Queen Maxima of the Netherlands, the UN Secretary-General's Special Advocate for Financial Health, visited Mumbai to understand India's digital public infrastructure, including UPI and AI, in improving financial health for salaried individuals. She interacted with healthcare professionals and SalarySe leaders, praising India's advancements in financial inclusion and technology's role in empowering individuals.
InsuranceDekho and RenewBuy have merged to establish India's largest artificial intelligence (AI)-enabled insurance distribution platform, targeting a significant premium book and extensive reach across the country.
The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has endorsed the introduction of a Merchant Discount Rate (MDR) on UPI transactions exceeding Rs 2,000, effective October 15. This move, which levies a 0.4 per cent fee on merchant payments above the threshold, aims to bolster the long-term sustainability and growth of India's digital payments ecosystem. The RBI clarified that person-to-person (P2P) transactions and small person-to-merchant (P2M) payments below Rs 2,000 will remain free for users, ensuring no direct charge on customers.
Meta has restricted access in India to a viral AI-generated video depicting Kerala Chief Minister VD Satheesan dancing with KSEB officials. The video, which garnered 1.78 crore views, was restricted following a legal request, though the creators believe it wasn't due to the CM's objection, as he had previously expressed excitement about it.
The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has arrested Ankit Satishchandra Pandey in connection with a transnational cyber-financial fraud case. Pandey allegedly defrauded US nationals of over USD 7 million by impersonating US federal agency officials through illegal call centres in Gujarat, coercing victims into transferring funds and purchasing gold.
Experts at a national symposium in Shillong discussed the role of Artificial Intelligence in tourism, emphasising that AI should support human judgment, local knowledge, and cultural values rather than replace them. Discussions highlighted the need for robust policies to address ethical concerns, safeguard livelihoods, and preserve cultural heritage while leveraging AI for innovation and sustainability in the tourism sector, particularly in Meghalaya.
Indian government agencies and private sector firms have secured access to Anthropic's advanced AI model, Mythos, through Project Glasswing. This initiative aims to enhance cybersecurity by identifying software vulnerabilities in critical infrastructure. Anthropic has also urged a moderated pace of AI development due to potential societal risks.
A Bain & Company report projects the global AI market must reach nearly USD 6 trillion annually by 2031 to sustain massive infrastructure investments. This growth will largely depend on new innovations beyond productivity gains, with a significant gap needing to be filled by emerging revenue streams like autonomous vehicles, physical AI, and new AI-driven products. The report also highlights the surge in hardware and semiconductor industries due to AI compute demand and the importance of AI absorption for Indian companies.
'If a student can get a good teacher, quality content and mock tests at no cost, it becomes very hard for a mid-tier coaching centre to keep charging for the same lecture.'
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.
Fintech giant PhonePe has launched 'PhonePe UPI 123Pay', a new service enabling UPI transactions for feature phone users without requiring an internet connection. This initiative aims to bring digital payment capabilities to over 200 million feature phone users, promoting financial inclusion across India.
The Supreme Court has directed media outlets, journalists, and publishing platforms to practice responsible, empathetic, and restrained journalism when reporting sexual offences. The court highlighted that sensationalist headlines and graphic descriptions cause secondary trauma to victims and their families, urging media to prioritise dignity, factual accuracy, and institutional accountability.
State Bank of India (SBI) is developing an innovative solution to assess the creditworthiness of small businesses lacking GST registration by utilising UPI transaction data. This initiative aims to provide end-to-end digital loans within a day, addressing the financial exclusion of many small enterprises.
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.
Kia has introduced its Sorento SUV to challenge the long-standing dominance of the Toyota Fortuner in the premium SUV segment, offering a luxury-focused approach with a feature-rich cabin and hybrid powertrain at a competitive price point starting from Rs 27.9 lakh.
Patrice Caine, Chairman and CEO of Thales, highlighted Artificial Intelligence as both a major cybersecurity challenge, accelerating attack speed and autonomy, and a crucial tool for defenders. He also warned about quantum computing's future threat to encrypted data. Thales introduced new AI-powered solutions like Luna 8 and CipherTrust DSPM at its Cyber Summit 2026 to combat these evolving threats.
Maharashtra's Chief Electoral Officer has formally requested the Election Commission to modify the ECINet software, seeking greater discretion for Electoral Registration Officers in addressing over 2 crore voter discrepancies.
IT Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw announced that the Indian government will release a consultation paper on AI regulations within a month. This framework will address critical aspects like AI safety, deepfakes, and a human-first approach, emphasising the industry's primary responsibility in ensuring safe AI deployment. The move comes amidst growing global concerns over AI risks and the need for robust safeguards.
TRAI Chairman Anil Kumar Lahoti has called for robust safeguards, human oversight, and intervention capabilities as Artificial Intelligence becomes increasingly integrated into telecom networks. While acknowledging AI's potential to transform network management and threat detection, Lahoti stressed the need for responsible AI deployment, risk assessments, and clear accountability to ensure consumer trust and prevent misuse, especially in combating online fraud.
