Under this partnership, IPPB will use its vast network of 1.65 lakh post offices and over 3 lakh postal service providers, including postmen and Gramin Dak Sevaks. Equipped with digital authentication tools, they will help pensioners submit their life certificates from home, removing the need to visit bank branches or EPFO offices.

EPFO will bear the entire cost of issuing Digital Life Certificates, making the service completely free for pensioners. IPPB MD and CEO R. Viswesvaran said the initiative strengthens the bank’s mission to deliver citizen-centric financial services across India, especially to rural and semi-urban pensioners.

This move aligns with the government’s Digital India and Ease of Living initiatives. It ensures inclusive service delivery using biometric technology and postal infrastructure. Once the process is complete, pensioners will receive an SMS confirmation and can view their life certificate online the next day.

The post India Post Partners with EPFO for Doorstep Pension Services appeared first on India Podcast.

Jaishankar expressed confidence that India’s relations with the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) would grow stronger as Bahrain assumes the GCC presidency. He also thanked Bahrain’s leadership for supporting the welfare of the Indian community and exchanged views on global and regional developments.

Highlighting the nations’ centuries-old friendship, Jaishankar said India and Bahrain share a common goal of peace and prosperity. He noted that bilateral cooperation has expanded across defence, trade, security, and technology, with new areas like space and fintech offering fresh opportunities.

Foreign Minister Alzayani acknowledged the deep historical and cultural ties linking both countries for nearly 5,000 years. He emphasised that strong economic links remain central to their partnership, with both sides committed to enhancing connectivity and shared growth.

The post India, Bahrain Strengthen Ties at 5th Joint Commission Meeting appeared first on India Podcast.

India’s digitally-driven transformation has attracted major players like Citigroup, Barclays, and MUFG, despite challenges such as trade headwinds and account dormancy. With 89% adult account penetration and 25% dormancy, investors are leveraging fintech innovations and data-based credit scoring to reach new consumers.

The shift from a cash-based economy to a digital ecosystem has unlocked economic potential across sectors. Every transaction now generates valuable data, helping lenders design microloans, insurance, and savings products for low-income users through platforms like Paytm and PhonePe using UPI technology.

The report highlighted that India’s inclusive digitisation has reduced transaction costs and boosted financial usage, leading to over $50 billion in FDI inflows during 2024–25. The publication suggested Africa could replicate India’s success by investing in digital infrastructure and using innovation to reduce account inactivity.

The post India’s Fintech Boom Attracts Global Investors appeared first on India Podcast.

To simplify the process, the government has launched a new system that lets users update Aadhaar details from home using a mobile phone. Starting November 1, citizens can use this service by paying a ₹75 fee. The goal is to make Aadhaar services more convenient and user-friendly.

The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has also changed its banking rules. Customers can now add up to four nominees for bank accounts, lockers, and safe custody services. Earlier, only one nominee was allowed.

In addition, the State Bank of India (SBI) will charge a 1% fee on education payments and wallet recharges above ₹1,000 made through third-party apps. These updates aim to make digital transactions smoother and more secure.

The post New Banking and Aadhaar Rules Effective from November 1 appeared first on India Podcast.

The ministers highlighted the importance of a resilient partnership amid global economic uncertainty and rising geopolitical tensions. They noted that strengthening ties will improve supply chains, boost economic cooperation, and reinforce strategic stability in the international arena.

Bilateral trade reached USD 23.66 billion in 2024, with Indian and Canadian companies expanding in each other’s markets. The ministers praised the role of Canadian provinces and Indian states in facilitating economic growth and committed to closer collaboration on climate action, renewable energy, and environmental protection.

Both sides agreed to deepen cooperation in education, tourism, cultural exchange, and professional mobility. Initiatives include joint research in emerging technologies such as AI, cybersecurity, and fintech. Jaishankar noted that discussions also covered global issues, emphasizing inclusive multilateral institutions and shared responses to international challenges.

