Context: The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) plans to buy ₹1.25 trillion in government bonds, coupled with a ₹1.5 trillion dividend transfer to the Union government in May. This will likely increase surplus liquidity in the banking system, expected to reach ₹5 trillion by June 2025. Impact on Lending Rates Liquidity Conditions and Market Response Economists’ View on RBI’s Bond Purchases Impact on Retail Lending

Context: SEBI has extended the implementation timeline for the optional T+0 (same-day settlement) cycle for qualified stock brokers (QSBs) to November 1, 2025, from the initial deadline of May 1, 2025. Reason for extension: The extension was granted based on feedback from QSBs, along with consultations with stock exchanges, clearing corporations, and depositories, to ensure smoother implementation. T+0 Settlement Cycle A T+0 settlement cycle means that a stock trade is settled on the same day it’s executed. This means that the buyer receives the shares and the seller receives payment on the same trading day. Previously, India used a T+1 system where settlement occurred the next business day.  Implementation Challenges Background on T+0 Settlement Cycle Impact on QSBs and Investor Participation Industry Implications Mint

Context: The Investor Education and Protection Fund Authority (IEPFA) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Kotak Mahindra Bank Limited (KMBL) to enhance investor awareness across India. Initiative Details

Context: Airtel Payments Bank has introduced the RuPay ON-THE-GO card, enabled with the National Common Mobility Card (NCMC) feature, aiming to simplify digital payments for travel, shopping, and daily expenses. The National Common Mobility Card (NCMC) The National Common Mobility Card (NCMC) is a feature that enables contactless payments across various modes of transportation and retail outlets using a single, interoperable card. It leverages RuPay technology and allows for stored value, enabling offline transactions for low-value payments. The NCMC supports payments for metro, bus, suburban railways, toll, parking, and retail purchases.  Key Features How to Obtain the Card Usage and Charges TET

Context: Airtel Payments Bank has introduced the RuPay ON-THE-GO card, enabled with the National Common Mobility Card (NCMC) feature, aiming to simplify digital payments for travel, shopping, and daily expenses. The National Common Mobility Card (NCMC) The National Common Mobility Card (NCMC) is a feature that enables contactless payments across various modes of transportation and retail outlets using a single, interoperable card. It leverages RuPay technology and allows for stored value, enabling offline transactions for low-value payments. The NCMC supports payments for metro, bus, suburban railways, toll, parking, and retail purchases.  Key Features How to Obtain the Card Usage and Charges TET

Context: The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has issued a directive requiring all regulated financial entities to use the PRAVAAH portal for submitting applications related to licenses, authorisations, and approvals starting from May 1, 2025. This initiative aims to centralize regulatory communications and introduce uniformity across the financial system. What is the PRAVAAH Portal? PRAVAAH (Platform for Regulatory Application, Validation, and Authorisation) is a secure, web-based digital platform introduced by the RBI. It is designed to streamline the application process, enabling individuals and entities to file, track, and manage various regulatory requests through a single unified system. Scope and Applicability From May 1, 2025, all Regulated Entities (REs) will be required to submit their applications via PRAVAAH. The entities include: Reason Behind the Directive PRAVAAH has been operational for nearly a year and has processed around 4,000 applications. However, many entities continued using legacy submission channels. The RBI’s decision to make the use of PRAVAAH mandatory aims to: Process Guidance for Regulated Entities This directive reinforces the RBI’s commitment to a digital, transparent, and efficient regulatory environment. The mandatory adoption of PRAVAAH is expected to simplify the interface between the RBI and financial entities, strengthening regulatory governance and improving the overall regulatory framework.