The Delhi High Court has urged the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) to establish clear guidelines and timelines for female athletes returning to competitive sports after maternity leave. The court's observations came during a hearing for grappler Vinesh Phogat, who is seeking permission to participate in selection trials for the 2026 Senior World Championships after her maternity break. Justice Swarana Kanta Sharma highlighted the unfairness faced by women athletes post-childbirth and criticised the WFI's current policies, hinting at the need for a balanced framework.
The Finance Ministry has dismissed allegations of US pressure influencing the 0.4% Merchant Discount Rate (MDR) on select UPI transactions. It clarified that NPCI guidelines prioritise RuPay credit cards on UPI and do not favour international cards. The ministry also asserted that the MDR, applicable to person-to-merchant transactions above Rs 2,000, is unlikely to increase cash transactions or cause inflation, with measures in place to prevent burdening consumers.
The Finance Ministry has refuted allegations that US pressure influenced the decision to levy a 0.4% Merchant Discount Rate (MDR) on select UPI payments. It clarified that NPCI guidelines prioritise RuPay credit cards on UPI to foster a domestic payment ecosystem and that the MDR introduction aims to create a sustainable revenue model for smaller domestic companies, thereby protecting India's sovereignty in digital payments.
The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) has introduced stringent new policy guidelines, mandating ambulances deployed on national highways to reach accident sites within a 10-km radius in 10 minutes and transfer victims to the nearest hospital within one hour, with penalties for non-compliance.
The Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) is actively working on plans to expand Aadhaar's reach globally, particularly to benefit non-resident Indians (NRIs) and overseas citizens of India (OCIs). This initiative aims to enhance interoperability, attract investment, and streamline digital identification processes, with new guidelines for merchants and products like Aadhaar Lite also in development.
India has clarified its policy regarding participation in the 2027 South Asian Federation (SAF) Games in Pakistan, stating decisions will align with national sports policies and international governing bodies. While bilateral sporting engagements with Pakistan remain suspended, Indian athletes are permitted to compete in multilateral events. The government also aims to simplify visa processes to position India as a global sports hosting destination.
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.
The Supreme Court has sought responses from the Centre, states, and social media platforms Meta and X on a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) challenging police organisations' practice of posting content that reveals the identities of accused individuals or depicts them in a dehumanising manner. The PIL calls for guidelines to regulate police social media use and mechanisms for content removal.
IIIT-Hyderabad has issued disciplinary warnings to eight students associated with 'No Tyrants, No Silence' (NTNS), an independent campus platform. The institute cited unauthorised use of its name and publication of confidential meeting minutes. NTNS, which discusses caste, merit, and politics, had proposed screening a documentary on Umar Khalid, leading to CBFC objections and the screening's cancellation.
The Finance Ministry has clarified that the 0.4 per cent Merchant Discount Rate (MDR) on UPI transactions above Rs 2,000, effective October 15, is not expected to increase cash transactions or cause inflation. The ministry also dismissed allegations of US pressure influencing the decision, asserting that the policy aims to promote RuPay credit cards within the UPI ecosystem, and a monitoring mechanism will ensure the MDR burden is not passed on to consumers.
CDSCO has warned consumers against using two unauthorised Pakistani whitening creams after finding excessive heavy metals and regulatory violations.
The Supreme Court has expressed strong displeasure with the Odisha government for delaying a decision on the remission plea of Ravindra Pal alias Dara Singh, who is serving a life sentence for the 1999 murder of Australian missionary Graham Stuart Staines and his two sons. The court has directed the state to make a decision by September 17, warning of summoning officials if the delay persists. Singh, incarcerated for over 26 years, seeks premature release based on his time served and a 2022 state policy.
The CBSE has issued revised guidelines for its three-language policy, granting a one-time exemption to current Class 10 students from studying three languages. Class 9 students will still study three languages but can include two foreign languages and one Indian language, a significant shift from earlier mandates.
In recent years, China and Russia have pushed for de-dollarisation within BRICS, which India has resisted. One reason is that India does not want to hurt its relationship with the United States, and another is the fear of China controlling trade because the renminbi is considered the strongest currency in the bloc today.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has called upon citizens to celebrate Independence Day with honour and pride, urging them to take a pledge for a developed India. This appeal comes amidst parliamentary sessions marked by protests from both ruling and opposition alliances.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi cautioned against the 'weaponisation' of technology and critical minerals at the BRICS summit, advocating for cooperation to foster shared prosperity. Concurrently, Chinese President Xi Jinping announced plans for an open-source AI ecosystem for BRICS nations, positioning Beijing as a key technology partner amid global AI competition.
Anaya Bangar says her difficult transition journey made her stronger and wiser, with Cricket Australia's clearance giving her a pathway back to women's cricket after BCCI silence.
