Category: News

New Delhi, Apr 10 (BNP): India’s Unified Payments Interface (UPI) has completed a remarkable decade of growth, transforming the country’s digital payments landscape and becoming one of the world’s most widely used real-time payment systems.

According to data from Tracxn, shared with ETBFSI, UPI transactions have surged from just 18 million in its early phase to 219 billion transactions, marking a nearly 12,000-fold increase in volume over the past 10 years. In value terms, the platform has expanded more than 4,000 times, highlighting its massive adoption across the country.

Developed by the National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI), UPI has played a key role in advancing India’s digital economy by enabling instant, secure, and low-cost money transfers through mobile phones.

Over the years, the system has evolved from a simple peer-to-peer transfer tool into a comprehensive payments ecosystem used for merchant payments, bill settlements, e-commerce transactions, and everyday financial activity.

Experts say the rapid rise of UPI reflects India’s strong push towards financial inclusion, with millions of first-time users entering the formal digital banking system. Its ease of use, interoperability, and zero or low transaction costs have been key drivers of adoption.

Today, UPI stands as one of India’s most significant digital public infrastructure successes, reshaping how individuals and businesses transact across the country and gaining global attention for its scale and efficiency.

New Delhi, Apr 10 (BNP): Hockey India has appointed experienced Australian coach Tim White as the new head coach of the Indian junior women’s hockey team, replacing Tushar Khandekar, who had been with the squad since 2023.

The federation announced the change on Friday but did not provide details regarding the reason for the transition or the duration of White’s contract.

Tim White brings international coaching experience to the role and was recently associated with the Hockey India League, where he served as head coach of the Accord Tamil Nadu Dragons. His appointment is expected to strengthen the team’s preparation and development at the junior level.

Khandekar’s tenure with the side saw steady involvement in building the squad, but the federation has now opted for a change in leadership as part of its ongoing restructuring and performance strategy.

The move reflects Hockey India’s continued focus on bringing global coaching expertise into its system to enhance the performance of India’s junior women’s hockey programme.

Democracy in Action: Voters Turn Out in Huge Numbers Across 3 States

Apr 10, (BNP): Polling for the 2026 Assembly elections in Assam, Kerala, and the Union Territory of Puducherry progressed smoothly on Thursday, recording strong voter participation across all regions.

According to the Election Commission of India, voter turnout by 5 p.m. stood at 84.42% in Assam, 75.01% in Kerala, and 86.92% in Puducherry, reflecting robust public engagement in the democratic process.

In Assam, Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma cast his vote in Jalukbari, a constituency he has represented since 2001. He was accompanied by his family and earlier offered prayers at the revered Kamakhya Temple. Jalukbari continues to remain his political stronghold over the past two decades.

Polling is being conducted for 126 Assembly seats in Assam, 140 in Kerala, and 30 in Puducherry, with counting of votes scheduled for May 4.

Kerala witnessed participation from over 2.69 crore eligible voters across 140 constituencies, including more than 1.38 crore women, 1.31 crore men, and 277 third-gender voters. Around 4.24 lakh voters are in the 18–19 age group, while over 2 lakh are above 85 years. A total of 30,471 polling stations were set up. The electoral battle is primarily between the Left Democratic Front led by Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan and the Congress-led United Democratic Front.

Assam has over 2.5 crore eligible voters, with 722 candidates contesting across 126 seats. The electorate includes more than 1.25 crore male and 1.25 crore female voters, along with 318 transgender and over 63,000 service voters. Notably, 6.42 lakh voters are aged 18–19, while more than 2.5 lakh are above 80 years. Webcasting was enabled at all 31,490 polling stations, with 1.51 lakh personnel deployed to ensure smooth conduct. The contest is mainly between the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance and a Congress-led alliance.

In Puducherry, over 10.14 lakh voters are eligible to vote across 30 constituencies, including 5.39 lakh women, 4.74 lakh men, and 157 third-gender voters. Around 24,156 voters are aged 18–19, while 6,034 are above 85 years. The contest is primarily between the All India NR Congress-led NDA and the Congress-DMK alliance, with Vijay’s Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam also fielding candidates.

