A study by the Wildlife Institute of India in the Asola-Bhatti Wildlife Sanctuary reveals that abandoned mining areas have become the most bird-rich habitat, supporting 46 species. These former quarries, now featuring diverse scrub, grassland, rocky patches, and water pools, demonstrate nature's recovery after human disturbance ceased, highlighting the importance of habitat diversity for conservation.
The Finance Ministry has refuted allegations that US pressure influenced the decision to levy a 0.4 per cent Merchant Discount Rate (MDR) on select UPI payments. The ministry clarified that the NPCI guidelines prioritise RuPay credit cards on UPI to promote domestic alternatives and ensure a self-sustaining revenue model for smaller domestic companies, countering claims of favouring foreign payment providers.
India concluded its campaign at the World Archery Para Series Stage III with an impressive tally of 15 medals, including four gold, three silver, and eight bronze, finishing second in the overall medal standings. The event served as a crucial preparatory test for the upcoming Aichi-Nagoya 2026 Asian Para Games.
The Indian government has introduced a 0.4% transaction fee on Unified Payments Interface (UPI) payments exceeding Rs 2,000 for merchants, effective October 15, marking the end of nearly six years of free service. Person-to-person transfers and small-value transactions below Rs 2,000 remain free. The new Merchant Discount Rate (MDR) is capped at Rs 300 for transactions above Rs 75,000, with differentiated rates for essential sectors and investments, and safeguards to prevent costs from being passed to consumers.
Yoga may help improve digestion and reduce bloating by relaxing the body, reducing stress, and encouraging healthy movement of the digestive system, says rediffGURU Pushpa R, founder of Radiant Yoga Vibes.
A 54-year-old Manipuri musician, C Vikram Singh, tragically died in New Delhi after being allegedly assaulted by a group of delivery workers and dhaba staff. The incident occurred when Singh objected to their loud behaviour and drinking outside his Kilokari village apartment. Police have arrested seven men and apprehended one juvenile in connection with the case, which is currently under investigation.
Indian benchmark indices Sensex and Nifty closed marginally lower due to profit-taking, following the Reserve Bank of India's decision to keep the repo rate unchanged while lowering its growth expectations for the current fiscal year and forecasting higher inflation.
India is set to develop its first 100% hydrogen-powered Direct Reduced Iron (DRI) plant, a Rs 207-crore national pilot project led by CSIR-IMMT. This initiative aims to significantly reduce carbon emissions in the steel sector and achieve net-zero commitments, focusing on adapting the technology to India's domestic iron ore conditions.
Indian stock markets, including the Sensex and Nifty, experienced a significant tumble in early trade, driven by escalating tensions in West Asia that pushed crude oil prices close to the USD 100-per-barrel mark, alongside selling in IT stocks and fresh foreign fund outflows.
Former chief selector and head coach Haroon Rasheed has attributed the decline of Pakistan cricket to the domestic structure changes implemented by former Prime Minister Imran Khan, who insisted on reducing first-class teams despite recommendations for a hybrid model.
The Supreme Court has refused to stay contempt proceedings initiated by the Bombay High Court against a judicial officer for an "unwarranted outburst" in court. The apex court observed that a judicial officer cannot shout at judges and deemed the officer's conduct as "gross indiscipline," advising him to tender an unconditional apology to the High Court. The High Court had initiated proceedings after the officer allegedly blamed the court administration in a high-pitched tone during a hearing on fast-track court posts.
Sebi chairman Tuhin Kanta Pandey acknowledged that all global jurisdictions experienced lower liquidity during the initial implementation phases of the closing auction session (CAS), a stock price determination framework introduced in India on August 3.
The National Stock Exchange (NSE) has set its initial public offering (IPO) price band at Rs 1,700-1,785 per equity share, with the subscription period running from September 17 to September 21, aiming to raise up to Rs 22,569 crore.
Independents have secured nearly two-thirds of urban wards in Bharatpur and Deeg districts, Chief Minister Bhajanlal Sharma's home turf, significantly outperforming the BJP and Congress in local body elections. This unexpected surge sets the stage for a political battle as both major parties vie for the support of these Independent councillors to form civic boards.
Pakistan's lower order staged a spirited late fightback, with debutant Razaullah smashing 81 and sharing a 121-run stand with Abbas to frustrate England before dismissal.
Kerala's state-run Bevco has reported record liquor sales during the first eight days of the Onam festive season, reaching Rs 771.29 crore, surpassing last year's figures. Officials anticipate this year's total sales will exceed the Rs 826.38 crore recorded in 2025, despite a slight dip in Uthradam day sales compared to the previous year.
Indian benchmark indices Sensex and Nifty experienced declines in early trade, influenced by the escalating US-Iran standoff and persistently high crude oil prices, with experts predicting increased volatility.
The National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI) stated that the Merchant Discount Rate (MDR) "is distributed only amongst the UPI ecosystem, to further invest into infrastructure resilience, innovation, cybersecurity (protecting the UPI infrastructure with banks and non-banks) and customer service."
'Regulations give a particular minimum amount of shares to be given in the OFS or IPO -- without which one cannot do the IPO.' 'We got that number on the day of filing of updated DRHP -- sufficient for us to go live with the IPO.'
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.
