ECI defends ECINet architecture, says statutory powers remain decentralised

IANS | September 24, 2026 9:09 PM

New Delhi, Sep 24 (IANS) The Election Commission of India (ECI) has asserted that its ECINet digital platform is a decentralised system in which only designated election officials can perform statutory functions relating to electoral rolls, not officers at the poll panel’s headquarters.

Why MDR on select UPI payments is being viewed as a sustainable revenue model

IANS | September 24, 2026 8:11 PM

New Delhi, Sep 24 (IANS) The introduction of Merchant Discount Rate (MDR) on select high-value UPI merchant transactions is being viewed by stakeholders as a step towards creating a sustainable revenue model for India's rapidly expanding digital payments ecosystem, while keeping the vast majority of transactions free for users and small merchants.

SC lays down safeguards to prevent misuse of POCSO Act in matrimonial, custody disputes

IANS | September 24, 2026 8:11 PM

New Delhi, Sep 24 (IANS) The Supreme Court has laid down a set of safeguards to prevent the misuse of the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act, 2012 (POCSO Act) in matrimonial and child custody disputes, cautioning that false allegations can cause irreparable harm to an accused parent while also adversely affecting custody proceedings.

'Seva Sankalp Yatra' reaches MP's Burhanpur; PM Modi interacts virtually with participants to learn about their experiences

IANS | September 24, 2026 7:49 PM

Burhanpur, Sep 24 (IANS) The 'Seva Sankalp Yatra' that is traversing from Prime Minister Narendra Modi's birthplace, Vadnagar (Gujarat), to Varanasi reached Nepanagar in Madhya Pradesh's Burhanpur on Thursday. During this leg of the journey, Prime Minister Modi interacted with the local leaders and participants of the Yatra via video conferencing and enquired about their experiences.