With the implementation of new laws for online transactions by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI), digital payments in India are expected to become somewhat more secure, but also a little bit more time-consuming, starting on April 1, 2026.

All digital payments, including those made using mobile wallets, credit cards, debit cards, and UPI, must now employ two-factor authentication (2FA), according to the central bank.

This indicates that an OTP alone will no longer be enough to finish a transaction. In addition to OTP, users will now need to complete at least two levels of authentication, such as a PIN, password, biometric verification, or token.

The action is taken in response to an increase in internet fraud incidents, such as phishing and SIM swap schemes, for which OTP-based systems have been shown to be susceptible.

The RBI hopes to increase confidence in digital payment systems and lower the risk of unlawful transactions by introducing an additional level of protection.

The shift means that users may have to wait a little longer for payments to process, particularly on new devices or for large purchases.

Regular transactions on trusted devices, though, are likely to continue to run quite smoothly.

Additionally, the system will use a risk-based strategy, in which the frequency of security checks will vary according to the transaction’s characteristics and activity.

Increased accountability for banks and payment systems is another important aspect of the new regulations.

Financial firms could be compelled to reimburse consumers if fraud results from a deficiency in their systems.

This is anticipated to speed up the process of addressing grievances and compel banks to improve their security infrastructure.

Similar authentication standards, including cross-border card transactions, will be applied to international transactions as well, according to the RBI.

By October 2026, these regulations are expected to be completely implemented.

The central bank’s most recent action is intended to strike a balance between convenience and security as digital payments become more and more popular in the nation.

Although the additional verification procedure may appear to be a little inconvenience, experts predicted that it will greatly lower the risk of fraud and increase the security of daily transactions for millions of users.

The Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code (Amendment) Bill, which seeks to expedite insolvency procedures in order to settle cases involving defaulting businesses, was approved by the Lok Sabha on Monday.

Once a firm has defaulted, the Bill mandates that insolvency applications be accepted within 14 days.

The administration has suggested a package of 12 changes to the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code in order to improve the resolution environment, according to Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman.

The main cause of IBC resolution delays, according to Sitharman, is widespread litigation, and the IBC Bill includes measures to address misuse of the process.

On March 27, the Lok Sabha debated the Bill that Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman introduced. The Bill, which was first sent to a Select Committee, aims to address the delays in settling matters pertaining to the insolvency and bankruptcy of a business or person.

The Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code (IBC) has been instrumental in enhancing the health of the banking industry, but it was never meant to serve as a debt recovery mechanism, FM Sitharaman stated in the Lower House.

The finance minister stated in the Lok Sabha, while guiding the Bill, that the IBC has helped to improve credit discipline and the creditworthiness of businesses.

Companies have done well since exiting the insolvency resolution process, and their corporate governance procedures have also gotten better, the minister said.

The Select Committee’s report on the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code (Amendment) Bill, 2025, was the subject of her comments. According to Sitharaman, “The Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code, which came into effect in 2016, has been a main factor in improving the overall health of the Indian banking sector. ” She also said that the framework has helped businesses obtain better credit ratings over time.

She also stated that the law’s goal is to address distressed assets rather than only collect debts. “IBC is a framework for saving viable enterprises and alleviating financial difficulties while maintaining the value of the company. She said that the purpose of IBC was never to collect debt.

In order to complete the ‘Sunshine Double,’ Jannik Sinner defeated Jiri Lehecka 6-4, 6-4 to win the Miami Open.

The Italian won the Indian Wells and Miami championships in the same year, the first man to do so since Roger Federer in 2017, by defeating Jiri Lehecka in the final by a score of 6-4, 6-4. Additionally, Sinner is the first player to accomplish this feat without losing a set throughout both tournaments.

At the age of 24, he became just the eighth man in history to capture the Sunshine Double, and this was his first victory at Indian Wells. Federer and Novak Djokovic have accomplished this feat numerous times.

Eight different men have ever won the Sunshine Double: Jim Courier (1991), Michael Chang (1992), Pete Sampras (1994), Marcelo Rios (1998), Andre Agassi (2001), Roger Federer (2005–06), and Novak Djokovic (2011, 2014–16).

