The Reserve Bank of India’s (RBI’s) Digital Payments Index (DPI) rose to 516.76 as of September 2025, up from 465.33 in September 2024, reflecting the rapid adoption of digital payments in the country. In March 2025, the RBI-DPI score stood at 493.22.
The increase in the RBI-DPI was driven by significant growth in parameters such as payment performance and payment enablers across the country over the period, the banking regulator said.
The RBI-DPI was constituted with March 2018 as the base period, which was assigned a score of 100. The index has been published on a semi-annual basis since 2021.
The DPI comprises five broad parameters that measure the deepening and penetration of digital payments in the country over time.
These parameters include: payment enablers with a weightage of 25 per cent; payment infrastructure — demand-side factors at 10 per cent; payment infrastructure — supply-side factors at 10 per cent;
payment performance with the highest weightage at 45 per cent; and consumer centricity at 5 per cent. Each of the parameters includes sub-parameters, which in turn consist of various measurable indicators.
(a): The Ministry of Cooperation has launched cooperative-led "White Revolution 2.0” aimed at expanding cooperative coverage, employment generation and women's empowerment with an objective "To increase the milk procurement of dairy cooperatives by 50% from the present level over next five years,
by providing market access to dairy farmers in uncovered areas and increasing the share of dairy cooperatives in organised sector.
In absolute terms, by the end of fifth year i.e 2028-29, the milk procurement by dairy cooperatives is expected to reach 1007 lakh kg per day.
Agneevasthraa, a premier Indian manufacturer specialising in advanced carbon fabrics and high-performance composite materials, has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Indian Army.
The collaboration with the Indian Army focuses on the custom design and manufacturing of advanced carbon and allied materials specifically engineered for critical, high-stakes defense applications.
The MoU ensures that the Indian Army has access to cutting-edge, locally sourced carbon related technology that meets the most rigorous global standards.
The Ministry of Earth Sciences (MoES), Government of India, and the Department of Science, Technology and Environment, Government of Puducherry formally entered into a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to advance marine research, infrastructure development, and blue economy initiatives within the Union Territory of Puducherry.
The agreement was signed in New Delhi by Dr. M. Ravichandran, Secretary, MoES, and Dr. Sharat Chauhan, Chief Secretary, Government of Puducherry.
Indian Railways has approved a series of key projects, including third-line construction, line doubling, and bypass alignments. These initiatives aim to enhance operational efficiency, improve safety, reduce travel time, and extend benefits to common man, while supporting economic growth and seamless mobility across strategic corridors.
Government of India notified amendment to the National Highways Fee (Determination of Rates and Collection) Rules, 2008
Under this, when a National Expressway is not opened end to end, the toll fee will be charged for the completed length at a lower rate as applicable for the National Highway
The amended rules will come into effect from 15th February 2026
For users of National Expressways that are only partially operational, the Government of India has notified an amendment to the National Highways Fee (Determination of Rates and Collection) Rules, 2008.
Presently, user fee on National Expressways is charged 25% more than normal National Highways user fee for the completed length as they provide access-controlled, faster and seamless travel experience which provides comfortable travel to commuters. This fee is levied for the completed section even if the Expressway is not fully open along its entire length end to end.
Under the new provision, when a National Expressway is not opened end to end, the toll fee will be charged for the completed length at a lower rate as applicable for the National Highway Section under National Highways Fee (Determination of Rates and Collection) Rules, 2008.
The amended rules, titled the National Highways Fee (Determination of Rates and Collection) (Amendment) Rules, 2026, will come into effect from 15th February 2026. The rule will be valid for up to one year from the date the amendment comes into force, or until the Expressway becomes fully operational, whichever is earlier.
Competition Commission of India has approved the proposed combination involving Amundi Asset Management S.A.S. (Acquirer) and ICG Plc (Target).
The proposed combination pertains to the slump sale of the low voltage motor business of Siemens Limited (Target Business) by Innomotics India Private Limited (Acquirer).
The Acquirer is engaged in the manufacturing and supply of industrial motors (High and Medium voltage) and large drive systems (Medium voltage) to sectors such as oil & gas, metals, cement, power & marine etc. The Acquirer is part of KPS Capital Partners, LP.
The Competition Commission of India (CCI) has approved the proposed acquisition of minority shareholding of ~6.63% of Valuedrive Technologies Private Limited by the Fidelity Funds.
The proposed combination entails the acquisition of minority shareholding of ~6.63% (on a fully diluted basis) through primary subscription and secondary acquisition of compulsory convertible preference shares of Valuedrive Technologies Private Limited/Target by the Fidelity Funds (“Proposed Combination”).
The Fidelity Funds are investment funds that are part of the Fidelity Group, which comprises of multiple direct or indirect subsidiaries which act as investment vehicles to buy a diversified portfolio of securities across the globe.
The Target is a private limited company and an operating cum holding company of the Spinny Group.
Competion Commission of India has imposed a penalty on Intel Corporation for its India Specific Warranty Policy in respect of Boxed Microprocessors.
The Competition Commission of India (CCI) passed an order on 12.02.2026 under the provisions of Section 27 of the Competition Act, 2002 (Act) imposing a penalty of INR 27.38 crores upon Intel Corporation (Intel) for contravention of provisions of Section 4 of the Act.
In a landmark development underscoring India’s commitment to collaborative maritime security and capacity building in the Indian Ocean Region and beyond, the Indian Navy has assumed command of Combined Task Force (CTF) 154, a key multinational training task force under the Combined Maritime Forces (CMF).
