A Travelling Ticket Examiner (TTE) was arrested in Kerala for allegedly molesting a woman passenger on the Nizamuddin Express. The incident occurred between Thrissur and Vallathol Nagar, and the accused, identified as Shiju, was apprehended after the woman alerted Railway Police. He was reportedly intoxicated during the incident.
A recent Central Vigilance Commission (CVC) report reveals that over 70,500 corruption complaints were lodged against various government bodies last year, with banks and the Railways accounting for the highest numbers. While a significant portion of these complaints has been disposed of, thousands remain under process, highlighting ongoing challenges in addressing corruption within public sector entities.
A report by the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) has revealed the presence of E.coli bacteria in drinking water samples from water coolers at several Indian railway stations. The audit also highlighted unhygienic conditions in railway washrooms and significant deficiencies in Minimum Essential Amenities (MEA) across 458 out of 512 non-suburban stations inspected.
A Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) audit for 2024-25 has highlighted Indian Railways' concerning trend of repaying lease charges to its borrowing arm, IRFC, from budgetary grants instead of internal resources, alongside significant delays in safety-centric works.
The Centre has approved a fourth railway line through the strategically important 'Chicken's Neck' corridor, a crucial link for Northeast India. This, along with other infrastructure projects like a double-line underground project and station redevelopment, aims to enhance connectivity, capacity, and passenger services in the region.
"Indian Railways is now the world's second-largest cargo carrier by volume, up from fourth, even as its share of the country's total freight movement remains well below potential.'
Customs officials in Palakkad seized over 51 kg of ganja, valued at Rs 25.88 lakh, from unattended backpacks at Palakkad Junction railway station. The seizure, made on September 17, followed intelligence about narcotic movement via trains. An investigation is underway to identify those responsible for abandoning the drugs.
Western Railway has debunked a viral video claiming a loco pilot stopped a train near Indore to buy samosas, clarifying that it was a freight train on an authorised operational halt due to engineering work, and the person buying food was a standby assistant loco pilot.
Waiting Hai exposes Indian Railways' tatkal ticket scams with .
Heavy police and drone teams have been deployed in Haldwani's Banbhoolpura area ahead of an anticipated Supreme Court verdict concerning alleged encroachment on 29 hectares of Railway land. The deployment is a precautionary measure given past unrest during demolition drives, with authorities appealing for peace and warning against rumour-mongering.
Government job aspirants in Patna staged a protest march demanding the cancellation of several recruitment exams, including for sub-inspector posts, citing alleged irregularities. The demonstration led to clashes with police, detentions, and disruption of public order and essential services. Protesters also called for an end to the contract system in BPSC exams and the publication of a job calendar.
A Delhi court has ordered the framing of money laundering charges against former railway minister Lalu Prasad Yadav, his wife Rabri Devi, son Tejashwi Yadav, and six others in the alleged IRCTC hotel scam. The court found strong suspicion of a manipulated tender for railway hotels and a quid pro quo involving land transfer at undervalued rates.
Samajwadi Party president Akhilesh Yadav has criticised the BJP government's proposed Merchant Discount Rate (MDR) on high-value UPI transactions, calling it a "chungi" (tax) on digital payments. He alleged the move was an attempt to extract money from people's transactions, contradicting the government's goal of a trillion-dollar economy. The new UPI framework will impose a 0.4% MDR on person-to-merchant transactions above Rs 2,000 from October 15, with certain sectors having a flat Rs 5 MDR.
India has launched its first hydrogen-powered train, the 'Namo Green Rail', from Jind, Haryana, marking a significant step towards sustainable railway mobility. The 10-coach train, which emits only water vapour, is currently operating on the Jind-Sonipat route and represents a major technological advancement for the country's transport sector.
Experts laud the decision to impose a 0.4 per cent Merchant Discount Rate (MDR) on UPI transactions exceeding Rs 2,000, effective October 15. This move, along with a dedicated fund for small merchants, is seen as crucial for creating a sustainable digital payments ecosystem, incentivising expansion in rural areas, and funding innovation while keeping most transactions free for users.
Five people were killed after a massive explosion at a firecracker factory in Uttar Pradesh's Kaushambi district on Monday afternoon, officials said.
India's first Archery World Cup Final male gold-medallist, Dhiraj Bommadevara, has inspired the national team ahead of the Asian Games. Dola Banerjee, India's first World Cup Final gold-medallist, believes his triumph will boost confidence and help the team surpass its previous medal haul, despite a new-look squad.
Mamata Banerjee, who founded the Trinamool Congress through an act of rebellion against the Congress, now faces a similar internal revolt that threatens the very identity of her party. The Election Commission's interim decision to withhold the TMC name and symbol for the upcoming bypolls highlights a deeper struggle for political inheritance. This situation, unprecedented for the party, forces both Mamata's loyalists and rebels to seek electoral recognition without their established identity, marking a significant challenge to her long-standing dominance.
The central government has introduced a 0.4 per cent fee on UPI transactions exceeding Rs 2,000, prompting traders' associations to advocate for cash payments to avoid additional costs on digital payments. This move ends the zero-Merchant Discount Rate (MDR) regime, with traders expressing concerns about operating on tight margins and the potential for increased charges.
Merchants will be subject to an 18 per cent Goods and Services Tax (GST) on the Merchant Discount Rate (MDR) for UPI payments exceeding Rs 2,000, but can mitigate this burden by claiming input tax credit (ITC), according to tax experts.
