Indian digital payments giant Paytm, also known as One 97 Communications, has been granted a third-party application provider license by India's payments authority. <o:p></o:p>

This move comes as Paytm's banking arm faces imminent closure due to regulatory non-compliance, posing concerns about the continuity of its services. <o:p></o:p>

The license enables Paytm to ensure uninterrupted payments for its customers through India's Unified Payment Interface (UPI) even after the cessation of its banking operations.<o:p></o:p>

Under this arrangement, Axis Bank, HDFC Bank, State Bank of India, and Yes Bank will serve as payment system provider banks for Paytm, as confirmed by the National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI). <o:p></o:p>

Furthermore, Yes Bank will take on the additional role of a merchant acquiring bank for both existing and new UPI merchants affiliated with Paytm. <o:p></o:p>

The NPCI has directed Paytm to swiftly migrate all existing handles and mandates to the designated payment system provider banks to ensure a seamless transition for its users. <o:p></o:p>

The significance of this development is indicated by the growing prominence of UPI as India's preferred real-time payments system. <o:p></o:p>

Despite facing a decline in transaction volume and value from January to February, Paytm remains the third-largest app for UPI payments in the country. <o:p></o:p>

In February alone, Paytm processed a staggering 1.41 billion transactions, amounting to a total value of 1.65 trillion rupees. <o:p></o:p>

However, this marked a decrease from January's figures of 1.57 billion transactions worth 1.93 trillion rupees. <o:p></o:p>

PhonePe and Google Pay retain their positions as the top two UPI payment apps in India.<o:p></o:p>

The journey towards obtaining the third-party application provider license has been fraught with regulatory scrutiny. <o:p></o:p>

Last month, the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) instructed the NPCI to review Paytm's request for this license diligently. <o:p></o:p>

(With inputs from Reuters)<o:p></o:p>

Indian digital payments giant Paytm, also known as One 97 Communications, has been granted a third-party application provider license by India's payments authority.

Indian digital payments giant Paytm, also known as One 97 Communications, has been granted a third-party application provider license by India's payments authority. This move comes as Paytm's banking arm faces imminent closure due to regulatory non-compliance, posing concerns about the continuity of its services. The license enables Paytm to ensure uninterrupted payments for its customers through India's Unified Payment Interface (UPI) even after the cessation of its banking operations. Under this arrangement, Axis Bank, HDFC Bank, State Bank of India, and Yes Bank will serve as payment system provider banks for Paytm, as confirmed by the National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI). Furthermore, Yes Bank will take on the additional role of a merchant acquiring bank for both existing and new UPI merchants affiliated with Paytm. The NPCI has directed Paytm to swiftly migrate all existing handles and mandates to the designated payment system provider banks to ensure a seamless transition for its users. The significance of this development is indicated by the growing prominence of UPI as India's preferred real-time payments system. Despite facing a decline in transaction volume and value from January to February, Paytm remains the third-largest app for UPI payments in the country. In February alone, Paytm processed a staggering 1.41 billion transactions, amounting to a total value of 1.65 trillion rupees. However, this marked a decrease from January's figures of 1.57 billion transactions worth 1.93 trillion rupees. PhonePe and Google Pay retain their positions as the top two UPI payment apps in India. The journey towards obtaining the third-party application provider license has been fraught with regulatory scrutiny. Last month, the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) instructed the NPCI to review Paytm's request for this license diligently. (With inputs from Reuters)

Paytm secures third-party app license to sustain UPI payments: Report

Will India hold simultaneous polls at the state & central levels in the future? That's the million-dollar question in the minds of policymakers. Such an exercise will be unprecedented in size and execution. But will it also have a major socio-economic impact? We find out in this report.

India elections 2024 | Report: Higher GDP growth when simultaneous polls were held

The Election Commission on Thursday released data on the electoral bonds, following a Supreme Court order that directed the State Bank of India to hand over all data regarding the bonds to the election authority.

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Will there be a conflict between India and China along the Line of Actual Control in middle of the Lok Sabha elections? A report by U.S. intelligence community is warning of an elevated risk of an 'armed confrontation' between the two Asian giants. Here are the details.

Gravitas: A India, China conflict at LAC in middle of Lok Sabha elections?

