Author: News Desk

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has called on India’s fintech sector to move beyond the success of UPI and focus on the next generation of financial innovation. Addressing the Global Fintech Fest 2026 in Mumbai, Modi said India’s fintech journey has been remarkable, with UPI playing a major role in expanding digital payments and bringing millions of people into the formal financial system. UPI completed 10 years on August 25 and recorded more than 2,400 crore transactions in August alone, according to Modi. Modi said the next phase of fintech should extend beyond payments to areas such as credit, savings, pensions…

Repeated traffic violations could soon have more serious consequences for drivers under a proposed negative points system being developed by the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways. Union Road Transport and Highways Minister Nitin Gadkari said the proposed system would deduct points from a driver’s licence and the vehicle’s Registration Certificate (RC) for every traffic offence. If violations accumulate beyond a prescribed limit, the licence or RC could face suspension or cancellation. The proposed framework is aimed at identifying habitual offenders and encouraging safer driving behaviour. Drivers with clean records could potentially receive incentives, including benefits from insurance companies, while…

India and Russia are exploring an upgrade of the BrahMos supersonic cruise missile to add new capabilities, improve its effectiveness and strengthen its position in international defence markets. Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said the two countries are jointly producing BrahMos missiles and that it is time to consider adding new characteristics and capabilities to make the system more effective and competitive globally. The development comes ahead of Russian President Vladimir Putin’s visit to India and his scheduled meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi on the sidelines of the BRICS summit. Defence cooperation is expected to feature prominently in the bilateral…

Technocrat E. Sreedharan met Kerala Chief Minister V.D. Satheesan to discuss key connectivity and infrastructure projects in the state. The meeting focused on major transport and connectivity initiatives that could improve Kerala’s infrastructure network and address the growing demands of mobility and regional development. E. Sreedharan, widely known for his role in delivering major railway and metro projects in India, shared his views on infrastructure development and connectivity with the Chief Minister. The discussions come at a time when Kerala is looking to strengthen its transport infrastructure and improve connectivity between major urban centres and emerging growth corridors. Better transport…

Banking services across India are expected to be affected as bank employee unions have announced a nationwide strike over their demand for a five-day work week. The unions have been pressing for a reduction in the working week, seeking a system under which banks remain closed on Saturdays and Sundays. The demand has been a long-standing issue in the banking sector, with employee organisations arguing that a five-day schedule would improve work-life balance and bring banking employees in line with working patterns followed in several other sectors. The proposed strike could affect operations at bank branches and offices, potentially impacting…

Kerala is looking to deepen its technology and startup ecosystem through greater collaboration with leading technology companies. Chief Minister V.D. Satheesan met Zoho Corporation founder Sridhar Vembu and co-founder Tony Thomas to discuss opportunities to strengthen Kerala’s deep tech ecosystem and attract greater startup investment. The meeting focused on several areas, including Zoho’s guidance and support for technology companies operating in Kerala. Discussions also explored ways to accelerate the growth of local startups and create stronger opportunities for the state’s technology sector. Sridhar Vembu highlighted Zoho’s focus on creating employment opportunities closer to local communities and expanding access to technology…

India and Bangladesh are set to discuss the possible restart of key cross-border passenger train services at a meeting of railway authorities from both countries. The Maitree Express, Mitali Express and Bandhan Express are on the agenda at the annual Inter-Governmental Railway Meeting. This is the first time since 2024 that the resumption of these passenger services will be formally discussed. The three services have been important links between the two neighbouring countries, connecting major cities and supporting people-to-people travel, tourism and regional connectivity. The Maitree Express connects Dhaka and Kolkata, while the Bandhan Express links Khulna and Kolkata. The…

Dell Technologies has launched Udaan, a new initiative aimed at preparing 23,000 young Indians for opportunities emerging from the country’s rapidly growing artificial intelligence economy. The programme focuses on building AI and digital capabilities among youth, addressing one of the biggest challenges facing India’s technology-led transformation: the availability of skilled talent. As AI adoption accelerates across industries, demand is rising for professionals who can work with emerging technologies and apply them to real-world business problems. India’s AI ecosystem is expanding across enterprises, startups, manufacturing, financial services and other sectors, making workforce skilling increasingly important. Udaan is designed to help young…

Actor Yash, who plays Ravana in Nitesh Tiwari’s much-anticipated Ramayana, has reportedly chosen a different approach to his remuneration for the two-part epic. Instead of taking a conventional acting fee reportedly estimated at ₹100 crore, Yash has opted for the theatrical distribution rights for South India as his remuneration, according to reports. The decision represents a significant shift from the traditional actor-fee model. Rather than securing a fixed payout upfront, Yash could potentially benefit from the film’s performance across the southern markets, giving him a direct financial stake in its theatrical success. The move also reflects Yash’s growing role as…

Tata Boeing Aerospace Limited (TBAL), the joint venture between Boeing and Tata Advanced Systems Limited (TASL), has achieved a major milestone by rolling out its 400th fuselage for the AH-64E Apache attack helicopter from its advanced manufacturing facility in Hyderabad. The 52,000-square-metre facility manufactures the Apache fuselages entirely in India before they are shipped for integration into complete helicopters supplied to customers across the world, including the US Army. The milestone underlines India’s increasing importance in the global aerospace and defence manufacturing ecosystem. Established in 2016, TBAL has grown into a key contributor to Boeing’s global Apache supply chain. The…