India's manufacturing sector growth decelerated to a five-year low of 52.8 in August, down from 53.5 in July, as output and new orders moderated due to softer demand conditions, according to the HSBC India Manufacturing Purchasing Managers' Index (PMI).
'If crude remains above $100 per barrel, with restricted retail-price increases, OMCs could face negative petrol and diesel marketing margins, higher LPG under-recoveries, higher crude-landing, freight and insurance costs, working capital and debt accumulation and inventory losses if crude subsequently corrects sharply.'
The Supreme Court has upheld the Bombay High Court's decision to cancel the bail of Saurabh Luthra, Gaurav Luthra, and Ajay Gupta, co-owners of the Birch by Romeo Lane nightclub in Goa. This ruling comes after a devastating fire at the nightclub last December claimed 25 lives and injured over 50. The apex court has directed the trio to surrender within two weeks and mandated the lower court to expedite the trial process.
The National Stock Exchange's (NSE) initial public offering (IPO) is expected to shrink in size to Rs 25,000-27,000 crore, down from an earlier estimate of Rs 30,000 crore, as some shareholders are reducing their offer for sale (OFS) stake.
Non-banking financial companies (NBFCs) experienced a significant 68.5 per cent year-on-year growth in gold-backed credit in July 2026, while banks saw their gold loan growth moderate to 88.1 per cent from 136.4 per cent a year prior, according to RBI data.
The Closing Auction Session (CAS) on expiry day led to unprecedented volatility in the Nifty 50 and Sensex, causing the indices to swing wildly in just 14 minutes and raising concerns among traders about market manipulation and increased speculation.
Indian benchmark equity indices, Sensex and Nifty, rebounded in early trade after two days of losses, driven by strong buying in blue-chip IT stocks and a rally in global markets.
Indian stock markets concluded Tuesday's trading session lower, reversing intraday gains due to late-session selling in blue-chip stocks like HDFC Bank and Reliance Industries. The decline was primarily driven by the Indian rupee hitting a new record low against the US dollar and elevated global crude oil prices, compounded by geopolitical uncertainties.
RBI Governor Sanjay Malhotra stated that the central bank consistently views fintechs as 'valuable partners' in shaping India's future financial system, crediting the sector with expanding financial inclusion, enhancing customer experience, and streamlining credit delivery, particularly for MSMEs.
Sikkim has identified 40 high-hazard glacial lakes, with 16 at the highest risk of catastrophic outbursts. Following a devastating GLOF in 2023, the state is developing India's first dedicated GLOF Risk Mitigation Protocol, using advanced monitoring and interdisciplinary approaches to protect downstream settlements and serve as a model for other Himalayan regions.
The Asian Junior Classical Championship in Mumbai saw top seed Mayank Chakraborty win his opening match, while other leading contenders Vignesh Advaith Vemula and Akhilbay Imangali were held to draws. The girls' section witnessed several upsets, with lower-rated players securing draws or victories against higher-rated opponents. The tournament features a strong field of 85 players from nine federations, including International Masters and FIDE Masters.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi, addressing the BRICS summit, called for a fundamental shift in global governance, advocating for the replacement of the current 'pyramid of privilege' with a 'platform of partnership' where the Global South becomes a 'rule shaper' rather than a 'rule follower'.
The Asian Junior Classical Championship in Mumbai saw top seed Mayank Chakraborty win his opening match, while other leading contenders Vignesh Advaith Vemula and Akhilbay Imangali were held to draws. The girls' section witnessed several upsets, with lower-rated players securing draws or victories against higher-rated opponents. The tournament features a strong field of 85 players from nine federations, including International Masters and FIDE Masters.
The Delhi High Court has directed Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) co-convenors Saurav Das and Ashutosh Ranka to remove allegedly objectionable social media posts targeting BJP national spokesperson Gaurav Bhatia. The court emphasised the need for verified and articulate expression, even while acknowledging the youth's right to protest. The case involves a defamation lawsuit filed by Bhatia over posts containing a wrongly attributed quote.
The Nifty 50 experienced significant volatility during its closing auction session, leading to losses for both long and short retail options traders due to thin liquidity and rapid price swings, particularly in private-sector banks.
Police investigations into the collapse of a five-storey PG building in Delhi's Satya Niketan reveal that three truckloads of debris were used to level the basement, and a crucial wall was removed on the ground floor shortly before the incident. Seven people died and five were injured. The building owner, labour contractor, and a PG operator have been arrested, while another operator is absconding. Concerns about building safety and unauthorised construction in the area have been raised.
Indian equity benchmark indices, Sensex and Nifty, ended marginally lower in a volatile trading session, surrendering early gains due to profit-taking in blue-chip stocks and persistent macroeconomic concerns, despite positive global cues.
Indian benchmark equity indices, Sensex and Nifty, opened higher on Monday, driven by strong buying in blue-chip stocks like HDFC Bank and Infosys, despite persistent geopolitical tensions and elevated crude oil prices.
India's power sector is undergoing a significant transformation, driven by a planned shift towards renewable energy and ambitious capacity expansion targets, with major players like NTPC, JSW Energy, Adani, and Tata Power prioritising predictable returns. However, execution challenges and valuation concerns remain critical factors for sustained growth.
A third generation murtikar and probably one of the first in her family, Manaswi Bagwe, a self-taught sculptor, is quietly pushing the boundaries of idol-making.
