Author: Neha Dhir

The Unified Payments Interface (UPI) has transformed India’s digital payments landscape over the past decade. Ten years ago, on 11 April 2016, the National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI), under the regulatory oversight of the Reserve Bank of India (RBI), launched the Unified Payments Interface, a system that would reshape the global payments order. What…

The United Arab Emirates quit OPEC and OPEC+, dealing a major blow to the oil producers’ bloc and Saudi Arabia amid the Iran war–driven energy shock and growing global economic uncertainty. The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has officially announced its exit from OPEC and OPEC+, effective May 1, 2026. Citing a shift in its long-term…

India is facing severe heatwave conditions, with 98 of the world’s 100 hottest cities in the country, raising concerns over rising temperatures. India is in the grip of an early onset of summer and extreme heat events in 2026, with 98 of the world’s 100 hottest cities currently located within its borders. Temperatures have surged…

The government notified the Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming Rules 2026 which will come into force from 1st May.  The Government of India has officially notified the Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming (PROG) Rules, 2026, which will come into force on 1st May, 2026. The Rules, prepared by the Ministry of Electronics and…

India and the Republic of Korea have signed a MoU to strengthen cooperation in the MSME sector during the visit of the South Korean President to India.  India and South Korea have taken a significant step forward in strengthening their bilateral economic ties. On April 20, 2026, during the State Visit of Republic of Korea…

Legacy and Continuing Relevance Observed every year on April 21, Civil Services Day commemorates Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel’s 1947 address to the first batch of civil servants at Metcalfe House, New Delhi, where he described them as the “steel frame” of India. This articulation was not merely rhetorical—it reflected a deep understanding of the central role…

The Constitution (131st Amendment) Bill, 2026, proposing expansion of the Lok Sabha, delinking Delimitation with 2026 Census and operationalizing Women’s Reservation, was defeated in the Lok Sabha after failing to secure the required majority. On April 17, 2026, the Constitution (131st Amendment) Bill, 2026, failed to secure the constitutionally mandated two-thirds majority in the Lok…

UN chief welcomes Israel-Lebanon ceasefire, urges full compliance with international law. The Israel-Lebanon war has thrust the Middle East into a humanitarian and geopolitical crisis. After weeks of conflict between Israeli forces and the Iran-backed militant group Hezbollah, a 10-day ceasefire came into effect on April 17, 2026, following an announcement by the U.S. President…

The 131st Constitution Amendment Bill aims to increase Lok Sabha seats to 850, enabling smaller constituencies and facilitating the timely implementation of the 33% women’s reservation. The Union Government has introduced the Constitution (131st Amendment) Bill, 2026, which could fundamentally change representation in India. The proposal to increase Lok Sabha seats from 543 to 850…