NPCI International and Uzbekistan's NIPC have partnered to enable UPI payments across Uzbekistan, allowing Indian tourists, business travellers, and students to make instant merchant payments using the UZQR code. This agreement, approved by RBI and CBU, integrates UPI with Uzbekistan's national payment system, HUMO, facilitating direct P2M payments from Indian bank accounts and reducing reliance on foreign exchange or international cards.
Ultra-personalisation is the new standard for Indian tourists.
Indian tourists can now use the Unified Payments Interface (UPI) to book tickets online for Dubai's Burj Khalifa and major attractions in Singapore, including Universal Studios. This initiative, facilitated by NPCI International Payments Ltd (NIPL) through strategic partnerships, aims to simplify international travel payments for Indians and strengthen digital and economic links with these countries.
A Nepali national was arrested at Lucknow's Chaudhary Charan Singh Airport for allegedly travelling on an Indian passport obtained through fabricated documents. He was apprehended on October 28 after arriving from Dubai. Investigations revealed he used forged documents to create an Indian identity, possibly to evade online gambling charges in Nepal.
'One important clarification is that the reported US action is not a blanket cancellation of all US tourist visas.'
'India was the emirate's largest international source market by hotel guest volume.'
An Indian national was killed and another passenger injured when two helicopters collided while landing in Nepal's Solukhumbu district on Tuesday. The incident involved helicopters from Fishtail Air and Air Dynasty near Mt Everest Base Camp, with both Nepalese pilots also sustaining injuries.
Indian shuttler Tanvi Patri, 15, is set to compete at the Dakar Youth Olympics, balancing rising expectations after her Asian Under-17 title and maiden senior international win. She aims to stay focused on her game, drawing on her diverse international experience and recent successes, including becoming the first Indian to win both Asian U-15 and U-17 titles.
India's top-ranked player Vaishnavi Adkar and Sahaja Yamalapalli are set to compete in the WTA 250 Chennai Open, facing tough international opponents in the first round. Seventeen-year-old Maaya Rajeshwaran Revathi also has a challenging draw. This marks the final edition of the Chennai Open as the WTA 250 slot moves to Manila next year. Meanwhile, all four Indian players in the qualifying rounds were eliminated.
The number of Indians travelling abroad for education fell from 908,364 in 2023 to 770,127 in 2024 and 626,606 in 2025.
Gokulam Kerala FC secured a dramatic 3-2 victory over debutants Samaleswari SC in their Indian Football League opener, with Crislan Da Silva scoring twice, including the winner in the seventh minute of stoppage time. Samaleswari fought back from a two-goal deficit to level the score before Crislan's late header sealed the win for the two-time champions.
India has issued a new advisory for its citizens in Saudi Arabia, urging them to follow local instructions, stay indoors during aerial attacks, and be aware of ongoing flight disruptions. The advisory follows an October 10 attack on Riyadh airport that injured several Indians, with some still hospitalised. Major Indian airlines have cancelled flights to Saudi cities until late October, impacting travellers and Umrah pilgrims.
Flight disruptions between India and Saudi Arabia are continuing, with Akasa Air extending its service suspensions to Jeddah until November 18 and Riyadh until November 30. This follows similar suspensions by Air India and Air India Express until November 14, all due to the prevailing security situation and attacks on infrastructure in Saudi Arabia. The Indian Embassy has advised nationals to remain vigilant and is assisting affected travellers.
Indian AI startups are finding it challenging to secure their first few US customers due to the demand for proven track records, high local hiring costs, and visa hurdles, even as venture capital firms launch programmes to facilitate their entry into the American market.
Civil Aviation Minister K Rammohan Naidu announced that the government will not impose a cap on airfares during the upcoming festive season. Instead, airlines will be advised to maintain reasonable prices, considering the rising operating costs primarily due to increased Aviation Turbine Fuel (ATF) prices, exacerbated by the West Asia crisis.
India has advised its nationals to postpone travel to Iran and urged those already there to consider leaving due to increasing instability and conflict in the region. The advisory from the Indian Embassy in Tehran highlights heightened caution and the need to monitor the security situation.
Two-time Olympic medallist PV Sindhu has called for continued institutional support for Indian badminton players, highlighting the significant financial challenges faced by younger shuttlers without sponsors. She pointed out the vast disparity in prize money between tennis and badminton, despite similar high expenses for international competitions. Sindhu's comments come after she and Lakshya Sen had to self-fund their recent European tour, prompting a discussion on investment in India's sporting future.
India has issued an advisory for its nationals in Saudi Arabia to remain vigilant and stay indoors due to an escalating security situation involving Houthi attacks on civilian infrastructure, including airports. The advisory also cautions against circulating related news and confirms the normal functioning of Indian diplomatic missions. Flight services from India to Riyadh have been cancelled by Air India and Air India Express until October 10 following the attacks.
India has issued an advisory for its nationals in Saudi Arabia, urging them to stay indoors during aerial attacks and follow local instructions, amidst ongoing tensions and drone/missile attacks by Houthi rebels. The advisory follows an attack on Riyadh airport that killed one Indian national and injured several others, leading to flight suspensions by Indian carriers.
Goa is actively expanding its tourism appeal beyond traditional beaches by strategically positioning itself as a premier international destination for sporting events. This initiative aims to attract athletes and sports enthusiasts globally, diversify tourism offerings, and ensure year-round visitor engagement, fostering economic opportunities for local communities.