Indian PM Narendra Modi is likely to visit Bhutan next week at the invitation of his counterpart Tshering Tobgay, who met PM Modi during his ongoing India visit, his first abroad since taking over as PM earlier this year. Watch to know more!

PM Modi to visit Bhutan next week, visit to deepen India-Bhutan Bilateral ties

The Election Commission on Thursday released data on the electoral bonds, following a Supreme Court order that directed the State Bank of India to hand over all data regarding the bonds to the election authority. Watch to know more!

Electoral Bonds Data Released: Top 10 contributors to political parties

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has suffered a major injury in an accident, tweeted Trinamool Congress on X. She has been taken to the SSKM hospital in Kolkata.

India: Mamata Banerjee injured, PM Modi wishes speedy recovery

India's Election Commission will be announcing the dates for the 2024 General Elections tomorrow and with that the model code of conduct will come into force from the time the dates are announced. Watch to know more!

India General Elections 2024: Election Commission to announce election schedule on March 16

After the end of the India-England Test series, WION got a chance to interact with former England spinner Graeme Swann. Swann spoke at length on England's Bazball methods, hailed Yashasvi Jaiswal and Kuldeep Yadav while also lashed out at James Anderson's critics, who are calling for his retirement.

IND vs ENG Exclusive | 'People say this is crazy but..' Graeme Swann backs England's Bazball methods

The Indian digital payments giant Paytm has secured a crucial lifeline the National Payments Corporation of India has granted Paytm a third-party application provider license. Well, this means that Paytm users can breathe a sigh of relief.

Paytm users can still use the app after banking the shutdown

A recent study published in&nbsp;The Lancet Regional Health, Southeast Asia has shed light on the mortality rates among patients undergoing dialysis for chronic kidney disease in India.

The study, the largest of its kind in India, offered insights into dialysis outcomes after analysing data from 23,601 patients. It found a 71 percent survival rate after six months of dialysis treatment.

Survival rates varied widely between centres, ranging from 55 percent to 100 percent. However, after accounting for centre and patient characteristics, the range narrowed to between 83 percent and 97 percent.

According to these findings, almost three out of every ten patients succumb within a year of starting dialysis treatment. If one is to draw a comparison, it is twice the mortality rate seen in high-income countries, reports citing the study pointed out.&nbsp;

The nationwide assessment, involving 193 private dialysis clinics, discovered that survival rates at six months varied between 83 percent and 97 percent. Rural clinics showed a mortality rate of about 32 per cent higher compared to urban clinics.

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Dr. Vivekanand Jha, the executive director at The George Institute for Global Health in New Delhi and one of the study's authors said,&nbsp;“Access to dialysis has no doubt increased in India over the years but there is no national benchmark yet for survival on dialysis." He added, “We need research to understand better which patients are likely to have bad outcomes."&nbsp;

The analysis of over 23,600 patient records revealed lower mortality rates among those with higher education and household incomes, as well as patients receiving free dialysis compared to those who had to pay out of their pocket.

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Socio-economic factors also&nbsp;play a role, as patients who had to cover the cost of dialysis might have struggled to afford complementary medical management and medications, potentially leading to higher mortality rates.

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“We’re urging the government to consider extending the coverage to include support for the prevention of kidney disease and improved long-term management of major complications associated with dialysis such as cardiovascular disease and mineral bone disease,” Jha said.

(With inputs from agencies)

A recent study published in The Lancet Regional Health, Southeast Asia has shed light on the mortality rates among patients undergoing dialysis for chronic kidney disease in India.

