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Ecommerce Giants Flipkart And Amazon Violating FDI Rules – Indian Cellular Association
Indian and international ecommerce giants like Flipkart and Amazon have been allegedly violating Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) rules according to handset maker’s lobby group Indian Cellular Association (ICA.)
According to reports, the lobby group representatives have also met with Commerce Minister Suresh Prabhu to take action against Flipkart and Amazon. ICA alleges the ecommerce platforms offer direct and indirect discounts on mobile phones and other products circumventing rules under Press Note 3 on FDI. Representatives who met with Suresh Prabhu recently explained the ecommerce companies were holding inventory and influencing the prices of electronic goods, thereby, eroding offline retailers’ revenue and putting at risk the jobs of nearly 60 million people.
In a letter addressed to Mr. Prabhu, ICA added, “In the view of the alarming situation that the industry and India are facing, we request urgent and severe action against Amazon India and Flipkart for rampant violations of the conditions of Press Note 3 by both, directly and indirectly, influencing the sale price of mobile phones and other goods.”
The lobby group, according to a report by ET Now, is seeking necessary amendments in Press Note 3 and other linked laws to ensure strict action against the violators under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act. At present, the ICA represents several mobile makers in India, including Micromax, Apple, Nokia, Vivo, Lava, Lenovo and Motorola. ICA further added the ecommerce platforms involve various intermediaries and support entities in the chain to camouflage both discounts and losses. “With these intermediaries, both Amazon India and Flipkart are able to pass discounts, without booking the same in their own books. The breakdown of expenditure in various deals keeps changing to make detection difficult,” ICA added.
Under Press Note 3, 100% FI in India is only allowed when companies are engaged in business to business sales and not in business to consumer transactions. Therefore, ecommerce firms like Amazon and Flipkart can only function as a marketplace to connect buyers and sellers, and not influence prices.
This is not the first time ecommerce platforms have been blamed for offering heavy discounts. However, Amazon denied all allegations and a spokesperson said, “Amazon remains committed to comply and is in compliance with all applicable Indian laws and regulations. The prices for products on the Amazon.in marketplace are completely determined by the sellers.” Flipkart is yet to respond to these allegations.
Bengaluru, January 13, 2026 Dazzl, the D2C beauty startup revolutionizing AI personalized skincare India, secured $3.2 million in seed funding led by OYO founder Ritesh Agarwal’s venture arm. Co-investors include Snapdeal’s Rohit Bansal and Fireside Ventures, valuing Dazzl at $15 million post-money. Founded in 2024 by IIT alumni Priya Singh and Arjun Mehta, the app uses smartphone scans for custom serums, boasting 50,000+ users and ₹5 crore ARR amid India’s $25 billion beauty market surge.
Ritesh Agarwal praised Dazzl’s tech: “Personalization is beauty’s future, like OYO’s guest model.” Funds target R&D for 100+ skin profiles, Gujarat manufacturing under PLI, Instagram/Nykaa campaigns, and 50 hires. In a 20% YoY growing sector (Redseer 2025), Dazzl edges Mamaearth and Plum with 95% AI precision, 90% natural formulas, ₹499 kits, 65% retention (vs. 40% avg), and viral TikTok traction in 10 cities.
D2C beauty startup Dazzl tackles regulations via FSSAI compliance, eyeing $10B e-commerce beauty by 2028 and MENA exports. Q2 haircare launches and Series A loom, with Agarwal’s backing signaling unicorn potential for sustainable beauty products India. Dazzl blends AI with clean beauty for 500M+ consumers.
Google has launched the Google Startup Hub Hyderabad, a major step in strengthening India’s dynamic startup ecosystem. This new initiative aims to empower entrepreneurs, innovators, and developers by giving them access to Google’s global expertise, mentoring programs, and advanced cloud technology. The hub reflects Google’s mission to fuel India’s digital transformation and promote innovation through the Google for Startups program.
Located in the heart of one of India’s top tech cities, the Google Startup Hub in Hyderabad will host mentorship sessions, training workshops, and networking events designed for early-stage startups. Founders will receive Google Cloud credits, expert guidance in AI, product development, and business scaling, and opportunities to collaborate with Google’s global mentors and investors. This ecosystem aims to help Indian startups grow faster and compete globally.
With Hyderabad already home to tech giants like Google, Microsoft, and Amazon, the launch of the Google Startup Hub Hyderabad further cements the city’s position as a leading innovation and technology hub in India. Backed by a strong talent pool and robust infrastructure, this hub is set to become a growth engine for next-generation startups, driving innovation from India to global markets.
BMW quietly debuted its new logo on the all-electric iX3, marking a significant yet understated shift in the brand’s design direction for 2025. The updated emblem retains the classic roundel and Bavarian blue-and-white colors, but sharp-eyed enthusiasts noticed subtle refinements: the inner chrome ring has been removed, dividing lines between blue and white are gone, and the logo now features a contemporary satin matte black background with slimmer “BMW” lettering. These enhancements showcase BMW’s embrace of modern minimalism while reinforcing their commitment to premium aesthetics and the innovative Neue Klasse philosophy for future electric vehicles.
Unlike rival automakers that reveal dramatic logo changes, BMW’s refresh is evolutionary and respectful of tradition. The new badge ditches decorative chrome and blue borders associated with earlier electric models, resulting in a flatter, more digital-friendly design that mirrors recent branding seen in BMW’s digital communications. Appearing first on the iX3’s nose, steering wheel, and hub caps, this updated identity will gradually be adopted across all BMW models—both electric and combustion—signaling a unified brand language for years to come.
BMW’s strategic logo update represents more than just aesthetic reinvention—it underscores the brand’s dedication to future-ready mobility, design continuity, and a premium EV experience. As the new roundel begins rolling out on upcoming BMW vehicles, it stands as a testament to the automaker’s depth of detail and thoughtful evolution, offering subtle distinction for keen observers and affirming BMW’s iconic status in the ever-changing automotive landscape.
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