Legendary Indian hockey player Harbinder Singh reminisces about India's historic first Asian Games gold medal in 1966, defeating arch-rivals Pakistan. He shares insights into the team's motivation, the challenging final match played with 10 men, and the evolution of hockey over the decades, including concerns about declining domestic spectator interest and India's prospects for future Asian Games.
Suburban train services on Mumbai's Harbour line were briefly disrupted at Kharghar station after a bird got stuck in a train's pantograph, causing overhead equipment to trip. The incident led to minor delays and panic among commuters before services resumed quickly.
Tax experts clarify that merchants will pay 18% GST on Merchant Discount Rate (MDR) for UPI payments exceeding Rs 2,000, effective October 15. However, registered merchants can claim Input Tax Credit (ITC), mitigating the tax burden. This move is expected to generate significant GST revenue for the exchequer while funding payment infrastructure.
The Indian Railway Ministry has issued a new circular allowing sportspersons to carry oversized and bulky sports equipment, such as javelins, on trains. This relaxation, however, excludes pole-vault poles due to technical feasibility. The equipment can be transported in designated luggage spaces on a priority basis, subject to freight charges, and existing weight limits will not apply.
A passenger travelling in an AC coach of the Una Himachal-Indore Express was allegedly bitten on the nose by a rat, leading to a complaint on X. Railway officials confirmed the incident, stating that first aid was provided and anti-rodent measures had been taken before departure.
The Indian government has introduced a 0.4 per cent charge on UPI payments exceeding Rs 2,000 made to merchants, with a cap of Rs 300 for transactions of Rs 75,000 and above. This policy shift ends the zero-MDR regime, which was previously criticised by financial institutions. While essential sectors and capital markets have specific fee structures, small merchants with monthly UPI QR code earnings up to Rs 1 lakh remain exempt. Person-to-person transfers are unaffected, and measures are in place to prevent merchants from passing these costs to customers.
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.
The Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) has arrested seven individuals, including two foreign nationals, for their involvement in an interstate cocaine trafficking network operating between Bengaluru and Kerala. The operation, named 'Domino', led to the seizure of 33.1 grams of cocaine worth Rs 16.55 lakh and uncovered links to individuals previously deported from the UAE for drug offences.
A new Merchant Discount Rate (MDR) on UPI transactions above Rs 2,000, effective October 15, could force small merchants and price-sensitive consumers to revert to cash, according to economic think tank GTRI. The move, which introduces a 0.4 per cent MDR with a Rs 300 cap and concessional rates for specific categories, is questioned by GTRI founder Ajay Srivastava, who suggests it's not a revenue issue for the government but potentially a response to US pressure regarding UPI and RuPay's preferential market position.
'UPI has been free since Covid, so why is the government charging us now?'
India needs to move beyond ease and cost of doing business and focus on the "speed of doing business" as the next leg of reforms to sustain economic growth and private investment, Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) President R Mukundan said.
A Public Interest Litigation has been filed in the Supreme Court challenging the Centre's decision to impose a 0.4 per cent Merchant Discount Rate (MDR) on UPI person-to-merchant transactions exceeding Rs 2,000. The plea argues that the levy was introduced without adequate statutory safeguards, transparency, or public consultation, and questions its constitutional validity and potential adverse effects on merchants and consumers.
GIS intelligence solutions provider Mirai Aerospace Systems and Software Solutions has signed an MoU with US-based GreenValley International Inc to strengthen India's geospatial and LiDAR remote sensing manufacturing base. The collaboration focuses on local assembly, manufacturing, technical support, and the development of AI-driven LiDAR applications, aiming to meet India's growing demand across various sectors.
A foreign national passed away at the Railway Protection Force post in Surat after being deboarded from a train following a fight with co-passengers. The Government Railway Police has launched a custodial death investigation into the incident, as the man's identity and nationality remain unknown.
The Indian government has introduced a 0.4% Merchant Discount Rate (MDR) on UPI person-to-merchant (P2M) transactions exceeding Rs 2,000, effective October 15. This move ends nearly six years of fully free UPI payments, though person-to-person (P2P) transfers and small P2M payments remain free. The charges aim to bolster investment in UPI infrastructure, with specific exemptions and caps for essential sectors.
The Finance Ministry has clarified that the decision to impose a 0.4% Merchant Discount Rate (MDR) on UPI transactions above Rs 2,000 was made independently, refuting claims of foreign influence. The ministry stated the policy aims to build a self-sustaining digital payments ecosystem, with MDR funding infrastructure and supporting small merchants.
A major tragedy was averted in Assam's Hojai district on Wednesday when forest personnel alerted the Rajdhani Express after spotting a large herd of elephants crossing a railway track, Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said.
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 Indian government has notified the Legal Metrology (Indian Standard Time) Rules, 2026, establishing IST as the sole reference for all official purposes nationwide. These rules, effective in 180 days, aim to synchronise digital systems, reduce reliance on foreign time sources, and enhance coordination across critical sectors like banking, railways, and telecommunications.
Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu announced several new initiatives for Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD), including Aadhaar-based devotee insurance for Rs 2 lakh, the establishment of an SV Museum by TCS Trust, and the introduction of electric buses donated by Reliance Foundation and Bharat Biotech. The plans also include global expansion of Srivari temples, improved Annadanam, integrated hospital services, and significant infrastructure development in Tirupati to make it a services and wedding destination with a Net Zero concept.
