s support crew will also get Rs 1.5 lakh apiece. The eight-year wait for India to restore its dominance on the continent has come to an end with this victory. Additionally, India has earned a spot in the Netherlands and Belgium for the FIH Men’s Hockey World Cup in 2026.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi thanked the Indian men’s hockey team after won the Asia Cup. He tweeted, “Congratulations to our Men’s Hockey Team for their fantastic victory in the Asia Cup 2025 held in Rajgir, Bihar,” on X. The fact that they overcame South Korea, the reigning champions, makes their victory even more memorable.

“Indian hockey and Indian sports are proud of this moment. I hope our athletes keep reaching new heights and honoring the country even more.

“I would also like to appreciate the Government and people of Bihar, whose efforts have ensured Rajgir hosted a brilliant tournament and has become a vibrant sporting hub,” he continued.

India’s two fifth-place finishes in 1982 and 1994 are their best results at the Men’s Hockey World Cup since they won the championship in 1975.

The squad has participated in all 15 of the tournament’s previous iterations, including the most recent one, which was held in 2023 in Bhubaneswar and Rourkela.

Over 4.56 crore persons have filed their income tax returns (ITRs) as the deadline of September 15 draws closer, and the number of returns being submitted is increasing.

According to senior income tax department officials, people “should not wait till the last-minute” to file their forms because doing so causes inconvenience.

Tax return filing has been made simple, and the following is the straightforward procedure for individuals to file their own returns:

• Enter your PAN or Aadhaar and password to access incometax.gov.in.
• Select Income Tax Return > File Income Tax Return under → e-File.
• Choose AY 2025–2026.
• Select the appropriate form.
• Examine the pre-filled information (bank interest, TDS, and salary).
• Choose the tax regime (Old/New) and add any missing income or deductions.
• Send in your return

Every year, the Income Tax Department releases a variety of ITR forms to accommodate different taxpayer groups. Making the right form choice is crucial since submitting the wrong form could result in a flawed return. The following forms apply to individuals and small companies who are not audit taxpayers for FY 2024–25 (AY 2025–26):

For Salaried People, ITR-1 (Sahaj)

According to the Income Tax Department, a taxpayer who receives income from their employer in the form of a salary, wages, allowances, perquisites, or pension is considered a salaried individual and is subject to the “Income from Salary” charge.

For individuals or HUFs (those without business or professional income), ITR-2

Individuals are natural individuals who are subject to personal taxes on their income from capital gains, business or profession, pensions, salaries, and other sources.

According to income tax legislation, HUFs (Hindu Undivided Families) are distinct legal entities made up of all individuals who are directly derived from a common ancestor, including their spouses and unmarried daughters. Under the Income Tax Act, a HUF is taxed as a separate “person” and may receive income from real estate, businesses, or other sources.

If the return is submitted after the deadline, there is a late filing fee. For returns submitted after the deadline, a charge of Rs 5,000 is required. However, the late fee is limited to Rs 1,000 in situations when the total revenue is less than Rs 5 lakh.

In addition to the late filing cost, there is a monthly interest rate of 1% on the outstanding tax amount for late filing. In the meantime, ITR submissions increased by more than 25% between AY 2022–2023 and AY 2024–2025.

According to data made public by the Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT), ITR files have steadily increased over time, indicating an expansion of the tax base and more compliance. As of July 31, 2024, a record 7.28 crore ITRs have been filed for AY 2024–25, up 7.5% from 6.77 crore in AY 2023–2024 over the previous year.

The plot of “The Bengal Files” centers on the Great Calcutta Killings and the Noakhali riots of 1946, portraying the bloodshed and its aftermath as a genocide and asserting that these historical events were purposefully overlooked or concealed.

The film’s cast includes Rajesh Khera, Puneet Issar, Priyanshu Chatterjee, Dibyendu Bhattacharya, Sourav Das, Mohan Kapur, Pallavi Joshi, Darshan Kumar, Simrat Kaur, Anupam Kher, Saswata Chatterjee, Namashi Chakraborty, and Mithun Chakraborty.

