A Reddit post has captured significant attention after revealing that a couple employed at Google spends an astonishing ₹11.2 lakh annually on their child’s school fees. The post, shared on July 24, 2023, was authored by a young professional who claims to have accessed the couple’s financial details while reviewing a client file at a wealth management firm.

The individual noted that the couple, earning a combined income of approximately ₹60 lakh per year, allocates a substantial portion of their finances to education. “When I was going through their yearly cash flow, I was stunned to see ₹11.2 lakh listed just for their single child’s school fees,” the Reddit user stated in the post.

This revelation has sparked discussions regarding the rising costs of education, privilege, and the impact of socioeconomic status on choices in urban India. Many users have chimed in, sharing their perspectives on the implications of such high expenditures. One commenter highlighted that spending at elite institutions is often tied to social networking opportunities, suggesting that parents are buying access to a certain lifestyle for their children.

“Money operates like an old boys’ club… What you’re really buying is the opportunity for your kids to be around the affluent,” the user wrote. Others expressed concern over the exclusivity that high fees create, with one individual remarking, “High fees are a feature, not a bug. These schools are meant to keep the 0.1 per cent in and everyone else out.”

While some defended the idea of elite education, others were more critical. One Redditor mentioned, “Even if I could afford the most expensive schools, I’d still prefer to send my child to a good school, not necessarily a fancy one.” An additional user stated, “I want my kid to stay grounded, connected to reality, and grow up with empathy.”

In a related discussion, a LinkedIn post by Ankur Jhaveri, based in Mumbai, had gone viral earlier in June. Jhaveri estimated that raising a child in a metropolitan area costs around ₹13 lakh per year, which includes school fees, tuition, and other expenses. He suggested that parents would need a gross annual salary of approximately ₹55 lakh to maintain such a lifestyle.

The Reddit post garnered over 1,200 upvotes and has become a focal point for conversations about education costs in India. Many users are now questioning the sustainability of such high expenditures and what they signify about societal values and priorities.

As discussions continue, the stark contrast between the experiences of families investing heavily in elite education and those facing financial constraints is leading to broader conversations about access, equity, and the future of education in urban settings.

The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting (MIB) has reported a significant decline in revenue from Direct-to-Home (DTH) television services for the fiscal year 2025. DTH earnings fell to Rs 648.73 crore, down from Rs 692 crore in the previous year and Rs 859.96 crore in fiscal year 2023. This trend reflects a broader decrease in the pay TV user base, which has dropped markedly in recent years.

Conversely, revenue from the private FM radio sector showed a positive trajectory, increasing to Rs 196.28 crore in FY25, up from Rs 186.80 crore in FY24 and Rs 178.99 crore in FY23. This growth illustrates the enduring popularity of FM radio, particularly in regional and semi-urban areas, as audiences continue to seek diverse entertainment options.

The MIB’s annual report indicates that the ministry collected a total of Rs 1,012.39 crore in non-tax revenue through the Bharatkosh platform on the NTR e-portal in FY25. The ministry is responsible for issuing licenses to various television and radio broadcasters. DTH operators, including major players such as Tata Play, Airtel Digital TV, and Dish TV, as well as public broadcaster Doordarshan’s DD Free Dish, are required to pay licensing fees for their operations.

Declining DTH Subscribers

Data from the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) reveals a steady decline in active DTH subscribers, decreasing from 70.26 million in 2020 to 56.92 million in 2025. The reduction has been gradual, with figures dropping from 69.57 million in 2021, 66.92 million in 2022, 65.25 million in 2023, and 61.97 million in 2024. This trend reflects shifting viewer preferences, with many audiences gravitating towards digital and over-the-top (OTT) platforms for their content consumption.

In a related development, the MIB issued demand notices exceeding Rs 16,000 crore to private DTH operators for outstanding licensing fees. This adds pressure to an industry already grappling with revenue challenges and stiff competition from both OTT services and DD Free Dish. Estimates suggest that DD Free Dish, operated by Prasar Bharati, reaches between 50 million and 60 million households, potentially surpassing the combined reach of private DTH platforms. Notably, DD Free Dish operates on a free-to-air basis, which means it does not contribute to the ministry’s licensing revenue.

FM Radio’s Steady Growth

Despite the challenges facing DTH services, FM radio continues to thrive. The MIB highlighted the medium’s strong position, particularly among youth and local advertisers. FM channels also play a vital role in supporting government communication initiatives, which promote development schemes in remote and border regions. As of March 31, 2024, there were 388 private FM radio channels operating across 113 cities in 26 states and five Union territories. Recent expansions have included new stations in border areas such as Leh and Kargil in Ladakh, along with Bhaderwah, Kathua, and Poonch in Jammu and Kashmir.

