India's political landscape is ablaze with activity! From the ongoing debates surrounding the new farm bills and their impact on rural India, to the upcoming state elections shaping the national narrative, the stakes couldn't be higher. Key political figures are maneuvering strategically, with alliances shifting and power dynamics constantly in flux. The opposition's challenge to the ruling party is intensifying, sparking vigorous debates on crucial policy matters including economic reforms and social justice initiatives. Parliamentary proceedings are filled with heated exchanges, reflecting the deep divisions within the nation. This evolving political climate directly impacts the lives of every Indian citizen, influencing everything from economic opportunities to social welfare programs. Stay informed about the latest developments in Indian politics, from crucial legislative decisions to grassroots movements, by exploring Abtak.com for in-depth analysis and breaking news updates. Understanding the intricacies of our political system is crucial; stay engaged, stay informed, and stay ahead.
Mumbai: Google Pay has been distributing personal loans on behalf of its lending partners for several years and has now expanded its product suite to include credit cards. However, while personal loans are a third-party product, the credit card launch is the first native product introduced by the payments giant, which aims to go beyond distribution and create a credit ecosystem on the platform. "We're not doing this simply because we have distribution power. If that was the case, I would have gone and signed up with a whole bunch of lenders three years ago," said Sharath Bulusu, senior director of product management at Google Pay or GPay. Bulusu views the credit card launch as an extension of the personal loan offering and an additional product within GPay's credit ecosystem. Started with one lending partner, the platform today sells personal loans on behalf of four banks and Non-Banking Financial Companies (NBFCs). As of date, the platform allows users to tokenise and link their existing cards to their GPay account for 'tap and pay' transactions on the platform, but doesn't offer its own cards. "We support all of that on GPay, but we never built a product ourselves. Today, we're launching Flex, which is our first co-branded card on the RuPay network," he said. The first card under the 'Flex' programme is being launched in partnership with Axis Bank, and the platform will add more issuers in the coming months. "The way I see them as being connected is part of a goal to say that we want to develop the entire credit ecosystem," Bulusu told Mint, adding that eventually the platform could also look at other form factors for lending, such as credit lines on UPI. Another area the company is trying to address is ease of access to a variety of repayment options. "What we've done is a couple of clicks from straight within the app, the user can see and compare the options they have. In fact, what we are expecting, and if the research bears out, will happen is that users will actually discover the faster repayment option, because they will realize that there is more value in paying off the outstanding money sooner." GPay's approach remains cautious. The credit card product has been rolled out to a select group of customers and will later be made available to the entire customer base, as well as to new-to-credit customers. "There are 50 million cardholders in the country. That number has not budged by much, it's moved by a very small percentage, which means we are giving more credit to the people who already have credit," he said, adding that the true test will be to bring more people into the fold, which requires some work. "Only about 20% of credit-eligible customers are getting access to formal credit. We're getting on a way to serve that other 80%," Bulusu added. The strategy is not just to bank on others' products but also to offer value to credit customers by way of other solutions, such as its rewards programme to continue to drive transactions. The idea, Bulusu said, is to make rewards standardised and give them a "predictable value". "We do want to create an experience, and that's why we're doing what we did with rewards and repayments."
Air India launched a Black Friday Sale with discounts up to 20% on domestic flights and up to 12% on international flights to various destinations. The sale is available through the airline's website and mobile apps. Additional savings are possible with waived convenience fees and specific payment methods. The airline continues offering student and senior citizen discounts.Air India on Friday launched a limited-time Black Friday Sale offering discounts of up to 20 per cent off base fares for domestic flights within India. The Tata-owned airlines will also offer up to 12 per cent off base fares ...Read More >
Air India is also offering additional discounts through various payment offers, so you can enjoy even more savings. Air India has launched its limited-time Black Friday Sale, offering up to 20 percent off base fares for domestic flights and up to 12 percent off on international flights to destinations like the United States, Europe (including the UK), Australia, Southeast Asia, and South Asia. The sale is available exclusively on Air India's official website and mobile apps for iOS and Android. The sale runs from 00:01 IST on 29 November 2024 to 23:59 IST on 2 December 2024. The travel peri ...Read More >