At what age should society stop regulating life choices and allow people to make their own?
Zoho has launched Zia Chat, a unified AI interface designed to streamline business operations across various functions by providing a single conversational platform for information, lead generation, and data analysis. Concurrently, the company has expanded into vertical SaaS with seven new industry-specific applications for sectors like retail, automotive, healthcare, and education, reinforcing its position as a homegrown alternative to global tech giants.
A nearly 70,000-page chargesheet filed by the Supreme Court-mandated SIT details the diversion of donations from the Ram temple in Ayodhya, revealing a network of eight accused who allegedly removed, concealed, and distributed pilfered funds during cash-counting, supported by 105 CCTV instances and thousands of text messages.
Homegrown software company Zoho has launched Zia Chat, a unified AI interface designed to streamline business operations across various functions. Alongside this, Zoho announced its entry into vertical SaaS with seven industry-specific applications for sectors like retail, automotive, healthcare, and education, reinforcing its position as a 'Swadeshi' alternative to global tech giants.
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.
Before protesting against the State, the citizen should not have to ask: Sir, may I protest, please?, asserts Prem Panicker.
The Election Commission has clarified that its ECINet platform is decentralised, with statutory functions performed only by designated officials, not headquarters staff. This comes after concerns were raised about the centralisation of electoral roll databases. The EC also defended the legality of an additional declaration sought from new voters during the Special Intensive Revision, citing unanimous commission approval and a Supreme Court judgment.
The parents of IIT Bombay student Sahil Wakode, who allegedly died by suicide, are continuing their hunger strike, demanding the arrest of Professor Suryanarayana Doolla and institute director Shireesh B Kedare. They allege caste discrimination and abetment to suicide, while police investigate the case, recording statements and analyzing electronic devices.
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.
'It is not about a place with fewer incidents of violence but a city where women have real agency in planning their daily lives.'
Arundhati Bhattacharya, Salesforce President and CEO for South Asia, stated that cloud and AI are democratising capabilities, offering India a unique opportunity to leapfrog in technology. Speaking at the IMC Chamber of Commerce, she emphasised that AI will create more jobs and urged Indian businesses to transform using technology, rather than merely digitising. She also highlighted the significant economic potential of AI adoption for India.
Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) has announced a five-year strategic deal with German automaker Porsche AG worth 1.25 billion (nearly 14,000 crore), which includes the acquisition of Porsche's wholly-owned subsidiary MHP Management- und IT-Beratung GmbH for 320 million (around 3,574 crore). This move is set to significantly expand TCS's consulting footprint in Germany and the broader European market, giving it access to MHP's customer base and specialised talent.
Do not share OTPs, PINs, authentication codes, card numbers, card verification values (CVVs), KYC details, security answers, Internet-banking passwords or Aadhaar-based authentication credentials through SMS, e-mail or phone calls.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi and US President Donald Trump held a telephone conversation to review progress in bilateral ties, covering trade, defence, and energy, against the backdrop of heightened trade friction due to the 'Lindsey O. Graham Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act of 2026'.
The National Legal Services Authority has launched a digital module to automate and expedite the process of remission and premature release of eligible prisoners across India.
The Indian government has introduced a 0.4% transaction fee on UPI payments above Rs 2,000 for merchants, effective October 15, sparking a political row. The Congress party has labelled it a "Modi tax" and accused the government of succumbing to US pressure, while the BJP has defended the move, clarifying that consumers will not be charged and small vendors are protected. The finance ministry reiterated that the charge is on merchants, not customers.
The National Skill Development Corporation (NSDC), in collaboration with Amazon Web Services (AWS) and Cultus Education, has launched a nationwide initiative to provide cloud and AI skilling to 1.5 lakh learners. This programme aims to equip youth, especially from Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities, with essential technology skills and job-ready training, contributing to India's goal of becoming a global innovation hub.
Infosys Chairman Nandan Nilekani stressed the need for India to develop population-scale tokenisation infrastructure capable of handling billions of transactions, rather than merely focusing on issuing tokens. He highlighted the importance of interoperability, liquidity, and high volumes for tokenisation to expand across various asset classes and use cases.
For India, the goal is not simply to host another grand diplomatic gathering. It is to prove that a diverse coalition of emerging powers can still deliver.
Meesho, a value-commerce platform targeting middle- and lower-income geographies, is poised for significant growth driven by its asset-light model and low fulfilment costs, but faces intense competition from e-commerce giants and high valuations.
If the new MDR regime is rolled out from the middle of this month, as scheduled, it should count as one of the boldest political actions by the Modi government on an economic-policy issue, and a signal that it is less worried about erosion of political capital it draws from one of its key constituencies, notes A K Bhattacharya.
