Brands
Astrotalk logs 50 per cent jump in January queries as love worries dominate
NATIONAL: Astrotalk began 2026 with a rush of cosmic consultations, recording a 50 per cent year-on-year spike in user queries in January as Indians increasingly turned to personalised, on-demand astrology to navigate everyday decisions.
Data from the online astrology platform shows a decisive move away from passive horoscope browsing towards real-time, situation-driven guidance, particularly during high-intent moments such as the start of a new year.
More than half of all queries in January were forward-looking, centred on how the months ahead would shape personal lives across love, careers, finances and health, rather than on generic zodiac predictions.
Love and relationships emerged as the dominant concern, accounting for close to 60 per cent of all questions. Users repeatedly sought clarity on marriage timelines and emotional uncertainty, with queries such as “When will I get married?” and “Will it be a love or arranged marriage?” topping astrologers’ inboxes.
Career and financial anxieties followed, together making up about 28 per cent of total queries. Among the most common questions was “When will I get a job?”, reflecting mounting concern over employment prospects, business stability and income security at the start of the year.
Astrotalk founder and chief executive Puneet Gupta, said the surge reflected a deeper shift in how people engage with astrology.
“Users are no longer checking astrology occasionally,” he said. “They’re turning to it in real time during moments of uncertainty, emotional need and decision-making. Astrology today is less about prediction and more about perspective and reassurance.”
The trend mirrors broader behavioural shifts seen on the platform. Throughout 2025, Astrotalk recorded a 50 per cent rise in job-related anxiety, with growing fears around artificial intelligence and career disruption driving repeated questions such as “Is AI going to take my job?”
Together, the data suggests astrology is becoming woven into daily life: a tool for navigating change rather than forecasting fate.
Digital immediacy has played a central role in this transformation. Unlike traditional astrology consumption, which was periodic and ritual-based, today’s consultations are increasingly spontaneous and context-specific, shaped by fast-paced, decision-heavy modern lifestyles.
Founded in 2017 and headquartered in Noida, Astrotalk connects users with astrologers through chat and voice services. The platform now hosts around 20,000 astrologers and serves users across India as well as markets including the United States, United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, the Middle East and Southeast Asia. It has also expanded into astrology-based products through its subsidiary, Astrotalk Store.
Brands
Vodafone Idea elevates Vineeth Jayendranath as VP, marketing head Mumbai
Telecom marketer takes charge of Mumbai circle with growth and brand focus
MUMBAI: Vodafone Idea Limited has promoted Vineeth Jayendranath to vice president, marketing head for the Mumbai circle, marking a key milestone in his career as the telecom operator sharpens its regional strategy.
In his new role, Jayendranath will lead marketing efforts across prepaid and postpaid segments in one of the country’s most competitive telecom markets. His mandate includes driving revenue growth, strengthening brand positioning, and deepening customer engagement, while also managing profit and loss responsibilities for the circle.
Sharing the update, Vineeth Jayendranath said, “Excited to share, I am starting my new stint as Vice President, Marketing Head for Mumbai circle at Vodafone Idea Ltd. Would like to thank everyone who has supported me in this journey.”
Jayendranath brings over 12 years of experience spanning telecom and IT, with a strong focus on customer value management and data-led marketing. Since joining Vodafone Idea, he has held multiple leadership roles, most recently serving as general manager leading customer value management and prepaid business across Gujarat, Maharashtra and Goa.
During this period, he handled large subscriber bases and multi-billion rupee revenue portfolios, while rolling out hyper-personalised campaigns and a “segment of one” strategy to improve customer retention and upgrades. He also championed a digital-first approach, pushing adoption of data services and unlimited plans through targeted, insight-driven initiatives.
Earlier, he worked with Idea Cellular Ltd in strategy and business intelligence roles, and began his career at Infosys as a systems engineer. A brief stint at Hyundai Motor India Ltd during his internship added early exposure to marketing strategy.
An alumnus of SVKM’s Narsee Monjee Institute of Management Studies, Jayendranath has steadily built a reputation for combining analytics with marketing execution.
His elevation comes as telecom players double down on circle-level strategies to stay competitive, and Vodafone Idea appears to be betting on data-backed marketing to keep Mumbai firmly in its corner.