New Delhi, Dec 14 (IANS) The Unified Payments Interface (UPI) has achieved 15,547 crore transactions worth Rs 223 lakh crore from January to November this year, 'showcasing its transformative impact on financial transactions' in India, the Finance Ministry said on Saturday. The Finance Ministry also said that UPI is now accepted in seven countries including France, UAE, Singapore, Sri Lanka, Mauritius, Bhutan and Nepal. The UPI system provides a cheaper and quicker alternative to the available channels of cross-border remittances. UPI has succeeded in increasing financial inclusion and promot ...Read More >
New Delhi: It is the first day of the new month, in which many big rules have changed, and some are about to change. Do you know that there has been a big change in the rules related to credit cards? This has been done in the rules related to the credit card of HDFC Bank, one of the big banks of the country. Now, people will have to pay a 1 per cent charge for making HDFC credit card payments through a third-party app. This is also considered a big setback for the users. The big change will also be implemented from July 1. Charges will also be levied on utility bill payments. What will be the ...Read More >
Bengaluru : Muthoot FinCorp Limited ("MFL" or "Company"), the flagship company of the 138-year-old Muthoot Pappachan Group (Muthoot Blue), has announced the launch of the secured and redeemable non-convertible debentures ("NCDs") with a face value of Rs.1,000 each, scheduled to open on Friday, July 04, 2025. The Tranche VI Issue has a base size of Rs.10,0 crore with green shoe option of Rs 190 crore , aggregating to Rs.290crore ("Tranche VI Issue"). The NCDs under the Tranche VI Issue are being offered with maturity/tenure options of 24, 36, 60 and 72 months, with monthly, annual and cumulati ...Read More >
Ranchi (Jharkhand) [India], August 4 (ANI): The Jharkhand government declared a three-day state mourning, starting Monday, following the passing of the state's former Chief Minister and co-founder of Jharkhand Mukti Morcha, Shibu Soren. "In honour of the late Honourable former Chief Minister-cum-Rajya Sabha MP, the State Government has decided to observe 03 (three) days of state mourning from August 4 to August 6," the message from the Jharkhand government read. Also Read | Kerala Shocker: 47-Year-Old Man Dies by Suicide After Failing to Arrange Funds for Son's Engineering College Admission. ...Read More >
The Enforcement Directorate conducted multi-state searches across 15 locations, including Mumbai and Delhi-NCR, as part of a money laundering investigation. This probe targets the Parimatch betting app, accused of defrauding users of approximately Rs 2,000 crore. The funds were allegedly laundered through mule accounts, payment aggregators, crypto wallets, and ATM withdrawals. The Enforcement Directorate (ED) on Tuesday conducted multi-state searches as part of a money laundering investigation i ...Read More >
New Delhi [India], August 14: inDrive, the world's fastest-growing urban mobility platform and India's only ride-bargain app, announces the launch of its Comfort Class rides in Kolkata and Chandigarh. The launch comes just ahead of India's Independence Day, symbolizing the platform's commitment to freedom of choice, fairness, and empowerment for both riders and drivers. Also Read | UPI New Rule: NPCI To Stop UPI Collect Request for Person to Person Transactions Starting October 1; Here's Why. Challenging the Status Quo - Celebrating Freedom in Mobility Much like India's fight for independen ...Read More >
Speaking at IIT Bombay's Techfest 2024, Mr Adani, the 27-year old younger son of infrastructure magnate Gautam Adani, said the future of technology is both scary and exciting. India cannot stay out of global technological race, said Jeet Adani. Mumbai: India cannot stay out of global technological race and should build capabilities that will keep it at the top while remaining vigilant against its misuse, said Jeet Adani, Director, Adani Airport Holdings Ltd. Speaking at IIT Bombay's Techfest ...Read More >
VISAKHAPATNAM: Energy Minister Gottipati Ravi Kumar inaugurated Andhra Pradesh's first Super ECBC (Energy Conservation Building Code) compliant building at Sagar Nagar in Visakhapatnam on Friday. Terming it a landmark in sustainable infrastructure, he emphasised the government's commitment to energy efficiency and green design in public facilities. The facility will serve as a national-level training hub for power sector staff. He urged power utilities to expedite 20 lakh rooftop solar connections, targeting 10,000 in each Assembly segment. He reaffirmed nine-hour uninterrupted power for agri ...Read More >
New Delhi, Aug 28 (PTI) India's gains from importing discounted Russian oil are estimated to be just USD 2.5 billion per annum, significantly lower than the previously speculated range of USD 10-25 billion, a research report said on Thursday. Stopping Russian oil imports would force India, the world's third-largest oil importer and consumer, to rely on limited alternatives, potentially driving global crude prices up to USD 100 per barrel amid rising demand and tight supply. "Benefit from Russian oil imports is way less than exaggerated media numbers," brokerage CLSA said in a report. While ...Read More >
