Computer-based testing can make the examination more secure and transparent. Ensuring equal opportunities to prepare will make it fair as well. India needs both, suggests Dibyasree Ganguly.
The government is introducing a 0.4% Merchant Discount Rate (MDR) on UPI person-to-merchant payments above Rs 2,000, effective October 15. This move ends the zero-MDR regime, aiming to fund UPI infrastructure and sustainability, as the previous government subsidy was insufficient to cover operational costs. Payments between individuals and most everyday merchant transactions will remain free.
Union Home Minister Amit Shah lauded UPI on its 10th anniversary, highlighting its role in India's digital transformation. Launched by NPCI in 2016, UPI has become the world's largest real-time payment system, witnessing a massive surge in transaction volume and value, demonstrating its success in empowering people with swift, seamless, and secure digital transactions.
Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Pema Khandu highlighted that the success of UPI, which handles nearly half of the world's real-time digital transactions, stems from a collaborative ecosystem including financial inclusion, digital identity, and affordable internet. He attributed this digital payments revolution to the vision of PM Narendra Modi.
Chandigarh is set to launch the Central Bank Digital Currency (CBDC), or digital rupee, for Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) under the Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana (PMGKAY) on August 14. This initiative makes Chandigarh the first Union Territory to fully roll out CBDC-based DBT for food subsidy, enhancing transparency and efficiency in welfare delivery. The digital rupee, issued by the RBI, will be purpose-bound for purchasing foodgrains from authorised merchants.
Jhalawar Police have dismantled an interstate syndicate that used AI tools and digital arrest traps to extort money, leading to the suicide of a 56-year-old woman. Six individuals, including four women from Bihar, have been apprehended, and three minors detained, following an extensive investigation that traced the gang 1,500 km away.
Jhalawar Police have dismantled an interstate syndicate that used AI tools and digital arrest scams to extort money, leading to the suicide of a 56-year-old woman. Six individuals, including four women, were arrested from Bihar, and three minors were detained in connection with the case. The gang lured victims with fake old-coin trading schemes and employed psychological torture, including AI-generated threatening videos, to coerce them.
Indian AI company Sarvam has appointed Sashikumar Sreedharan, former Managing Director for India at Google Cloud, as its President and Chief Business Officer. He will lead business operations across enterprises and government, expanding Sarvam's reach with digital-native companies and partners, as the company grows its customer base and product development.
National Commission for Women Chairperson Vijaya Rahatkar has cautioned against the misuse of artificial intelligence, particularly deepfakes and morphed images of women. She emphasised the need to understand AI's risks, including privacy compromise, while also highlighting its positive applications. The NCW is running the 'Yashoda AI' programme to train women in AI literacy, cybersecurity, and digital safety.
The BJP is increasingly integrating its digital outreach with on-ground mobilisation, using social media attacks, political songs, marches, rallies, and public meetings to amplify its political messaging and counter opposition narratives. This evolving strategy, exemplified by the 'Loktantra Bachao, Arajakta Hatao' campaign, aims to take political contests beyond online platforms to streets and campuses, especially in response to the INDIA bloc's recent rally and accusations against the Election Commission.
A 56-year-old woman in Jhalawar died by suicide after being cheated of lakhs of rupees and blackmailed by a cyber fraud gang. Police have arrested six accused from Bihar and detained six minors in connection with the case.
Goa police have arrested Pundalik Gudge, 28, from Karnataka's Dharwad district, in connection with the alleged sexual assault of a four-year-old girl in Mapusa. The accused, an acquaintance of the victim's father, was traced using CCTV footage and eyewitness accounts despite having no digital footprint. The child is now stable, and an FIR has been registered under relevant laws.
Keralam Industries Minister P K Kunhalikutty unveiled the logo and website for COKPIT 2027, a Global Aviation GCC Leadership Summit scheduled for January 2027 in Kochi. The summit aims to position Kochi as a prime destination for aviation Global Capability Centres, attracting industry leaders and showcasing the city's potential as an aviation hub with strong connectivity and existing infrastructure.
The Indian Football League (IFL) 2026-27 season has secured broadcast and streaming partnerships with Zee Entertainment Enterprises (ZEEL) and DD Sports, ensuring wide accessibility across television and digital platforms. All matches will be telecast on DD Sports and streamed on Z5, WAVES, and Unite8 Sports' YouTube channel.
Indore police have registered 7,000 cyber fraud complaints this year, with victims losing Rs 50 crore. Authorities managed to recover approximately Rs 7 crore and blocked hundreds of fake social media accounts. Cybercriminals are employing various tactics, including digital arrest, APK file scams, and AI-powered impersonations.
Tech hiring demand at India's Global Capability Centres (GCCs) saw a 3.5 per cent sequential decline in Q2 FY27, indicating a slowdown in fresh recruitment. However, demand for specialised skills like AI, data analytics, and cybersecurity professionals continued to rise significantly, with AI and data roles growing 14 per cent quarter-on-quarter.
FIDE President Timur Turlov has affirmed India's status as a trusted partner for the world chess body, indicating the country will continue to host major international championships for the next four years. He also advocated for greater Indian influence within the Asian Chess Federation, acknowledging India's emergence as a chess powerhouse with young talents like D Gukesh. Turlov outlined his priorities, including digital advancement, improved broadcasting, and commercial expansion for FIDE.
Despite near gender parity in basic bank account ownership, women in India remain significantly underrepresented in the growing platform economy due to gaps in digital financial capability and access to credit, according to a joint report by the International Labour Organization and National Council of Applied Economic Research.
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 doctor, previously accusing Malayalam actors Athulya Chandran and Bibin Perumpally of assault and robbery, is now suspected of sexually assaulting multiple women. This comes after a rape case was registered against him, and digital evidence from his phones revealed intimate moments with several women. The actors, arrested for allegedly assaulting the doctor to retrieve incriminating videos, had their bail petitions dismissed as the investigation continues.
