Cabinet Approves ECLGS-5 with ₹18,100 Cr Outlay, Extends Guarantee to Airlines for Crisis in West Asia

New UPI MDR: Flat Rs 5 Charge on Railway Bookings Above Rs 2,000 from Oct 15, 2026

From October 15, 2026, UPI payments above Rs 2,000 for railway tickets will attract a flat Rs 5 Merchant Discount Rate (MDR) instead of the general 0.4% fee. Crucially, this charge is on the merchant side and will not be passed to passengers. This special category concession makes railway ticketing cheaper to process than regular merchant payments.

IIP Growth Hits 7.3% in June 2026, Highest in 23 Months; Consumer Demand Weak

India's IIP grew 7.3% YoY in June 2026, the highest in 23 months. However, the growth is driven by capital and infrastructure goods due to government spending, while consumer goods (especially non-durables) show weakness, highlighting a demand-side slowdown amid high prices.

Cabinet Approves ₹8,970 Cr, 135.87 km NH-15 Guwahati-Tezpur Corridor with ELF for IAF

The Union Cabinet approved a 135.87 km, ₹8,970 crore Guwahati-Tezpur corridor on NH-15 in Assam, developed on BOT toll mode. It includes an emergency landing facility (ELF) for IAF, five bypasses, and connectivity to 8 PM Gati Shakti economic nodes. This project is a high-yield topic for Prelims data and Mains infrastructure/regional development.

UPI@10 Years: 86% of Digital Transactions, Government Allows Merchant Fees Under PSS Act Amendment

UPI completes 10 years with 86% of India's digital transactions, but the zero-MDR model is ending. The government has amended the PSS Act to allow merchant fees, aiming to fund the next growth phase in rural areas and cross-border payments. Key challenge: balancing inclusion with sustainability.

Cabinet Approves ₹13,041 Cr for Railway Multi-Tracking & NH-22 Highway to Decongest Howrah-Chennai Route

The Union Cabinet approved four railway multi-tracking projects and a four-lane highway project worth ₹13,041 crore to decongest the Howrah-Chennai high density route and improve connectivity in Bihar. These projects will add 410 km to the railway network and boost freight capacity by 76 MTPA, linking ports and industrial hubs.

SEBI Recognises Blue Bonds as Sustainable Finance; First ₹1,000 Cr Issuance Under Sagarmala

India's first blue bond issuance of ₹1,000 crore under the Sagarmala programme marks a shift towards capital markets for maritime infrastructure financing. SEBI has recognised blue bonds as sustainable finance instruments, opening a new asset class for exam focus on blue economy, sustainable finance, and government's PM GatiShakti initiative.

NCGTC Confirms ECLGS 5.0 Guarantee Cover of ₹2.5 Lakh Crore on First-Come-First-Served Basis for MSMEs

NCGTC has informed banks that ECLGS 5.0 – a credit guarantee scheme for MSMEs and non-MSMEs affected by the West Asia war – will be implemented only until the ₹2.5 lakh crore guarantee cover is exhausted, on a first-come-first-served basis. Non-MSME loans have been stopped to prioritise MSMEs. This is a key development for banking and economy exams, highlighting the limited nature of the guarantee and the government's focus on MSME liquidity.

₹37,500 Cr Coal Gasification Package: 7 Applications from Adani, NTPC, Others Received by Coal Ministry

The Coal Ministry received 7 applications for coal gasification projects under a ₹37,500 crore package approved by the Union Cabinet. Major players like Adani Enterprises and NTPC are among the bidders, aiming to produce urea, synthetic natural gas, and syngas. This scheme is crucial for India's energy security and coal utilization strategy.