Author: Akancha Mishra

The Unified Payments Interface (UPI) has emerged as the world’s largest real-time payment system, marking a major milestone in India’s digital financial transformation. Introduced in 2016 by the National Payments Corporation of India under the Reserve Bank of India, UPI has evolved from a small-scale digital initiative into a foundational pillar of India’s digital economy. Over the past decade, the platform has recorded exponential growth in both transaction volume and value. In its early phase, UPI handled only a few hundred transactions in its first month. By the financial year 2025–26, it had expanded to processing approximately 24,162 crore transactions…

Usha Vance made a rare public appearance at the White House during the official state visit of King Charles III and Queen Camilla in Washington, D.C., drawing attention for her elegant presence and refined fashion choice. The Second Lady of the United States attended both the ceremonial welcome and the high-profile state dinner hosted in honor of the visiting British royals. The four-day royal visit marked an important diplomatic engagement between the United States and the United Kingdom, bringing together senior political leaders, business figures, and distinguished guests. Usha Vance, who is expecting her fourth child with Vice President JD…

India’s power sector has reached a significant milestone, with nearly one-third of its record peak electricity demand of 256 gigawatts being successfully met through renewable energy sources. Union Minister for New and Renewable Energy Pralhad Joshi highlighted this achievement, noting it as a strong indicator of the country’s rapid transition toward clean and sustainable power generation. This development reflects the expanding role of renewable energy in India’s overall electricity mix. Solar, wind, and hydro power have contributed significantly to meeting rising energy requirements, especially during peak demand periods. The increasing integration of these sources into the national grid demonstrates steady…

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has inaugurated the 594-kilometre Ganga Expressway, a major infrastructure project aimed at transforming road connectivity across Uttar Pradesh. The expressway, developed at an investment of approximately $3.92 billion, links Meerut in western Uttar Pradesh with Prayagraj in the eastern part of the state. The new high-speed corridor is one of the longest greenfield access-controlled expressways in the country. It is designed to significantly cut travel time between the two cities from nearly 10 to 12 hours to around 6 to 7 hours, offering faster, safer and more efficient movement for both passengers and freight transport. Built…

India and Armenia have taken further steps to enhance their defence partnership through a series of high-level meetings held in New Delhi. Lieutenant General Edvard Asryan, Chief of the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Armenia, met senior Indian defence officials during his official visit, with discussions centered on expanding cooperation in military and strategic sectors. On Wednesday, Lt Gen Asryan held detailed talks with Defence Secretary Rajesh Kumar Singh, where both sides reviewed ongoing defence collaboration and explored new areas for engagement. According to official communication from Armenia’s Ministry of Defence, the discussions focused on strengthening bilateral cooperation…

New York City has unveiled an ambitious plan to host free fan zones across all five boroughs during the FIFA World Cup 2026, ensuring that residents and visitors can experience the global tournament without financial barriers. The initiative reflects a broader effort to make one of the world’s biggest sporting events accessible to a wider audience while fostering a vibrant, citywide celebration. The fan zones will feature large-scale public screenings of matches along with cultural and entertainment activities, creating a festival-like atmosphere across the city. Key locations identified for these events include prominent public spaces in Manhattan, Queens, Brooklyn, the…

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, during his visit to Sikkim, praised the state’s exceptional biodiversity and emphasized its importance as a model for sustainable and eco-friendly development. He visited the Orchidarium in Gangtok, where he expressed admiration for its natural beauty and the state’s rich floral diversity. In a message shared on social media, he noted that Sikkim’s environmental wealth reflects a deep harmony between nature and human development, inspiring efforts toward conservation and sustainable living. The Orchidarium, located within the Swarnajayanti Maitri Manjari Park, has been developed as a world-class centre showcasing the region’s unique orchid species and floral heritage.…

Zoho co-founder Sridhar Vembu has made a strong appeal to Indian-origin professionals currently working in the United States, encouraging them to return to India and actively contribute to the country’s technological and economic development. In a widely discussed open message shared on social media platform X, he emphasized that India’s future growth depends on the expertise and global experience of its skilled diaspora. Vembu highlighted that many Indian professionals who moved abroad decades ago built successful careers starting with strong educational foundations and cultural values rooted in India. He expressed gratitude toward the United States for offering opportunities but stressed…

India and Egypt marked a significant step in their defence partnership by holding the inaugural Navy-to-Navy Staff Talks (NNST) in Cairo on April 24, 2026. Conducted on the sidelines of the 11th India-Egypt Joint Defence Committee meeting, the talks highlighted growing maritime cooperation between the two nations. Both sides discussed key areas such as operational coordination, joint training, maritime domain awareness, and collaboration in naval technologies and shipbuilding. The discussions underscored maritime cooperation as a central pillar of India-Egypt defence ties. During the Joint Defence Committee meeting, the delegations reviewed progress made since previous engagements and outlined a forward-looking roadmap…

Indian-origin tennis player Dhakshineswar Suresh, originally from Madurai, received special recognition from former US President Donald Trump during the National Champions Day celebration held at the White House. The event honored NCAA collegiate championship teams for their outstanding performances in the 2025 season. Suresh, aged 26, was part of the Wake Forest University men’s tennis team, which secured the NCAA championship title. During the ceremony, Trump highlighted Suresh’s decisive contribution in the final match, where he delivered the winning point in a 4–2 victory over Texas Christian University. The former president publicly praised his performance, noting that team members themselves…