Author: Shradhanjali Mukherjee

The Unified Payments Interface (UPI) continues to dominate India’s digital payments landscape, contributing 85% of total payment volumes in the first half of calendar year 2025 (H1 CY25), according to the Reserve Bank of India’s (RBI) latest Payment System Report. Despite this high volume, UPI’s share in total transaction value is only 9%, highlighting its predominant use for small-ticket retail payments. UPI has firmly established itself as the leading retail fast payment system (FPS) in India due to its round-the-clock availability, user-friendly interface, and instant settlement features. The number of UPI transactions has seen exponential growth, rising from 10.79 billion…

India is rapidly solidifying its role in the global aerospace supply chain, as major international manufacturers increasingly source aircraft components from the country. According to industry reports, domestic aerospace firms are scaling operations, moving up the value chain, and preparing to raise significant capital through initial public offerings (IPOs), with plans totaling roughly US$ 649 million (Rs. 5,700 crore). Favourable trade policies have supported this growth, with aerospace components attracting a 25% US import duty, considerably lower than the 50% levied on textiles and automotive parts. This tariff advantage has made India an increasingly attractive sourcing hub for global OEMs.…

 Walter Russell Mead, a distinguished authority on American foreign policy and Fellow at the Hudson Institute, has highlighted the strategic importance of deepening India-US relations. In a Wall Street Journal article titled ‘India still wants to work with Trump,’ Mead argued that closer ties with India provide a short-term solution to counter China and help establish a robust defensive coalition for the future. Despite recent tensions, he believes the Trump administration is well-positioned to elevate bilateral relations to a new level. Mead emphasized that cooperation in technology between the US, India, and allied nations such as Israel and Japan offers…

US President Donald Trump marked Diwali celebrations at the White House on Tuesday, extending warm greetings to the people of India and the Indian-American community. During the event, he lauded Prime Minister Narendra Modi, calling him both a “great person” and a “great friend,” while emphasizing the strong ties between India and the United States in trade and regional security. Trump recounted his recent conversation with PM Modi, noting that their discussion touched on trade and maintaining peace in South Asia. “I just spoke to your Prime Minister today. Had a great conversation. We talked about trade… and although we…

Prime Minister Narendra Modi extended warm greetings to the people of India on the occasion of Diwali, describing the festival as a celebration filled with energy, hope, and enthusiasm. In a letter to the nation, he noted that this year’s Deepavali is the second to be celebrated following the completion of the grand Ram Temple in Ayodhya, a landmark achievement symbolizing faith and cultural heritage. Citing lessons from the life of Lord Ram, PM Modi highlighted Operation Sindoor as a living example of upholding righteousness while confronting injustice. He emphasized that the operation showcased India’s commitment to justice and the…

Ayodhya witnessed a dazzling spectacle this Diwali as the holy city set two Guinness World Records during its grand Deepotsav celebration, combining faith, culture, and politics in a striking display. The Saryu River ghats glowed with 26.17 lakh earthen lamps, while 2,128 devotees performed a synchronised aarti, creating a breathtaking scene of devotion and unity. Officials from Guinness World Records confirmed both feats, cementing Ayodhya’s place on the global cultural map. Cabinet Minister Anil Rajbhar hailed the achievement as a “proud moment for India’s spiritual heritage,” noting that Deepotsav had grown into a festival representing national unity. “The entire nation…

Private equity (PE) and venture capital (VC) activity in India has surged to a three-year peak, reaching US$ 26 billion (Rs. 2,28,852 crore) during the first nine months of 2025. This milestone surpasses total investments in both 2023 and 2024, signaling renewed global confidence in India’s economic growth. Factors driving this surge include strong agricultural output, a favourable monsoon, and rising consumer demand during the festive season, according to Equirus Capital. The number of deals also rose substantially, with 1,363 transactions recorded between January and September 2025, up from 1,170 deals in the entire year of 2024. Average deal values…

 India has the potential to acquire an extra $15 billion in oil from the United States, a senior official from the commerce ministry confirmed on Wednesday. The announcement underscores New Delhi’s intent to accelerate trade discussions and finalize a deal promptly. Recent data highlights a rising trend in energy imports from the US. Trade Secretary Rajesh Agrawal stated that India’s purchases averaged $12-$13 billion in FY25, but with the current refinery setup, there is room to increase this by another $14-$15 billion. The initiative aims to help bridge India’s $42.7 billion trade surplus with the US and address concerns from…

Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited the sacred Sri Bhramaramba Mallikarjuna Swamy Varla Devasthanam in Srisailam, Nandyal district, on Thursday, where he offered prayers and took part in traditional rituals. Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu accompanied him during the visit. Earlier in the day, CM Naidu officially welcomed the Prime Minister to the state, expressing gratitude and enthusiasm on behalf of the people of Andhra Pradesh. In a post shared on X, Naidu wrote, “On behalf of my people of Andhra Pradesh, I warmly welcome our Hon’ble Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi Ji, to our state.” Following the temple…

India’s recent GST exemption on health and term insurance premiums has triggered a remarkable surge in demand, industry data shows. According to Policybazaar, term insurance purchases have jumped 2.5 times, while health insurance demand has increased 2.2 times since the government announced the move in early September 2025. This spike exceeds even the peaks observed during the pandemic, with consumer interest remaining elevated weeks later. Experts attribute the surge to cost reductions, as the previous 18% GST on insurance premiums often deterred cost-conscious buyers. Sarbvir Singh, Executive Director and Joint Group CEO of PB Fintech, noted that the policy change…