Brands
Glance-upGrad partner up to tackle India’s 13.4 per cent unemployment rate
MUMBAI: Imagine unlocking your phone and unlocking your future at the same time.
In a world where smart screens are as essential as the air we breathe, Glance and upGrad are reshaping how we learn and grow. This groundbreaking collaboration turns your lock screen into a gateway of endless possibilities, offering free, job-ready skills through upGrad’s Intern-Zip programme.
With the swipe of a finger, millions of young Indians now have access to life-changing upskilling opportunities, proving that in the 21st century, innovation and ambition go hand in hand.
Glance reaches 235 million users daily, nearly 47 per cent of whom are under the age of 24—making it a strategic platform to connect with young Indians. Within three weeks of the launch, upGrad’s content has garnered over 100 million views (glances) on lock screens, underscoring the programme’s reach and impact.
The Intern-Zip programme, designed for individuals aged 20-24, aims to address India’s 13.4 per cent unemployment rate among graduates by equipping them with skills for professional success. Courses include foundational topics such as technical expertise, soft skills, and professional development, all accessible directly from the users’ lock screens.
InMobi co-founder & Glance COO & president, Piyush Shah expressed optimism about the initiative, “With Glance, we’re not only reaching millions—we’re empowering them to seize opportunities and inspire them to discover something new every moment. By bringing upGrad’s workforce-ready content directly on smart lock screens, we’re equipping users with technical expertise, soft skills, and professional development tools.”
upGrad co-founder, Mayank Kumar highlighted the relevance of skilling in a transforming economy, “India has now become a global epicentre of learning and skilling, and this is the most opportune time to scale our value proposition to a different demographic altogether. Partnering with Glance allows us to expand our reach and leverage smart tech integration, further reinforcing our commitment to this cause.”
Glance chief marketing officer, Bikash Chowdhury underscored the programme’s alignment with India’s broader economic goals, “As India works towards becoming a $5 trillion economy, a skilled, adaptable workforce is essential for sustaining growth and solidifying the nation’s standing as a global talent hub. Our goal with the Glance for Good programme is to inspire positive behaviour and drive large-scale, real-world impact.”
By combining Glance’s AI-driven lock screen platform, available in seven Indian languages, with upGrad’s expertise in skilling, the initiative creates an unparalleled opportunity to empower India’s youth and address the evolving demands of a tech-driven economy.
Brands
YES Bank hands the keys to SBI veteran Vinay Tonse as it bets on a new era
Former SBI managing director appointed as YES Bank’s new MD and CEO
MUMBAI: YES Bank is done rebuilding. Now it wants to grow. The private sector lender has appointed Vinay Muralidhar Tonse as managing director and chief executive officer-designate, with RBI approval secured and a start date of April 6, 2026 confirmed. The three-year term signals the bank’s intent to shift gears from crisis recovery to full-throttle expansion.
Tonse, 60, is no stranger to scale. Most recently managing director at State Bank of India, he oversaw a retail book of roughly $800bn in deposits and advances, one of the largest in the country. Before that, he ran SBI Mutual Fund from August 2020 to December 2022, a stint that saw assets under management surge from Rs 4.32 lakh crore to Rs 7.32 lakh crore across market cycles. Add stints in Singapore and four years leading SBI’s overseas operations in Osaka, and the incoming chief arrives with a genuinely global CV.
His academic grounding is equally solid: a commerce degree from St Joseph’s College of Commerce, Bengaluru, and a master’s in commerce from Bangalore University.
The appointment follows an extensive search and evaluation process by the bank’s Nomination and Remuneration Committee. NRC chairperson Nandita Gurjar said the committee unanimously backed Tonse, citing his leadership track record, governance credentials and ability to drive the bank’s next phase of transformation.
Non-executive chairman Rama Subramaniam Gandhi was unequivocal. “I am certain that Vinay Tonse, with his vast experience as a senior banker, will propel YES Bank to its next phase of growth,” Gandhi said, adding that the bank remains focused on strengthening its retail and corporate banking franchises and expanding its branch network.
Rajeev Kannan, non-executive director and senior executive at Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation, the bank’s largest shareholder, said Tonse’s experience across retail, corporate banking, global markets and asset management positioned him well to lead the lender. SMBC said it looks forward to working with Tonse and the board as YES Bank pursues its ambition of becoming a top-tier private sector lender anchored in strong governance and sustainable growth.
Tonse succeeds Prashant Kumar, who took the helm in March 2020 when YES Bank was in freefall following a severe financial crisis, and spent six years painstakingly stabilising the institution, rebuilding governance and restoring operational scale. Gandhi was generous: “The bank remains indebted to Prashant Kumar, who is responsible for much of what a strong financial powerhouse YES Bank is today.”
Tonse, for his part, struck a purposeful note. “Together with the board and my colleagues, I remain deeply committed to creating long-term value for all our stakeholders,” he said, pledging to build on Kumar’s foundation guided by his personal motto: Make A Difference.
Beyond the balance sheet, Tonse played cricket at college and club level and represented Karnataka in archery at the national championships — sports he credits with teaching him teamwork, situational leadership, discipline and focus. In quieter moments, he reaches for retro Kannada music, classic Hindi songs, and the crooning of Engelbert Humperdinck, Mukesh and Kishore Kumar.
YES Bank has its steady-handed rebuilder in Kumar to thank for survival. Now it has a scale-obsessed growth banker at the wheel. The next chapter starts April 6.
