Context: EnKash, a pioneer in India’s spend management and fintech innovation space, has launched the EnKash Payment Gateway — a revolutionary platform designed specifically for over 63 million underserved small and medium businesses (SMBs) and startups. The gateway aims to empower modern merchants with frictionless, flexible, and future-ready payment infrastructure. Why This Matters India saw ₹14 lakh crore in UPI transactions in March 2025 alone, proving that digital payments are now mainstream. Yet, SMBs continue to face challenges such as: What is a Payment Gateway? A payment gateway is a technology used by merchants to accept debit or credit card purchases from customers. The term includes not only the physical card-reading devices found in brick-and-mortar retail stores but also the payment processing portals found in online stores. Key Features of EnKash Payment Gateway Target SectorsDesigned to support multiple high-growth industries including: Unified Fintech Stack Advantage EnKash becomes India’s first fintech to offer a fully unified payments and spend management ecosystem, combining: About EnKash Founded in 2018, EnKash holds multiple RBI-regulated licenses (PAPG, BBPOU, PPI) and has raised $23M from leading investors such as Ascent Capital, Mayfield, Axilor, and Baring Private Equity Partners India. Its platform empowers CXOs with automation, compliance tools, and real-time financial insights. BS
Government Notifies Payments Regulatory Board (PRB) Regulations, 2025
Context: The Central Government has notified the Payments Regulatory Board (PRB) Regulations, 2025, introducing a new regulatory body to replace the existing Board for Regulation and Supervision of Payment and Settlement Systems (BPSS). The move marks a significant restructuring of payment system governance in India. Background Composition of the PRB Governance and Voting Implications and Industry View Historical Context Related Developments BS
IRDAI Imposes â‚ą1 Crore Penalty on Acko General Insurance for Statutory Violations
Context: The Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India (IRDAI) has imposed a monetary penalty of â‚ą1 crore on Acko General Insurance for multiple regulatory violations during FY 2019-20 and 2020-21. Nature of Violations Implications Background on Acko
Rapid Growth and Adoption of Mutual Funds by Household Investors
Context: Household investors are increasingly adopting mutual funds (MFs), investing more via systematic investment plans (SIPs) in a disciplined, staggered manner. Investors are holding MF portfolios for longer durations, supporting wealth creation through compounding and reduced risk. Investment Trends Economic and Market Implications BS
Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana–Urban (PMAY-U)
Context: The Government of India has extended the completion deadline for Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana–Urban (PMAY-U) to December 31, 2025, for housing projects sanctioned up to March 31, 2022. This move gives thousands of urban beneficiaries additional time to complete their affordable housing units under the flagship “Housing for All” scheme. What is PMAY-Urban? Launched in June 2015 by the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs (MoHUA), PMAY-U aims to provide affordable housing to urban families, especially those in: What’s New Under PMAY-U 2.0? The second phase of the scheme maintains the original funding structure but emphasizes completion and accessibility through four verticals: Eligibility Criteria for PMAY-U To avail benefits under PMAY-U, an applicant must: Offline Application ProcessApplicants can apply through: Note: A nominal service fee is applicable for assistance with form filling and document uploads. Key Benefits of PMAY-U Extension
Labour Code Reforms in India
Context: Recent reforms aim to streamline labour regulations, improve working conditions, and support industrial growth. States and Union Territories (UTs) are aligning laws with industry needs to attract investment and position themselves as investment-friendly destinations. Labour Code Reforms in India Background of Labour Code Reforms (2019–2020) Between 2019 and 2020, Parliament passed four consolidated labour codes to replace 29 outdated central labour laws: Code Key Focus Areas Code on Wages, 2019 Regulates minimum wages, bonus payments, payment timelines, and ensures equal remuneration. Industrial Relations Code, 2020 Covers trade unions, hiring/firing rules, industrial disputes, and employment conditions. Code on Social Security, 2020 Integrates provisions on EPF, ESI, gratuity, maternity, and pension schemes; extends benefits to gig and platform workers. Occupational Safety, Health and Working Conditions Code, 2020 Regulates safety standards, working hours, health, welfare, and leave policies across industries. Objectives of the Labour Code Reforms: Labour Being a Concurrent Subject: State Involvement Key Amendments and Trends by States/UTs Reform Area States/UT Action Retrenchment, Layoff, Closure Threshold 20 states/UTs increased the threshold from 100 to 300 workers for prior government approval. Factories Act Threshold 19 states/UTs raised threshold: • From 10 to 20 workers (with power) • From 20 to 40 workers (without power) Contract Labour Act Applicability Threshold increased from 20 to 50 workers in 19 states/UTs. Women in Night Shifts 31 states/UTs allowed women to work night shifts, with mandated safety conditions (transport, lighting, security). Inspector Raj Reform All states/UTs implemented rules requiring compliance notice before prosecution—promoting transparency and reducing harassment. Implications for Employers and Workers Constitutional Provisions Related to Labour Rights India’s Constitution provides a strong framework for protecting labour rights: Directive Principles of State Policy (DPSP) Often considered the “Magna Carta” for India’s working class: Legislative Framework Second Labour Commission Recommendations (2002) The Commission suggested consolidation of labour laws into five core categories: Key Objectives of the Labour Codes BS
DoT Launches Financial Fraud Risk Indicator to Combat Cyber Fraud
Context: The Department of Telecommunications (DoT) unveiled the Financial Fraud Risk Indicator (FRI), a new advanced analytical tool designed to support financial institutions in detecting and preventing cyber fraud. This initiative is part of the broader Digital Intelligence Platform (DIP). What is Financial Fraud Risk Indicator (FRI)? Functionality and Impact Significance
Mission LiFE May Join India’s National Climate Plan
Context: The Indian government is considering integrating Mission LiFE (Lifestyle for Environment) into the National Action Plan on Climate Change (NAPCC) to promote sustainable behavior and quantify the climate-related needs of individuals and businesses. This strategic move aims to elevate environmental consciousness through a behavior-centric approach. Current Status of NAPCC What is Mission LiFE? Three Core Shifts Targeted by Mission LiFE Why Integrate with NAPCC? Challenges in Adoption
“Poverty Decline in India after 2011–12: Bigger Picture Evidence”
Context: A recent academic paper titled “Poverty Decline in India after 2011–12: Bigger Picture Evidence” reveals that: Authorship and Methodology Key Findings National-Level Trends State-Level Disparities Supporting Economic Indicators Policy Implications TH
China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC)
Context: China, Pakistan, and Afghanistan have agreed to expand the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) to include Afghanistan. What is CPEC? The China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) is a 3,000-km long infrastructure corridor connecting Xinjiang (China) to Gwadar Port (Pakistan).CPEC is a bilateral project under China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), aimed at: Strategic Importance of CPEC for China and Pakistan India’s Concerns and Strategic Implications 1. Sovereignty Violation 2. Strategic Isolation of Kashmir 3. Enhanced Chinese Maritime Control 4. Trade Route Realignment 5. Export Competition 6. Strengthening China’s Geo-economic Clout One Belt One Road (OBOR)/Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) Structure: India’s Stand
