New UPI Charges From October 15: What Changes for High-Value Digital Payments
New Delhi: India’s Unified Payments Interface (UPI) is set to undergo a significant change from October 15, 2026, with charges being introduced on certain high-value merchant transactions. The new framework will introduce a 0.4 per cent Merchant Discount Rate (MDR) on eligible UPI payments above ₹2,000. The move marks a
Himalayas Face Growing Climate and Development Risks as India Reviews Mountain Security
New Delhi: The Himalayan region is facing growing pressure from climate change, glacier loss, extreme weather events and rapid infrastructure development, putting renewed focus on the need for stronger environmental monitoring and disaster preparedness across the mountain states. The Himalayas are not only a major geographical feature of India but
Arabian Sea Naval Collision Triggers Fresh India-Pakistan Diplomatic Tensions
A maritime collision involving Indian and Pakistani naval vessels in the North Arabian Sea has sparked a fresh diplomatic confrontation between the two nuclear-armed neighbours, raising concerns over naval safety, military communication protocols, and regional stability. India has formally summoned Pakistan’s Charge d’Affaires in New Delhi, while Islamabad has responded
Jensen Huang on AI Jobs: Your Next Job Threat May Not Be AI, but Someone Who Uses It Better
Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang has offered a different perspective on the growing fear that artificial intelligence will eliminate millions of jobs. Rather than predicting that AI itself will replace workers across entire professions, Huang argues that the bigger workplace shift could come from people who learn to use AI more
UPI Payments Above ₹2,000 to Attract 0.4% MDR From October 15
India’s Unified Payments Interface (UPI) is set for its biggest pricing change since the system became a dominant digital-payment platform, with a 0.4% Merchant Discount Rate (MDR) being introduced on specified person-to-merchant transactions above ₹2,000 from October 15, 2026. The new framework ends more than six years of zero-MDR merchant
India-Russia Energy Ties: Why Cooperation Is Becoming a Key Pillar of the Partnership
Energy cooperation is emerging as one of the most important pillars of India-Russia relations, with New Delhi and Moscow discussing ways to expand collaboration across the sector. The Ministry of External Affairs has highlighted the long-running partnership in nuclear energy and identified the Kudankulam nuclear power project as a major
Shree Charani Creates ICC T20I Ranking History After Asia Cup Triumph
India’s record eighth Women’s Asia Cup title has produced another landmark moment, with left-arm spinner Shree Charani rewriting the country’s record books in the latest ICC Women’s T20I Player Rankings. Charani has reached a career-best 804 rating points, becoming the first Indian to cross the 800-point mark in the rankings.
Saudi Pipeline Shutdown and US Tariff Threat: Why India Could Face a Double Economic Shock
India is facing a difficult combination of external pressures as a major Saudi oil pipeline remains shut and trade tensions with the United States continue to create uncertainty for exporters. The two developments are unrelated in origin, but together they could put pressure on India’s import bill, inflation, currency and
Asia Cup Trophy Row: BCCI Says Naqvi Had No Objection to India’s Decision
The Asia Cup trophy controversy has continued after BCCI vice-president Rajeev Shukla said the Indian women’s team’s decision not to receive the trophy from Asian Cricket Council (ACC) chairman Mohsin Naqvi was a collective decision taken by the Board. Shukla also said Naqvi did not raise any objection after being
India Faces 100% US Tariff Threat Over Russian Oil: What Happens Next
India is facing renewed trade pressure from Washington after US lawmakers introduced competing amendments to a Russia sanctions bill that could expose major buyers of Russian energy, including India, to additional tariffs of up to 100%. The development comes as the US House considers the Lindsey O. Graham Sanctioning Russia
