Author: Sharad Natani
When the Unified Payments Interface (UPI) was launched in 2016, it quietly set off one of the biggest financial revolutions in India’s history. From street vendors to large enterprises, UPI reshaped how money moves—making cashless payments fast, free, and universal. Nearly a decade later, India is preparing for its next fintech transformation—this time in lending. The Unified Lending Interface (ULI) is emerging as a powerful digital framework that promises to do for credit what UPI did for payments: make it instant, inclusive, and data-driven. From Paperwork to Real-Time Credit Traditional lending in India has long been slowed by paperwork, collateral…
India’s love for instant delivery has crossed a tipping point. What started as a convenience-driven service has now become a daily habit for millions, according to ‘How India Instamarted 2025’, a new report released by Swiggy Instamart. The study reveals how quick commerce has transformed from a niche urban luxury into a core pillar of modern Indian consumption. The report paints a clear picture: speed, certainty, and availability now matter as much as price. Consumers no longer see instant delivery as an emergency solution; instead, it has become a default choice for groceries, snacks, personal care, and even electronics. From…
In a significant move that could affect thousands of skilled professionals and their families, the United States has expanded digital scrutiny for H-1B and H-4 visa applicants worldwide, making online presence checks a key part of the visa vetting process. The US Department of State confirmed that the enhanced review mechanism has been in effect since December 15 and applies uniformly to all nationalities, ending any country-specific differentiation in online screening. What’s New in the Visa Vetting Process Under the revised framework, US embassies and consulates will conduct more detailed reviews of applicants’ publicly available online activity, including social media…
The year 2025 emerged as a turning point for artificial intelligence, marking the moment when AI decisively moved from experimental tools to everyday digital companions. With major breakthroughs from Google, OpenAI, Adobe, and emerging AI-first platforms, artificial intelligence became faster, more autonomous, and deeply embedded in how people work, create, and browse the internet. From advanced reasoning models to AI-driven web browsers and cinematic video generation, 2025 reshaped the direction of AI like never before. Gemini 3.0: Google Pushes AI Into Daily Life Google set the pace early in the year with the launch of Gemini 3.0, its most powerful…
India’s economy picked up momentum in the second quarter of FY26, recording its fastest growth in six quarters, as resilient domestic demand, steady credit flows, and improving fiscal and external metrics helped offset global uncertainties, according to the Reserve Bank of India’s December 2025 Bulletin. In its State of the Economy assessment, the RBI said high-frequency indicators for November point to sustained economic activity across key sectors, indicating that the slowdown seen earlier in the fiscal year has largely eased. Consumption demand remained firm, while investment activity continued to receive support from benign financial conditions. Importantly, headline inflation, though rising…
As the countdown to New Year 2025 begins, homes, clubs, and holiday destinations are buzzing with celebrations, parties, and late-night gatherings. While this festive season is meant for joy and relaxation, doctors warn that it can quietly pose a serious threat to heart health. One such often-overlooked condition is Holiday Heart Syndrome (HHS)—a cardiac issue that tends to spike during holidays and party seasons. What Is Holiday Heart Syndrome? Holiday Heart Syndrome refers to sudden heart rhythm disturbances, especially irregular heartbeat (arrhythmia), that occur after excessive indulgence in alcohol, rich food, lack of sleep, and emotional stress. The condition can…