RBI Governor Sanjay Malhotra stated it is "premature" to discuss the implementation of Merchant Discount Rate (MDR) for digital payments, advising a "wait-and-watch" approach. He emphasised that investment in public payment infrastructure is necessary and someone must bear the cost, whether through taxes or MDR. The government is currently working on amendments to relevant statutes, and the RBI is focused on strengthening this infrastructure.
Indian golfers Shubhankar Sharma and Anirban Lahiri are set to lead the home challenge at the DP World India Championship, scheduled for October 15-18 at the Delhi Golf Club. The tournament will feature a star-studded international field including Major winner Rory McIlroy, Tommy Fleetwood, Ryan Fox, Shane Lowry, Justin Rose, Luke Donald, and Viktor Hovland. Both Sharma and Lahiri expressed excitement about competing on home soil, highlighting the event's significance for Indian golf.
Young Indian cyclist Harshita Jakhar has made history by becoming the first Indian woman to participate in the Tour de France Femmes. The 19-year-old led a pack of international cyclists during a ceremonial start at Stage 2 of the prestigious race, an opportunity provided by the UCI World Cycling Talent programme. Jakhar, who aims for medals in future Asian Games, expressed her gratitude for the chance to ride in her dream event.
Sharmila Dhankar of India has won a gold medal in the women's shot put F57 event at the Commonwealth Games, achieving a season-best throw of 9.81m.
Indian shuttler Ashmita Chaliha has advanced to her maiden BWF World Tour singles final at the Korea Masters Super 300, defeating compatriot Rakshitha Ramraj. Chaliha, returning from injury, will now face China's Han Qianxi for the title, marking a significant achievement for Indian badminton.
Indian shuttlers Devika Sihag and HS Prannoy faced early exits on the opening day of the USD 2,000,000 China Masters. Devika fought hard in a three-game match, while Prannoy suffered a straight-game defeat. PV Sindhu, Lakshya Sen, and Ayush Shetty are set to play on Wednesday.
The Paralympic Committee of India (PCI) and the Cerebral Palsy Sports Federation of India (CPSFI) have signed an MoU to jointly bid for the 2029 World Abilitysport Games, aiming to host over 1,500 athletes and showcase India's growing Paralympic movement.
This article provides a detailed schedule of Indian athletes participating in various events on the fourth day of the Commonwealth Games. It covers boxing, gymnastics, lawn bowls, swimming, and weightlifting, highlighting key matches and finals.
Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviya affirmed India's commitment to hosting the 2030 Centenary Commonwealth Games in Ahmedabad, promising an exceptional event and a lasting institutional legacy. He highlighted India's support for governance reforms, anti-doping measures, and initiatives like Khelo India, while also advocating for a stronger, member-driven framework for Commonwealth sports.
Two promising Indian amateur golfers, Guntas Kaur Sandhu and Ceerat Kang, are set to represent India at the Malaysia Ladies Open Amateur. Ceerat, ranked No. 1 in the IGU merit list, and Guntas, ranked No. 2, bring strong track records to the international competition, which features around 40 golfers from 20 countries.
Digital payments firm PhonePe has launched PulsePro, an enterprise intelligence platform providing businesses with aggregated and anonymised transaction data. This platform offers near real-time market insights at granular levels, helping companies track consumer spending, identify growth opportunities, and make informed expansion decisions across India.
Commonwealth Games gold medallist Soman Rana has highlighted the critical need for increased corporate support and permanent jobs for Indian para-athletes. He stressed that financial security is vital for athletes to focus on training and achieve consistent international success, including at events like the Paralympics and Para Asian Games. His views were echoed by PCI president Devendra Jhajharia and M3M Foundation chairperson Payal Kanodia, who noted the growing recognition and support for the Paralympic movement in India.
Jamshedpur FC players, including senior India footballers, have made an emotional appeal to the Tata Group to reverse its decision to withdraw the club from the Indian Super League (ISL) and dismantle the senior team, citing the impact on young players and the future of Indian football.