A recent study published in The Lancet Regional Health, Southeast Asia has shed light on the mortality rates among patients undergoing dialysis for chronic kidney disease in India. The study, the largest of its kind in India, offered insights into dialysis outcomes after analysing data from 23,601 patients. It found a 71 percent survival rate after six months of dialysis treatment. Survival rates varied widely between centres, ranging from 55 percent to 100 percent. However, after accounting for centre and patient characteristics, the range narrowed to between 83 percent and 97 percent. According to these findings, almost three out of every ten patients succumb within a year of starting dialysis treatment. If one is to draw a comparison, it is twice the mortality rate seen in high-income countries, reports citing the study pointed out. The nationwide assessment, involving 193 private dialysis clinics, discovered that survival rates at six months varied between 83 percent and 97 percent. Rural clinics showed a mortality rate of about 32 per cent higher compared to urban clinics. Also Read | Neurological disorders skyrocketing globally, study reveals shocking data Dr. Vivekanand Jha, the executive director at The George Institute for Global Health in New Delhi and one of the study's authors said, “Access to dialysis has no doubt increased in India over the years but there is no national benchmark yet for survival on dialysis." He added, “We need research to understand better which patients are likely to have bad outcomes." The analysis of over 23,600 patient records revealed lower mortality rates among those with higher education and household incomes, as well as patients receiving free dialysis compared to those who had to pay out of their pocket. Also Read | Scientists debate over origin of 'alien' debris after startling claim Socio-economic factors also play a role, as patients who had to cover the cost of dialysis might have struggled to afford complementary medical management and medications, potentially leading to higher mortality rates. Watch | World sleep day 2024: Survey finds 61% of Indians getting less than 6 hours of sleep × “We’re urging the government to consider extending the coverage to include support for the prevention of kidney disease and improved long-term management of major complications associated with dialysis such as cardiovascular disease and mineral bone disease,” Jha said. (With inputs from agencies)

India: Survival rate in patients at 71 percent after 6 months of receiving dialysis, reveals study

Ireland's Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment Simon Coveney is upbeat on India European Union FTA, & has lauded India's payments systems. Speaking to our diplomatic correspondent Sidhant Sibal, he said, "we see India is a very dynamic and huge growth market.. I hope many Irish companies come to India and visa versa". India Ireland trade worth $10 billion per year. On India's payments system he pointed, "It's cashless society, everybody is buying and selling via mobile phone, it's very impressive"

Ireland's Trade Minister Simon Coveney hopeful on India- EU FTA; Lauds India's payments system

Bhutan's Prime Minister Tshering Tobgay is currently in India on a 5-day visit, this is the leader's first visit since assuming office in January this year.

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The dates for the Lok Sabha elections are likely to be announced by Friday this week, citing sources. The Election Commission's observers' briefing meeting for the general election is currently underway in Delhi. The day-long briefing is aimed at streamlining strategy to ensure the implementation of the model code of conduct for the general elections likely to be held in April-May.

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The ruling Bhartiya Janata Party has released its second list of candidates for the upcoming General Elections. The second list features names of 72 candidates from nine states and two union territories including Gujarat, Maharashtra, Karnataka and Delhi.

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India has reacted to America's remarks on the implementation of the Citizeship Amendment Act, which was passed in 2019. India's Ministry of External Affairshas rebuffed America's concerns over the CAA.

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India elections 2024: Decoding the economics behind simultaneous polls

Former Karnataka CM BS Yediyurappa has been booked under the POCSO (Protection of Children from Sexual Offences) Act and section 354(A) of the IPC after a woman approached the Sadashivanagar police station in Bengaluru claiming that her 17-year-old daughter was sexually assaulted by him. Watch in for more details!

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Electoral Bonds Data Unveiled: Top 10 contributors to political parties

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi’s Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra resumed from Palghar, Maharashtra today. Notably, Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra rolled out from Manipur’s Thoubal on January 14. It aims to cover 6,700 km through 15 states, with Lok Sabha polls around the corner.

India Elections 2024: Rahul Gandhi resumes Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra from Palghar in Maharashtra

Aam Aadmi Party convenor and Delhi chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal will embark on a Gujarat visit today to launch the Lok Sabha election campaign of his party.

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TikTok is widely known worldwide but mostly 'Notoriously'. Nations around the world are banning TikTok over privacy & cybersecurity concerns.

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India's southern Thiruvananthapuram city hosted preliminary polling for Russian tourists and citizens. Several Russian voters gathered as polling took place at the Consulate for Russian Federation.

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Indian PM Narendra Modi is likely to visit Bhutan next week at the invitation of his counterpart Tshering Tobgay, who met PM Modi during his ongoing India visit, his first abroad since taking over as PM earlier this year.

Indian PM Modi likely to visit Bhutan next week

As Alia Bhatt turns a year older, here's looking at the 7 films that made her a bonafide superstar of Bollywood and a force to reckon with.

