News for 'Customs'

Economic Think Tank Urges Government To Scrap UPI Charges

Economic Think Tank Urges Government To Scrap UPI Charges

Rediff.com8 Oct 2026

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.

How To Use Apple Pay In India

How To Use Apple Pay In India

Rediff.com6 Oct 2026

Apple Pay is now available in India. Here's how you can add an eligible credit card to Apple Wallet and make payments using your iPhone.

RBI proposes 60-day debit hold on suspected money mule accounts to combat cyber fraud

RBI proposes 60-day debit hold on suspected money mule accounts to combat cyber fraud

Rediff.com21 Sep 2026

The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has proposed a standard operating procedure (SOP) for banks to implement temporary debit holds on accounts or transactions suspected of being involved in money-mule activity and cyber-enabled financial fraud, with a maximum duration of 60 days.

Lottery Loss Leads To Stabbing In Kerala

Lottery Loss Leads To Stabbing In Kerala

Rediff.com27 Sep 2026

A man allegedly stabbed a lottery vendor in Nambiarkunnu, Wayanad, after becoming enraged that a ticket he purchased did not win a prize. The victim, Vinitha Rajesh, sustained serious injuries but is in stable condition, and the accused, Sivakumar, has been taken into custody.

How India Became NetApp's Fastest-Growing Market In Asia

How India Became NetApp's Fastest-Growing Market In Asia

Rediff.com4 Oct 2026

NetApp CEO George Kurian announced that India is the company's fastest-growing market in Asia, driven by strong performance in BFSI, manufacturing, IT services, and public sectors. The company's Bengaluru global capability centre is its largest, housing 4,000 engineers and leading global R&D. NetApp also unveiled new AI-focused storage solutions and cloud partnerships at its Insight event.

'Don't Push Me For Non-Veg... Veg Market Is Too Huge'

'Don't Push Me For Non-Veg... Veg Market Is Too Huge'

Rediff.com6 Oct 2026

How India's Jumbo King Is Taking On McDonalds And Burger King Without Selling Chicken Burgers.

UPI MDR on transactions over Rs 2,000 deferred until after Diwali

UPI MDR on transactions over Rs 2,000 deferred until after Diwali

Rediff.com13 Oct 2026

The National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI) has deferred the implementation of a 0.4 per cent Merchant Discount Rate (MDR) on Person-to-Merchant (P2M) UPI payments above Rs 2,000, originally set for October 15, until after Diwali.

GST Council allows small online sellers to use warehouses in other states

GST Council allows small online sellers to use warehouses in other states

Rediff.com12 Oct 2026

India's GST Council has approved changes allowing small online sellers to register in states without physical premises by using an e-commerce operator's warehouse as their principal place of business, aiming to boost national sales for small businesses.

'You Can't Ignore America'

'You Can't Ignore America'

Rediff.com13 Oct 2026

'Indian IT firms must hire and train more Americans while reducing dependence on sending employees from India to the US.'

Banks to remain open this Sunday ahead of strike

Banks to remain open this Sunday ahead of strike

Rediff.com23 Sep 2026

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.

Banks Brace for 3-Day Strike

Banks Brace for 3-Day Strike

Rediff.com22 Sep 2026

Bankers said the impact could become more visible from September 29 as customers could withdraw larger amounts of cash, although ATM operations are increasingly managed through third-party cash-loading arrangements.

Don't Let Your Health Insurance Lapse

Don't Let Your Health Insurance Lapse

Rediff.com12 Oct 2026

Buying a policy is only the beginning. Health insurance is a long-term commitment that needs regular review as your age, health needs and family circumstances change.

Jio Platforms IPO Set for October End Listing, Valued at $143-146 Billion

Jio Platforms IPO Set for October End Listing, Valued at $143-146 Billion

Rediff.com4 Oct 2026

Digital services major Jio Platforms is anticipated to list on the stock exchange by the end of October, with an estimated enterprise valuation of USD 143-146 billion, making it India's largest public offer at around USD 3.8 billion.

