Technology, in all its glory, has been around to make people’s lives easier. However, despite all the greatness that comes with technology, the world has been using it for all the wrong reasons. Thankfully, there are some startups working toward making the world a better place by using technology for the good, rather than the bad. Here are a couple of green tech startups making things better, one project at a time!
1. HelpUs Green
Based out of Kanpur and founded in the year 2015, HelpUs Green was founded with the sole aim of saving the Ganges. Through the startup, the founders (Ankit Agarwal and Karan Rastogi) are working at collecting the waste strewn in and around the mosques and temples of Uttar Pradesh. Post collection, the startup works at recycling and reusing the collected waste in a manner beneficial to the environment. This startup has helped protect over 1,200 rural families in the area by giving them a way of life. Till date, HelpUs Green has worked to prevent close to 1,000 kg of toxic pesticides, insecticides and chemical waste from filtering and festering in the Ganges. Furthermore, the startup has also helped improve the lifestyle of the women in these villages by leaps and bounds, giving them a new lease of life with whatever they do.
2. Gram Power
Launched in the year 2010 by Yashraj Khaitan and Jacob Dickinson, Gram Power provides cutting edge smart grid technology to address the growing electricity concerns in the country. From setting up India’s first Solar Powered Smart Microgrid in Khareda Lakshmipura (Rajasthan,) to now providing energy for light bulbs, buttermilk churners, television and fans to over 30 remote areas across rural India, Gram Power is working at improving the country’s electricity situation by using renewable energy sources!
3. Husk Power Systems
It is often said the real secret to energy lies in the countryside. Unfortunately, because of the severe lack of facilities in the area, these resources are largely left untapped. Husk Power Systems, a startup based out of Bihar, realised this gap between resources and technology and decided to work on what was available and set out to improve the situation. By using a biomass gasifier for electricity generation, each of the plants owned by this startup is currently helping over 400 households in rural areas. Not only does Husk Power Systems save over 18,000 liters of diesel and 42,000 liters of kerosene, this startup has worked at improving the health and living conditions of people in inaccessible areas.
4. Chakr Innovation
Launched in the year 2016 by Arpit Dhupar, Kushagra Srivastava and Prateek Sachan, Chakr Innovation is a unique startup in more ways than one. The group of friends came together when they realised pollution could be curbed in a safe and economical way. By creating the Chakr Shield, Chakr Innovation aims at removing diesel soot from generators and converts the removed soot to inks and paints. Not only does this help in reducing the amount of waste, it also helps in clearing up extremely disastrous pollution.
5. Digital Green
Digital Green, a not for profit organisation, works with organisations and technology in an attempt to help improve the health, nutrition and agriculture situations of the rural areas. From creating interactive videos to building platforms that foster growth to creating an improved standard of living for these people, Digital Green has worked since its inception to improve the world around them, one village at a time!
It is worth appreciating the efforts when technology is used to benefit the world, rather than harm it and these startups are doing exactly that! If you know any other startups doing the same, comment and let us know!
Apple’s recent iOS 18.7 rollout provides a secure alternative to the visually revamped iOS 26, empowering iPhone users to choose between system stability and next-generation features. While iOS 18.7 focuses on important security updates and bug fixes, it maintains the familiar iOS experience for users of older devices like iPhone XS, XS Max, XR, and SE models up to the 16e. The update is lightweight—about one-fifteenth the size of iOS 26—which means quicker downloads and less storage consumption. It’s designed for reliability and fast installation, making it ideal for users who prioritize a stable and secure operating system over design changes.
In contrast, iOS 26 introduces Apple’s ambitious “Liquid Glass” interface with a transparent look across apps, enhanced widget and lock screen customization, smarter Siri, and improved camera controls. These innovations, however, come with a larger update size and compatibility exclusive to newer iPhones beginning from the iPhone 11 series. While early adopters can enjoy the futuristic interface and AI-powered upgrades, major OS launches may present initial bugs or app compatibility issues that cautious users typically wish to avoid.
Choosing between iOS 18.7 and iOS 26 depends on each user’s priorities—those seeking guaranteed stability and fast security fixes should consider sticking with iOS 18.7, while users excited about premium features and visual changes should migrate to iOS 26 if their device supports it. Both updates are available through Software Update settings, and Apple will support iOS 18.7 for only a limited duration, eventually encouraging all users to transition to the latest platform. This dual update strategy ensures every iPhone user can safely update their device for a seamless and secure experience in 2025.
Apple’s upcoming iOS 26 introduces a new privacy-focused safety feature for FaceTime that automatically pauses both video and audio calls when nudity is detected on camera. This feature, discovered in the iOS 26 developer beta, is part of Apple’s expanded Communication Safety suite aimed primarily at protecting children from exposure to inappropriate content during live video chats. When nudity is detected, FaceTime freezes the call and displays a warning message, allowing users to either resume or end the call.
The nudity detection runs entirely on-device using advanced machine learning, ensuring that no images or videos are sent to Apple’s servers, thereby preserving user privacy. Although originally designed for child accounts as part of family safety tools announced at WWDC 2025, the feature currently appears active on all accounts in the beta version, including adults, which has sparked discussion about its broader application. Apple stresses that this local processing method keeps user data private while providing real-time protection against sensitive content during FaceTime calls.
Alongside this new safety measure, iOS 26 brings several other updates across the Apple ecosystem, including a new Liquid Glass design and enhancements to Messages, Wallet, and CarPlay. While the FaceTime nudity detection feature has not yet been confirmed for the final public release, its presence in the beta underscores Apple’s commitment to balancing user safety with privacy in an increasingly connected world. The full rollout later this year will clarify how widely the feature will be applied and whether users will have control over its activation
Zoho Corporation has won the Indian Web Browser Development Challenge (IWBDC), an initiative by the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) aimed at promoting digital independence. Announced on March 20, 2025, the challenge sought to develop a secure, indigenous web browser as part of the ‘Aatmanirbhar Bharat’ initiative.
Challenge Overview
The IWBDC encouraged the creation of a homegrown web browser that complies with India’s data protection laws. Out of 434 registered teams, only eight reached the final stage, which involved three evaluation phases: ideation, prototype development, and productization.
Winners and Recognition
Zoho’s web browser, named Ulaa, won the top prize of ₹1 crore for its advanced security features and privacy-focused design. The name “Ulaa,” meaning “journey” in Tamil, signifies its mission to enhance online browsing experiences. Team PING and Team Ajna secured second and third places, winning ₹75 lakh and ₹50 lakh respectively. A special mention was awarded to “Jio Vishwakarma” for their innovative cross-platform design.
Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw praised the challenge as a significant step toward establishing an indigenous digital ecosystem in India, emphasizing the importance of self-reliance in technology.
Importance of an Indigenous Browser
The development of an Indian web browser is crucial for ensuring data security and compliance with national regulations. It aims to keep user data within India’s borders and reduce reliance on foreign technology.
Future Prospects
The new browser is designed to be compatible with major operating systems like iOS, Windows, and Android, ensuring accessibility for a wide range of users. This initiative reflects India’s growing technological capabilities and highlights the potential for innovation from smaller cities beyond traditional tech hubs.
Zoho’s success with Ulaa marks a pivotal moment in India’s journey toward digital self-reliance, as the government continues to support domestic innovation and empower local talent in shaping the future of technology.