RBI Cancels Paytm Payments Bank Limited Licence

The Reserve Bank of India has cancelled the licence of Paytm Payments Bank Limited, bringing its banking operations to an immediate halt. The action comes after a series of restrictions imposed on the bank since 2022.

The RBI has stated that the bank has sufficient liquidity to repay all deposit liabilities. This means depositors’ money is expected to be returned as per regulatory norms. The development highlights the importance of compliance, governance standards, and regulatory supervision in India’s financial sector.

Rajnath Singh to Attend SCO Meeting in Bishkek

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh will attend the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation meeting in Bishkek on April 27–28. The meeting is expected to focus on regional security, terrorism, and evolving geopolitical challenges.

The Shanghai Cooperation Organisation was founded in 2001. India became a full member of the SCO in 2017. India’s participation reflects its growing role in regional security cooperation and strategic diplomacy in Eurasia.

Ashok Lahiri Likely to Become NITI Aayog Vice-Chairman

The Union government is set to appoint Ashok Lahiri as the Vice-Chairman of NITI Aayog, replacing Suman Bery. NITI Aayog was established in 2015 after replacing the Planning Commission.

As India’s premier policy think tank, NITI Aayog plays a crucial role in cooperative federalism, development planning, economic policy, innovation, and long-term governance strategies. The appointment is expected to bring renewed focus to India’s economic and policy roadmap.

Supreme Court Affirms Reproductive Autonomy Under Article 21

The Supreme Court of India allowed a 15-year-old girl to terminate a 31-week pregnancy, reaffirming reproductive autonomy as part of the right to life and personal liberty under Article 21 of the Constitution.

The decision is significant because it balances medical, legal, and constitutional concerns, especially in cases involving minors and advanced-stage pregnancies. The ruling also highlights the evolving interpretation of bodily autonomy, dignity, and personal liberty in Indian constitutional law.

Guntur Municipal Corporation Wins UNIDO Gender Equality Award

Guntur Municipal Corporation has won the 4th Gender Equality Mobilisation Award from the United Nations Industrial Development Organization in Vienna.

The award recognises Guntur’s efforts in integrating women’s empowerment with sustainable waste management. This achievement reflects how urban governance can promote both gender equality and environmental sustainability through inclusive local administration.

Uttar Pradesh Gets India’s First Integrated Recycling Facility

Uttar Pradesh is now home to India’s first integrated recycling facility for lithium-ion batteries and rare earth magnets. The facility is located at Sikandrabad and has been developed by Rocklink India.

This project is important for India’s critical mineral recovery, clean energy transition, electric vehicle ecosystem, and circular economy. Recycling lithium-ion batteries and rare earth magnets can reduce import dependence and support sustainable industrial growth.

US Sanctions Chinese Firms Over Iranian Oil

The Trump administration has imposed sanctions on Chinese refinery Hengli Petrochemical and several shipping firms for handling Iranian oil.

The move is part of efforts to tighten restrictions on Iran’s oil exports and warn companies against violating sanctions. The development comes ahead of a proposed Donald Trump–Xi Jinping meeting and may influence global energy markets, US-China relations, and West Asian geopolitics.

Census 2027 Helpline 1855 Launched

The Office of the Registrar General and Census Commissioner has launched a nationwide toll-free helpline number, 1855, for Census 2027.

The helpline will provide multilingual guidance related to house listing and the Housing Census. This initiative aims to improve public participation, remove confusion, and ensure smoother implementation of the census process across India.