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Flipkart’s Festive Hiring Drive: Over 2.5 Lakh Jobs to Support Rising Shopping Demand

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Flipkart’s Festive Hiring Drive: Over 2.5 Lakh Jobs to Support Rising Shopping Demand

E-commerce marketplace Flipkart announced on Tuesday that it has created over 2.5 lakh direct and indirect job opportunities across the country to meet rising demand ahead of the upcoming festive season.

In a statement, the company noted that approximately 75,000 of these roles are being filled by individuals entering the workforce for the first time, representing nearly 30 percent of the total opportunities.

This hiring drive is being conducted across more than 7,000 Ekart facilities nationwide, including fulfillment centers, sortation hubs, and last-mile delivery operations.

Hemant Badri, Senior Vice President (Supply Chain, Customer Experience, and Re-commerce) at Flipkart Group, said, “The festive season brings India’s entire commerce ecosystem together, and our supply chain plays a pivotal role in making this happen. This year, we are significantly expanding our fulfillment and last-mile networks to meet growing customer demand while simultaneously creating job opportunities across the country.”

According to the company, last-mile delivery roles will account for 60 percent of the new positions, generating approximately 1.4 lakh additional job opportunities. To cater to the surge in demand, Flipkart is also adding over 900 new festive delivery hubs. These hubs aim to support expansion needs in Tier-2 and Tier-3 markets as well as for its quick-commerce service, Flipkart Minutes.

Flipkart stated that women now comprise more than 20 percent of its supply chain workforce.

Flipkart’s rival, Amazon India, has also created over 1.6 lakh seasonal job opportunities within its operations network ahead of the festive season. Meanwhile, Meesho announced last month that it expects the creation of over 10 lakh seasonal job opportunities across its seller and logistics ecosystems to meet rising demand.

Strong Growth in India’s Auto Sector: Passenger Vehicle Sales Climb 36.5% in August

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Strong Growth in India’s Auto Sector: Passenger Vehicle Sales Climb 36.5% in August

According to data shared by the Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers (SIAM), India produced over 31.57 lakh vehicles in August 2026. During this period, domestic sales of passenger vehicles stood at 4.39 lakh units, while two-wheeler sales crossed the 20.34 lakh unit mark.

The data indicates broad-based growth in domestic vehicle sales. Passenger vehicle sales rose by 36.5 percent to 4,39,309 units in August 2026, up from 3,21,901 units in August 2025.

The release stated, “Total production of passenger vehicles, three-wheelers, two-wheelers, and quadricycles stood at 3,157,822 units in August 2026.”

Meanwhile, sales of three-wheelers increased by 22.8 percent to 93,764 units, compared to 76,324 units in the same period a year ago. Similarly, two-wheeler sales rose by 10.5 percent to 2,034,698 units, up from 1,841,954 units in August 2025.

Furthermore, within the three-wheeler segment, sales of passenger carriers grew by 22.4 percent to 78,680 units in August 2026, compared to 64,294 units a year earlier. Sales of goods carriers increased by 34.9 percent to 13,320 units, up from 9,876 units the previous year. However, e-rickshaw sales declined by 6 percent to 1,264 units from 1,344 units, while e-cart sales fell by 38.3 percent to 500 units, down from 810 units a year ago. In the two-wheeler segment, scooter sales rose by 23.8 percent to 8,55,715 units, while motorcycle sales increased by 2.4 percent to 11,33,047 units.

SIAM Director General Rajesh Menon said, “Passenger vehicles, three-wheelers, and two-wheelers have recorded their highest-ever sales for the month of August in 2026. Passenger vehicle sales stood at 4.39 lakh units in August 2026, marking a double-digit growth of 36.5 percent compared to the same period last year (August 2025). Three-wheeler sales stood at 0.94 lakh units, an increase of 22.8 percent, while two-wheeler sales reached 20.35 lakh units, recording a growth of 10.5 percent compared to August of the previous year.”

Menon further added, “India’s automobile industry is witnessing a phase of robust growth. The growth recorded in August 2026 was also supported by a low base from the previous year. The overall demand environment remains fundamentally strong. Strong consumer confidence, resilience in rural markets, improving financing conditions, and the rapid adoption of alternative powertrains are creating a favorable environment across various vehicle categories. Festive demand is also expected to provide an additional boost, likely resulting in strong figures for the second quarter (Q2).”