After The Tashkent Files and The Kashmir Files, Agnihotri’s The Files Trilogy, which is based on contemporary Indian history, concludes with The Bengal Files.

Anupam Kher, a veteran actor, wished the team well and referred to the film as an “important film of our times.” He wrote: “To the entire team of #TheBengalFiles and @vivekagnihotri, @pallavijoshiofficial, and @abhishekofficl, congratulations and best wishes on the film’s release today. It is a significant film of our era. Kindly head to the theaters to see it!

In an open letter to Indian President Droupadi Murmu on Thursday, Pallavi Joshi begged her to uphold her constitutional rights and permit the peaceful screening of “The Bengal Files” in West Bengal.

“Respected Madam President,” she wrote. I am reaching out to you with a heavy heart, asking for protection rather than favors.

On September 5th, the last book in the Files Trilogy, The Bengal Files, will be published. It recounts the atrocities of Noakhali, the anguish of Partition, and the long-suppressed truth of the Hindu genocide of Direct Action Day.

Since then, police have blocked our trailer, fabricated FIRs have been filed, and even publications have stopped running advertisements. Political party employees threaten my family every day,” she continued.

Joshi stated in her letter that “The Bengal Files” is subject to an “unofficial ban” in West Bengal, even if there isn’t an official ban.

“The Bengal Files is the cry of Maa Bharati, scarred yet unbroken, a story of survival and hope,” she continued, referring to the movie as the “cry of Maa Bharati.” Only you, as a woman who ascended from the periphery to the highest constitutional office, can fully comprehend what it means to bear such suffering and use it for motivation.

Pallavi said, “Madam President, I do not ask for a favor for a movie, but rather for the freedom to express art, truth, and Maa Bharati’s soul without fear.” My only hope is you. Please uphold our constitutional rights and allow West Bengal to calmly view The Bengal Files. With gratitude and respect, Pallavi Joshi, The Bengal Files’ producer.

FM Nirmala Sitharaman stated that the GST rate reduction would boost economic expansion and counteract the negative effects of the US tariff increase on Indian exports.

She added that since crude was the most expensive item on India’s import bill, the country will keep purchasing Russian oil for economic reasons.

In a media interview, Sitharaman stated that the government’s primary focus would now be on making sure that the GST rate reductions on a variety of goods and services, which will take effect on September 22, are passed on to customers.

“After September 22, we have a lot of work to do. We are certain that the average person would profit from this significant exercise in vigilance,” the finance minister said.

Additionally, FM Sitharaman stated that all industry leaders supported lowering product costs so that consumers may benefit from the GST rate fall and that the government was communicating with various stakeholders and parties to monitor the rate reduction.

The Minister of Finance stated, “After the GST Council decided to cut GST rates, MPs are also taking up the responsibility of monitoring the rate reduction on the ground.”

The cost of most products and services will be reduced by the two-slab GST system, which features rates of 5% and 18%, replacing the previous rates of 12% and 28%.

Simultaneously, a 40% tax on luxury and sinful items, including tobacco, pan masala, aerated beverages, expensive automobiles, yachts, and private planes, ensures equity and revenue balance.

Additionally, the burden on businesses—particularly MSMEs and startups—has been lessened by the simplification of registration and return filing, the speed at which refunds are processed, and the reduction of compliance expenses.

Sitharaman added that she had been contacted eight months prior by Prime Minister Narendra Modi to discuss ways to update the GST system.

She noted that PM Modi had emphasized the need to streamline the system with a particular emphasis on reducing the burden on the middle class. She also said that GST 2.0 was created to reduce disagreements and guarantee clarity for states and enterprises alike.

In honor of Teachers’ Day on September 5, Bollywood actress Bhagyashree thanked her Teachers on social media. Additionally, she posted stills from her film Sajni Shinde Ka Viral Video, in which she played a school principal.

“Jis school ke tum padhte ho, uski mein Principal hoon!” was the caption she wrote. (You attend the same school where I am the principal.) A film called #sajnishindekaviralvideo revealed a whole different side of me as a performer. The honorable principal who would do whatever it took to preserve her school’s reputation, even if it meant playing the devil.