Trai directs telcos to offer voice-and-SMS-only plans, impacting ARPU

Trai directs telcos to offer voice-and-SMS-only plans, impacting ARPU

Rediff.com23 Sep 2026

The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (Trai) has mandated that service providers offer voice-and-SMS-only tariff plans, without bundled data, with a minimum validity of 30 days or less, aiming to provide more affordable and shorter-duration options for consumers who do not require data.

'Dear PM Ambani': Musk's latest swipe at Reliance, BJP

'Dear PM Ambani': Musk's latest swipe at Reliance, BJP

Rediff.com10 Oct 2026

Elon Musk has escalated his criticism of Indian industrialist Mukesh Ambani, sharing media reports that alleged Reliance-funded firms helped boost BJP campaigns on social media and made large political donations. This comes amidst a persistent delay in the launch of Starlink satellite broadband services in India, with Musk accusing Ambani of protecting a monopoly. The Indian government maintains its telecom framework is fair and non-discriminatory, while Reliance has not publicly responded to Musk's allegations.

Workday CEO Warns AI Will Overtake Low-Cost, Outsourced Jobs

Workday CEO Warns AI Will Overtake Low-Cost, Outsourced Jobs

Rediff.com15 Oct 2026

Workday, a global HR tech major, has unveiled its new AI platform, Sana, designed to automate human resources and finance functions. Chairman and CEO Aneel Bhusri stated that AI is likely to replace low-cost, outsourced jobs due to increased productivity, rather than leading to jobs moving out of first-world countries. The platform uses AI agents for tasks like payroll and compliance, and Workday has acquired C1.ai to manage access rights for these agents. Bhusri emphasised that AI should augment humans, redefining roles rather than replacing them entirely.

NPCI Defers UPI MDR On Transactions Over Rs 2,000

NPCI Defers UPI MDR On Transactions Over Rs 2,000

Rediff.com13 Oct 2026

The National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI) has deferred the implementation of a 0.4 per cent Merchant Discount Rate (MDR) on Person-to-Merchant UPI transactions above Rs 2,000. Originally set for October 15, the new date will be announced after Diwali, providing relief to users and merchants, especially during the festive season. The decision came amidst opposition concerns about the levy burdening consumers.

How LTTS's Six Focus Areas Will Drive Future Revenue Growth

How LTTS's Six Focus Areas Will Drive Future Revenue Growth

Rediff.com12 Oct 2026

L&T Technology Services (LTTS) CEO Amit Chadha announced that artificial intelligence is a net positive for the company, with six key focus areas expected to contribute 80% of revenue in five years. These areas, including digital manufacturing and AI infrastructure, are projected to deliver higher growth and margins, offsetting pricing pressures in traditional IT services. LTTS also inaugurated an NVIDIA-powered AI manufacturing lab in Bengaluru.

Vijay Shekhar Sharma's Personal Bet On India's AI Future

Vijay Shekhar Sharma's Personal Bet On India's AI Future

Rediff.com7 Oct 2026

Paytm founder Vijay Shekhar Sharma has pledged personal funds, ranging from Rs 1 crore to Rs 2 crore, to Indian entrepreneurs developing their own artificial intelligence models. This initiative aims to foster indigenous AI capabilities and reduce reliance on foreign models, echoing Sharma's past success in mobile payments.

NetApp Boosts AI Infrastructure With Novus, Strengthens Cloud Integrations

NetApp Boosts AI Infrastructure With Novus, Strengthens Cloud Integrations

Rediff.com30 Sep 2026

Data infrastructure company NetApp has introduced Novus, a new storage architecture designed for large-scale AI factories, alongside significant enhancements to its AI Data Engine, hybrid multi-cloud operations, and strategic partnerships with Nutanix and SAP. These initiatives aim to improve data management, security, and efficiency for AI workloads and enterprise cloud infrastructure.