Mumbai-based racer Aditya Patnaik achieved his maiden international victory by winning Round 3 of the Sporting Class at the Gold Vios Championship Malaysia. After finishing third in Race 1, Patnaik secured the top spot in Race 2 at the Sepang International Circuit, earning MYR 15,000.
Vidarsa K Vinod, a 27-year-old rifle shooter from Kozhikode, has secured a spot in the Indian squad for the Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games. Her path from an NCC introduction to elite competition was marked by financial struggles, training with borrowed equipment, and overcoming setbacks like the COVID-19 pandemic. With crucial support from her family, husband, and the National Centre of Excellence, she now aims to become the World No. 1 in her sport.
Defending champions NorthEast United FC secured a resounding 6-0 victory over Bodoland FC in their opening Group F fixture of the 135th Durand Cup. Alaaeddine Ajaraie led the charge with a hat-trick, supported by goals from Lalrinzuala Lalbiaknia, Redeem Tlang, and Antonio Moyano, showcasing a commanding performance.
Indian quarter-miler Vishal TK, fresh from a historic season where he became the first Indian man to break the 45-second barrier in the 400m, is set to make his Commonwealth Games debut in Glasgow. The 22-year-old, a four-time national champion and a key member of India's relay teams, is confident of delivering a breakthrough performance, crediting his rigorous training at Inspire Institute of Sports and the support system for his preparation. He aims to continue raising the bar for Indian athletics on the global stage.
Haryana's Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini reviewed the progress of the Haryana AI Development Programme (HAIDP), a Rs 474-crore initiative developed with the World Bank, focusing on AI skilling, startup incubation, and ethical AI governance.
Reigning Indian Super League champions East Bengal are set to face Kuwaiti league runners-up Al Arabi SC in a critical AFC Champions League Two preliminary-stage knockout fixture. The single-leg qualifier will determine a spot in the group stage, with East Bengal navigating squad challenges under new coach Antonio Lopez Habas.
Brand USA, the destination marketing organisation for the United States, has launched a new social-first series called 'More to Love'. This campaign aims to leverage the success of the FIFA World Cup 2026, which was hosted across the US, Canada, and Mexico, to encourage international fans to return and explore more of the country's diverse attractions, including its national parks and various states. The campaign is being amplified globally, including in India.
Indian swimmer Srihari Nataraj has successfully qualified for the 100m backstroke semifinals at the Commonwealth Games, finishing 13th overall. However, veteran Sajan Prakash failed to advance past the Heats in the 50m butterfly event, clocking well below his personal best. Prakash also had an underwhelming performance in the 200m butterfly finals earlier.
Telangana Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy congratulated badminton star PV Sindhu on her maiden Super 750 title win at the Japan Open in Tokyo. Sindhu defeated Akane Yamaguchi in straight games, marking a significant achievement for Indian sports and inspiring youth.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi lauded Indian students for their exceptional performance at the International Biology and Chemistry Olympiads, where they secured multiple medals, including Gold. Modi highlighted the global impact of India's youth and expressed pride in their scientific achievements, hoping to inspire more young minds.
Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviya led a cycling rally in Glasgow, engaging the Indian community to promote healthy living and encourage support for the 'Cheer for Bharat' initiative at the Commonwealth Games. He urged participation in the Fit India Movement and highlighted cycling's benefits for health and environment, as India prepared to compete in a scaled-down CWG focusing on boxing, weightlifting, and athletics.
Tata Power has announced a collaboration with Databricks to develop a data and AI platform aimed at enhancing operational efficiency, decision-making, and innovation across its energy systems.
Joachim Chuah of Malaysia and Rouqaia Othman of Egypt, both top seeds, have won the men's and women's titles respectively at the HCL Squash PSA Challenger Tour-Chennai, held at the Indian Squash Academy.
