The finance ministry has announced that all banks, including Regional Rural Banks, will remain open on Sunday, September 27, 2026, to ensure public convenience amidst a proposed three-day strike by the United Forum of Bank Unions (UFBU) starting September 28, 2026. The strike, if it materialises, seeks a 5-day banking week and pension reforms.
Samajwadi Party president Akhilesh Yadav has criticised the BJP government, posing 12 questions regarding the banking sector. He highlighted issues such as recurring bank charges, reduced interest rates, demonetisation's impact, missing locker valuables, and poor working conditions for bank employees, accusing the government of weakening banks and exploiting vulnerable communities.
Three men, including one posing as a tantric, have been arrested in northeast Delhi for allegedly cheating a 79-year-old man of Rs 39.3 lakh. The accused promised to extract buried ancestral gold through occult rituals and also stole gold jewellery worth Rs 15 lakh from his home. The main accused, Tahsin, along with Shoaib Ali and Mahakader Khan, gained the victim's confidence through fake gold and staged rituals, leading to their arrest and recovery of cash and other items.
'The smartphone had become my boarding pass, my digital ID, my train ticket repository, my taxi booking tool and my payment instrument,' says Brijesh Haldia
A report by IIT-Bombay professors recommends reducing the Merchant Discount Rate (MDR) on UPI transactions from 0.40 per cent to 0.08 per cent. It suggests that banks should fund the UPI ecosystem using their net interest margins from CASA deposits, rather than relying on MDR. The report also addresses transaction costs, credit card MDR, and ATM withdrawal allowances, aiming to ensure UPI's long-term sustainability and public trust by proposing remuneration only from large merchants.
The proposed facility seeks to simplify and speed up PF withdrawals by allowing Employees' Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO) subscribers to access up to 75 per cent of their balance through ATMs and UPI-based systems, while retaining at least 25 per cent in their accounts.
The Jammu and Kashmir Crime Branch has filed a chargesheet against 15 individuals in the Kishtwar minor's rape and death case. The chargesheet alleges a criminal conspiracy to conceal the sexual assault, intimidate the victim's family, and illegally terminate her advanced pregnancy. The 15-year-old tribal girl died on August 20 following an alleged abortion attempt after being repeatedly sexually assaulted by a teacher, resulting in pregnancy. Accused include the main perpetrator, health workers, and community elders involved in the cover-up and pressure tactics.
Delhi Police have arrested a man suspected of leading an organised ATM fraud gang involved in over 50 cases of cheating. The arrest has resolved at least five cases, with the accused linked to numerous incidents across Delhi.
Mumbai Police have arrested two men within hours of them allegedly stealing over Rs 63 lakh from an ATM cash van in Kandivali. A significant portion of the stolen cash has been recovered.
Economic think tank GTRI has urged the Indian government to withdraw the proposed UPI charges, set to begin on October 15, arguing that the digital payment system should remain free for merchants and consumers. GTRI warns that these charges could lead to higher prices, reduced earnings for small businesses, and weakened household demand, while also benefiting international card networks by eroding UPI's price advantage. The think tank also called for an independent audit of UPI's running costs.
The RSS-affiliated Swadeshi Jagran Manch (SJM) has urged the government to reconsider imposing a merchant discount rate (MDR) on UPI transactions above Rs 2,000, arguing that the costs do not warrant such a move. This comes after the government announced a 0.4 per cent fee on merchant transfers over Rs 2,000 from October 15, while assuring that person-to-person and small payments remain free. SJM co-convener Ashwani Mahajan highlighted that banks have not demanded MDR and that UPI has reduced their transaction costs.
A butcher in Vijayawada, Shaik Shafi, has been arrested for allegedly murdering a 29-year-old woman, Kalyani, dismembering her body, and dumping the parts in a canal. The crime was reportedly a result of monetary disputes, as Kalyani frequently demanded money from Shafi, who had adopted her son. An accomplice, Shaik Abdulla, was also arrested.
Gurugram police have arrested a wanted accused linked to several ATM thefts amounting to lakhs of rupees. The accused, Aashiq, is a proclaimed offender and has multiple cases registered against him.
A two-day weekend would help employees recover physically and mentally. They would return better prepared for branch work that demands patience, judgment, and accuracy, asserts Tamal Bandyopadhyay.
Banking services across India, particularly at public sector banks, are set to be disrupted for three days starting Monday due to a nationwide strike by bank unions. The strike, called by the United Forum of Bank Unions (UFBU), is primarily to press for a five-day working week and other demands, despite the finance ministry's appeal for dialogue.
A 34-year-old man from Uttar Pradesh was arrested in Kerala for allegedly using duplicate keys to steal ATM cards from two-wheelers and withdraw money from bank accounts.
