The Union Cabinet has approved raising the monthly wage ceiling for mandatory Employees’ Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO) coverage from ₹15,000 to ₹25,000. The decision, announced on September 16, 2026, is expected to bring around 51 lakh additional employees into the social-security system. Workers covered under the expanded limit will gain access to provident-fund savings, pension benefits and insurance protection, subject to scheme rules. The revision is the first change in the wage ceiling in 12 years. The government expects the measure to strengthen retirement security while expanding formal-sector social protection. (PC: The Hindu)

A woman was allegedly hit by a car, dragged on its bonnet and then run over by her boyfriend after an argument in Lucknow’s Gomti Nagar area on September 16. Police said the incident occurred near Janeshwar Mishra Park after the woman confronted the accused, Shahnawaz, over his presence with another woman. A video of the incident showed the woman on the car’s bonnet as the vehicle moved forward. She was reportedly thrown onto the road and subsequently run over. Police arrested Shahnawaz and began investigating the circumstances surrounding the incident. 

The CBI has assigned senior officer Seema Pahuja, currently an SP in its Special Crimes Unit, to supervise the investigation into the 2020 death of Disha Salian, former manager of actor Sushant Singh Rajput. Pahuja has previously worked on high-profile investigations, including the RG Kar and Hathras cases, and received the CBI’s 2021 Gold Medal for Best Investigating Officer. The CBI registered an FIR on September 13 following the Bombay High Court’s September 2 direction for a fresh probe. Investigators will examine documents, forensic evidence and witness statements, including those of people present at a gathering before Salian’s death.

The National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI) will introduce a Merchant Discount Rate (MDR) on selected UPI transactions from October 15, 2026. A 0.4% charge will apply to person-to-merchant (P2M) UPI payments above ₹2,000, capped at ₹300 per transaction. Payments involving railways, telecom, insurance and fuel will attract a flat ₹5 MDR above ₹2,000. Person-to-person (P2P) transfers and merchant payments up to ₹2,000 will remain free. Small merchants receiving up to ₹1 lakh monthly through UPI QR codes are also exempt. The MDR is intended to support the sustainability and infrastructure of India’s digital-payment ecosystem. 

India’s Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO) has issued a public health alert against two Pakistan-made cosmetic products: Goree Beauty Cream and Chandni Whitening Cream. Testing found both products were unauthorised for sale in India, lacked the required import registration certificates and contained heavy metals above specified limits, which could pose health risks, including toxic effects. CDSCO has advised consumers not to purchase or use the creams and directed sellers, distributors and other establishments not to sell, distribute or advertise them. Authorities have also been asked to prevent their sale. Consumers should check licence and registration details on imported cosmetics. (PC: Unsplash)

Eighty-one-year-old Asgar Ali Vora, a former schoolmate of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has regained possession of a disputed 2,810-square-metre plot in Navghar, Bhayandar East. Vora had alleged that the land, purchased in 1989, was encroached upon and that forged documents were used to alter its ownership. He met PM Modi on September 8 and sought intervention in the long-running dispute. Days later, BJP MLA Narendra Mehta announced that he would relinquish possession of the disputed property, surrender its construction permission and withdraw a police complaint against Vora following a settlement. Maharashtra government officials also held a meeting involving both sides. (PC: India Today)

Kalyan Bainsla, the accused driver in the Gurugram hit-and-run case involving a woman biker on Golf Course Road, allegedly tried to escape police custody on Tuesday. Police said Bainsla sought permission to urinate and then attempted to flee, but fell and suffered minor injuries before being caught. He was given first aid at a hospital and taken back into custody. Bainsla, 33, was arrested a day earlier from Rajasthan along with his cousin. Police have added an attempt-to-murder charge against him after reviewing CCTV footage, alleging he intended to hit the woman with his car. 

The government will levy a 0.4% Merchant Discount Rate (MDR) on UPI payments to merchants above Rs 2,000, effective October 15. The finance ministry clarified the charge applies only to person-to-merchant transactions and will be capped at Rs 300 for payments of Rs 75,000 and above. Consumers will not be charged. Essential sectors like railways, telecom, insurance, fuel, and education fees will pay a flat Rs 5 per transaction instead. Payments below Rs 2,000, rural and semi-urban QR transactions remain fully exempt. Officials say only about 4% of merchant transactions will actually attract the new fee. (PC: X)

An IndiGo flight from Agartala to Delhi was diverted to Lucknow on Tuesday after a “smoke warning” was reported in the cargo area. Flight 6E6504 landed safely at Lucknow Airport at 6:29 pm. The flight was carrying 103 passengers and six crew members. Emergency teams were deployed after landing, and all passengers received assistance. No untoward incident was reported. IndiGo has not yet issued an official statement. The incident comes days after another IndiGo flight made an emergency landing in Ahmedabad after a note claiming there was a bomb was found onboard. The bomb threat was later investigated.  

The government has announced a new Merchant Discount Rate (MDR) framework for select UPI transactions, under which merchants will pay a fee on person-to-merchant (P2M) payments above Rs 2,000, while consumers will continue to use UPI free of charge. The new framework will take effect from October 15, 2026. Under the standard P2M structure, a 0.4% MDR will apply to UPI transactions above Rs 2,000. For transactions of Rs 75,000 and above, the MDR will be capped at Rs 300 per transaction. The charge will be paid by merchants to acquiring banks and cannot be passed on to customers. Thus, consumers will not bear the fee directly when making UPI payments. (PC: Getty Images)