Context: In a significant move to globalize India’s digital payments, PayPal has announced integration with Unified Payments Interface (UPI) to facilitate cross-border transactions. Key Highlights: Launch of PayPal World Platform Significance BS
Swachh Survekshan 2024–25
Context: The ninth edition of Swachh Survekshan (2024–25), touted as the world’s largest cleanliness survey, has emerged not just as a city-ranking competition but as a comprehensive audit of India’s urban sanitation ecosystem. It offers valuable insights into progress, gaps, and best practices in waste management, segregation, infrastructure, and sanitation worker welfare. Key Features of Swachh Survekshan 2024–25: Regional Highlights Best Practices from Leading Cities City Notable Initiative Indore Six-bin segregation system at source Surat Revenue generation via sewage-treated water Pune Ragpicker cooperatives managing solid waste Visakhapatnam Eco-park on remediated landfill Lucknow Waste wonder park Agra (Kuberpur) 47-acre green space reclaimed via biomining Survey Theme – 2025: Reduce, Reuse, Recycle (RRR) TH
National Anti-Doping (Amendment) Bill
Context: Union Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviya introduced the National Anti-Doping (Amendment) Bill in the Lok Sabha to align India’s anti-doping framework with World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) requirements. Key Highlights: TOI
Google Unveils AI Initiatives in India at Google I/O Connect 2025
Context: At its Google I/O Connect India 2025 developer conference held in Bengaluru, Google announced a range of artificial intelligence (AI) initiatives targeting India’s growing tech ecosystem, with a special focus on localisation, developer support, and indigenous innovation. Key Highlights: TET
Amalgamation of Regional Rural Banks (RRBs)
Context: The Government of India has completed the Phase-IV consolidation of Regional Rural Banks (RRBs) under the principle of One State–One RRB, reducing the number of RRBs from 43 to 28 across 26 States and 2 Union Territories. Key Highlights: PIB
CoinDCX Launches Bounty Programme to Recover Stolen Crypto Assets
Context: On July 19, 2025, CoinDCX, one of India’s largest cryptocurrency exchanges, suffered a crypto asset theft worth $44 million from its treasury. The loss was absorbed from internal reserves; customer wallets remained unaffected. Bounty Programme Details Additional Measures About CoinDCX Indian Express
Financial Inclusion Index (FI-Index): RBI
Context: The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) announced on July 22, 2025, that the Financial Inclusion Index (FI-Index) rose to 67 in the financial year ending March 2025 (FY25), up from 64.2 in FY24 and 60.1 in FY23. The index reflects a steady improvement in access, usage, and quality of formal financial services across India. What is the Financial Inclusion Index (FI-Index)? Year FI-Index Value FY23 60.1 FY24 64.2 FY25 67.0 Key Drivers of Growth BS
Equity Mutual Funds May Soon Be Allowed to Invest in Gold and Silver: SEBI Proposal
Context: In a potential shift in mutual fund regulations, the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) may soon allow equity mutual fund schemes to invest in gold and silver, as part of its proposed new scheme categorisation framework. Key Highlights: Proposed Change in Investment Norms Optional Exposure Implications for Fund Houses and Investors Background BS
Trai Meets RBI, Sebi, MHA, Meity, other Regulators on Curbing Spam, Fraud
Context: In a significant move to combat spam, fraud, and misuse of telecom infrastructure, India’s telecom regulator TRAI convened a high-level multi-regulator meeting on July 22, 2025. The meeting included top officials from RBI, SEBI, DoT, MHA, and MEITY, culminating in the launch of a pilot project on digital consent acquisition. Key Highlights Cross-Sectoral Regulatory Collaboration Launch of Digital Consent Acquisition Pilot Transition to 1600-Series for Commercial Calls Enhanced Cybersecurity and Data Exchange BS
FACE Issues Code of Conduct for Regtech Firms to Boost Regulatory Cooperation
Context: In a first-of-its-kind move, the Fintech Association for Consumer Empowerment (FACE) has introduced a comprehensive Code of Conduct for regulatory technology (regtech) firms in India. This development aims to instill greater accountability, transparency, and alignment with regulatory expectations in the rapidly evolving fintech ecosystem. What is Regulatory Technology (RegTech)? RegTech, short for Regulatory Technology, refers to the use of technology to help businesses comply with regulations more efficiently and effectively, especially in highly regulated sectors like finance, insurance, healthcare, and legal services. Definition RegTech is the application of AI, machine learning, big data, cloud computing, and blockchain to automate and streamline regulatory compliance processes. It enables real-time monitoring, reporting, and risk management in a cost-effective manner. Key Features of RegTech Key Highlights of the Code: Mandatory Regulator Cooperation Six-Month Implementation Timeline Scope of the Code Covers multiple policy areas: Data Security & User Rights Third-Party Due Diligence Grievance Redressal BS
