Source: ET Context: The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) launched four new digital payment initiatives at the Global Fintech Festival 2025, aimed at enhancing convenience, interoperability, and digital adoption in the UPI ecosystem. Key Initiatives Additional Features
PFRDA Plans to Expand Pension Coverage to Agriculture, SHGs, and Gig Workers
Source: BS Context: The Pension Fund Regulatory and Development Authority (PFRDA) is targeting significant expansion of pension coverage in India, with a focus on underserved sectors such as agriculture, self-help groups (SHGs), and gig/platform workers. The announcement was made by PFRDA Chairman S. Ramann at the Global Fintech Fest 2025. Key Highlights
RBI Unveils Unified Markets Interface (UMI) to Tokenise Financial Assets
Source: TOI Context: At the Global Fintech Fest 2025, the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) announced the conceptualisation of a Unified Markets Interface (UMI) a new digital infrastructure aimed at tokenising financial assets and enabling settlements via wholesale Central Bank Digital Currency (CBDC). The initiative marks another milestone in India’s ongoing digital finance transformation. Key Highlights: Tokenisation Tokenisation is the process of representing ownership or rights to an asset in the form of a digital token. Each token acts as a digital certificate of ownership that can be traded or transferred securely. Examples
NITI Aayog Report: Roadmap on AI for Inclusive Societal Development
Release Date: 2025Purpose: Outline a strategic plan to leverage Artificial Intelligence (AI) for empowering India’s informal sector workforce through digital inclusion, skilling, and social security integration. Key Highlights: Informal Sector Challenges Role of AI & Digital Infrastructure Need for Urgent Action Key Recommendations
PM-KUSUM (Pradhan Mantri Kisan Urja Suraksha evam Utthan Mahabhiyan)
Source: TH Context: The Union Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) plans to promote India’s flagship solar energy initiative — the PM-KUSUM (Pradhan Mantri Kisan Urja Suraksha evam Utthan Mahabhiyan) scheme — to several African and island nations through the International Solar Alliance (ISA) platform. PM-KUSUM (Pradhan Mantri Kisan Urja Suraksha evam Utthan Mahabhiyan) Launch: 2019 (by Ministry of New & Renewable Energy, Government of India)Aim: Promote solar energy adoption in the agriculture sector, ensure energy security for farmers, and provide additional income through renewable energy. Objectives Components
Draft National Labour and Employment Policy, 2025
Source: TH Context: The Union Ministry of Labour and Employment released the draft National Labour and Employment Policy (NLEP) titled Shram Shakti Niti, 2025 for public consultation on October 8, 2025. The policy envisions a fair, inclusive, and future-ready world of work, aligned with India’s aspiration to become a developed nation by 2047. Key Objective To establish a universal and portable social security system by integrating major national and state-level welfare and employment databases. Universal Social Security Framework The policy proposes creating a universal account integrating: This aims to ensure portability of social security benefits across sectors and geographies, covering formal and informal workers. Core Vision and Principles Major Policy Proposals
Fino Payments Bank Settles SEBI Case for â‚ą5.8 Lakh
Context: Fino Payments Bank has settled a securities law violation case with the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) by paying a settlement amount of â‚ą5.8 lakh. Details of the Case
PayPal Launches “PayPal World” – Global Interoperable Wallet Platform
Context: At the Global Fintech Fest 2025 in Mumbai, PayPal CEO Alex Chriss announced the launch of “PayPal World”, a globally interoperable digital wallet platform that connects domestic digital wallets across countries. The platform’s first payments partner is India’s Unified Payments Interface (UPI). About PayPal World A cross-border payment interoperability platform that lin
PhonePe and Utkarsh Small Finance Bank Launch “Wish Credit Card”
Context: Digital payments platform PhonePe and Utkarsh Small Finance Bank (SFB) have jointly launched the “Wish Credit Card”, aimed at providing affordable and accessible credit to a wider section of users, especially those new to formal credit. About the “Wish Credit Card” Issuer: Utkarsh Small Finance BankPowered by: Visa NetworkDistributed through: PhonePe app Objective:To expand credit inclusion by offering customised, flexible, and digital-first credit card solutions for both urban and semi-urban users. Key Features
RBI Draft Ombudsman Scheme 2025
Source: TOI Context: The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has released the draft Ombudsman Scheme 2025, aimed at strengthening grievance redressal mechanisms for customers of regulated entities. The draft seeks to provide a cost-effective, non-adversarial, and comprehensive platform for resolving disputes. Key Highlights: Significance