Expressing gratitude to her Teachers, she further stated, “But that apart, I have had the highest regard for teachers, who spend their entire lives laying the foundation, building the values on which our children follow. One of the most significant aspects of my life has been and continues to be my own school, @jamnabai.narsee.school. Just as you should never forget your roots, you should also never forget your mentors. I therefore want to wish a very happy Teacher’s Day to all of my teachers as well as those of my kids!

On Teachers’ Day, playback singer Papon—known for songs like “Bulleya,” “Jiyein Kyun,” and “Moh Moh Ke Dhaage”—reflects on the lessons he learned from his gurus.

In addition to honoring academic mentors, Papon views Teachers’ Day as an opportunity to consider his parents, whose creativity and modesty helped mold him into the musician he is today.

According to him, his journey is a continuation of their heritage since their impact can still be heard in every ghazal, folk ballad, and romantic melody he sings.

When asked about this, Papon replied, “My greatest teachers were my parents: my father, Khagen Mahanta, known across Assam as the ‘King of Bihu’, and my mother, Archana Mahanta, whose voice carried the devotion of our folk traditions.”

“Their melodies filled our home from the time I was a child, not just in notes, but in every breath I took,” he added. They showed me the soul behind each song rather than pressuring me. I honor them on this Teachers’ Day, not only for the music they gave the world, but also for the lessons they taught me. Every note I sing and every performance I give carries their legacy. My greatest blessing is that I carry their lessons with me as I move forward.

’12th Fail’ filmmaker Vidhu Vinod Chopra received a poignant birthday greeting on social media on Friday from actor Vikrant Massey.

In addition to wishing Chopra Teacher’s Day, Vikrant posted a behind-the-scenes photo of himself with the director on his official Instagram account, writing: “Happiest Birthday Sir…I appreciate you being my lighthouse. Teachers ought to be like this. I cherish you.Also, happy Teachers’ Day.

Famous filmmaker, actor, author, and producer Nandita Das has honored her aunt Kusum, who taught her at Delhi’s Sardar Patel Vidyalaya school, on this Teacher’s Day.

Nandita Das shared images of her cherished Teacher with her on her Instagram profile, writing, “Happy Teachers’ Day! We are all aware of the profound influence our professors have had on our lives.The seeds for the topics we like (or not) and the person we have become (or not) were planted in early school. This Teacher’s Day, I would want to dedicate it to my dear Kusum aunt. During our early childhood and elementary school years at Sardar Patel Vidyalaya in Delhi, where I completed my education, she was a mother figure and a friend to all of us. I can still clearly remember her stories, her humor, and her unsuccessful attempt to be harsh with us.

In his remembrance of his “constant friend and teacher,” filmmaker Subhash Ghai acknowledged that Osho had influenced his ideas for more than 40 years.

The caption said, “Listen to me but do not follow me.” Subhash wrote, “My constant friend n my teacher osho who entertains me everyday since 40 years with all kinds of philosophy of life -people n energies n truth behind truth who says.” N simply take a look at yourself. Happy Teacher’s Day! Osho will create a fresh, clear school of thought in India. Today, I suppose.

The trailer for “AJEY: The Untold Story of a Yogi,” which was released by the film’s creators, depicts the remarkable transformation of a young guy from impoverished origins to a spiritual seeker.

The Monk Who Became Chief Minister, Shantanu Gupta’s best-selling book, served as the inspiration for the movie. The film, which stars Anantvijay Joshi, Paresh Rawal, Dinesh Lal Yadav, and Ajay Mengi, is scheduled for release on September 19.

Shots of Garhwal, Ajay’s family, and early acquaintances are shown in the teaser before his pivotal decision to take sanyas.

In a country run by bahubali politicians and thugs, it ignites his spiritual quest. As he opposes a corrupt system, peace quickly turns to confrontation. He goes from spiritual rites to determined leadership and reform.

Both the chaos of an unruly region and the profundity of Ajay Anand’s inner journey are depicted in the teaser.