The Indian Navy football team secured their first victory in the Durand Cup, defeating NEROCA FC 2-0 in a Group D fixture. Goals from Roshan Panna and E Muhammed Inayath sealed the win, moving the Navy to second place in their group.
The Badminton World Federation (BWF) has expressed satisfaction with the extensive renovation and cleaning work at the Indira Gandhi Indoor Stadium in New Delhi, addressing previous criticisms regarding hygiene and facilities. Significant improvements have been made, including toilet renovations, deep cleaning, seat replacements, and pest control measures, ensuring the venue is ready for the upcoming World Championships.
Indian golfers Jeev Milkha Singh and Jyoti Randhawa faced a challenging third round at the ISPS Handa Senior Open Championship in Scotland. Jeev carded a 73 to be tied-65th, while Randhawa shot a 77, falling to 79th position. Jerry Kelly and Cameroon Percy share the lead heading into the final round.
Chief Economic Adviser V Anantha Nageswaran has urged the industry to invest in skilling, capability development, and innovation to counter the challenges posed by artificial intelligence, particularly for Global Capability Centres (GCCs). He noted that while the government has supported GCCs through Budget measures like simplifying transfer pricing and promoting expansion into tier-II/III cities, industry must move beyond low-cost execution to thrive in an an AI-driven landscape. Nageswaran emphasised that AI displaces routine tasks, necessitating a focus on higher-value work and continuous skill enhancement to maintain India's competitive edge.
Jharkhand has partnered with CSC eStore to create a digital marketplace for products made by women's self-help groups (SHGs). This initiative aims to expand market access, boost income for rural women, and strengthen the rural economy through e-commerce and digital governance. The state also plans to extend Aadhaar services to all panchayats by November 15.
Indian gymnast Protistha Samanta has successfully qualified for the women's vault final at the Commonwealth Games, finishing fifth in the qualification round. While Samanta secured her spot, fellow Indian gymnasts Pranati Nayak, Eshitaa Rewale, and Nishka Agarwal did not advance in individual or all-around events. The Indian women's team also finished ninth in the overall team competition.
Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu congratulated the State Cooperative Bank on successfully migrating its core banking system to the 'Finacle 10.2.25' platform. This upgrade aims to provide faster, more transparent, and secure financial services, enhancing customer experience and operational efficiency across its 262 branches.
Delhi Police have arrested a man from Bihar for allegedly posting objectionable AI-generated images of Prime Minister Narendra Modi on social media.
Indian fencers Taniksha Khatri and Prachi Lohan have made history by becoming the first Indian women's epee players to qualify for the main table of 64 at the Senior World Fencing Championships in Hong Kong. They advanced through the preliminary rounds and will compete in the direct elimination draw on July 25, marking a significant milestone for Indian fencing.
Jharkhand Assembly Speaker Rabindra Nath Mahato has called for the formulation of a more effective and stringent policy to curb cybercrimes, fraud, and digital scams. He highlighted the dual nature of artificial intelligence, which simplifies life but also presents serious challenges through misuse. Various experts and MLAs at a workshop emphasised the importance of cybersecurity education, personal digital responsibility, and empowering legislators to strengthen institutional resilience against cyber threats.
The All India Tennis Association (AITA) has launched a new digital platform in partnership with World Tennis Number, creating a unified ecosystem for Indian tennis. This platform will streamline registrations, tournament entries, and provide access to rankings, aiming to modernise the sport's administration and player experience.
Taxpayers must provide more details to support deduction and exemption claims.
GMR Aero Technic has signed a license agreement with Honeywell Aerospace to provide maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) services for LEAP engine line replaceable units (LRUs). This partnership will enhance MRO capabilities for Airbus A320neo and Boeing 737 MAX aircraft in India, leveraging Honeywell's technology and GMR's infrastructure to offer efficient and cost-effective solutions for regional airlines.
A humanoid robot performing at a university dance event in China startled the crowd when it unexpectedly hugged a female student, prompting a debate about AI safety and autonomous behaviour.
