Government Policies National

India Launches Passport Seva 2.0 and Nationwide E‑Passports

By BPN News Desk June 25, 2025

External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar marked the 13th Passport Seva Divas with a transformative announcement: the nationwide rollout of Passport Seva Programme Version 2.0 (PSP 2.0) and the introduction of e‑Passports. These initiatives promise to enhance passport issuance efficiency, strengthen travel security, and expand access—particularly in remote and underserved

Government Policies National

Centre Equalises Gratuity for UPS Pensioners

By BPN News Desk June 19, 2025

The central government has formally approved a long-awaited reform to bring parity in gratuity benefits between Unified Pension Scheme (UPS) pensioners and their Old Pension Scheme (OPS) counterparts. In a major policy decision, the government has extended both retirement and death gratuity provisions to those under the UPS framework, ensuring financial equity for lakhs of

Government Policies National

Government Notifies Census 2027; Two-Phase Count Confirmed

By BPN News Desk June 16, 2025

The Government of India has officially notified the commencement of Census 2027, marking a significant national exercise in data collection after a 16-year gap. This will be India’s first full digital census and the first to include a caste-based enumeration since 1931. The exercise will be held in two phases across the country. Census 2027 […]

Government Policies

Major Bureaucratic Shake‑Up in Cabinet Secretariat

By Editor - News Desk June 15, 2025

India’s Appointments Committee of the Cabinet (ACC), led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, approved a significant reshuffle on June 14, 2025. R A Chandrashekar, an IPS officer from the 1991 Kerala cadre and currently Special Director at the Intelligence Bureau, has been appointed as Secretary (Security) in the Cabinet Secretariat. He will assume office from […]

Government Policies National

RBI Overhauls KYC Rules to Simplify Onboarding and Updates

By BPN News Desk June 13, 2025

The Reserve Bank of India has rolled out significant reforms to its Know Your Customer (KYC) framework, aiming to make the process more accessible, technology-friendly, and inclusive. The move is part of a broader initiative to modernise financial compliance without compromising on regulatory safeguards. Multiple Onboarding Options As per the revised guidelines announced

Government Policies National

Registered Property Alone Not Proof of Ownership: SC

By BPN News Desk June 12, 2025

The Supreme Court of India has clarified that simply registering a property is not sufficient to establish legal ownership over it. In a crucial ruling that affects property disputes across the country, the apex court said that a registered sale deed may indicate a transaction has taken place, but ownership is a matter of legal […]

Government Policies National

Govt May Charge MDR on UPI Payments Over ₹3,000

By BPN News Desk June 11, 2025

India is exploring the reintroduction of a modest Merchant Discount Rate (MDR) on Unified Payments Interface (UPI) transactions exceeding ₹3,000. This potential shift aims to bolster the sustainability of the country’s booming digital payments system without impacting everyday users. UPI charges Since UPI’s launch in 2016 and the removal of MDR in early 2020, it […]

Government Policies National

Govt Launches Nationwide Drive to Return Unclaimed Deposits, Dividends & Policies

By BPN News Desk June 11, 2025

In a major push to reconnect citizens with their unclaimed financial assets, the central government is launching a nationwide campaign across 500 districts. This initiative aims to return dormant bank deposits, unpaid dividends, lapsed insurance policies, unclaimed pension funds, and more to their rightful owners, marking a crucial step towards financial inclusion and

Government Policies National

India Mandates AC Settings Between 20°C and 28°C

By BPN News Desk June 11, 2025

India has introduced a new regulation limiting air conditioner temperature settings between 20°C and 28°C for all sectors, including households, offices, and vehicles. Power Minister Manohar Lal Khattar announced the measure as part of the government’s broader plan to curb electricity consumption, reduce strain on the national power grid, and contribute to

Government Policies National

Govt Frees Up Doordarshan, AIR, PIB Archives for Creators

By BPN News Desk May 30, 2025

In a major relief for India’s digital content creators, the Government of India has made the media archives of Doordarshan, All India Radio (Akashvani), and the Press Information Bureau (PIB) freely accessible for public use. This move follows rising concern over copyright strikes issued by private news agency ANI against independent YouTubers and creators. The […]