IRDAI plans to increase surrender charges for insurance policies. There is a 51 percent increase in sales of luxury houses. Mobile tariffs are expected to rise after the Lok Sabha elections. Dell confirms significant layoffs.

Google recently delisted ten apps from its Play Store due to non-compliance with its billing policy, although the apps were quickly reinstalled. The tech giant's policies continue to negatively affect the business operations of Indian startups.

The fintech industry is set to continue its evolution in 2024 with trends such as increased Account to Account payments, the growth of Central Bank Digital Currencies, the use of Generative AI in personalizing lending experiences, enhanced security for digital wallets through digital identity integration, the transformation of Anti-Money Laundering tools, advanced banking services on smartphones, biometric authentication for in-store payments, and the rise of Buy Now Pay Later services for B2B payments.

2024 is set to witness significant trends in the fintech sector, with a focus on digital payment apps and investment opportunities. The article provides insights on how individuals can start their investment journey using these digital tools.

Banana prices have increased to Rs 30 per dozen, impacting consumers' pockets. Government hospitals are implementing a policy to stop selling unhealthy food. Additionally, there has been a decline in unsold stock in the Delhi NCR real estate market.

The Government of India (GoI) is addressing the increasing issue of dark patterns in digital interfaces. The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has raised the auto pay limit on the Unified Payments Interface (UPI) to enhance user convenience. This move is part of broader efforts to regulate and improve financial technology services in the country.

Gold prices are expected to reach record high levels. India is projected to grow at a rate of 7 percent by 2026. Vehicle sales have hit record highs during the festive season. Banks may soon adopt a 5-day working week.

A powerful earthquake struck northwestern districts of Nepal on November 3rd, resulting in at least 128 deaths and hundreds of injuries. The event recalls the 2015 earthquake that killed around 9,000 people. Nepal's earthquake-prone nature is due to its location in the Himalayan region where the Indian Plate collides with the Eurasian Plate, causing tectonic stress and increasing the likelihood of earthquakes, as explained by Professor Dhruv Sen Singh from the University of Lucknow.

The Central Government has announced a non-productivity linked bonus for a specific category of its employees and non-gazetted employees for the year 2022-23. Additionally, Ujjwala beneficiaries will receive one free LPG cylinder on Diwali, as announced by the UP Chief Minister.

Swiggy has increased the platform fees for food delivery orders by Rs 2. Microsoft's social media company LinkedIn will once again be laying off employees. RBI's new rules on home loans will come into effect from December 1.

TCS plans to hire 40,000 campus recruiters in the current financial year, as stated by CEO N Ganapathy Subramaniam. Additionally, the government has ordered YouTube to issue disclaimers on channels spreading fake news.

The price of Arhar dal has decreased by 4% ahead of the festival season. The government is considering imposing a ban on sugar exports to prevent price hikes in the next decade. The GST authority has fined LIC. Additionally, movie tickets will be available for Rs 99 this Friday.

Government collected Rs 700 crore as TDS from online gaming and crypto business. The first numberless credit card has been launched. Flour prices may increase as wheat prices reach an 8-month high.

Swiggy has introduced a new 'Lite' membership priced at Rs 99, aimed at providing more affordable options for its users. This move is part of Swiggy's strategy to attract a broader customer base by offering cost-effective membership plans.

The coal sector in Jharkhand and Chhattisgarh, India, is expected to face 73,800 job cuts by 2050, with a Global Energy Monitor report warning of significant job losses across the industry. The report, authored by climate scientists including Ryan Driskell Tate and Dorothy Mei, calls for government action to provide alternative livelihoods for affected workers. China and India are projected to experience the largest declines in coal mine employment, with Coal India at risk of the most substantial job cuts. The socio-economic impact of energy transition is highlighted, with a need for equitable strategies to support workers. West Bengal is identified as the most affected region by mine closures, and the informal sector is expected to suffer as well. Transition planning, as seen in Spain, is suggested as a model for mitigating economic hardship for workers.

BNPL companies are shifting focus towards borrowers with good credit histories due to RBI's new regulations on the FLDG model, which now limits fintechs to bearing only 5% of the risk in loan portfolios. This change is expected to tighten underwriting standards and reduce the approval of high-risk loans. Experts from Propelld and IppoPay suggest that this will lead to more rigorous credit evaluations and smaller loan ticket sizes, with innovative lending models emerging to cater to small customers. The RBI's active monitoring aims to ensure prudent lending practices.

The Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) of the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) begins its meeting today. Term deposit rates have increased by more than 17% over the past year. Blue Dart Express will raise the price of parcel delivery starting January 1, 2024.

Chinese smartphone company Realme is under government investigation for allegedly collecting user data through its Enhanced Intelligent Services feature. Other Chinese brands like Vivo, Oppo, and OnePlus, all under BBK Electronics, are also implicated. South Korean company Samsung faces similar accusations with its Galaxy S20FE model. The issue raises significant concerns about data privacy and national security, especially with the widespread use of GPS and other data-collecting features in smartphones.

