MEA Amends Passport Rules for Children Below 15 Years
The Ministry of External Affairs has notified the Passports (Amendment) Rules, 2026, which amend the Passports Rules, 1980. The rules were published in the Gazette of India on 17 September 2026 and came into force on the same day. The amendment changes the validity period and fee structure for passport services for children below 15 years.
Government Bars Charges on UPI, RuPay Payments
The Indian government has prohibited banks and payment system providers from levying charges on Unified Payments Interface (UPI) transactions up to ₹2,000 and on payments made through RuPay-powered debit cards. The policy was notified through the Finance Ministry and was formalised by an amendment to Section 10A of the Payment and Settlement Systems Act, 2007.
Government Tightens E-Commerce Rules on Discounts
India’s Department of Consumer Affairs notified the Consumer Protection (E-Commerce) (Amendment) Rules, 2026 on 10 September 2026. The amended rules will replace the Consumer Protection (E-Commerce) Rules, 2020 from 1 January 2027 and apply to e-commerce marketplaces and other online platforms operating in India.
The PARIVARTAN Scheme
The Union Government’s newly launched PARIVARTAN Scheme has gained rapid traction, registering over 1,300 beneficiaries, onboarding 42 banks/NBFCs, and partnering with 15 auto OEMs across Delhi-NCR.
Insights Daily Current Affairs + PIB: 29 December 2018
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