Two-thirds of India's 160 airports, approximately 120, have very low utilisation rates, with only 40 operating at 70-80 per cent capacity.
Indian Hotels Company (IHCL) reported a healthy 14.6 per cent consolidated revenue growth in Q1 FY27, largely driven by a robust 17.6 per cent increase in domestic operations, offsetting geopolitical disruptions. Brokerages anticipate sustained growth, with Motilal Oswal Research projecting 12-14 per cent growth in FY27, supported by strong leisure demand and an asset-light expansion pipeline.
India has issued a fresh advisory for its nationals, particularly Umrah pilgrims, in Saudi Arabia due to ongoing flight cancellations and regional tensions. The Indian Consulate in Jeddah is providing assistance, coordinating with Saudi authorities, and helping facilitate the early return of affected individuals amidst disruptions caused by drone and missile attacks.
Five Indian track and field athletes, including pole vaulter Sindhushree Ganesh and triple jumper Asha Ilango, who faced visa delays, have now received their travel documents and are set to join the Asian Games contingent in Japan. They will participate in an acclimatisation camp before the athletics competition begins.
A 41-year-old man from Mangaluru, employed in Israel, has been missing since October 16, prompting his family to seek urgent intervention from the Indian embassy in Tel Aviv and Israeli police.
India faces a challenging Asian Para Games in Aichi-Nagoya with a significantly smaller contingent of 168 athletes, down from 303. While aiming to build on its record 111-medal haul from the last Games, selection disputes in para-shooting and para-cycling, coupled with reduced athlete numbers in key disciplines like para-athletics, pose hurdles. Despite these challenges, star athletes across para-athletics, archery, para-badminton, shooting, and table tennis are expected to lead India's medal charge.
Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw announced the approval of the north corridor of the bullet train project by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, highlighting its 'Make in India' aspect and potential to transform lives. The corridor will connect major cities from Delhi to Guwahati, significantly reducing travel times. Vaishnaw also launched new Vande Bharat Sleeper Express and MEMU services in Varanasi, while criticising previous governments' railway budgets for Uttar Pradesh.
Airfares to Southeast Asia have surged 25 to 30 per cent, driven by high demand and limited airline seat capacity.
Indian cricket fans travelled thousands of kilometres, paying exorbitant prices for tickets and travel, to witness the India-Pakistan men's cricket final at the Asian Games in Nagoya, Japan, creating an atmosphere reminiscent of a stadium back home.
India has clarified its policy regarding participation in the 2027 South Asian Federation (SAF) Games in Pakistan, stating decisions will align with national sports policies and international governing bodies. While bilateral sporting engagements with Pakistan remain suspended, Indian athletes are permitted to compete in multilateral events. The government also aims to simplify visa processes to position India as a global sports hosting destination.
Indian trap shooter Neeru Dhanda, who secured two gold medals and a silver, served as India's flag-bearer at the closing ceremony of the 2026 Asian Games in Aichi-Nagoya, marking a historic campaign for the country.
Legendary Uruguayan striker Diego Forlan, now coaching Uruguay, believes India can significantly improve its football standing despite cricket's dominance. He emphasizes the importance of grassroots development, strong domestic leagues, and consistent exposure to high-level international competition to nurture young talent and elevate the sport in the country. Forlan also shared his positive experiences with Indian football passion during his ISL stint.
Delhi Police have arrested two men for allegedly operating a fake Russian Embassy recruitment website, duping Indian job seekers. The scam involved creating fraudulent profiles and collecting fees for fictitious jobs. The investigation, initiated after a complaint from the Russian Embassy, has identified around 50 suspicious transactions and at least 17 victims.
A 24-member Indian shooting contingent, led by Olympic bronze medallists Swapnil Kusale and Sarabjot Singh, will compete at the ISSF World Cup Rifle/Pistol in Cairo starting Saturday. The squad, which recently completed a national camp, will participate in eight individual Olympic disciplines and two mixed team events, featuring a mix of experienced Olympians and promising young talent.
The reduction is primarily driven by high airfares, increased fuel costs, and rupee depreciation, leading to softer passenger demand.
Indian athletes at the Asian Games in Nagoya are facing significant accommodation challenges, including cramped rooms on a cruise ship and long waits for check-in. The host nation's athletes are also affected, with complaints about shared rooms and general mismanagement. Organisers have opted against a traditional Athletes Village, leading to athletes travelling long distances for training, further exacerbating the logistical issues ahead of the mega-event.
An Indian captain and Israeli passengers on a Flydubai flight from Dubai to Tel Aviv heroically fought off a co-pilot who allegedly attempted to crash the aircraft, forcing an emergency landing in Saudi Arabia.
Police in Bihar's East Champaran district arrested a man with counterfeit Indian currency notes worth Rs 4.95 lakh. The arrest occurred during a vehicle checking drive on Monday evening, following a tip-off. An investigation is currently underway.
Indian-origin chess prodigy Bodhana Sivanandan, aged 11, has been crowned the youngest Woman Grandmaster (WGM) while representing England at the 46th Chess Olympiad in Uzbekistan. This achievement adds to her growing list of records, including being the youngest person to represent England internationally in any sport. She is now one step closer to becoming an International Master.
Boxing Federation of India (BFI) president Ajay Singh has been deemed ineligible to contest for a place on World Boxing's Executive Board in its November 20 elections. His candidature was rejected on technical grounds not related to boxing. Meanwhile, Singh has questioned the legitimacy of a meeting held by a rival BFI faction last week, which aimed to move a no-confidence motion against him.