Dark patterns are deceptive practices used by e-commerce platforms to manipulate consumer behavior, such as creating false urgency or adding hidden costs. The Indian government has identified nine types of these patterns and has set up a task force to create guidelines to protect consumers. With the digital economy projected to reach $1 trillion by 2030, safeguarding consumer interests is crucial. Consumers are encouraged to educate themselves about these manipulative tactics.

India's 2023 Southwest Monsoon season ended with 'Below-Normal' rainfall, 6% short of the long-period average, due to the evolving El Niño in the Pacific Ocean. The season faced challenges such as a delayed onset, Cyclone Biparjoy, and heatwaves in East India. Despite two low-pressure areas in September that revived rainfall, over 200 districts experienced deficient rainfall. Climate Scientist Dr Roxy Mathew Koll linked these anomalies to rising sea-surface temperatures and climate change. G P Sharma from Skymet Weather noted that 80% of El Niño events negatively affect monsoon rainfall. The uneven rainfall distribution across India suggests significant meteorological changes and potential future impacts on water security, agriculture, and the economy.

The Tax Collected at Source (TCS) rate on excess expenditure while traveling abroad will increase from 5% to 20% starting October 1. Currently, no TCS is levied on Liberalised Remittance Scheme (LRS) transfers up to Rs 7 lakh in a financial year.

There is an urgent reminder for demat account holders to name a nominee by 30th September to avoid their accounts being frozen. Additionally, the RBI Governor highlighted that over 60 percent of pending loans are attributed to the top 20 willful defaulters.

The Reserve Bank is preparing to make changes in the provisions regarding willful defaulters. Komaki electric scooter becomes cheaper by Rs 21000 in the festive season.

The Finance Ministry has dismissed criticisms about a decline in domestic savings. Additionally, Indian medical graduates have received recognition from the World Federation, allowing them to practice in America, Australia, and Canada.

DDA officials announced that a controlled explosion might be the only safe method to demolish the deteriorating Signature View towers in Mukherjee Nagar. Additionally, the EPFO reported a record addition of 18.75 lakh members in July.

The Delhi High Court has ruled that a divorced daughter has no right to the property of her deceased father. The article also mentions that there will be no shortage of wheat, rice, and sugar during the festive season and that Kotak General Insurance has introduced special add-on features for vehicle owners to increase their personal accident insurance coverage.

Media reports suggest that the Indian government might impose a 10% GST on diesel vehicles. The article questions whether the government will implement this tax. Additionally, it notes a 23% increase in air travel in August, surpassing pre-Covid figures.

India has agreed to reduce import duties on certain fresh and processed food items to a range of 5-10%. Additionally, Apple's upcoming Wonderlust Event is anticipated to feature the launch of new products, including significant updates to the iPhone 15.

The second series of Sovereign Gold Bonds (SGB) opens today with the price of 1 gram of gold set at Rs 5,923, available for investment both online and offline. India's external debt stood at US$624.7 billion at the end of March 2023, with a debt-service ratio of 5.3 percent.

The G20 Leaders' Summit in Delhi will focus on climate change amidst geopolitical tensions and the absence of China's Xi Jinping and Russia's Vladimir Putin. India's G20 presidency aims to enhance its global standing by advocating for the Global South and leading in climate action, including a plan to achieve net-zero emissions by 2070. Key issues include fossil fuel phase-out, subsidies, coal, renewables, and finance. The EU is expected to support a phase-out deal, while Saudi Arabia resists. G20 countries are responsible for a significant portion of the world's coal capacity, and Germany is pushing for a renewables agreement. Finance discussions will address the need for trillions in investments for developing countries' clean energy transitions. Experts believe India can influence G20 nations towards a sustainable and inclusive energy transition and that MDB reforms are necessary for financial alignment.

Building a shop or house will become more expensive due to rising cement prices. The RBI Governor noted that vegetable prices are starting to decrease and emphasized the goal of reducing the inflation rate to 4%. Additionally, it will become mandatory for customers to designate a nominee.

The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has announced the integration of pre-sanctioned credit lines for banks into the UPI system. State Bank of India (SBI) has introduced the facility of Central Bank Digital Currency. Flipkart has set a target of providing over 1 lakh seasonal employment opportunities before the festive season.

Meta is expected to introduce a new ad-free feature on Facebook and Instagram, available after making payments. Additionally, the deadline for Rs 2000 notes is approaching, and tickets for Team India matches have sold out.

ATF prices have increased by 14% to Rs 1,12,000 per kilo litre. Commercial LPG prices are set to decrease, while travel costs are expected to rise during the festive season. Axis Bank has introduced infinity savings schemes, and Moody's has revised India's growth forecast.

The transaction limit on UPI Lite will be increased, allowing for offline digital payments up to Rs 500. A major exemption on the sale of residential property has been announced by the Income Tax Tribunal. Additionally, a 100% ethanol powered car is expected to be released by August 29.