"Our endeavour is to bring headline inflation in line with the target over the medium term," said RBI Governor Sanjay Malhotra, addressing concerns about the central bank's policy stance and economic outlook.
The Maharashtra government has declared snakebite a notifiable disease, mandating all healthcare providers to report cases and deaths. This move aims to strengthen monitoring, ensure timely treatment, and improve anti-snake venom availability, following a tragic incident where tribal schoolgirls died from snakebites.
Educationists and parents are raising concerns about the CBSE's implementation of the three-language policy for Class 9, questioning the timing and preparedness of schools.
The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has maintained its benchmark policy rate at 5.25 per cent for the fourth consecutive meeting, prioritising clarity on inflation trends, particularly concerning energy costs and geopolitical developments.
The US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) is updating Form I-485 for permanent residence, effective September 18, 2026, with no grace period for older versions. This change, aligning with public-charge inadmissibility rules, significantly impacts Green Card applicants, particularly Indian nationals facing visa backlogs, who must use the correct form version to avoid rejection.
Indian crypto exchanges and companies have expressed strong support for the Central Board of Direct Taxes' (CBDT) new Crypto Asset Reporting Framework (CARF), which mandates reporting and due-diligence obligations for crypto service providers on all transactions starting 2026.
The Sports Ministry has suspended the Table Tennis Federation of India's recognition due to governance issues, including delayed elections, and has directed the Indian Olympic Association to form an ad-hoc committee to manage the sport.
The Sports Ministry has suspended the recognition of the Table Tennis Federation of India (TTFI) due to significant governance deficiencies, including delayed elections and failure to ensure athlete welfare. The Indian Olympic Association (IOA) has been directed to form an ad-hoc committee to manage the sport until a proper governance structure is re-established.
Beijing has been wary of Sanae Takaichi's efforts to boost Japan's military profile since taking office six months ago, points out Dr Rajaram Panda.
The Rapid Action Force (RAF) has initiated an inquiry into allegations of its personnel using disproportionate force and firing pellet guns during recent student protests in Delhi, following social media footage and reports of injuries.
The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) is set to revise its directives for bank boards, aiming to alleviate operational burdens and enable them to concentrate on crucial policy and strategic decision-making, thereby enhancing corporate governance in the Indian banking sector.
Karnataka Minister Priyank Kharge has stated the state government's "zero tolerance" policy regarding the alleged abuse of toddlers at a Bengaluru daycare centre. An explanation has been sought from the company, and action will be taken based on the inquiry report. Five nannies have been arrested, and police are investigating the alleged physical and mental abuse.
The 'Return to Play Post-Pregnancy Guidelines' for female cricketers, outline a six 'R's framework: Ready, Review, Restore, Recondition, Return and Refine.
For hundreds of Indian scholars who journeyed to Canada aiming for a foreign degree and a path toward long-term career opportunities, what should have been a triumphant graduation has instead spiralled into deep uncertainty.
The Supreme Court has given the Odisha government one month to decide on the remission plea of Ravindra Pal, alias Dara Singh, who is serving a life sentence for the 1999 murders of Australian missionary Graham Stuart Staines and his two minor sons.
A private school in Hyderabad has terminated a primary teacher after she assigned Islamic religious verses as homework, sparking controversy and prompting police intervention to ensure communal harmony. The incident led to protests and demands for action against the school from political and religious groups.
The Karnataka government has introduced a draft policy to address the growing concerns surrounding excessive and unsafe digital technology use among students, focusing on mental health, cyber safety, and responsible digital behaviour.
Two nannies at a daycare centre on an IT firm's campus in Bengaluru have been arrested for allegedly abusing toddlers. The arrests followed viral videos showing caregivers threatening and mistreating children, prompting a strong response from Karnataka's Home Minister and the IT firm, Capgemini.
90 per cent of institutions recorded no improvement in international student metrics, despite government initiatives such as the Study in India programme, UGC regulations on internationalisation, and efforts to attract foreign students.
The Bihar Education Department has directed all private and government-aided schools to adhere to NCERT guidelines, ensuring school bag weight does not exceed 10 per cent of a child's body weight. Schools must install weighing scales and monitor bag weights regularly, with violations leading to action.
Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis has ordered probes into multiple allegations of sexual harassment and forced religious conversion at a Spanish multinational in Pune, a government-run ITI in Solapur, and a TCS unit in Nashik. The CM highlighted a pattern of such incidents in corporate firms and suggested forming a panel of women legislators to review existing laws and recommend improvements.
Indian companies' overseas expansion plans are holding strong despite geopolitical tensions in West Asia, driven by structural factors like supply-chain diversification, free trade agreements, and market expansion, according to Ajay Sharma, managing director and head of banking at HSBC India.
Recognising the growing use of AI/ML models by regulated entities across business and decision-making processes, the RBI said weaknesses in governance, oversight, risk management, and controls could expose institutions to financial, operational, compliance, and reputational risks.