It’s amazing to double for the first time,” Sinner stated during his on-court interview. “Because it’s hard to accomplish, it’s not something I would have ever anticipated [to win]. I’m really glad we somehow managed to pull through.

Since the beginning of last year’s Paris Masters, Sinner has also maintained his winning streak at the ATP Masters 1000 level, now at 34 sets in a row. According to the ATP Win/Loss Index, he has improved to 19-2 this season.

Aryna Sabalenka won the “Sunshine Double” on Saturday. The Sunshine Double has now been accomplished four times in the same year by an ATP and a WTA player following Sinner’s victory.

When Sampras and Steffi Graf each won Indian Wells and Miami in 1994, it marked the first instance of this phenomenon. Federer and Kim Clijsters both won both competitions in 2005, and Djokovic and Victoria Azarenka both achieved Sunshine Double triumph in 2016.

Having won the ATP Masters 1000 title seven times, Sinner has now made a statement this month, leaving him 1,190 points behind World No. 1 Carlos Alcaraz in the ATP Live Rankings.

At the age of 24, Lehecka was participating in his first ATP Masters 1000 championship match. The Czech is poised for a new career-high No. 14 in the ATP Rankings on Monday.

In order to improve the EV charging infrastructure, HD Kumaraswamy, the union minister for steel and heavy industries, established the Light Electric-Vehicle Acceleration Forum (LEAF) on Monday. This industry-led group seeks to promote the widespread adoption of light electric vehicles.

The forum has been established as a neutral forum to unite stakeholders from throughout the light electric vehicle (LEV) industry, such as original equipment manufacturers (OEMs), charging infrastructure providers, component manufacturers, and technology suppliers.

It will collaborate with industry organizations and governmental and regulatory agencies to promote the development of EV charging infrastructure and hasten the adoption of electric two- and three-wheelers in the nation.

The minister stated in a tweet that the project will help expedite the development of light electric mobility and improve the EV ecosystem via increased interoperability, dependability, and the expansion of the charging infrastructure.

He stated that the action promotes larger objectives of sustainable mobility and carbon emission reduction, and that it is consistent with the government’s goal of creating a self-sufficient and future-ready India.

Additionally, Kumaraswamy highlighted the necessity of a robust industry-government partnership in order to develop an electric mobility ecosystem that is sustainable, affordable, and competitive on the world stage.

By increasing access to public charging infrastructure, the program hopes to promote interoperability between charging networks, boost dependability, and offer a uniform user experience.

As part of this effort, programs like the Light Electric Combined Charging System (LECCS), which was authorized by the Bureau of Indian Standards, are being created to enable both slow and rapid charging via a single connector standard.

More than 20 organizations from throughout the EV ecosystem, including vehicle manufacturers, charge point operators, suppliers, and software developers, have already joined the forum, and its membership is anticipated to increase in the next months.

Industry leaders emphasized that overcoming obstacles like disparate charging networks and inconsistent user experience will be essential for the next stage of India’s EV adoption.

They stated that enhancing interoperability and creating a scalable public charging infrastructure would be essential to expediting the transition to electric mobility in the nation.

In the second game of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026, Rohit Sharma and Ryan Rickelton scored scintillating half-centuries to lead the Mumbai Indians to a six-wicket victory over the Kolkata Knight Riders, breaking a sad streak of 13 seasons without winning their opening match.

The Mumbai Indians reached 224/4 in 19. 1 overs, thanks to Rickelton’s explosive 81 off 43 balls and Rohit Sharma’s spectacular 78 off 38 balls. This gave them their first season-opening victory since 2012. The Mumbai Indians’ rampage was previously brought to a halt by pacer Shardul Thakur, who had 3-39 wickets, while KKR’s skipper Ajinkya Rahane (67) and Angkrish Raghuvanshi (51) each scored half-centuries.

Just as everyone was wondering how long he would keep playing in T20 after retiring from international cricket, the former captain rolled back the years with a stunning knock in the Rohit Sharma style of old.