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The Electoral bonds data is out. ECI published the data on its website. Who are the top donors? Which parties received the most funds? Watch this video to find out.

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India elections 2024 | Simultaneous polls: Decoding the economic impact?

The Joe Biden administration in the United States (US) has approved the sale of MQ9B Predator drones to India, media reports said on Friday (Mar 15). The approval signalled a major win for the Narendra Modi administration, as the deal underlined the deepening strategic partnership between India and the US, a report by News18 said. The deal sees the acquisition of 31 predator drones.

The deal was originally cleared last month but faced a delay due to objections raised by US senators. However, after the 30-day objection period, the final draft of acceptance was sent to India, the report added.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/estonias-foreign-minister-talks-drones-cybersecurity-and-global-trade-in-exclusive-interview-with-wion-693066">Exclusive: Estonia's foreign minister talks drones, cybersecurity, and global trade in interview with WION</a>

The US and India were examining various aspects of the deal, including the price component, but the pace of the negotiations slowed down after American federal prosecutors alleged an Indian link in a failed plot to kill Khalistani terrorist Gurpatwant Singh Pannun.

In November last year, the US federal prosecutors accused Indian national Nikhil Gupta of working with an Indian government employee in the foiled plot to kill Pannun, who holds dual citizenship of the US and Canada.

With the sale of drones now approved, India will use them to crank up the surveillance apparatus of the armed forces, especially along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) with China.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)

The Joe Biden administration in the United States (US) has approved the sale of MQ9B Predator drones to India, media reports said on Friday (Mar 15). The approval signalled a major win for the Narendra Modi administration, as the deal underlined the deepening strategic partnership between India and the US, a report by News18 said.

The Joe Biden administration in the United States (US) has approved the sale of MQ9B Predator drones to India, media reports said on Friday (Mar 15). The approval signalled a major win for the Narendra Modi administration, as the deal underlined the deepening strategic partnership between India and the US, a report by News18 said. The deal sees the acquisition of 31 predator drones. The deal was originally cleared last month but faced a delay due to objections raised by US senators. However, after the 30-day objection period, the final draft of acceptance was sent to India, the report added. Also read | Exclusive: Estonia's foreign minister talks drones, cybersecurity, and global trade in interview with WION The US and India were examining various aspects of the deal, including the price component, but the pace of the negotiations slowed down after American federal prosecutors alleged an Indian link in a failed plot to kill Khalistani terrorist Gurpatwant Singh Pannun. In November last year, the US federal prosecutors accused Indian national Nikhil Gupta of working with an Indian government employee in the foiled plot to kill Pannun, who holds dual citizenship of the US and Canada. With the sale of drones now approved, India will use them to crank up the surveillance apparatus of the armed forces, especially along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) with China. (With inputs from agencies)

US approves sale of MQ9B Predator drones to India: Reports

Coimbatore-based Future Gaming and Hotels Private Limited, headed by lottery baron Santiago Martin, who was investigated multiple times by the Enforcement Directorate and faced several criminal cases in the past, seems to be the highest purchaser of electoral bonds worth Rs. 1,368 crore.

'Lottery King' Santiago Martin, the top electoral bonds donor

India's latest position in the Human Development Index (HDI) reveals a promising trajectory, as outlined in the 2023-24 Human Development Report (HDR) by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP).

Despite grappling with the multifaceted challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic and other global crises, India's HDI value surged to 0.644 in 2022, positioning it 134th out of 193 countries worldwide.

Key indicators on the rise

The HDR sheds light on India's commendable progress across crucial HDI indicators.

Life expectancy at birth has risen to 67.7 years, reflecting an enhancement in healthcare accessibility and quality.

Additionally, expected years of schooling and mean years of schooling have seen positive growth, reaching 12.6 and 6.57, respectively.

Moreover, there has been a substantial increase in Gross National Income (GNI) per capita, climbing from $6,542 to $6,951.

Recognising efforts&nbsp;for&nbsp;gender equality

India's endeavours in reducing gender inequality have garnered recognition in the HDR. With a Gender Inequality Index (GII) value of 0.437, India surpasses both the global and South Asian averages.