Big Push for Rural Retirement Security: DoRD, PFRDA Launch ‘Pension Sakhi’ Initiative

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Big Push for Rural Retirement Security: DoRD, PFRDA Launch ‘Pension Sakhi’ Initiative

The Department of Rural Development (DoRD) and the Pension Fund Regulatory and Development Authority (PFRDA) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to link rural households with pensions and long-term financial security. Under this initiative, pension awareness, financial literacy, and enrollment will be promoted in rural areas across the country through ‘Pension Sakhis’.

Pension Sakhis to Support Rural Households

This initiative will leverage the extensive community network of the Deendayal Antyodaya Yojana-National Rural Livelihood Mission (DAY-NRLM). Banking Correspondent Sakhis and trained community resource persons will provide information about pension schemes to rural households and assist with the enrollment process.

‘Pension Sakhis’ will specifically reach out to women from self-help groups, rural women, ‘Lakhpati Didis’, and other rural citizens. The objective is to connect families—who have had limited access to financial advice and pension services—with formal retirement and social security schemes.

Digital Tools to Monitor Pension Outreach and Enrolment

Under the agreement, digital tools will be used to monitor pension awareness and enrolment. The department’s ‘LokOS’ system, along with mobile and web-based platforms, dashboards and unique ID-based tracking, will help track outreach, progress and the performance of Pension Sakhis.

Rohit Kansal, Secretary of the Rural Development Department, stated that rural households have diverse income sources and livelihood patterns; therefore, it is essential to make social security a key component of rural economic development. He also emphasized transparency and financial literacy alongside pension awareness.

Mamta Shankar, Whole-Time Member (Economics) at PFRDA, emphasized the need for retirement planning amid trends of an aging and changing population. She expressed hope that this collaboration would boost the adoption of pension products, including the National Pension System (NPS), among rural households, as these families have limited access to formal retirement and social security systems.

The MoU combines PFRDA’s pension expertise with DAY-NRLM’s extensive rural network to boost pension awareness and enrolment. It also expands the role of women’s collectives and grassroots cadres in helping rural households build long-term financial security.

(PIB)

UPI Users, Take Note: No Charges on Payments Up to Rs 2,000 Under New Government Rule

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UPI Users, Take Note: No Charges on Payments Up to Rs 2,000 Under New Government Rule

The government has prohibited banks and payment system providers from levying any charges on UPI transactions up to ₹2,000 and payments made via RuPay debit cards. This directive was issued in a gazette notification on September 14. According to the notification, banks or payment system providers will not be able to levy any charges—directly or indirectly—on the person making or receiving the payment.

This decision follows an amendment to Section 10A of the Payment and Settlement Systems Act, 2007. The amendment establishes a legal framework for levying the Merchant Discount Rate (MDR) on UPI and other notified electronic payment modes.

This amendment bill was passed during the Monsoon Session of Parliament. The session concluded on August 13, 2026. Subsequently, the government stated that the UPI and Services Steering Committee chaired by the National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI) would decide on the MDR rates.

While highlighting the need for charges on UPI, the government stated that the rapid rise in transactions necessitates continuous investment in cybersecurity, fraud prevention, and the strengthening of payment infrastructure. According to the government, a sustainable revenue model is essential for the next phase of the digital payment system’s expansion.

Through UPI, operated by NPCI, people can send money to each other in real-time and make direct payments to shopkeepers and businesses. The usage of UPI has grown rapidly since its launch in 2016.

According to available data, the transaction value of UPI rose from ₹0.07 lakh crore in FY17 to approximately ₹314 lakh crore in FY26—an increase of more than 4,000 times over a decade.

UPI is now accepted in 11 countries, including Singapore, the United Arab Emirates, France, Mauritius, Nepal, Bhutan, Qatar, Sri Lanka, Cambodia, Greece, and Uzbekistan.

Dhiraj Bommadevara Wins Archery World Cup Final Gold, Scripts Historic First for India

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Dhiraj Bommadevara Wins Archery World Cup Final Gold, Scripts Historic First for India

Young Indian archer Dhiraj Bommadevara achieved a historic feat on Sunday by winning the men’s recurve title at the Archery World Cup Final. The 25-year-old Dhiraj secured the Gold Medal by defeating Japan’s Junya Nakanishi 6-5 in a thrilling shoot-off.