The movie blends drama, inspiration, and spirituality as it follows the ideological shift and personal sacrifices that influence Ajay’s metamorphosis.

AJEY was written by Dilip Bachchan Jha and Priyank Dubey, directed by Ravindra Gautam, and produced by Ritu Mengi. Meet Bros. provided the moving soundtrack. The production designer is Udai Prakash Singh, the photography director is Vishnu Rao, and the associate producers are Itihasa Academy and B-Live Productions (Suuraj Sinngh).

“AJEY is a story of transformation, resilience, and vision, capturing the journey of a simple young man from the hills of Uttarakhand to a life devoted to service and leadership,” expressed Ravindra Gautam.

The movie “explores conviction, sacrifice, and leadership, showing both the public and private life of the protagonist and the choices that shaped his journey,” according to producer Ritu Mengi.

The 22nd Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh, Yogi Adityanath, is the subject of the biography The Monk Who Became Chief Minister. Indian author and political analyst Shantanu Gupta is the author. The book was published on August 25, 2017.

NABARD Chairman Shaji KV stated on Thursday that the government’s decision to restructure the goods and services tax (GST) system with two main slabs of 5% and 18% will increase rural residents’ incomes as prosperity in the remote areas grows.

“People are prepared to advance, and you are aware of India’s rising trajectory. In addition, there is a favorable monsoon and an additional 8% of harvested land. Therefore, the environment was ideal, and the reduction in the GST is giving rural residents more money,” the chairman of NABARD stated.

According to him, rural prosperity is already being felt, and the most recent NABARD rural attitude survey demonstrated that more individuals are borrowing from formal sources, which has led to more formalization and lower credit-access costs. Additionally, inflation feeling is mild.

The chairman stated that most farm equipment will become less expensive due to the new GST reforms since they will be included in the 5% slab, and many of them will continue to be tax-free.

“Therefore, the people will have more money. They will now invest more in capacity increase because mechanization costs are declining, which bodes good for future output as well,” Shaji said.

He asserted that the government action will increase both present and future output. He emphasized that the growing need for rural income will lead to increased production, bolstering the manufacturing sector.

“It means Atmanirbhar Bharat is actually playing out well in rural areas and the government has taken right steps to give it a boost with the current GST rate cuts,” he said.

Tractors and other farm equipment will become more affordable, and their running costs will decrease as well.

He stated that “because the productivity has to catch up to the levels of international productivity, we are now focusing on building capacities.“

On Wednesday, ChatGPT users worldwide experienced interruptions as the OpenAI-developed AI chatbot briefly went down. Numerous users complained that they couldn’t retrieve responses; others even said that their previous chats had vanished.

The outage peaked at 12:44 PM, with over 500 reports originating from India alone, according to Downdetector, a website that monitors online service interruptions.

Similar grievances were filed by other nations. Users of the app also encountered issues accessing ChatGPT, however the internet version was the most severely affected.

Regarding the bug, OpenAI has not yet issued an official statement. The chatbot has previously had outages, including two that occurred in July and impacted both professionals who depend on the service on a daily basis and casual users.

Social media was used by users to vent their frustration. “There is a glitch in ChatGPT today,” one user remarked. Its responses have vanished from every conversation!

“ChatGPT is down,” someone else joked. Some folks won’t be around today. Some people voiced their concerns, claiming that without the chatbot, they would be unable to complete their tasks.

In the meantime, OpenAI declared earlier Tuesday that it will include parental controls for ChatGPT following allegations that the app had reportedly pushed a kid to think about ending their life.

According to the firm, parents will soon be able to add age-appropriate guidelines to the chatbot’s responses and link their accounts with their teen’s accounts.

If the system determines that a teen is in severe distress, parents will also be notified.

According to a blog post by OpenAI, “parents will be able to control how ChatGPT responds to their teen within the next month.” The company also stated that its reasoning models are more dependable in adhering to safety protocols.

According to an X user, “ChatGPT services seem to have been restored for the time being, and users can log back in and continue using the platform.“