UPI USERS SECURITY
Indian organisations on edge as sites fail to Captcha AI intruders
Personal AI agents such as Instinct, Muse, Grokbot and OpenClaw have taken over the consumer internet in the US. But last month, major US banks, including JPMorgan Chase, Bank of America, Wells Fargo and Morgan Stanley, reportedly flagged AI agents such as Meta’s Muse accessing customer accounts using login credentials voluntarily shared by users laying bare the risks of handing AI agents the keys to consumers’ digital lives.
NPCI defends MDR charges in SC, says merchants can't pass on them to customers
The top court on September 28 had sought responses from the Centre and others, including the NPCI, on a petition challenging the decision to impose an MDR on specified UPI person-to-merchant transactions above Rs 2,000.
How to book Tatkal train tickets faster on IRCTC: Follow these easy steps, check booking timings and tips to get a confirmed seat
Tatkal ticket booking is an ideal choice for immediate train travel via the IRCTC platform. Passengers can secure their seats a day in advance, with distinct timings for AC and Non-AC classes. To ensure a smooth process, verifying accounts and entering passenger details ahead of time is advised. Additionally, adherence to Aadhaar authentication during booking is crucial. Refunds on confirmed Tatkal tickets are limited to certain conditions.
Deep use cases vault India to ChatGPT’s top global market: OpenAI's India MD
During a visit to India last year, the ChatGPT maker’s cofounder Sam Altman said that India was the fastest growing market for the frontier lab and was already the second largest in terms of users globally. Market estimates had earlier put the India user base at 100 million.
Government giving Rs 8,000 as diwali bonus? PIB responds to viral claim
The Press Information Bureau issued a warning about fraudulent WhatsApp messages claiming an Rs 8,000 Diwali bonus. These messages ask recipients to click on links to access a fake payment website. The messages aim to collect personal information and trick users into unauthorized transactions. Citizens are advised to verify such claims through official government websites and not to respond to suspicious messages.
ET AI Business Transformation Masterclass & Awards: Inside the future of agentic payments
Synopsis: AI tools are all set to perform tasks that go beyond answering questions or making recommendations. A live demonstration at the ET AI Business Transformation Masterclass and Awards 2026 will show how AI agents can make UPI payments through P3P without manual intervention, and what this could mean for the way people make digital payments and business transactions in the future.
- Go To Page 1

VerSe valuation sinks; Paytm Q2 profit rises
Happy Tuesday! Dailyhunt parent VerSe Innovation’s valuation has taken a sharp hit. This and more in today’s ETtech Morning Dispatch.

Talent, compute and R&D key to India's AI ambitions: Report
India will need to strengthen its talent pool, research and development (R&D) capabilities, computing infrastructure and data systems to translate advances in artificial intelligence (AI) and other emerging technologies into economic and social benefits, according to a report by KPMG.

From Dhirubhai to Akash Ambani, Reliance made stocks popular with Indians
Jio Platforms’ IPO is putting the Ambani family’s relationship with India’s retail investors on a new footing, almost five decades after Dhirubhai Ambani took Reliance Textile Industries public in 1977. The Rs 30,213-crore issue was fully subscribed within two hours of opening, but Jio’s long-term success as a listed company will depend on whether it can turn its massive telecom and digital reach into sustained earnings growth and investor returns.

Phone stolen in metro crowd, Rs 57,000 lost within an hour; SIM card used to take money from bank accounts without unlocking the device
A phone worth Rs 60,000 was reportedly stolen in a metro crowd, followed by a loss of Rs 57,000 from a bank account within 45 minutes. A post on X describes how a stolen SIM could be misused for banking-related fraud. Here is how SIM PIN protection works and what users should do after losing a phone.

JIO IPO & Rs 10 lakh crore: Mukesh Ambani added 13 zeros to Dhirubhai’s dream
Jio Platforms will begin subscriptions for its IPO on October 21 and it will conclude on October 23. The record-breaking IPO could see valuation exceed Rs 10 lakh crore.. This IPO forms part of Jio's broader strategy to lower its debt and advance corporate goals. How the company navigates this phase will impact where it goes from here.

Tatkal NPS now available on BHIM app: How to open NPS account in 3 steps
The Tatkal National Pension Scheme (NPS) is now available through the BHIM Payments App for eligible bank customers. This feature simplifies account creation without the need for a physical bank visit.

UPI vs debit vs credit cards: Will UPI payments with MDR charges still be cheapest? NPCI explains
After the MDR charge announcement on certain merchant UPI transactions, many UPI users are thinking whether they should shift from the UPI to a debit card or a credit card for daily transactions.

Airtel Business CEO backs AI regulation, says guardrails can unlock productivity gains
Sharat Sinha highlighted the ongoing evolution of AI architecture and methodologies for safe deployment. The government's upcoming consultation paper on AI regulations aims to address issues like safety and deepfakes. Airtel is committed to compliant practices that enhance productivity through AI. Sinha emphasized the growth of cybersecurity services in response to emerging digital threats. The company aims to deliver safe experiences for both enterprise and consumer segments.

