Category: News

New Delhi, Apr 10 (BNP): Kenya is adopting elements of India’s Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI), including UPI-style instant payments and DigiLocker-like digital document storage systems, in a move aimed at improving governance efficiency and expanding digital services, according to a report.

The initiative seeks to address long-standing challenges in Kenya’s administrative system, including bureaucratic delays and fragmented identity records. The adoption of these digital systems is expected to speed up public service delivery and boost digital commerce in the country.

Under pilot projects running between 2023 and 2026, Kenya is integrating India-inspired payment and document verification systems to improve government-to-citizen services, education platforms, and small business transactions. The framework is also designed to work alongside existing mobile money systems such as M-Pesa.

The pilots combine instant payment mechanisms similar to India’s Unified Payments Interface (UPI) with digital identity-linked systems like Kenya’s “Maisha Namba,” enabling faster verification and reducing paperwork in areas such as education, healthcare, and public services.

A report noted that early results indicate faster processing of identity documents and reduced administrative delays, with potential for broader rollout in the coming years. The system is also expected to improve transparency and reduce instances of fraud.

Kenya formalised its engagement in early 2026 by signing an implementation framework for a DigiLocker-style pilot, customised with technical support from India’s National e-Governance Division (NeGD).

India’s DPI ecosystem, which includes Aadhaar, UPI, and DigiLocker, has been widely recognised for enabling large-scale digital inclusion and efficient service delivery, and is increasingly being studied and adapted by other countries.

Paradip (Odisha), Apr 10 (BNP): The Paradip Port Authority (PPA), in partnership with CEMS, has successfully completed the first batch of its CSR-supported skill development initiative focused on training youth from Odisha for industry-ready careers.

Under the programme, 25 participants were awarded certificates in Supply Chain Management, gaining practical skills relevant to the maritime and logistics sectors. The training aims to improve employability and prepare candidates for opportunities in key logistics centres such as Hyderabad, Kolkata, and Bengaluru.

Officials said the initiative is designed to strengthen job readiness by providing focused, industry-aligned training and bridging the gap between academic learning and workforce requirements.

The certificate distribution event was attended by Paradip Port Authority Chairman P.L. Haranadh, along with senior port officials. Commander Gopi Krishna Sivvam (Retd.), Chief Operating Officer of CEMS, also participated in the programme.

The initiative is aimed at building a skilled talent pool to support the growing needs of India’s logistics and maritime sectors, while also contributing to youth empowerment in the region.

Mumbai, Apr 10 (BNP): The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has proposed a set of enhanced security measures aimed at strengthening the safety of digital payment systems amid a sharp rise in fraud cases driven largely by social engineering tactics.

According to the proposal, the central bank is considering layered safeguards, including delayed processing of certain transactions, stronger authentication mechanisms for vulnerable users, and tighter monitoring of bank accounts to detect suspicious activity more effectively.

The move comes as digital payment frauds have increased in recent years, with criminals often exploiting users through deceptive calls, messages, and online manipulation rather than technical hacking.

Under the proposed framework, banks and payment service providers may also be required to adopt more proactive fraud detection systems and improve real-time monitoring of high-risk transactions.

The RBI said the objective is to strike a balance between convenience and security, ensuring that the rapid growth of digital payments is not undermined by rising fraud risks.

The proposed measures are part of the regulator’s broader efforts to strengthen trust in India’s fast-expanding digital payment ecosystem.

Apr.10 (BNP): Iran has announced that no more than 15 vessels per day will be permitted to pass through the strategically critical Strait of Hormuz, following a ceasefire agreement reportedly reached with the United States.

According to TASS, which cited an unnamed senior Iranian official, the restriction will be implemented as part of controlled maritime operations aimed at maintaining stability in the region amid ongoing geopolitical tensions.

The Strait of Hormuz, a narrow waterway approximately 34 km wide between Iran and Oman, serves as a vital global shipping route connecting the Persian Gulf to the Indian Ocean. It facilitates the transit of nearly one-fifth of the world’s oil supplies, along with essential commodities such as fertilisers and other goods.

The imposition of a daily vessel cap is expected to significantly impact global shipping traffic and energy markets, with industry stakeholders closely monitoring the situation. Experts warn that any prolonged restriction could disrupt supply chains and lead to volatility in global oil prices.

While the move signals a partial easing of tensions under the ceasefire framework, the controlled access highlights the continued strategic sensitivity of the region and its importance to global trade and energy security.

Sriharikota (Andhra Pradesh), Apr 10 (BNP): The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) has successfully completed the second Integrated Air Drop Test (IADT-02) for the upcoming Gaganyaan human spaceflight mission, marking another important milestone in India’s crewed space programme.

The test was conducted at the Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota, and focused on validating the crew module recovery system, a critical safety mechanism that ensures the safe return of astronauts during re-entry and landing.

The crew module is the capsule that will carry astronauts during the mission, and the air drop tests are designed to simulate real landing conditions. These trials help engineers assess parachute deployment, stability of the capsule, and overall performance under different emergency scenarios.

Union Minister Jitendra Singh congratulated ISRO on the achievement, noting it as a key step forward for India’s first human spaceflight mission, which is targeted for next year.

The second test follows the successful completion of the first Integrated Air Drop Test conducted in August 2025 at the same facility.

Air drop tests are an essential part of mission validation, where a dummy crew module is dropped from an aircraft or helicopter to replicate the final phase of spacecraft descent. These experiments test critical systems such as parachute deployment, controlled descent, and safe splashdown under varied conditions.

With the success of IADT-02, ISRO has further strengthened the reliability of its crew safety systems, bringing the country closer to launching astronauts into space under the Gaganyaan programme.

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.