The change of command ceremony was conducted on 11 Feb 2026 at CMF Headquarters in Manama, Bahrain, and was presided over by VAdm Curt A Renshaw, Commander, CMF / US NAVCENT / US Fifth Fleet. VAdm Tarun Sobti, Deputy Chief of the Naval Staff (DCNS), Indian Navy, and senior military leaders from other member nations were in attendance.
Cmde Milind M Mokashi, Shaurya Chakra, of the Indian Navy, formally took over as Commander CTF 154 from the outgoing Commander of the Italian Navy.
CTF 154 is specifically oriented towards training and capacity building of member nations of CMF. It reflects the region's growing trust in India’s professional expertise, operational experience,
and a role as a Preferred Security Partner among the 47 nations of the CMF.
CTF 154, established in May 2023, is dedicated to enhancing maritime security through multinational training programs across the Middle East and the wider region.
The training focuses on five core pillars: Maritime Domain Awareness (MDA), Law of the Sea, Maritime Interdiction Operations, Maritime Rescue and Assistance, and Leadership Development.
In a move to push private players in the space sector, three Indian space start-ups — Bengaluru-based Astrome Technologies and Hyderabad-based Azista Industries and Dhruva Space were chosen by the Indian National Space Promotion and Authorisation Centre (IN-SPACe),
to develop and test indigenous small satellite bus platforms capable of carrying and operating different customer payloads.
IN-SPACe had announced the Satellite Bus as a Service (SBaaS) initiative through an announcement of opportunity (AO) in April 2025,
inviting proposals from Indian Non-Governmental Entities (NGEs) to develop indigenous small satellite bus platforms for hosted payload services. A total of 15 proposals were received up to July 2025, and following a rigorous, transparent, and multi-stage evaluation process, the three firms were selected.
Each selected company will receive a grant of ₹5 crore to support the development and demonstration of a robust, modular and scalable small satellite bus. The satellite buses developed under the SBaaS initiative will serve as a cost-effective platform to accommodate multiple hosted payloads, catering to both domestic and global market requirements.
India has ruled out relaxation of a ban on e-cigarettes that would have allowed heat-not-burn tobacco products, dealing a blow to a lengthy private lobbying campaign by Philip Morris International for New Delhi to permit such devices.
India banned e-cigarettes, including heated tobacco products, in 2019. With more than 100 billion cigarettes sold annually, it is the seventh-largest cigarette market by volume, where tobacco kills more than a million people a year.
The world's most valuable tobacco firm, Philip Morris had hoped India could be a key market for its heated tobacco device, IQOS, which the company says is less harmful to health than smoking.
Philip Morris had a 7.6% share of India's cigarette market in 2024, up from just 1.75% in 2019, Euromonitor estimates.
Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has released draft guidelines barring banks and their recovery agents from using harsh or coercive practices.
The draft norms explicitly prohibit abusive or threatening language, excessive or anonymous calls, inappropriate messages, harassment of borrowers or their associates, public humiliation, threats of violence,
and misleading representations regarding debt obligations or the consequences of non-repayment.
The proposed norms are set to take effect from July 1. Feedback on the draft may be submitted by March 4.
Under the draft guidelines, banks are required to establish a dedicated mechanism for addressing recovery-related grievances.
The central bank has mandated that banks document the time and number of calls made by employees or recovery agents to borrowers or guarantors. Banks must also ensure that all such calls are recorded.
RBI has proposed that recovery agents interact only with borrowers or guarantors, refraining from contacting relatives or other associates.
Recovery calls and visits would be allowed only between 8 am and 7 pm, and banks must honour a borrower’s request to avoid contact at specific times under normal circumstances. Agents have also been directed to avoid recovery attempts during sensitive occasions such as bereavement, family emergencies, marriages, or festivals.
For microfinance loans, collections must occur at a mutually agreed designated location. However, field visits to the borrower’s residence or workplace would be permitted if the borrower fails to appear at the designated place on two or more successive occasions.
Lenders are also expected to ensure that recovery agents undergo training and receive certification from the Indian Institute of Banking & Finance after completing the programme for debt recovery agents.
Banks must implement a proper code of conduct for both recovery agents and employees involved in loan recovery and obtain their agreement to abide by these guidelines before assigning duties.
Banks must display an up-to-date list of empanelled recovery agents across all channels, including branches, officers, and digital platforms.
In cases where an agreement with an agent is terminated, the bank must publicise the change to ensure borrowers do not continue to deal with the agent or its representatives.
When a case is forwarded to a recovery agent, banks are required to inform the borrower in writing — either through a letter to their current address, an SMS to their registered mobile number, or
an email to their registered address. The bank must also notify the borrower of any changes in the recovery agent during an ongoing recovery process.
Banks must ensure that borrower information is shared with employees or recovery agents only to facilitate loan recovery duties and must implement safeguards to prevent misuse of this information.
If a borrower has lodged a grievance, the bank should not forward the concerned recovery case to an employee or recovery agent until the grievance is resolved. However, where the bank is convinced, with appropriate evidence, that the borrower is making frivolous or vexatious complaints to avoid recovery, it may continue recovery proceedings even if a grievance is pending.
Radio stands at a moment of transformation where AI can help strengthen its core mission: informing, educating, and entertaining. By automating routine tasks—like scheduling, voice-tracking, weather and sports updates, and administrative workflows—stations can free teams to focus on creativity and connection.
Proclaimed in 2011 by UNESCO and endorsed by the United Nations General Assembly (A/RES/67/124) in 2012, World Radio Day marks the day United Nations Radio was established in 1946.
World Radio Day is an international day celebrated on February 13 each year. The day was designated by UNESCO on November 3, 2011, during its 36th conference.