Mumbai, September 15: The National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI) has raised the Unified Payments Interface (UPI) transaction limits for person-to-merchant (P2M) payments to up to Rs 10 lakh in 24 hours for specified categories, effective from Monday. The move seeks to facilitate larger payments in key sectors and enhance digital adoption in high-value segments. The NPCI maintained the person-to-person (P2P) limit at Rs 1 lakh per day. Earlier users often encountered restrictions, forcing them to split payments or revert to traditional methods like cheques or bank transfers. Under the r ...Read More >
New Delhi: The National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI) has increased the UPI daily limit for person-to-merchant (P2M) payments to Rs 10 lakh, starting from Monday. This move is aimed at helping people make larger payments through UPI in sectors like insurance, loans, investments, and travel, where higher transaction amounts are often required. The person-to-person (P2P) UPI payment limit remains unchanged at Rs 1 lakh per day. Where Can You Use the Higher Limits? The updated UPI rules now allow users to pay up to Rs 10 lakh per day in certain categories. For example, if you are paying ...Read More >
MUMBAI: Reserve Bank Governor Sanjay Malhotra, who had earlier stated that UPI cannot remain free forever and that someone else is now paying for it, on Wednesday said the digital payment app will remain a zero-cost platform to encourage its wider adoption. "Currently, we have no proposal to impose any charges on UPI transactions," Governor Malhotra said during the customary post-policy presser in response to a question from the press. Addressing concerns about possible charges on digital payments, he clarified that "UPI will continue to remain free for users under present policy." This com ...Read More >
NEW DELHI: An Enforcement Directorate team undertaking searches in a cyber fraud linked money laundering case was allegedly attacked here on Thursday, officials said. The agency has registered a police FIR about the incident that took place at a farmhouse that was raided by ED officials in the Bijwasan area of southwest Delhi that falls under the Kapashera police station. An Enforcement Officer (EO) suffered minor injuries during the attack. He is continuing with the searches after he was given first aid, officials said. The probe pertains to a case against the PYYPL app. The alleged accus ...Read More >
New Delhi, Jun 6 (PTI) PhonePe on Friday said it has acquired the IP of GSPay -- a proprietary technology stack from conversational engagement platform Gupshup -- to enable UPI-based payments on new feature phones. The company in a statement said it plans to customise the stack and launch its own UPI payment app for new feature phones in India in the next few quarters. The new app will offer essential UPI features such as peer-to-peer transfers, offline QR payments, and receiving money via mobile numbers or self-QR codes. Industry research indicates that there were over 24 crore feature pho ...Read More >
New Delhi, Jun 6 (PTI) PhonePe on Friday said it has acquired the IP of GSPay -- a proprietary technology stack from conversational engagement platform Gupshup -- to enable UPI-based payments on new feature phones. The company in a statement said it plans to customise the stack and launch its own UPI payment app for new feature phones in India in the next few quarters. Also Read | How To Activate Your UAN Online? Step-by-Step Guide As EPFO Extends Activation Deadline to June 30, 2025. The new app will offer essential UPI features such as peer-to-peer transfers, offline QR payments, and rece ...Read More >
Mumbai: The board of IndusInd Bank has shortlisted three candidates for the role of managing director and chief executive officer - Rajiv Anand, deputy managing director at Axis Bank; Rahul Shukla, group head of commercial and rural banking at HDFC Bank; and Anup Saha, managing director of Bajaj Finance. With the Reserve Bank of India's June 30 deadline nearing, the board is unlikely to consider more contenders, people aware of the development said. The RBI had asked the board to submit three names by the end of this month. IndusInd Bank chairman Sunil Mehta had earlier told analysts that th ...Read More >
NewsVoir Pune (Maharashtra) [India], July 7: For today's go-getters and ambitious entrepreneurs and businesses, accessing quick business finance just got a lot more rewarding. Bajaj Finance Limited has launched 'Loan Utsav', a limited-time festive campaign designed to empower business owners with loans up to Rs. 80 lakh -- and exciting rewards like cashback up to Rs. 3,000 and brand vouchers to go with it. The Loan Utsav offer is valid from June 20, 2025, to July 31, 2025, and is available exclusively through the Bajaj Finserv App. The rewards are limited to the first 200 successful business ...Read More >
Bank holidays in India vary from one region to another. They differ from one state to the next and are often influenced by local festivities, religious events, and regional festivals. Many people in India are unsure about bank holidays. Reserve Bank of India states banks are closed on the second and fourth SaturdaysWith a busy work schedule, many individuals push their bank related work to Saturday to visit the branch and finish transactions. However, it is always confusing to know if this Saturd ...Read More >
New Delhi: When you apply for a credit card, you usually check things like the features, rewards, and which bank is giving you the card. But did you know that there's a situation where the bank really doesn't matter much? It sounds odd, but it's true -- this happens with RuPay credit cards! RuPay cards, made by NPCI, can be connected to UPI. Once you link your RuPay credit card to UPI, you can make payments through UPI just like you would from your bank. The main difference? Instead of the money coming straight out of your account, the payment is charged to your credit card. Then, at the end ...Read More >
