FASTag annual pass traffic surges to 19 pc of all toll pass traffic

IANS | July 1, 2026 3:27 PM

New Delhi, July 1 (IANS) The number of motorists using FASTag annual passes on highways has shot up to 19 per cent of all toll pass traffic, which represents a six percentage point growth in the last six months from around 13 per cent in December 2025, according to figures compiled by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI).

India's data centre market to touch $6.8 billion by FY30: Report

IANS | July 1, 2026 3:21 PM

New Delhi, July 1 (IANS) India’s share of the global data centre market is projected to nearly double from 2–3 per cent in FY26 to roughly 5 per cent by FY30 as AI‑led workloads, exponential growth in digital consumption, and cloud adoption drive rapid capacity expansion, a report said on Wednesday.

Laxhar Evidence Labs gets NABL accreditation for forensic testing

IANS | July 1, 2026 2:28 PM

New Delhi, July 1 (IANS) Noida-based Laxhar Evidence Labs Private Limited on Wednesday announced that it has received accreditation from the National Accreditation Board for Testing and Calibration Laboratories (NABL) for forensic testing, claiming to be the first private forensic laboratory in India to secure accreditation across multiple forensic disciplines simultaneously.

Govt grants Miniratna status to MECON Limited

IANS | July 1, 2026 1:34 PM

New Delhi, July 1 (IANS) The Ministry of Steel has approved the granting of Miniratna Category-I status to engineering major MECON Limited, as the Central Public Sector Enterprise (PSE) has achieved the required financial milestones which include generating continuous profits in the last three years, according to an official statement issued on Wednesday.

NPCI, HSBC India partner for real-time forex settlement on international UPI payments

IANS | July 1, 2026 1:23 PM

New Delhi, July 1 (IANS) The National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI) on Wednesday announced a strategic partnership with HSBC India to enable real-time foreign exchange (FX) settlement for cross-border Unified Payments Interface (UPI) transactions to make international digital payments more seamless and transparent for Indian travellers.

How SHE-LEAPS aims to propel data-driven growth to reach 6 crore 'Lakhpati Didis'

IANS | July 1, 2026 1:23 PM

New Delhi, July 1 (IANS) The SHE-LEAPS (Self-Help Entrepreneur-Livelihoods and Enterprise Application for Prosperity and Sustainability) digital initiative, just launched by the Centre to strengthen the empowerment of rural women, is expected to play a key role in achieving the target of 6 crore 'Lakhpati Didis', according to an official factsheet issued on Wednesday.

GST collections rise 14 pc to Rs 1.95 lakh crore in June

IANS | July 1, 2026 12:26 PM

New Delhi, July 1 (IANS) The gross Goods and Services Tax (GST) collections rose 13.9 per cent year-on-year to Rs 1.94 lakh crore in June, driven by strong growth in revenues from imports, according to official data released on Wednesday.