Union Minister Nitin Gadkari inaugurated India's inaugural crash test initiative, Bharat NCAP, marking a significant step in automotive safety. Additionally, the government has directed electric vehicle companies to reimburse Rs 278 crore to approximately 200,000 customers by November's end, warning of potential penalties for non-compliance.

The Government of India is considering introducing a special scheme called 'My Bill, My Right'. The Ministry of Finance is concerned about the rising prices of crude oil. Prices of vegetables are expected to start decreasing from next month.

Tech layoffs are projected to exceed 300,000 this year. Retail inflation in July 2023 has significantly impacted the urban poor, according to Crisil. The Government of India plans to deploy 10,000 electric buses across 100 cities.

The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) is set to launch a digital loan platform on a pilot basis. According to SBI Research, India's per capita income is projected to increase 7.5 times by 2047. Additionally, a report by Forex Suggest indicates that nearly 1 in 10 women in India own cryptocurrencies.

The Government of India plans to implement 60 quality control orders to prohibit the import of substandard products. Ather Energy has introduced an entry-level electric scooter, the 450S, priced at Rs 1.29 lakh.

Citizens will soon be able to send up to Rs 500 via UPI on feature phones without an internet connection, according to the RBI. Additionally, investment through SIP in mutual funds is continuously increasing.

The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has maintained the repo rate at 6.5%. The government has reduced rice prices under the open market scheme to Rs 29 per kg. The Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) has shortened the IPO listing time to T+3 days.

Wheat prices have reached a six-month high level. ICICI Bank has announced a Monsoon Bonanza for its customers.

The Government of India is set to increase the salary of central government employees by hiking the Dearness Allowance (DA) by 3% retrospectively from July 1, 2023. Additionally, the government may import 90 lakh tonnes of wheat from Russia to control rising prices. Banks are expected to soon operate on a five-day working week.

The government has mandated the use of QR codes on the packaging of 300 drug brands to combat the sale of counterfeit medicines. This regulatory action aims to enhance the traceability and authenticity of pharmaceutical products in the country.

July 31, 2023, is the last day to file income tax returns for FY23. Banks in India will remain closed for a total of 14 days in August 2023.

IRDAI has directed insurers to expedite claim settlements for individuals affected by floods. Additionally, Axis Bank has increased interest rates on fixed deposits.

The Government of India has mandated that all cigarette lighters and water bottles must be BIS certified. Additionally, Infosys employees have not yet received a pay hike in the new financial year.

The National Testing Agency has announced the NEET-UG results, with Prabanjan J from Tamil Nadu and Bora Varun Chakravarthi from Andhra Pradesh achieving a 99.99 percentile. Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra, and Rajasthan had the highest number of qualifying candidates. The exam was conducted on May 7 in 13 languages across 4,097 centers in 499 cities, including international locations. Seven candidates were disqualified for unfair practices. The NTA has assigned All India Ranks for MBBS and BDS admissions, while state authorities will handle domicile and category considerations.

IIT Guwahati announced the IIT-JEE Advanced 2023 results with Vavilala Chidvilas Reddy from Hyderabad Zone topping the exam. Nayakanti Naga Bhavya Sree topped the female list. The article provides a list of toppers across various categories and zones, with updates to follow for incomplete information.

Airtel and VI are planning to charge customers based on data usage, while Axis Bank has reduced fixed deposit rates for select tenures.

NSE has launched NYMEX WTI crude oil and Natural Gas futures in the commodity derivatives segment. Equitas Small Finance Bank is offering an interest rate of 9% on its 888-day fixed deposit.

India plans to develop electric highways, as announced by Nitin Gadkari. JSW Infrastructure has submitted documents to SEBI for an IPO. Elon Musk, Twitter chief, aims to compete with WhatsApp.

JioCinema will now host all HBO content, expanding its streaming offerings. The Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT) aims to increase the number of taxpayers to over 8 crore. The Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) has banned five entities from market participation due to allegations of front running.

The Income Tax Department has released the ITR 1 and ITR 4 forms for the financial year 2023, currently available for offline filers. SEBI has banned individuals who were disseminating false information about stocks via a Telegram channel. In February, Aadhaar was used for 2.31 billion authentications.

The Reserve Bank of India is set to investigate bank accounts that have not completed the Know Your Customer (KYC) process. Banks are currently in discussions with the RBI to strengthen the KYC procedure. Additionally, stock brokers are no longer allowed to pledge a client’s money with banks.

University Living and Pearson have formed a partnership to facilitate the study-abroad process for Indian students by providing accommodation, financial services, and logistical support. The collaboration was announced on February 21st, 2023, in New Delhi, with a focus on easing the transitions of PTE test takers, primarily in Australia and Canada. The partnership includes exclusive offers such as cashbacks on accommodation and flights, and is supported by the acceptance of PTE by governments for visa applications. The strategic alliance aims to empower students to focus on their academic and professional growth.