Apple Pay’s India launch shows how RBI’s outcome-based regulation lets technology evolve
Apple Pay was launched in India after significant regulatory developments by the Reserve Bank of India. This new payment option allows users to pay securely without needing an OTP, which can facilitate fraud. The RBI has shifted towards regulating outcomes rather than prescribing specific technologies for digital payments. While Apple Pay currently does not support RuPay or UPI, it shows how regulation can foster innovation.

Why India could become a global hub for responsible digital assets innovation
India could emerge as a global hub for responsible digital asset innovation by combining its strong technology talent, blockchain expertise and digital infrastructure. The convergence of AI and onchain technologies could enable agentic commerce, stablecoin payments and programmable finance, while thoughtful regulation, consumer protection and innovation can strengthen India’s leadership.

Jio IPO SWOT analysis: What the DRHP says about its growth story, moats and risks
Jio Platforms is gearing up for a landmark public offering to secure Rs 37,700 crore in funds, with subscriptions expected to commence on October 21. With an impressive customer base exceeding 524 million, Jio dominates India's wireless data landscape. The company is well-positioned to capitalize on opportunities like the shift from 2G to 4G and expanding enterprise connectivity.

IPO-bound Razorpay partners with OpenAI to help Indian brands advertise on ChatGPT
Under the partnership, Razorpay Engage, the company's customer engagement and marketing platform, will help brands prepare product catalogues, structure feeds, launch campaigns and track their performance on ChatGPT Ads.

Beyond scale: India’s payments leaders to map the future for UPI, do you have your ‘two cents’ to share?
India has recorded unparalleled growth in the UPI ecosystem, in terms of penetration and scale. The question now is, what is next? At this Mindgate roundtable, presented by The Economic Times, payments leaders will map the way forward, share experiences, and discuss opportunities the domain presents. Be a part of the conversation!

Apple Pay lands in India; Google executive on AI's next big hurdle
Apple Pay has finally arrived in India, giving iPhone users a new way to make payments. This and more in today’s ETtech Top 5.

Fee on UPI P2M payments: How this “small” 0.4% fee can take a bigger bite out of your money
Starting from October 15, 2026, a new 0.4% transaction fee will be applied to UPI payments exceeding Rs 2,000, while lower amounts and peer-to-peer transfers will still be free. As some merchants may choose to adjust prices accordingly, customers should stay vigilant, checking for any surcharges at checkout to ensure they understand all costs involved. Transparency and quality of service will be vital as these changes are implemented.

Apple Pay launches in India: Here's everything you need to know
In an exciting development, Apple has rolled out its payment service, Apple Pay, in India through a collaboration with Axis Bank. Users holding Axis Bank cards can easily enact contactless transactions. The process of adding cards is straightforward with the Wallet app or the Axis Bank app, with no need for PINs or OTPs.

Apple Pay India launched: How to set up payments, supported banks and cards, features and how it differs from UPI
Apple pay india launch: Apple has officially launched Apple Pay in India. This contactless payment service allows for easy and secure transactions at various merchants across the country. Users can add their cards to the Apple Wallet through the Axis Bank app or the Wallet app. Apple Pay is designed to enhance security through tokenisation and device-level protections.

Apple Pay launches in India: iPhone XR and later supported, Apple Pay VP Jennifer Bailey on why now
Apple Pay has finally launched in India, more than a decade after its US debut. The service is initially available on iPhone, iPad and Apple Watch for eligible Axis Bank Visa and Mastercard credit cards, allowing users to make contactless payments and pay on apps and websites. Apple says it views Apple Pay as complementary to UPI, while highlighting convenience, privacy and security as key features.

Apple Pay India launch may change payments in iPhones: Expected date, banks supported, UPI access and features
Apple Pay is expected to launch in India next month with Axis Bank credit cards, ahead of wider bank support, Reuters reported. The service will focus on card based tap and pay payments through Face ID and Touch ID, separate from India's dominant UPI network, with HDFC Bank and ICICI Bank still finalising their own tie ups.

Government may do away with UPI subsidies as MDR revenue kicks in
Government may end UPI subsidies for small transactions as merchant fees are introduced. Taxpayer-funded incentives for UPI and RuPay transactions are being phased out. No new subsidies have been paid for transactions since April 2025. This shift aims to make the payment ecosystem self-sustaining and reduce taxpayer burden. Incentive disbursements have significantly decreased in recent fiscal years.

MDR gives banks more fuel for UPI play
Payment companies can build the customer interface, but a product cannot scale until issuing and acquiring banks connect their systems, test the transaction flow and install the required controls. Under zero MDR, this work generated costs without transaction-linked revenue for banks and often received lower priority, industry executives said.

Spinny books IPO ride; UPI subsidies may end
Spinny has confidentially filed for its initial public offering. This and more in today’s ETtech Top 5.

PhonePe gets in-principle nod from UAE for first locally licensed overseas payments business
Walmart-backed PhonePe has received in-principle approval from the UAE central bank for two payments licences, paving the way for its first locally regulated payments business outside India. The company plans to work with local banks and payment providers and explore the UAE’s domestic payment rails, Aani and Jaywan.
Load More