Rohit Sharma gave the team a great start by smashing a 23-ball fifty, his fastest in the IPL, with three fours and five sixes. In IPL, he also became the fourth batsman to reach a half-century of 50+ scores.

With this, Rohit has now scored 50 half-centuries in 268 IPL games, putting him in the company of Virat Kohli (73, 261 matches), David Warner (66 in 184), and Shikhar Dhawan (53 in 221).

The former India captain unleashed on the KKR bowlers following two solid overs in which Rohit collected 12 runs off eight balls. Before Ryan Rickelton, his opening partner, put Arora down for consecutive sixes, Rohit initially pulled him into the stands.

When Rohit retreated and slashed Blessings Muzarabani over deep backward point, he hit his second six. The third occurred when Rohit retreated and scythed Muzarabani over deep backward point. He lofted Varun Chakravarthy over covers before assisting him over square-leg, scoring three more sixes. As the Mumbai Indians surged to 80 for no loss in the Power-play, Kartik Tyagi, the Impact substitute, was struck for another six.

On the other end, Rickleton matched Rohit’s shot for shot, hitting six sixes and two fours as he sprinted to his fifty off 24 deliveries.

When Rohit reached his fifty, he hit three fours and one six before being the first to be dismissed. In the 12th over, he attempted to slog Arora, but he ended up top-edging it, and Anukul Roy took an excellent catch, running back from mid-on and having to dive all the way to hold it. The 38-year-old struck six boundaries and six maxes in a brilliant knock of 78 off 38 balls. Mumbai got off to a great start when Rohit and Rickleton blasted 148 runs for the first wicket partnership in 72 balls.

Despite only making a small contribution, Suryakumar Yadav, who led India to victory in the T20 World Cup, entered the game as an Impact Substitute for Jasprit Bumrah. In his 16-ball eight, Surya hit three fours.

Before being run out for 81 off 43 balls by Anukul Roy, Rickelton continued to torment KKR with two fours and two more sixes. Muzarabani blocked him as he attempted to reach the non-striker end after Tilak Varma turned down a call for a second. In the 16th over, Mumbai were 184/3 and well on their way to winning.

Tilak Varma was out for 20 as he attempted to secure the win with a significant hit, but captain Hardik Pandya (18 not out) assisted them in crossing the finish line by hitting a four in the last over.

The lack of skipper Rahane, who left the field after experiencing cramps, somewhat slowed down KKR’s efforts in the area.

Hardik Pandya, the captain of the Mumbai Indians, was overjoyed that his side had broken a 13-year losing streak in Indian Premier League season openers. He also praised his predecessor Rohit Sharma for his outstanding performance, which paved the way for their six-wicket victory over Kolkata Knight Riders on Sunday.

Brief scores:
Kolkata Knight Riders 220/4 in 20 overs (Ajinkya Rahane 67, Angkrish Raghuvanshi 51, Finn Allen 37, Rinku Singh 33 not out; Shardul Thakur 3-39)
Mumbai Indians 224/4 in 19.1 overs (Ryan Rickelton 81, Rohit Sharma 78; Kartik Tyagi 1-43) by six wickets.

In the opening match of the IPL 2026, played at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium on Saturday, defending champions Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) made a statement by winning by a score of six wickets against Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH), kicking off their title defense in style.

Due to smooth half-centuries from Virat Kohli and Devdutt Padikkal, RCB easily chased down the target of 202, galloping home in only 15. 4 overs. In his first T20 match in ten months, Kohli remained undefeated, scoring 69 runs off 38 deliveries, including five boundaries and an equal number of sixes, to record his 64th IPL fifty and captivate the crowd at the Chinnaswamy.

Padikkal, however, set the tone for the chase to be completed with 26 balls left by delivering a superb 61 off 26 balls, replete with seven fours and four sixes, with his stylish timing and wristy stroke-play.

SRH‘s 201/9 was looking competitive at the midway point, but the way Kohli and Padikkal, along with captain Rajat Patidar’s 12-ball 31, decimated a weak bowling attack indicated that even 250 wouldn’t have been enough on the night.