Students of Lovely Professional University (LPU) in Phagwara, Punjab, engaged in violent protests, vandalising property and clashing with police over unverified claims of a female student being raped on campus. The unrest led to the suspension of classes and postponement of exams, while police registered a rape case and formed an SIT, despite the university denying the allegations as 'rumours'.
The CBI has registered a case against USA-based Christian missionary group The Timothy Initiative (TTI) and its associates for allegedly misusing Rs 92.55 crore in foreign funds for missionary activities, violating the Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act, 2010. The case, based on a Union Home Ministry complaint and ED investigation, highlights the alleged use of foreign debit cards and attempts to conceal identities.
Police in Meghalaya have arrested six individuals, including two from Haryana, in connection with a series of ATM thefts in the East Khasi Hills district, where approximately Rs 1 crore was stolen from three locations over the past year.
A State Bank of India report indicates a sharp increase in precautionary cash holding in India, with the gap between per capita currency in circulation and ATM withdrawals widening significantly, driven by global uncertainties despite record digital payment transactions.
A consumer commission in Nagpur, Maharashtra, has penalised Axis Bank for deficiency in service, ordering a refund and compensation to a customer over a failed ATM transaction from 2018.
The incident involved compromise of an employee's email account, resulting in unauthorised access to certain data.
The State Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission has directed Bank of India to compensate a senior citizen for losses incurred due to unauthorized ATM transactions, citing deficiency in service and failure to adhere to security protocols.
Axis Bank has opened 50 new branches across India, while Abakkus Mutual Fund has surpassed Rs 10,000 crore in AUM. YES Bank launched a new credit card for women, and J&K Bank partnered with HDFC Life to enhance its insurance offerings, showcasing significant growth and strategic developments in the Indian financial sector.
The Rajasthan High Court has granted bail to two accused in an ATM theft case, ordering them to plant trees as community service, emphasising a reformative approach to criminal justice.
Creatine has become one of the most talked-about supplements in fitness circles. While many swear by it for improving strength and performance, others worry it could damage their kidneys, cause hair loss or lead to unhealthy weight gain.
The CPI(M) has strongly opposed the Union government's proposal to levy charges on UPI transactions, calling it a "breach of public trust" and demanding the immediate withdrawal of the legislation. The party highlighted that the government had previously promoted UPI as a free public utility, encouraging widespread adoption, and now seeks to monetise this infrastructure. They also linked this move to a broader trend of increasing banking charges.
Navi Mumbai International Airport (NMIA) has officially commenced its international flight operations with an Air India Express service to Abu Dhabi, marking a significant boost in connectivity for the Mumbai Metropolitan Region and establishing a new global gateway.
Delhi Police dismantled an interstate cyber fraud network involved in routing illicit funds through bank account kits, SIM cards, and ATM credentials, leading to the arrest of three key individuals from Haryana and Himachal Pradesh.
Sonbhadra police have arrested five individuals from Rajasthan for operating an inter-state cyber crime racket involving blackmail, extortion, and impersonation, which allegedly led to a man's suicide.
Gurugram police have dismantled a cyber fraud operation run from a call centre in Ghaziabad, arresting three individuals accused of defrauding people of significant sums through deceptive insurance and government bond investment schemes.
Delhi Police have arrested three individuals for allegedly defrauding a resident of Rs 15.26 lakh by promising to increase his credit card limit. The fraudsters used mule bank accounts to channel the illicit funds, and police recovered several devices used in the crime.
A 24-year-old man in Nagpur was arrested for allegedly murdering his grandmother after a dispute over money he withdrew from her bank account.
Gujarat police have uncovered cyber frauds worth Rs 2,289 crore and arrested 638 individuals as part of 'Operation Mule Account 1.0', a state-wide crackdown on online criminals launched in 2025.
15 states have rolled out unconditional cash transfer schemes for women, with an estimated annual outlay of around Rs 1.7 trillion covering nearly 120 million beneficiaries.
Gurugram Police have arrested four individuals allegedly involved in an online betting fraud operation. The accused lured users with online gaming advertisements, processed payments through QR codes, and earned commissions on deposits.
Jharkhand police arrested four cybercriminals, including two teenagers, in Jamtara district for online fraud, seizing mobile phones, SIM cards, and ATM cards.
The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) is set to introduce polymer banknotes to address the rising demand for currency, improve durability, and reduce production costs, with a pilot project expected soon.
Police in Meerut, Uttar Pradesh, have dismantled an illegal telephone exchange allegedly used for revenue loss and an online fake loan racket, arresting three individuals and seizing a large quantity of equipment.
Credit card transactions in India have surged over 2.6 times between 2021 and 2025, reaching 570 crore volumes and Rs 23.2 lakh crore in value, with private sector banks significantly increasing their market share, according to a recent RBI report.
