By Erick Here are the most important and relevant tech news from India in the last seven (eight) days:
Semiconductors Not Subject to Trump Tariffs (yet)
Semiconductors have been exempted from US tariffs, acknowledging their critical role in global supply chains, though overall reciprocal tariffs pose challenges to India’s exports, as the US is its largest trading partner. While the US has imposed a 26% tariff on imports from India, other nations face even higher rates, but semiconductors and pharmaceuticals are exempt from these tariffs.
Why it matters: this could be an opportunity for Tech India as well, which has recently announced several semiconductor manufacturing initiatives spearheaded by the Union Government and the Tata Group (see TWITI no. 10 of 2025 – ya’ll should really keep up!). Let’s not forget what happened in the last few years when there was a global semiconductor shortage – the price of everything that needed a semiconductor (which is everything that needs a computer (which is…. everything these days from your phone to your car to your smart fridge)) soared.
Read: Semiconductor dodges US tariff bullet, underlines its foundational role: Industry
Govt. Drops Import Duties on EV and Battery Components
Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Tuesday (March 25, 2025) announced there would be no import duties on 35 capital goods used to make Electric Vehicle (EV) batteries and 28 items used in mobile phone battery making to boost domestic manufacturing.
Why it matters: like AI, Electric Vehicles are all the hype in the tech world, but unlike AI there are actually EVs around including several manufactured by Tata, MG, Hyundai and all major car makers. What irks me though is that this announcement coincided with the report that Tata becomes a leading global supplier for Tesla (see previous two TWITI).
Admittedly, I missed this announcement in the previous edition of TWITI (the announcement is dated March 25th). Sorry! Drop a heart in the comment to forgive me <3
Read: Government drops import duty on EV, phone battery components
Samsung Slapped with ₹5,156 crore Tax Demand by Indian Customs
India has issued a $601 million tax demand to Samsung and its executives for allegedly evading tariffs on telecom equipment imports through misclassification. The dispute centers on the “Remote Radio Head” component, which Samsung imported from 2018 to 2021 without paying duties, claiming it was exempt, but customs authorities disagreed, accusing the company of knowingly submitting false documents to maximize profits. Samsung plans to contest the ruling in court, while the case highlights India’s increasing scrutiny of foreign companies’ import practices.
Why this matters: I love me a good enforcement / regulation / governance story in India. I believe in this kind of “rule based order” in which big tech companies aren’t allowed to get away with exploitation and unethical practices. Although, Samsung’s response to this including the challenge to the validity of the demand needs to be examined, it is a bit weird that the demand slapped in 2025 is to do with components imported since 2018.
Read: Samsung weighs legal options on Rs 5,100 crore customs demand
Swiggy Faces Two Tax Demands
Not on the scale of Samsung’s tax demand but still significant – Swiggy has been hit with a tax demand of ₹158 crore for failing to pay tax on cancellation charges paid to merchants and interest income on income tax refunds between April 2021 and March 2022. Swiggy plans to appeal the order, believing it has strong arguments and that the demand will not significantly impact its finances or operations.
And in separate news, Swiggy has received a tax demand of ₹7.59 crore from the Maharashtra government for allegedly violating professional tax deduction provisions from employee salaries between April 2021 and March 2022. Swiggy plans to appeal the order, asserting it has strong arguments and anticipates no major financial impact from the demand.
Why it matters: Like I said above, I love a good enforcement story. These ones are more straightforward though, one relates to not paying taxes on certain category of charges and the other relates to employee practice. Swiggy plans to appeal both. Not a good look for a company that recently had its IPO.
Read: Swiggy faces tax demands worth over Rs 165 crore
Blinkit Will Deliver ACs in 10 minutes
Blinkit, the quick-commerce platform owned by Eternal Ltd (aka Zomato – its parent company), has partnered with Lloyd to deliver air conditioners within 10 minutes in Delhi-NCR, with installation available within 24 hours. This move follows Blinkit’s recent expansion into other 10-minute delivery services, including Apple products (see TWITI no. 9 of 2025), an ambulance service (see TWITI no. 1 of 2025), and a return/exchange service for clothing and footwear.
Why it matters: just like I said when Blinkit announced it would deliver your MacBook in 10 minutes – please don’t impulse-buy an Air Conditioner. Besides, what’s the use of having it delivered in 10 minutes if installation could take unto 24 hours?
Read: Get AC delivered in 10 min’: Blinkit’s plan to beat the heat in Delhi-NCR
Karnataka HC Orders Ola, Uber and Rapido to Stop Bike Taxi Services
The Karnataka High Court has ordered Rapido, Ola, and Uber to halt their bike taxi services in six weeks because they were operating without the necessary permits. The court specified that unless the state government establishes proper guidelines, these companies cannot continue offering bike taxi services.
Why it matters: I thought the ban would be for safety concerns (please wear a helmet even if you are a pillion rider on a bike) but turns out it’s about permits. So if Ola, Uber and Rapido meet the permit requirements, they will be ok to continue their bike taxi services? I bet commuters in Bangalore are not happy with this move, considering the legendary Bangalore traffic.
Read: Stop bike taxi ops in 6 weeks: Karnataka HC tells Ola, Uber, Rapido
RIL enters e sports with BLAST JV
Reliance has partnered with BLAST to create a joint venture that will focus on growing the esports business in India by combining BLAST’s media production expertise and Jio’s technology and distribution capabilities. The venture aims to manage tournaments, provide services to publishers and sponsors, and promote esports through the JioGames platform.
Why it matters: I always thought that eSports is a large untapped segment and in need of new players in India. So what if it’s RIL?
Read: Reliance joins hands with BLAST for esports business in India
Samsung India employees union issue fresh strike notice in TN
The Samsung India employees’ union has issued a fresh strike notice at the company’s consumer durables facility, nearly a month after withdrawing previous protests. The union is demanding an end to discriminatory wage agreements and the reinstatement of 23 suspended employees, alleging that Samsung is using selective salary hikes to undermine the trade union.
Why it matters: this story is worth following – from the very first strike to the formation of the union to its persistent demands that it says are not being met even with the Government’s intervention. The Samsung plant is in Sriperambudur, which has a lot of manufacturing units concentrated (including the unit that manufactures for FoxConn which is basically your iPhone). Maybe we’ll see a new set of regulations as a result of this? I will wait and watch closely.
Read: Samsung India Employees’ Union Issues Fresh Strike Notices in Tamil Nadu
That’s it for now, see you next week! Make sure you stay informed.