The post India Canada Strengthen Bilateral Ties appeared first on India Podcast.

Pandey called it a major development for the financial ecosystem. Speaking at a BSE Brokers Forum event, he said SEBI is shifting from “reactive supervision to predictive oversight.” The regulator’s upgraded data warehouse now generates alerts to detect pump-and-dump trades and fraudulent bulk deals in real time.

He noted that pump-and-dump schemes show recognizable patterns. The new surveillance technology will help track manipulative trading with data insights. SEBI is also working on a safety net for depository participants to manage outages efficiently, similar to systems for stockbrokers.

Pandey added that SEBI is simplifying FPI registration and enhancing investor protection through technology-driven platforms like the Unified Investor App and the upgraded SCORES grievance system, which improves transparency and complaint resolution.

The post SEBI Plans Remote KYC Access for NRIs in Coordination with UIDAI, RBI appeared first on India Podcast.

Early-stage startups witnessed an increase in funding, securing $598 million compared to $555 million in 2024, reflecting continued investor confidence. However, late-stage funding fell to $863 million from $1.2 billion, and seed-stage investment dropped to $129 million. Despite this dip, two major funding rounds — Groww’s $202 million and Weaver Services’ $170 million — boosted overall momentum.

The sector recorded 23 acquisitions, slightly more than last year, with Diginex acquiring Resulticks for $2 billion. It also saw one IPO, Seshaasai, and the addition of two unicorns, matching 2024 figures. Bengaluru remained the leading hub, capturing 52% of total FinTech funding, followed by Mumbai with 22%.

Tracxn Co-Founder Neha Singh said India’s FinTech market continues to show resilience amid funding moderation. She added that strong early-stage activity and steady unicorn creation indicate long-term investor confidence and technological innovation.

The post India Ranks Third in Global FinTech Funding appeared first on India Podcast.

The post went viral after Paytm reshared it, saying, “How often do you meet the man behind India’s mobile payments on the Metro?” Many social media users appreciated Sharma’s simplicity and admired his grounded attitude despite his business success.

Later that day, Sharma unveiled the Paytm AI Soundbox, India’s first AI-powered payment device, at the Global Fintech Festival. The Soundbox goes beyond announcing payments, offering instant business insights, transaction summaries, and smart assistance for merchants.

Speaking at the event, Sharma highlighted India’s growing leadership in artificial intelligence. He said Paytm aims to make advanced technology inclusive and reliable. His metro ride and product launch together showed how humility and innovation define Paytm’s journey.

The post Vijay Shekhar Sharma Travels by Metro Before Unveiling Paytm AI Soundbox appeared first on India Podcast.

To tackle fraud in the financial sector, SEBI and NPCI have launched dedicated UPI handles for registered intermediaries. Major brokers covering over 90% of investors and all mutual funds have enabled these secure handles.

The SEBI Check platform allows investors to verify UPI IDs and bank accounts of registered intermediaries before making payments. This ensures privacy, security, audit trails, and quick detection of mismatches.

FM Sitharaman emphasized responsible regulation, innovation, and growth in the FinTech and AI sectors. India now contributes 16% of global AI talent and aims to become a hub for AI-enabled products and services.

The post FM Warns Against Deepfake Risks in FinTech appeared first on India Podcast.

This collaboration makes UPI one of the first launch partners on PayPal World, a platform connecting major payment systems and digital wallets globally. Indian users can now pay using UPI on millions of businesses accepting PayPal.

International travellers in India can also make seamless payments through their PayPal wallets via the UPI system. PayPal World uses cloud-native architecture and open APIs to ensure fast, secure, and reliable transactions.

Alex Chriss, CEO of PayPal, called the partnership a “landmark moment,” while NPCI International CEO Ritesh Shukla said it will expand UPI’s global reach, benefiting Indian users and international businesses.

The post PayPal Integrates UPI for Global Payments appeared first on India Podcast.