After five sets, both archers were tied at 5-5. In the subsequent shoot-off, Dhiraj delivered a brilliant performance, scoring 10 points, while Nakanishi managed only 9. With this, Dhiraj won the match.

With this victory, Dhiraj has become the first Indian male archer to win the men’s recurve title at the World Cup Final. Prior to this, Jayanta Talukdar had won a bronze medal in this prestigious competition in 2010.

This was Dheeraj’s third World Cup final. After missing out on a medal in 2023 and 2024, he made a magnificent comeback this time to secure the biggest individual title of his career.

This is India’s first individual gold medal in a World Cup Final since 2007. Dola Banerjee had won the title in the women’s category in 2007. This historic victory by Dhiraj has brought new recognition to Indian men’s recurve archery.

India-Malaysia Maritime Partnership Gets Boost as INS Mysore Concludes Samudra Laksamana

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India-Malaysia Maritime Partnership Gets Boost as INS Mysore Concludes Samudra Laksamana

The Indian Navy warship INS Mysore participated in the fourth edition of  Exercise Samudra Laksamana with the Royal Malaysian Navy at Lumut, Malaysia, from September 9 to 12, 2026. The objective of this bilateral exercise was to strengthen maritime cooperation, enhance interoperability, and improve operational coordination between the two navies.

The exercise commenced with the Harbour Phase, featuring professional interactions and exchanges between personnel from the Indian Navy and the Royal Malaysian Navy. These activities provided both sides with the opportunity to share operational experiences, discuss professional practices, and gain a better understanding of each other’s operating procedures.

Subsequently, the exercise was conducted at sea, where INS Mysore operated alongside the Malaysian Navy ships KD Lekir and KD Gagah Samudera. These vessels carried out joint maritime exercises to enhance mutual synergy and operational coordination. The exercise provided both sides with practical experience in working together at sea and greater familiarity with each other’s operational procedures.

The conclusion of Exercise Samudra Laksman reflects the steady expansion of defense and maritime ties between India and Malaysia. This exercise also advances the activities of mutual cooperation between the two nations, including those stemming from the 12th India-Malaysia Sub-Committee meeting held on July 1, 2026.

The successful completion of Exercise Samudra Laksamana further strengthens naval ties between the two countries and supports continued cooperation in the maritime domain.

(PIB)

14 Amrit Bharat Services Regularised, Connecting UP, Bihar, Gujarat, Maharashtra and Tamil Nadu

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14 Amrit Bharat Services Regularised, Connecting UP, Bihar, Gujarat, Maharashtra and Tamil Nadu

Indian Railways recorded significant growth in both passenger and freight sectors in August 2026. During this period, the railways transported 137.9 million tonnes of freight, marking a 5.4 percent increase compared to the 130.9 million tonnes recorded in August 2025. To meet rising passenger demand, 14 Amrit Bharat services were regularized, while five new Gati Shakti Cargo Terminals (GCTs) were launched to strengthen last-mile connectivity for freight transport.

Revenue generated by the railways from freight transport also saw a 6.27 percent increase in August 2026 compared to August 2025. According to the railways, the rise in freight transport reflects sustained demand for transportation across the country’s major industrial regions.

Iron Ore, Coal and Container Freight See Strong Growth

Rail freight movement of several key commodities gained momentum in August. Iron ore freight increased by 12.1%, while Clinker freight rose by 10.4% and Domestic Container freight by 9.2%. Coal freight also recorded a 6% increase. Additionally, the transportation of Finished Steel increased by 4.9 percent, Mineral Oil by 3.1 percent, and Fertilizers by 1.6 percent. An increase of 8.2 percent was recorded in the transportation of other goods.

According to the Railways, increased freight transport in these regions has strengthened industrial supply chains. In particular, the growth in container transport has facilitated the more efficient movement of various types of goods from one location to another via the rail network.

Five New Gati Shakti Cargo Terminals to Strengthen Freight Network

Five new Gati Shakti Cargo Terminals were commissioned in August 2026. With this, the total number of GCTs operational in the country reached 149 by August 31.

