India's UPI system continues its rapid growth, dominating retail payments. Recent amendments to the Payment and Settlement Systems Act allow for targeted Merchant Discount Rates (MDR) on high-value merchant transactions, aiming to create a self-sustaining revenue model for the ecosystem while keeping P2P and low-value payments free. This move could generate significant revenue and encourage ecosystem participation.
The Bombay High Court has directed the FDA to conduct a fresh inspection of the Mumbai Cricket Association's kitchens after serious food safety and hygiene violations were found, including insects. The court also humorously questioned if cricketers were aware they were consuming "non-vegetarian tea" due to the unhygienic conditions. The MCA has been asked to clean its premises before the inspection.
Indian golfer Shubhankar Sharma finished tied 46th at the Nexo Championship in Aberdeen, Scotland, while Scotland's Scott Jamieson secured his second DP World Tour title with a final-round 67, overcoming a penalty to overnight leader Shaun Norris.
Cricket icons Rahul Dravid and Steve Waugh, along with Bollywood actor Abhishek Bachchan, were spotted at the India-Netherlands FIH Hockey World Cup match in Amstelveen. Their presence is linked to the upcoming European T20 Premier League, co-founded by Bachchan, which aims to boost cricket in Europe.
Cricket icons Rahul Dravid and Steve Waugh, along with Bollywood actor Abhishek Bachchan, were spotted at the India-Netherlands FIH Hockey World Cup match in Amstelveen. Their presence is linked to the upcoming European T20 Premier League, co-founded by Bachchan, which aims to boost cricket in Europe.
Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis has dismissed speculation about a potential move to national politics, asserting his commitment to serving the state. He clarified that his visit to Delhi was to discuss Maharashtra's development projects with the central government, not for a change in his political role.
Five Indian tennis players were excluded from the Asian Games squad because they did not meet the Sports Ministry's stringent international ranking criteria, a decision that has drawn criticism from veteran players like Rohan Bopanna but is being upheld by authorities to maintain administrative integrity.
A delegation from the Brazilian Football Confederation (CBF) visited Kolkata to inspect venues and infrastructure for the upcoming international friendly against India on October 3. The inspection covered the stadium, training facilities, accommodation, and security, with West Bengal's Sports Minister assuring world-class arrangements.
A tense situation prevailed at the Jharkhand secretariat on Wednesday after a large number of successful candidates, who are likely to be rendered jobless following the government's cancellation of recruitment examinations, forcibly entered the campus in defiance of a prohibitory order, an official said.
Veteran politician Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir has been sworn in as Bangladesh's 23rd President, following a contested parliamentary election that saw him defeat Colonel (retd) Oli Ahmed. Alamgir, a longtime secretary general of the ruling Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), will serve a five-year term.
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.
Om Patel and Deepshika Vinayagamurthy have won the boys' and girls' singles titles, respectively, at the UNIFI ITF Junior Tennis Cup in Chennai. Patel overcame Om Verma in a three-set thriller, while Deepshika defeated Savitha Bhuvaneswaran in straight sets, adding another title to her recent Junior National Championship victory.
The Indian junior men's hockey team is undergoing a preparatory camp in Dalian, China, playing three practice matches against the host country's junior team. This camp is crucial for fine-tuning their skills and strategy ahead of the Junior Asia Cup, scheduled from September 4 to 13 in Moqi, China.
National Security Advisor Ajit Doval engaged in Special Representatives talks with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi in Beijing, focusing on the India-China boundary question and enhancing bilateral relations. These crucial discussions precede Chinese President Xi Jinping's anticipated visit to New Delhi for the BRICS summit, aiming to address persistent border differences and stabilise ties strained by past conflicts like the Galwan Valley clash.
Indian golfer Shubhankar Sharma dropped to tied 41st after a three-over 75 in the third round of the Nexo Championship. South Africa's Shaun Norris took a commanding two-shot lead after equalling the course record with a nine-under 66.
Gujarat Police have arrested 13 additional individuals, including a man from Madhya Pradesh identified as Anand Chhandi, for their involvement in the Bhavnagar hooch tragedy that claimed 13 lives. Chhandi is accused of playing a significant role in manufacturing the methanol-laced spurious liquor and procuring chemicals, bringing the total arrests to 27.
Congress-ruled states, including Karnataka, Kerala, and Telangana, are preparing to challenge the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Amendment Act, 2026, in the Supreme Court. They allege the new law undermines states' rights by restricting their powers to levy taxes on mineral resources, a claim the Centre denies, stating it aims for uniform mineral rates.
The Supreme Court has directed the release of a 70-year-old man by suspending his sentence as it termed the nearly half century long litigation in a double-murder case from Jharkhand a "failure of judicial system."
The Sports Ministry has approved a 492-member contingent of athletes, including 265 men and 227 women, for the upcoming Asian Games in Japan. The squad features prominent athletes like Neeraj Chopra, PV Sindhu, and Lovlina Borgohain across various disciplines, with athletics having the largest representation.
The Indian women's hockey team lost 0-2 to reigning Olympic and world champions Netherlands in their second round match of the FIH World Cup. This defeat means India must now beat Australia in their upcoming match to keep their semifinal hopes alive.