HEX20 Makes History With UAE Deep-Space Asteroid Probe Role

HEX20 Makes History With UAE Deep-Space Asteroid Probe Role

Rediff.com13 Oct 2026

Technopark-based space-tech startup HEX20 has been selected by the UAE Space Agency to develop a spacecraft for an asteroid probe, marking the first time an Indian private company has been chosen for a deep-space mission by the Gulf nation. HEX20 is contributing its expertise in developing the spacecraft bus and software for the Emirates Mission to the Asteroid Belt, which is scheduled for launch in March 2028 to study asteroid 269 Justitia.

iPhone 18 Pro, Pro Max launch sparks 'festival' atmosphere across India

iPhone 18 Pro, Pro Max launch sparks 'festival' atmosphere across India

Rediff.com18 Sep 2026

Apple's latest flagship smartphones, the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max, have gone on sale across India, drawing massive queues and creating a 'festival' atmosphere among eager buyers at Apple Stores in Noida, Bengaluru, and Maharashtra.

Wipro reports marginal profit dip in Q2, revenue up 9%

Wipro reports marginal profit dip in Q2, revenue up 9%

Rediff.com16 Oct 2026

Wipro reported a marginal 1.40 per cent decline in consolidated net profit to Rs 3,200.6 crore for the July-September quarter of FY27, despite a 9.1 per cent increase in revenue from operations to Rs 24,752.7 crore.

Amit Kumar Takes Helm As Google Cloud India MD Steps Down

Amit Kumar Takes Helm As Google Cloud India MD Steps Down

Rediff.com7 Oct 2026

Google Cloud India's Managing Director, Sashikumar Sreedharan, has resigned to pursue a new opportunity. Amit Kumar, previously MD for Digital Natives, has been appointed as the interim head of India operations. The transition was announced by Karan Bajwa, President of Google Cloud Asia Pacific, who highlighted the company's strong momentum in India.

Fusion CX Eyes Major Growth With AI, Prepares For IPO

Fusion CX Eyes Major Growth With AI, Prepares For IPO

Rediff.com3 Oct 2026

Customer experience firm Fusion CX is significantly investing in AI-enabled services and data infrastructure, aiming to increase its share in total turnover to 25% within 12-18 months. The company, which reported a turnover of Rs 1,818.13 crore in FY26, is preparing for an IPO of Rs 800-1,000 crore in October, driven by organic growth, acquisitions, and its AI strategy.

Ishita Dutta Is Making Us Fall For Her Web Of Styles

Ishita Dutta Is Making Us Fall For Her Web Of Styles

Rediff.com6 Oct 2026

While Drishyam 3 is all about a complicated web of lies, in real life Ishita Dutta is making us fall for a very different kind of web: her web of styles.

Entry-level Sedans Gain Traction While Midsized Models Continue To Struggle

Entry-level Sedans Gain Traction While Midsized Models Continue To Struggle

Rediff.com14 Oct 2026

India's sedan market is experiencing a notable divergence: affordable entry-level sedans are gaining market share, while midsize sedans are seeing a significant decline as buyers increasingly opt for SUVs in higher price brackets.

Auto Dealers Gear Up For Robust Oct As Festival Season Bookings Rise

Auto Dealers Gear Up For Robust Oct As Festival Season Bookings Rise

Rediff.com12 Oct 2026

Automobile dealers in India are reporting healthy bookings ahead of Navratri and Dussehra, with the Federation of Automobile Dealers Associations (Fada) indicating strong confidence in a pickup in deliveries from mid-October, despite a high base from last year's GST-led surge.

10 Jobs AI Can't Replace Anytime Soon

10 Jobs AI Can't Replace Anytime Soon

Rediff.com14 Oct 2026

While AI can help automate routine, repetitive tasks, jobs that require high emotional intelligence, communication skills, creativity and the ability to work in unpredictable situations are likely to withstand the rise of AI, says Kumar Rajagopalan, vice president (strategic initiatives) and country head (India), at Dexian, a global provider of IT consulting, digital transformation and workforce solutions.

HDFC Bank, Axis, Kotak Mahindra See Robust Deposit Growth in Q2

HDFC Bank, Axis, Kotak Mahindra See Robust Deposit Growth in Q2

Rediff.com13 Oct 2026

India's leading private-sector banks, including HDFC Bank, Axis Bank, and Kotak Mahindra Bank, reported robust deposit growth in the July-September quarter (Q2FY27), significantly aided by the Reserve Bank of India's concessional FCNR(B) swap window.

