General Awareness

BUSINESS AND ECONOMY - November 2024

Nov 2024

Feb 13, 2026

RBI Digital Payments Index Soars to 516.76 – A Big Win for India’s Cashless Economy

India’s digital economy continues to expand as the RBI Digital Payments Index (DPI) for September 2025 surged to 516.76, up from 493.22 in March 2025. The RBI attributes the rise to gains in Payment Performance and Payment Enablers, with the DPI published since January 2021 and base year 2018. The latest figure reflects continued growth in digital payment infrastructure and rising consumer adoption of online transactions across the country. Analysts see the DPI as a barometer of financial inclusion, merchant readiness, and the impact of government and private sector digitization initiatives on everyday economic activity.

DPI rose to 516.76 in September 2025 from 493.22 in March 2025.
Growth driven by Payment Performance and Payment Enablers.
Base year is 2018; DPI published since 2021.
Indicates expanding digital payment infrastructure.
Reflects financial inclusion and merchant readiness.

India becomes world’s second-largest smartphone market by active users

India has emerged as the world’s second‑largest market for active smartphone users, trailing only China. A 2025 Counterpoint Research report shows India surpassing several nations, with more than 740 million active smartphones currently in use out of a 1.45 billion population. The term active installed base reflects devices in regular use rather than shipments. The growth underscores India’s expanding digital economy, device longevity, and a robust mobile ecosystem. Analysts highlight implications for telecom, e‑commerce, and content platforms as consumer engagement deepens and connectivity expands across urban and rural regions.

India has over 740 million active smartphones.
Country remains second to China in active smartphone base.
Active base equals devices in regular use, not shipments.
Implications for digital economy and telecom sectors.

RBI Digital Payments Index rises to 516.76 in September 2025

India’s RBI Digital Payments Index rose to 516.76 in September 2025, up from 493.22 in March 2025, signaling continued digitization of payments nationwide. The RBI attributes the rise to improvements in payment performance and enabling infrastructure. Since its start in January 2021, with March 2018 as the base year, the index tracks the overall uptake of digital payments across the economy. The growth suggests broader consumer adoption of online transactions, greater use of digital wallets and cards, and expanding financial inclusion across urban and rural areas.

DPI reached 516.76 in September 2025.
Rise driven by payment performance and infrastructure gains.
Index uses a base period with March 2018 as reference.
Indicates growing digital payments across India.

Feb 12, 2026

Economic Survey 2025–26 Highlights Public Health and Economic Linkages

New Delhi, 10 February 2026 — The Economic Survey 2025–26 warns of rising obesity, diabetes, mental health issues, and digital addiction as mounting public health challenges, even as maternal and child health improves. The document stresses a stronger link between health outcomes and workforce productivity, urging investments in digital health, hospital infrastructure, and preventive care. It also notes gains in health indicators over past decades while cautioning about lifestyle risks. The survey’s recommendations aim to sustain economic growth by strengthening the health system and aligning health policy with macroeconomic priorities.

Survey flags obesity, diabetes, digital addiction
Emphasises health–economy link and productivity
Advocates digital health and hospital infrastructure
Notes progress in maternal and child health
Calls for policy alignment with macroeconomy

Two EY India Partners Promoted to Global Roles

Mumbai/London, 12 February 2026 — EY Global has promoted two senior partners from EY India to global leadership roles amid expanding regional growth. Ram Sarvepalli, formerly head of EY India’s consulting practice, is named deputy global managing partner‑client service. Ajay Arora, EY India’s M&A leader, becomes global M&A leader for EY’s transactions and corporate finance practice. The moves reflect EY’s strategy to leverage India’s growing professional services talent in global leadership positions, as cross‑border deals and digital transformation services continue to rise in importance for multinational clients.

Two EY India partners promoted to global roles
Ram Sarvepalli: deputy global managing partner‑client service
Ajay Arora: global M&A leader for transactions & corporate finance
Shows EY India leadership in global network
Linked to rising cross‑border deals and growth

Feb 11, 2026

India Named Country of the Year at BIOFACH 2026

India has been designated the Country of the Year at BIOFACH 2026, the world’s leading trade fair for organic products. The event runs from 10 to 13 February 2026 in Nuremberg, Germany. India’s participation is led by Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA), with a large-scale and high-impact presence. The designation recognises India’s expanding organic sector and its position as a reliable supplier of high-quality organic foods. BIOFACH brings together buyers, policymakers, certification bodies and producers from around the world, highlighting India’s growing role in the global organic movement.

BIOFACH 2026 held in Nuremberg, 10–13 February
India named Country of the Year
APEDA leads India’s high-impact participation
Recognition of India as a major organic supplier
Event gathers global organic industry stakeholders

WHX Opens in Dubai, Highlighting India’s Global Healthcare Footprint

World Health Expo (WHX) 2026 opened at Dubai Expo City, reinforcing Dubai as a hub for healthcare collaboration. The event attracts more than 235,000 professionals from over 180 countries and territories. Indian participation is led by EEPC India, PHARMEXCIL, the Federation of Indian Export Organisations, CII and ASSOCHAM, with 97 Indian companies taking part. The expo aims to showcase capabilities in healthcare, pharmaceuticals and medical technologies, and to foster partnerships, investment and knowledge exchange between Indian firms and international buyers.

WHX 2026 opened in Dubai Expo City
Event draws 235,000+ professionals from 180+ countries
India’s participation led by multiple industry bodies
97 Indian companies present
Focus on healthcare, pharma and medical tech collaboration

Feb 10, 2026

RBI approves Vijay Anandh as City Union Bank CEO

The Reserve Bank of India approved the appointment of R Vijay Anandh as the next Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of City Union Bank, marking a leadership transition at one of India's older private lenders. The RBI conveyed approval through a letter dated 9 February 2026. Anandh will assume charge as MD and CEO for a period of three years from 1 May 2026, subject to shareholders’ approval and regulatory norms. The bank faces heightened regulatory scrutiny amid evolving financial conditions, making leadership appointments closely watched by investors. The announcement underscores the RBI’s role in grooming chief executives for growth and governance.

RBI approval dated 9 February 2026 for Vijay Anandh as MD&CEO
City Union Bank leadership transition; three-year term from 1 May 2026
Subject to shareholders' approval and norms
Regulatory scrutiny context for private banks
RBI role in grooming bank leadership

Feb 09, 2026

Kotak Mahindra Bank issues India’s first fully digital FPI licence

Kotak Mahindra Bank announced that it has become the first custodian in India to issue a Foreign Portfolio Investor (FPI) licence and complete the onboarding using electronic signatures. The bank has already issued two FPIs with digitally signed documents, and SEBI has operationalised a unified digital workflow in January 2026. The move is expected to speed up overseas investment, reduce paperwork and improve data security for FPIs. Market participants say the digital onboarding framework could set a precedent for other custodians and asset managers, accelerating foreign investment flows into India’s markets.

Milestone: first fully digital FPI licence by Kotak Mahindra Bank
Process: onboarding via electronic signatures; two licences issued digitally
Regulatory context: SEBI digital workflow operational in January 2026
Impact: faster onboarding, reduced paperwork
Industry implication: potential standard for custodians

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