Broadband technology firm GX Group is set to commence manufacturing operations at its advanced photonics facility in India from December, investing Rs 500 crore. This initiative aims to strengthen domestic manufacturing, create skilled jobs, and reduce dependence on imported optical components crucial for high-speed data networks and AI data centres.
'Hydro-seismicity is a phenomenon that typically shows up during and just after the monsoon.' 'Heavy rain causes water to percolate deep into the rock, and where there are fractures, that water fills the pores and builds up what we call pore water pressure.' 'That pressure can widen existing cracks, and eventually the rock gives way -- which surfaces as tremors.'
GM-elect Mayank Chakraborty defeated Jaiveer Mahendru to join IM Artem Pingin and FM Sharnarthi Viresh in the lead at the Asian Junior Open Classical Chess Championship. In the Girls' Championship, WCM Shohradova Leyla and WFM Pratitee Bordoloi maintained their joint lead after a draw, with the tournament heading for an exciting finish.
Goa has successfully completed its first pilot drone-skilling workshop for 12 women and plans to train 100 women annually under the Goa Drone Didi Training Scheme. This initiative aims to promote drone technology, rural livelihoods, and women-led entrepreneurship, aligning with the Centre's Namo Drone Didi programme.
The combined market valuation of four of India's top-10 most valued firms eroded by Rs 87,960.29 crore last week, with Bharti Airtel experiencing the largest decline, amidst a bearish trend in the equities market.
The Supreme Court of India has dismissed a petition seeking to abolish execution by hanging, affirming its legality while strongly emphasising that the State must carry out capital punishment in a manner that minimises suffering and preserves human dignity, even for condemned prisoners.
BRICS Sports Ministers adopted a Joint Declaration in Visakhapatnam, reaffirming their commitment to strengthen sports cooperation through dialogue and mutual respect. The meeting, held under India's 2026 Chairship, saw Union Minister Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya call for a BRICS Sporting Partnership and introduce three key initiatives: a Working Group on Sports Technology, a Sports Manufacturing Conclave in Udaipur, and Traditional and Indigenous Sports Demonstration Games in Ahmedabad in 2026.
The Kerala high court has delivered a landmark judgment, empowering Christian women in India to file for divorce from their current place of residence, thereby removing a significant procedural hurdle and ensuring equal access to justice.
Indian cricketer Zeeshan Ansari attributes his red-ball cricket resurgence to the invaluable lessons learned from spin legends Muttiah Muralitharan and Daniel Vettori during his stint with Sunrisers Hyderabad.
A spurious liquor tragedy in Gujarat's Bhavnagar district has resulted in eight deaths and left 61 persons affected, with 25 still undergoing treatment. Police have arrested 13 individuals in connection with the incident, which involved methanol-laced alcohol sold under a popular brand name. The State Monitoring Cell is investigating the source and distribution network of the illicit brew.
Akshay Bhatia is the top-performing Indian-origin golfer at the BMW Championship, currently tied 16th and five-under par, securing his spot in the upcoming Tour Championship. Other Indian-origin players, Aaron Rai and Sahith Theegala, are struggling to qualify.
The Unified Payments Interface (UPI) has completed a decade since its launch, becoming the backbone of India's digital payments ecosystem. It has seen exponential growth in transaction volume and value, expanding financial inclusion and setting a global benchmark for real-time payments.
The eighth season of the Tennis Premier League (TPL) will take place in Hyderabad from December 8 to 13, featuring eight teams and a new partnership with Kia India. The event will be held at the LB Tennis Stadium with support from the Telangana government.
The second season of the Archery Premier League (APL) will commence in Hyderabad on October 8, featuring 12 international archers, including Olympic bronze medallist Casey Kaufhold and other Olympic medallists like Mete Gazoz and Alejandra Valencia. The 11-day tournament aims to establish India as a key destination on the global archery calendar.
Russia on Monday assured India of uninterrupted supply of energy and fertilisers amid disruption caused by the West Asia crisis, as External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar met President Vladimir Putin in Moscow and held talks with his key interlocutors.
Meghalaya is experiencing escalating tensions marked by arson and petrol bomb attacks on government properties, following violence during a Khasi Students' Union rally. The incidents are linked to an inter-state taxi standoff with Assam, leading to deployment of central forces and calls for peace from chief ministers.
The Rajasthan government has announced that construction of a new building for a government primary school in Jaipur, which was at the centre of a recent confrontation between Cockroach Janata Party (CJP) members and villagers, will begin from September 1.
The BRICS Youth Ministers' Meeting, organised by India's Sports Ministry, successfully concluded in Visakhapatnam. Presided over by Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviya, the meeting built upon previous youth engagements, focusing on developing young leaders and promoting youth cooperation among BRICS nations.
The India U20 men's football team played a 0-0 draw against Yemen in the first of two friendly matches in Bengaluru, as part of their preparation for the upcoming AFC U20 Asian Cup China 2027 Qualifiers.
Indian football icon I M Vijayan has voiced his enthusiasm for the upcoming India-Brazil international friendly in Kolkata on October 3. He believes the visit by the five-time World Cup champions will provide invaluable experience and lasting memories for young Indian players, significantly boosting the sport's profile and attracting global attention to Indian football.