Passenger Vehicle Sales Jump 21% in September, Driven by Festive Demand

Passenger Vehicle Sales Jump 21% in September, Driven by Festive Demand

Rediff.com1 Oct 2026

Domestic passenger vehicle dispatches in India are estimated to have grown by approximately 21 per cent to 4.60 lakh units in September, with major carmakers like Maruti Suzuki, Tata Motors, M&M, and Hyundai all reporting double-digit growth, driven by increased supplies for the upcoming peak festival season and healthy demand.

How Bank Of Baroda's New App Revolutionises Digital Payments

How Bank Of Baroda's New App Revolutionises Digital Payments

Rediff.com14 Sep 2026

Bank of Baroda has launched 'bob World 2.0', an AI-powered mobile banking app featuring voice-command capabilities for payments and navigation. The updated app also includes a personal finance management module and a persona-based customer experience, aiming to offer intuitive, secure, and personalised banking services.

Elon Musk: Starlink services in India must be affordable, slams 'de facto monopoly'

Elon Musk: Starlink services in India must be affordable, slams 'de facto monopoly'

Rediff.com13 Oct 2026

Elon Musk, CEO of SpaceX, stated that Starlink's services in India must be affordable for widespread adoption and that competition would benefit consumers, despite potentially reducing Reliance Jio's profits. He criticised Reliance Jio as a 'de facto monopoly' in India, alleging that certain business conglomerates were blocking Starlink's entry.

Citron Targets 75% Sales From Smaller Cities In 5 Years

Citron Targets 75% Sales From Smaller Cities In 5 Years

Rediff.com28 Sep 2026

Citron, a brand under Stellantis, anticipates that three-fourths of its sales in India will originate from Tier-II, Tier-III, and smaller cities within the next five years, a significant increase from its current 55 per cent, as it expands its retail network beyond major urban centres.

Pratibha Ranta Or Khushi Kapoor: Who Is A Better Manish Malhotra Princess?

Pratibha Ranta Or Khushi Kapoor: Who Is A Better Manish Malhotra Princess?

Rediff.com30 Sep 2026

When two stars wear the same designer outfit, the fun lies in seeing how differently they style it.

Ananya, Alia, Deepika's Gorgeous Ganpati Fashion

Ananya, Alia, Deepika's Gorgeous Ganpati Fashion

Rediff.com22 Sep 2026

Bollywood celebrities showcased an array of stylish festive looks during this year's Ganpati celebrations, ranging from traditional saris to modern ensembles, setting new trends in festive fashion.

Bhupinder Hooda Slams UPI Fees, Demands Immediate Withdrawal

Bhupinder Hooda Slams UPI Fees, Demands Immediate Withdrawal

Rediff.com17 Sep 2026

Former Haryana Chief Minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda has criticised the newly introduced fees on UPI payments, stating they will lead to increased inflation for the common man. He dismissed government claims that customers would not be burdened, arguing that merchants would pass on the costs. Hooda demanded the immediate withdrawal of these fees, highlighting that the government's move contradicts its 'Digital India' initiative.

ServiceNow Launches AI Workflow Factory To Boost Enterprise Efficiency

ServiceNow Launches AI Workflow Factory To Boost Enterprise Efficiency

Rediff.com6 Oct 2026

ServiceNow has launched AI Workflow Factory and Autonomous Engineer, new solutions designed to help enterprises integrate and scale AI workflows, closing execution gaps caused by legacy infrastructure. These tools aim to accelerate business operations, with Indian partners already adopting them, reflecting India's faster AI operationalisation compared to the global average.

'400 times the cost': SC slams govt over drug pricing, asks to cap all medicines

'400 times the cost': SC slams govt over drug pricing, asks to cap all medicines

Rediff.com12 Oct 2026

The Supreme Court expressed dissatisfaction with the Centre's cap on anti-cancer drug trade margins, questioning why similar controls aren't applied to other medicines. The court highlighted significant markups on common drugs and medical devices, urging the government to expand its price regulation efforts and present modalities by October 27.

PAYD Motor Insurance: Is It Worth It?

PAYD Motor Insurance: Is It Worth It?

Rediff.com16 Sep 2026

PAYD suits infrequent drivers who can estimate annual mileage.