MUMBAI: Payment aggregators are feeling the pinch as ICICI Bank has now started charging them for processing purchases made using UPI,Fintechs that route transactions through the bank must now factor in new charges, intensifying the debate on the long-term viability of free digital payments. Payment aggregators with escrow accounts at ICICI will be charged two paise per Rs 100 processed, capped at Rs 6 per transaction. Those without such accounts will pay double - with a Rs 10 cap. Merchants who settle directly into ICICI Bank accounts will continue to receive UPI services at no cost.Firms suc ...Read More >
New Delhi: Delhi govt has prepared a plan under which Delhi Transport Corporation (DTC) bus drivers and conductors will receive regular training, with a focus on ethical values, customer service and safe driving, transport minister Pankaj Singh said on Friday. The move is for improving the public image of DTC buses.The minister mentioned that DTC bus drivers who fail to halt at designated stops or are found speeding will face strict departmental action.Several commuters have complained about the behaviour of DTC bus drivers. There have alleged that the buses often fail to stop at the designate ...Read More >
Flipkart has launched 'Flipkart Black', a premium subscription program offering members benefits across shopping, entertainment, and travel for an annual fee of INR 1499. Key perks include a free one-year YouTube Premium subscription and exclusive member-only deals. The program targets affluent, digitally savvy customers seeking a personalized experience. Flipkart, one of India's leading e-commerce platforms, has rolled out 'Flipkart Black', a premium membership designed to enhance the digital e ...Read More >
ixigo has partnered with DMRC and ONDC to introduce Delhi Metro ticketing on the ixigo Trains app. Passengers can now purchase QR-based metro tickets with in-app payments, streamlining their travel experience. This collaboration aims to enhance convenience and promote digital ticket adoption, integrating metro services into ixigo's comprehensive travel platform. Online travel agency ixigo on Friday announced a partnership with the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) and Open Network for Digital ...Read More >
Fintech platform CRED is postponing its IPO, deeming itself "too young" and prioritizing building a robust financial ecosystem. CEO Kunal Shah aims to deepen relationships with affluent users and expand product offerings, fueled by a recent $75 million Series G fundraise. CRED launched new features including asset tracking, curated fixed deposits, and premium credit cards. Fintech platform CRED has ruled out an initial public offering (IPO) in the immediate future, with Founder and CEO Kunal Sha ...Read More >
Bhubaneswar: Revenue minister Suresh Pujari on Saturday said Odisha would not be allowed to follow the lawless path in sand operations like it is in Bihar and West Bengal, while responding to the recent assault of an additional tehsildar in Kaptipada block, Mayurbhanj district, by the sand mafia. He promised stringent action against the sand mafia regardless of their connections, while speaking to mediapersons here on Saturday."The Kaptipada incident represents a serious escalation in conflict between law enforcement and the sand mafia. The attack on officers performing their enforcement dutie ...Read More >
DHARMAPURI: For the third time in the past two months, a wild leopard wandered into a private farmland near Valaithottam village near Palacode and hunted chicken raised by a local farmer. Locals are increasingly distressed and urged the forest department to take steps to relocate the leopard. Over the past few months, there have been several reports of leopard sightings in forest areas near Palacode, particularly in Valaithottam village, near the forest's fringe. There have been two instances when the leopard attacked farmlands, taking away a domestic dog and a chicken. On Saturday, the leop ...Read More >
Bengaluru: They were all minors but wanted to make quick bucks to splurge on drugs, cigarettes and snacks. Setting eyes on lone victims, mainly pedestrians near bus stands or isolated streets, three Class IX students and one first-year PU student ganged up for pre-dawn robberies across East Bengaluru for over a year. However their luck ran out when they snatched the valuables of a woman on July 3. Caught by KR Puram police, they are now cooling their heels in jail.On the morning of July 3, a woman in her 50s was walking past Garden City College when two of the juveniles, riding a stolen gearle ...Read More >
Thiruvananthapuram (Kerala) [India], July 9 (ANI): Following the violent protest at Kerala University, a case has been registered against 27 activists of the ruling CPM's Students Federation of India (SFI), including its state secretary P S Sanjeev, who has been named the prime accused, police said. The case also names 1,000 identifiable protesters who have been accused of damaging public property, forcibly entering the university campus, and assaulting police and university staff, police said on Tuesday. Also Read | Nobel Peace Prize 2025: From Mahatma Gandhi to Jawaharlal Nehru, Check Full ...Read More >