Meanwhile, bypolls in select constituencies recorded moderate turnout, including Bagalkot (65.68%) and Davanagere South (63.04%) in Karnataka, Koridang (80.62%) in Nagaland, and Dharmanagar (79.84%) in Tripura.

Election authorities have ensured peaceful polling with tight security and efficient arrangements, while officials have praised the enthusiastic participation of voters, underscoring the strength of democratic engagement across the regions.

Bhubaneswar, Apr 10 (BNP): Odisha has taken a significant step towards strengthening its power infrastructure with the commissioning of new energy projects in the state capital region.

Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi, along with Deputy Chief Minister and Energy Minister Kanak Vardhan Singh Deo, visited the Grid Substation at Balianta after the inauguration of major power projects in Bhubaneswar.

 Pic Credit: https://x.com/EnergyOdisha

The state government has launched three new grid substations and eight key transmission lines aimed at improving electricity distribution and ensuring a stable power supply across the rapidly growing city.

Officials said the upgraded infrastructure will enhance the efficiency and reliability of power delivery, helping meet the increasing demand driven by urban expansion, industrial growth, and rising household consumption.

The new network is also expected to reduce transmission constraints and strengthen the overall energy system, ensuring better preparedness for future requirements.

During the visit, the Chief Minister reviewed the operational status of the Balianta Grid Substation and assessed the readiness of the newly commissioned facilities.

The initiative marks an important milestone in Odisha’s efforts to modernise its power sector and support long-term urban and economic development.

Bhubaneswar, Apr 10 (BNP): In a formal appeal to Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi, MP Aparajita Sarangi has urged the state government to reconsider the decision to halt the proposed Bhubaneswar Metro Rail Project, stressing its importance for the city’s long-term urban development.

Highlighting the rapid pace of population growth and urbanisation in Bhubaneswar, Sarangi said the city’s existing transport system is already under severe strain, leading to increasing traffic congestion in the capital and nearby areas. She noted that a metro rail network would provide a safer, faster, and more reliable public transport option for all sections of society, including women, senior citizens, children, and persons with disabilities.

She described the metro project as more than just a transport initiative, calling it a long-term investment in sustainable urban infrastructure and planned city growth.

On the economic front, the MP said the project could generate significant employment opportunities and attract fresh investments into the region. Improved connectivity to key cultural and religious landmarks such as the Lingaraj Temple, Dhauli, and ISKCON Temple Bhubaneswar, she added, could also give a strong boost to tourism and enhance the city’s profile as a modern urban centre.

Raising financial concerns, Sarangi pointed out that around ₹274 crore has already been spent on the project. She warned that stopping work at this stage could lead to a waste of public money and potentially increase costs if the project is restarted in the future.

She further emphasised that metro systems are long-term infrastructure assets that may not deliver immediate financial returns but provide substantial social and economic benefits over time.

Concluding her appeal, Sarangi urged the state government to consider public interest and long-term gains, and expressed willingness to work with the Centre to explore additional funding and support for the project.

The proposal to halt the Bhubaneswar Metro Rail Project has triggered fresh debate over urban mobility priorities and infrastructure planning in the state.

New Delhi, Apr 10 (BNP): In a significant push towards expanding women’s representation in politics, the Union Cabinet has approved key proposals to accelerate the implementation of 33% reservation for women in the Lok Sabha and state assemblies.

The move involves amendments to the Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam along with a new Delimitation Bill. The aim is to bypass delays linked to the next Census by using data from the 2011 Census, allowing the reservation policy to be rolled out sooner.

According to sources, the government is planning a series of legislative steps to delink the reservation from the pending Census exercise, which had earlier been a key condition for its implementation.

The Cabinet has also cleared a proposal to expand the size of legislative bodies. The Delimitation Bill is expected to increase the number of seats in the Lok Sabha and state assemblies by around 50%, a move aimed at better representation as the population grows. A separate law is likely to address similar changes in Union Territories.

If implemented as planned, the expanded Lok Sabha could come into effect by the 2029 general elections, potentially reshaping India’s political landscape with a larger House and a substantial increase in women lawmakers.

