U.S. Faces 150,000 Fewer Foreign Students This Fall

By BPN News Desk August 6, 2025

International

The United States is expected to see a 30–40% drop in new international student enrollments for the upcoming September 2025 intake. The projected decline could result in nearly 150,000 fewer foreign students, raising concerns across universities and communities dependent on student spending.

National

Delhi–Manila Direct Flights Start October 1

By BPN News Desk August 6, 2025

Air India will begin direct non-stop flights between Delhi and Manila starting October 1, 2025. This marks a major step in connecting India and the Philippines, reviving a route that has been inactive for over a decade. Flight Schedule and Aircraft Details The airline will operate five flights per week on this route—on Mondays, Wednesdays, […]

International

U.S. Visa Bonds Up to $15,000 for Select Tourists

By BPN News Desk August 5, 2025

The U.S. government has announced a new pilot program that will require some business and tourist visa applicants to post a refundable bond of $5,000, $10,000, or $15,000. The program is scheduled to begin on August 20, 2025, and will run for one year. The move is aimed at curbing visa overstays and will apply […]

National

India Jumps to 77th in Passport Index Rankings

By BPN News Desk July 23, 2025

India has recorded its biggest rise yet in the 2025 Henley Passport Index, climbing eight positions to rank 77th globally. The improvement reflects better international access for Indian passport holders and marks a notable shift in the country’s travel freedom. Visa-Free Access to 59 Countries Indian citizens now have visa-free or visa-on-arrival access to 59 […]

National

PM Modi to Sign Landmark India‑UK Trade Deal

By BPN News Desk July 23, 2025

Prime Minister Narendra Modi is scheduled to visit the United Kingdom on July 23 and 24, 2025, in a significant diplomatic move that will see the signing of a long-awaited Free Trade Agreement (FTA) between India and the UK. The agreement, expected to be signed on July 24 by Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal and his […]

Education

US Student Visa Freeze Hits Indian Enrollment

By BPN News Desk July 19, 2025

Thousands of Indian students hoping to begin their studies in the United States this fall are facing severe disruptions due to an unprecedented visa appointment freeze and rising rejection rates. Education consultants across cities like Hyderabad, Delhi, and Mumbai have reported a projected 70–80% drop in student departures compared to last year. With the fall […]

Finance

RuPay Captures 16% of India’s Credit Card Market, Boosted by UPI Integration

By BPN News Desk March 2, 2025

RuPay, India’s indigenous payment network, has achieved a significant milestone by capturing approximately 16% of the country’s total credit card spending. Notably, nearly half of these transactions are facilitated through the Unified Payments Interface (UPI), highlighting the growing integration of RuPay credit cards with UPI’s seamless payment system.

Finance

India’s Digital Payment Strategy Challenges Visa and Mastercard

By Editor - News Desk January 10, 2025

India’s digital payment landscape is undergoing a significant transformation, with indigenous platforms like the Unified Payments Interface (UPI) and RuPay gaining prominence. This shift is impacting the market share of global payment giants Visa and Mastercard. Rise of UPI and RuPay UPI, launched in 2016, has become a dominant force in India’s digital payments