Police in Kochi have issued a lookout notice for Dr Johnson Varghese, who is accused in a rape case and has been absconding since Friday. This development follows his earlier complaint against Malayalam actors Athulya Chandran and Bibin Perumpally for assault and robbery. The rape case was filed by a relative of Chandran, and digital evidence from the doctor's phones is expanding the investigation.
Investors should study the technology behind digital assets, including blockchain networks, wallets and transaction verification, rather than rely solely on recommendations. Understanding the technology could help them assess the risks.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi celebrated the Unified Payments Interface (UPI) completing a decade, calling it a major turning point in India's digital payment journey. Launched in 2016, UPI has become the backbone of India's digital payments ecosystem, showing exponential growth in transaction volume and value, and is a key pillar of the Digital Public Infrastructure.
The Madhya Pradesh High Court has rejected the bail plea of former district judge Giribala Singh, who is implicated in the alleged suicide of her daughter-in-law, Twisha Sharma. The court cited ongoing investigations, pending forensic reports, and the gravity of the allegations, including abetment to suicide and dowry harassment, as reasons for its decision.
India's capital markets regulator, Sebi, has simplified the onboarding process for foreign portfolio investors (FPIs) by permitting them to submit a digitally signed Power of Attorney (PoA) to their custodians, eliminating the need for notarisation or apostillisation.
French authorities have formally accused Iran of orchestrating an "unprecedented" cyberattack campaign targeting supermarket refrigeration networks across the country, causing massive food spoilage and equipment fires, and are now pushing for European Union sanctions against Tehran.
The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has issued a consolidated cybersecurity rulebook for all non-bank payment system operators (PSOs), including annual system audits and third-party ATM switch providers, to address vulnerabilities posed by artificial intelligence.
The All India Tennis Association (AITA) has launched 'AI Coach', a new digital tool in beta, aimed at providing tennis players with access to player-specific information, rankings, and head-to-head match-up insights. The tool is designed to help players better understand opponents and prepare for competitions, with future upgrades planned to integrate more tournament data for comprehensive insights.
The Rajya Sabha has passed The Bankers' Books Evidence Bill, 2026, which aims to replace a British-era law and allow digital and virtual records to be admissible as evidence in courts. This legislation aligns with contemporary digital banking practices and extends a uniform evidential framework to various financial entities, including NBFCs and fintech companies. Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman highlighted the bill's role in strengthening public confidence and safeguarding customer privacy. The bill's passage, however, saw an Opposition walkout over unrelated issues.
Former NITI Aayog vice-chairman Rajiv Kumar has urged the government to maintain zero-fee UPI transactions for several more years, arguing that the benefits of UPI as a public good outweigh the costs. This comes amidst the government's recent decision to introduce a 0.4% fee on person-to-merchant UPI transactions above Rs 2,000 from October 15, a move that has drawn criticism.
Tamil Nadu's state-run liquor corporation, TASMAC, is implementing a new automated indent request process for all retail shops starting September 1. This digital system aims to streamline stock distribution, reduce paperwork, and ensure consumers receive their preferred brands based on local demand.
Minister of State for Telecom Chandra Sekhar Pemmasani urged BRICS nations to collaborate on building institutional capacity and advocating for fair standards in international telecom and ICT bodies. He highlighted India's willingness to share its modular, open-source digital public infrastructure frameworks like Aadhaar and DigiLocker, emphasising their role in sustainable development and economic growth across the Global South.
Mercedes-Benz CEO Ola Kllenius believes India is poised to become a significant manufacturing and export hub for the luxury carmaker, citing the country's growing market, supplier ecosystem, and engineering capabilities. The company also anticipates electric vehicles (EVs) will constitute a substantial 20% of its India sales by 2027.
Ramayana is poised to achieve an impressive Rs 450 crore by the close of its extended first week.
Delhi Police has detained a 17-year-old Class 12 student from Srinagar for allegedly impersonating police officials and forging a senior officer's signature. The student sent fake notices to social media platform X, requesting the blocking of accounts belonging to the Internet Freedom Foundation (IFF) and the Software Freedom Law Centre. The forgery came to light during a Delhi High Court hearing.
The Enforcement Directorate conducted search and seizure operations at 13 locations across Tripura, West Bengal, and Maharashtra in connection with an alleged fake government tender racket. The probe targets a suspended IAS officer and co-conspirators involved in a money-laundering investigation, with victims defrauded of over Rs 44 crore.
The Supreme Court has sought the Centre's response on a petition filed by the Digital News Publishers Association (DNPA) challenging the Digital Personal Data Protection (DPDP) Act, 2023, and its accompanying Rules. The DNPA argues that the law, lacking exemptions for journalism, could impede news gathering and infringe upon citizens' right to information. The challenge highlights concerns over consent requirements for reporters and the Act's impact on the Right to Information.
The Enforcement Directorate has registered a money laundering case against media baron Subhash Chandra in connection with an alleged loan fraud that caused a Rs 1,322 crore loss to Life Insurance Corporation Housing Finance Limited (LICHFL). Chandra is accused of inflating his net worth to secure and then default on loans.
Preeti Lobana, Google India VP, stated on Wednesday that Google views AI as an "economic equaliser" and a democratic technology. Speaking at Google Cloud Day, she highlighted AI's potential to empower businesses, especially SMEs, in India's journey towards Viksit Bharat 2047. Google has committed USD 15 billion to scale India's digital and AI infrastructure, including an AI hub in Visakhapatnam, to support the IndiaAI Mission.
Young investors with long horizons and small investment amounts stand to benefit most from choosing direct plans.