This development marks a crucial step toward operationalizing the long-awaited women’s reservation policy, which has remained pending for years despite broad political consensus.

New Delhi, Apr 10 (BNP):  Droupadi Murmu has nominated Harivansh Narayan Singh to the Rajya Sabha, marking his return to the Upper House shortly after his previous term came to an end.

Harivansh’s earlier tenure in the Rajya Sabha concluded on April 9. His fresh nomination fills the vacancy created by the retirement of Ranjan Gogoi, who had been serving as a nominated member.

A seasoned parliamentarian and current Deputy Chairman of the Rajya Sabha, Harivansh is widely regarded for his experience in legislative proceedings and parliamentary affairs. His re-entry is expected to bring continuity and stability to the functioning of the House.

The move also underscores the importance of experienced voices in the Upper House, especially at a time when legislative debates continue to play a crucial role in shaping policy and governance.

Fears rise over a possible major war and nuclear threat following predictions attributed to “China’s Nostradamus.” 

Chaina, Apr 10(BNP): Growing fears have emerged worldwide over the possibility of a major conflict and potential nuclear escalation, following recent predictions attributed to so-called “China’s Nostradamus.” The forecasts, which have gained traction across social media and online platforms, have sparked widespread speculation and anxiety among the public.

While such predictions remain unverified and speculative in nature, they have reignited discussions around global security, geopolitical tensions, and the risks associated with modern warfare. Experts have urged caution, emphasizing the importance of relying on credible sources and official statements rather than unsubstantiated claims.

Authorities and analysts continue to monitor international developments closely, while calling for calm and responsible dissemination of information to prevent unnecessary panic.

Bhubaneswar, Apr 9 (BNP): Odisha is accelerating its journey toward industrial growth and prosperity with the inauguration and foundation-laying of 36 new industrial projects at Bhubaneswar’s Bhuinpura industrial hub, involving a total investment of ₹40,811 crore.

Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi said the projects mark a significant milestone in Odisha’s transformation from a state of potential to one experiencing tangible prosperity. Of the 36 projects, 25 have already been inaugurated, while the remaining 11 had their foundations laid during the event. These initiatives are expected to generate over 59,000 new jobs across the state.

The projects span a diverse range of sectors including green energy equipment, downstream industries, textiles and apparel, plastics, tourism, food processing, defense manufacturing, IT, automobiles, and cement. The Chief Minister emphasized that these projects will drive rapid economic growth, strengthen local industries, and create employment opportunities for the youth.

During the event, Mr. Majhi held a roundtable with industrialists from across India to discuss project implementation, offering government support in land, electricity, water, and connectivity. “The Odisha government is committed to providing all necessary assistance to ensure timely project execution and smooth industrial development,” the Chief Minister said.

He also noted that over the past 18–20 months, the state government has laid foundations or inaugurated 109 projects worth ₹2.5 lakh crore, creating 1.76 lakh jobs, positioning Odisha as a leading industrial destination in eastern India.

Officials and industry representatives highlighted that these new investments will significantly enhance the state’s industrial ecosystem, promote sustainable growth, and strengthen Odisha’s role in India’s manufacturing and export landscape.

Apr 9: Odisha is emerging as a trailblazer in India’s shift toward renewable energy, focusing on solar and wind projects in Western Odisha. The state is promoting clean energy, green manufacturing, and ESG-driven practices to ensure sustainable growth.

#Odisha is accelerating India’s green transition by emerging as a pioneer in renewable energy services. The State is driving sustainable growth through clean energy, innovation, and ESG-led practices while developing solar and wind energy hubs in Western Odisha.

With a focus on… pic.twitter.com/RaNZCfXeto

— Energy Odisha (@EnergyOdisha) April 8, 2026

With a goal to achieve 50% green energy consumption in the services sector by 2047, Odisha is also developing export-oriented green technology clusters. Officials say the strategy combines innovation, investment, and environmental responsibility, aiming to position the state as a global leader in renewable energy and sustainable development.

By integrating ESG frameworks into major projects, Odisha is setting an example for responsible growth that balances economic progress with environmental care, helping India move toward a greener, cleaner future.