Acknowledging India's progress, Caitlin Wiesen, Resident Representative of UNDP India, said, "India has shown remarkable progress in human development over the years."&nbsp;

However, challenges persist, particularly concerning gender disparities in labour force participation, where a large gap of 47.8 percentage points exists between men and women.

Global trends and persistent inequalities

While India celebrates its progress, the HDR unveils concerning global trends, notably the resurgence of inequality.

After two decades of convergence, the gap between the wealthiest and poorest nations has begun widening since 2020.

This inequality is aggravated by economic concentration, with a handful of countries dominating global trade.

India, along with the rest of South Asia, faces losses in HDI due to inequality, highlighting the urgency for targeted interventions to address disparities.

Urgent call for collective action

Achim Steiner, Administrator of the UNDP, stressed the importance&nbsp;of collective action to break the current gridlock in global development.

"The failure of collective action to advance action on climate change, digitalisation, poverty, and inequality not only hinders human development but also worsens polarisation and further erodes trust in people and institutions worldwide," he said.

The HDR proposes immediate action in areas such as climate stability, digital equity, and innovative financial mechanisms to reignite a commitment to a shared future.

India's role as a global leader

India's proactive engagement in fostering global cooperation is lauded in the HDR.

From championing the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) during its G20 Presidency to initiatives like vaccine diplomacy amid the pandemic, India has showcased leadership in advancing international collaboration for global public goods.

"India is already a frontrunner in utilising Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI) to increase citizens' access to essential services", Wiesen said, highlighting India's potential to shape agile, global responses to emerging challenges.

India's latest position in the Human Development Index (HDI) reveals a promising trajectory, as outlined in the 2023-24 Human Development Report (HDR) by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP).

India's latest position in the Human Development Index (HDI) reveals a promising trajectory, as outlined in the 2023-24 Human Development Report (HDR) by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP). Despite grappling with the multifaceted challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic and other global crises, India's HDI value surged to 0.644 in 2022, positioning it 134th out of 193 countries worldwide. Key indicators on the rise The HDR sheds light on India's commendable progress across crucial HDI indicators. Life expectancy at birth has risen to 67.7 years, reflecting an enhancement in healthcare accessibility and quality. Additionally, expected years of schooling and mean years of schooling have seen positive growth, reaching 12.6 and 6.57, respectively. Moreover, there has been a substantial increase in Gross National Income (GNI) per capita, climbing from $6,542 to $6,951. Recognising efforts for gender equality India's endeavours in reducing gender inequality have garnered recognition in the HDR. With a Gender Inequality Index (GII) value of 0.437, India surpasses both the global and South Asian averages. Acknowledging India's progress, Caitlin Wiesen, Resident Representative of UNDP India, said, "India has shown remarkable progress in human development over the years." However, challenges persist, particularly concerning gender disparities in labour force participation, where a large gap of 47.8 percentage points exists between men and women. Global trends and persistent inequalities While India celebrates its progress, the HDR unveils concerning global trends, notably the resurgence of inequality. After two decades of convergence, the gap between the wealthiest and poorest nations has begun widening since 2020. This inequality is aggravated by economic concentration, with a handful of countries dominating global trade. India, along with the rest of South Asia, faces losses in HDI due to inequality, highlighting the urgency for targeted interventions to address disparities. Urgent call for collective action Achim Steiner, Administrator of the UNDP, stressed the importance of collective action to break the current gridlock in global development. "The failure of collective action to advance action on climate change, digitalisation, poverty, and inequality not only hinders human development but also worsens polarisation and further erodes trust in people and institutions worldwide," he said. The HDR proposes immediate action in areas such as climate stability, digital equity, and innovative financial mechanisms to reignite a commitment to a shared future. India's role as a global leader India's proactive engagement in fostering global cooperation is lauded in the HDR. From championing the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) during its G20 Presidency to initiatives like vaccine diplomacy amid the pandemic, India has showcased leadership in advancing international collaboration for global public goods. "India is already a frontrunner in utilising Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI) to increase citizens' access to essential services", Wiesen said, highlighting India's potential to shape agile, global responses to emerging challenges.

India climbs in global Human Development Index. Check rank here

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