Phil Salt was dismissed by veteran left-arm seamer Jaydev Unadkat with a length delivery that landed on the batter and bounced up to mid-of, where he avoided colliding with his teammate, giving Sunrisers Hyderabad an early breakthrough in his very first over.

Kohli began his innings with a cut over mid-off, while Padikkal got things rolling with a flick over deep square leg for six in the same over. Nevertheless, Padikkal persisted in his strong start, scoring 28 runs off 10 balls. As RCB scored 51 runs in only four overs, he greeted David Payne to the IPL with a six over cover-point before smashing him for a four and six.

After smashing Unadkat for six, Kohli quickly joined the attack, creating speed against Unadkat’s cutter and flat-batting him through cover. As Padikkal scored two further boundaries, RCB controlled the powerplay, scoring 73 runs for the loss of Salt.

Then, in typical fashion, Kohli smashed a length delivery from Eshan Malinga right over the bowler’s head, sending the Chinnaswamy stadium crowd into a frenzy. On 28, he was saved when Heinrich Klaasen misjudged a chance at long-on.

Before being caught out for 61 by Dubey at long-off, Padikkal kept up his attack, blitzing to a 21-ball half-century, his quickest in the IPL.

In the meanwhile, Kohli displayed his wrist strength by whipping the ball over square leg off Harshal Patel and blasting Dubey down the pitch for yet another maximum.

Rajat Patidar hit a sharp four through backward point and a six over long-on off Patel and Dubey to join the boundary-hitting celebration. As Malinga missed his lengths, Patidar had no trouble hitting him for a four and two sixes, and 22 runs came off the 12th over.

Despite the fact that Payne struck Patidar and Jitesh Sharma in successive balls, Kohli proceeded and reached his fifty in 33 balls before Tim David scored two quick boundaries. After that, Kohli finished off the chase in style by hitting a six, two fours, and an upper cut through third man to complete a resounding chase.

Brief Scores:
Sunrisers Hyderabad 201/9 in 20 overs (Ishan Kishan 80, Aniket Verma 43; Jacob Duffy 3-22, Romario Shepherd 3-54)
Royal Challengers Bengaluru 203/4 in 15.4 overs (Virat Kohli 69 not out, Devdutt Padikkal 61; David Payne 2-35, Jaydev Unadkat 1-29)

With the reigning champions Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) facing the 2016 winner Sunrisers Hyderabad at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru, the 19th season of the Indian Premier League (IPL) is scheduled to begin on March 28.

The matches will take place from March 28 to May 31. The majority of the games will begin at 7:30 PM, with the toss at 7:00 PM, and will be played in the evening.

On days with doubleheaders, afternoon games will start at 3:30 p. m. IST. There will be 12 days altogether, including doubleheaders.

The top four teams from the group stage will earn a spot in the playoffs; each squad will participate in 14 games. The IPL will continue to use its well-known and exhilarating playoff structure, which includes the Eliminator, Qualifier 1, Qualifier 2, and the Final, ensuring a thrilling competition for the championship.

Which cities will host IPL 2026 games?
The IPL 2026 season will run from March 28 to May 31, 2026, in 12 of India’s major cities, including Mumbai, Bengaluru, Chennai, Kolkata, Delhi, Ahmedabad, Hyderabad, Lucknow, Jaipur, Dharamsala, Raipur, and New Chandigarh.

Which teams are participating in IPL 2026?

The teams competing are the Rajasthan Royals (RR), Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB), Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH), Mumbai Indians (MI), Punjab Kings (PBKS), Lucknow Super Giants (LSG), Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR), Gujarat Titans (GT), Delhi Capitals (DC), and Chennai Super Kings (CSK).

In India, where can I see the live IPL broadcast?

The entire competition will be broadcast live on Star Sports networks.

In India, where can I watch a live stream of the 2026 IPL?

The JioHotstar website and mobile app allow millions of fans to watch the live stream. With supplemental regional feeds (Bengali, Bhojpuri, and Haryanvi), JioStar’s TV and digital coverage will provide every fixture in five languages: English, Hindi, Tamil, Telugu, and Kannada.