In the latest quarter, FM channels reported Rs 466.63 crore in advertising revenue, a slight decline from Rs 500.11 crore in the preceding quarter. This modest decrease underscores the resilience of FM radio amid ongoing changes in the media landscape.

The contrasting trends between declining DTH revenues and the steady growth of FM radio reveal significant shifts in the Indian media industry. As consumer preferences evolve, both sectors face unique challenges and opportunities moving forward.

Equilibrated Venture CFlow, a venture capital fund based in Delhi, has significantly increased its stake in Paisalo Digital Ltd, a company partially owned by the Life Insurance Corporation of India (LIC). This acquisition, which took place between July 24 and July 25, involved the purchase of 74.7 lakh shares in the open market. As a result, Equilibrated Venture CFlow’s overall holding in Paisalo Digital rose to 16.50 per cent, up from 15.67 per cent.

Market Reaction to Share Acquisition

Following this block deal, Paisalo Digital shares ended a three-day winning streak on July 25. The broader market experienced a sharp decline, particularly in financial stocks, which likely triggered profit booking in this small-cap stock. This correction came after an impressive recent uptrend, spurred by the company’s Q1 FY26 results and the announcement of its dividend record date.

The latest shareholding pattern, filed earlier in July, indicates that LIC holds a 1.12 per cent stake, equivalent to 77,59,511 shares, while SBI Life Insurance owns 8.96 per cent of the company. With Equilibrated Venture CFlow’s increased stake, it now stands as one of the largest non-promoter stakeholders in Paisalo Digital.

Investor Interest Following Q1 FY26 Results

Paisalo Digital generated considerable investor interest with its recent Q1 earnings announcement for FY26. Although detailed financials have not yet been publicly disclosed, the anticipation surrounding these results and the dividend record date likely contributed to the stock’s earlier momentum. Further information is expected to be released soon.

Paisalo Digital is classified as a small-cap NBFC, focusing on microfinance, small and medium enterprise (SME) lending, and income generation loans. Its portfolio includes partnerships in rural lending with SBI and extends its services to underbanked regions. Notable investors in the company include LIC, SBI Life, and Equilibrated Venture CFlow.

Despite the recent pullback in share prices, market experts suggest that the continued institutional interest from LIC, SBI Life, and Equilibrated Venture CFlow underscores a long-term confidence in Paisalo Digital’s business model and growth trajectory. Future developments, including financial disclosures, dividend payout details, and broader market cues, will play a crucial role in determining the stock’s next steps.

Investec has elevated its rating for Torrent Pharmaceuticals Ltd. from ‘sell’ to ‘buy’ as the company prepares to acquire a majority stake in JB Chemicals & Pharmaceuticals Ltd.. This acquisition is subject to approval from the Competition Commission of India (CCI). The brokerage has adjusted its target price for Torrent Pharma to Rs 4,100, up from Rs 2,930.

On July 18, 2023, Torrent Pharmaceuticals submitted a request to the CCI for clearance to acquire a majority stake in JB Chemicals, a deal valued at Rs 19,500 crore. If finalized, this merger will position Torrent as India’s second most valuable pharmaceutical company.

Investec underscored that the acquisition of JB Chemicals will enhance Torrent’s standing in the chronic, probiotics, and gastrointestinal sectors in India while broadening its international footprint. Additionally, it will strengthen Torrent’s capabilities in niche lozenge contract development and manufacturing (CDMO).

The target price set by Investec suggests a valuation of 22 times the estimated EBITDA for September 2027 and equates to 42 times the projected earnings per share (EPS) for the same period. Notably, these calculations are based on current estimates for both Torrent and JB, without factoring in potential synergies from the acquisition. The brokerage added that these figures conservatively assume a successful buy-back of JB shares.

Investec believes this acquisition will be accretive to EPS by the fiscal year 2028. The analysts expressed optimism regarding the prospects of JB Chemicals following the takeover, citing Torrent’s proven track record in mergers and acquisitions. They emphasized that it would be prudent to await the completion of the merger before integrating JB’s financials into Torrent’s reports.

Furthermore, Investec indicated that Torrent Pharma is well-positioned to manage its debt obligations over the next two to three years. This assessment reflects confidence in the company’s financial stability, particularly in light of the anticipated growth stemming from the acquisition.

Overall, the upgrade from Investec reflects a positive outlook for Torrent Pharmaceuticals as it embarks on this significant acquisition, aiming to solidify its status in the competitive pharmaceutical landscape.