On JioHotstar, a live vertical feed will once more be available in Hindi and English for users who prioritize mobile devices. The Multi-cam option will also allow users to watch the games in a 360-degree perspective.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will dedicate the long-awaited Noida International Airport at Jewar, Uttar Pradesh, on Saturday, which will be a significant step forward for India’s aviation industry.

At about 11:30 a. m. , he is set to arrive in Jewar, Gautam Buddha Nagar, where he will tour the terminal complex before officially opening it at noon and giving a public address detailing the project’s importance and future plans.

The importance of the Noida International Airport in Jewar, Uttar Pradesh, for local connection was emphasized in images released by Prime Minister Modi on Friday.

“Major boost for NCR connectivity! The Prime Minister announced in a WhatsApp message that the first phase of the Noida International Airport in Jewar will open tomorrow.

With all preparations in place for the high-profile launch on Saturday, Uttar Pradesh’s ambitious airport plan is now fully operational.

The Prime Minister is expected to open the airport on Saturday around noon, after which he will speak at a large public meeting, according to authorities.

To guarantee the program’s seamless operation, the government has put in place sophisticated security arrangements. The entire area has been broken up into several security zones, and there has been a significant deployment of police and paramilitary forces in strategic areas. To ensure there are no untoward events, surveillance has been stepped up throughout the location and surrounding vicinity.

The authorities have also implemented a thorough traffic management strategy in anticipation of a large turnout. For approximately 16 hours, starting at 7 a. m. on Saturday, the Yamuna and Noida highways will have limited vehicular traffic. To reduce disruption to the general public and enable smooth VIP movement, heavy vehicles will be rerouted to alternate routes.

During the restricted time, officials have advised commuters to pay close attention to traffic warnings and avoid unnecessary travel on these routes. To ensure orderly participation in the inauguration ceremony and the public demonstration, attendees have also been provided with comprehensive instructions.

Balendra Shah, the parliamentary party leader of the Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP), has been named the new Prime Minister of Nepal.

According to a statement from the President’s Office, former Kathmandu Metropolitan City mayor Shah, also known as Balen, was named to the post by President Ram Chandra Poudel on Friday in accordance with Article 76(1) of the Constitution.

Shah was chosen as the parliamentary party leader by the RSP on Thursday, after it won a landslide victory in the most recent parliamentary elections with a majority of almost two-thirds, setting the stage for him to become the 47th Prime Minister of the nation.

Accompanied by Hindu rites, Prime Minister Shah will be sworn into office at the President’s Office at 12:34 pm on Friday. According to the scheme, seven conch players will play Shankha Naad, a ceremony thought to guarantee the success of auspicious beginnings.

Other rituals will take place at the same time as he swears the oath. The Ashtamangala, which is seen to be auspicious in both Hindu and Buddhist faiths, will be sung by 16 Buddhist monks, while the Swasti Shanti will be recited by a group of 108 Batuks (Vedic priests).

One of the youngest prime ministers Nepal has ever had was the 35-year-old ex-mayor. The recent elections saw a majority of legislators from younger age groups elected, signaling a generational shift in Nepalese politics.

Shah’s entry into national politics on December 28 of last year is thought to have helped the RSP gain support, making him a well-known person among the younger generation. Shah was announced as the party’s prime ministerial candidate during its election campaign, which lasted for almost four years. In the March 5 parliamentary elections, the party won a resounding victory, capturing 182 out of 275 seats in the House of Representatives.

In eastern Nepal’s Jhapa-5, Shah defeated former Prime Minister K. P. Sharma Oli by a stunning margin of 49,614 votes, winning 68,348 votes to Oli’s 18,734. Since 1991, this is the most votes any candidate has received in Nepal’s parliamentary elections.

Shah entered politics in 2022, when he won as an independent candidate in the race for mayor of Kathmandu.

Shah was born in Kathmandu on April 27, 1990, to a Madhesi family that placed a high priority on education and culture. He finished his bachelor’s degree in Kathmandu before earning a master’s in structural engineering from India’s Visvesvaraya Technological University.

During his time as mayor of Kathmandu Metropolitan City, his academic training in engineering gave him a useful grasp of infrastructure, urban planning, and public works, which influenced how he ran the city.