The newly commissioned terminals

  • Shivlakha — Gujarat
  • Nalli — Tamil Nadu
  • Shaktinagar — Uttar Pradesh
  • Deoragram — Madhya Pradesh
  • Brajrajnagar — Odisha

The objective of the GCT network is to provide freight handling facilities close to production and consumption centers. This can help reduce unnecessary movement of goods, better manage logistics costs and time, and accelerate the evacuation of goods from industrial areas.

14 Amrit Bharat Services Regularized to Expand Rail Connectivity

On the passenger services front, 14 Amrit Bharat services were upgraded from special trains to regular services in August, bringing the total number of Amrit Bharat services in the country to 86.

These include major services such as Subedarganj–Lokmanya Tilak Terminus, Gorakhpur–Bandra Terminus, Gorakhpur–Delhi Junction, Ahmedabad–Bhagalpur, Lokmanya Tilak Terminus–Prayagraj Junction, Prayagraj Junction–Udhna Junction, and Dhanbad–Coimbatore.

According to railway data, 67.27 crore  passengers traveled by rail in August 2026, compared to 64.43 crore in August 2025. Strong growth was also recorded in suburban traffic; 38.01 crore suburban passengers traveled in August 2026, which is 9.02 percent higher than the 34.89 crore recorded the previous year.

To meet the additional demand during the festive season, the Railways also increased the operation of special trains on the occasion of Raksha Bandhan. Between August 25 and 31, 2026, a total of 144 trips of special trains were operated, compared with 48 trips between August 8 and 14, 2025.

The expansion of the Railways’ passenger and freight networks in August reflects its strategy to enhance capacity in line with growing demand. While the Amrit Bharat services have provided long-distance passengers with additional affordable travel options, the new GCTs are expected to strengthen rail-based freight transportation and logistics connectivity for industries.

(PIB)

BRICS Summit: WHO Chief Stresses Health as the Foundation of Sustainable Development

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BRICS Summit: WHO Chief Stresses Health as the Foundation of Sustainable Development

World Health Organization (WHO) Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus directly linked the four key themes of the 18th BRICS Summit: resilience, innovation, cooperation, and sustainability, to progress in the health sector. He also urged BRICS leaders to strengthen the health sector and place it at the center of global development.

WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus wrote in a post on the social media platform ‘X’, “The four key themes of the BRICS Leaders’ Summit are directly related to health, and progress in the health sector can help advance all of these goals.” He stated that resilience, one of the key goals, can be advanced by strengthening primary health services, improving disease surveillance, developing early warning systems, and increasing local production of essential health products.

Similarly, the goal of “innovation” can be advanced by harnessing science, digital health, and artificial intelligence (AI) for public health and ensuring that their benefits reach everyone. The goal of “cooperation” can be advanced by working together between countries and different sectors, including by finalizing provisions related to access to pathogens and benefit sharing under the WHO Pandemic Agreement.

Similarly, the goal of “sustainability” can be advanced by creating sustainable financing mechanisms for health services and making the global health system stronger and better coordinated. Director-General Tedros Ghebreyesus presented four demands to BRICS leaders: Strengthen preparedness and health systems before the next health disaster or emergency.

Use innovation and new technologies to address problems and areas often overlooked by the market. Cooperation between countries and different sectors should not be limited to mere words, but should be implemented on the ground. Sustain the systems and achievements that have been made in the long run through political will, effective implementation and accountability.

Incentive Scheme for Domestic PNG Connections: Clean and Affordable Cooking Gas for Every Household

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Incentive Scheme for Domestic PNG Connections: Clean and Affordable Cooking Gas for Every Household

The Central Government’s new incentive scheme to expand access to domestic Piped Natural Gas (PNG) came into effect on September 1, 2026. Under this scheme, City Gas Distribution (CGD) companies that add domestic PNG connections beyond their set targets will receive an additional allocation of 200 Standard Cubic Meters (SCM) of APM gas for each extra connection.

This scheme, to be implemented over a six-month period, aims to activate dormant domestic connections and accelerate the expansion of the PNG network into new areas. The government expects that the additional allocation of affordable gas will make it more economically attractive for companies to increase domestic connections.

India Records 1.74 Crore Domestic PNG Connections

The Petroleum and Natural Gas Regulatory Board (PNGRB) has authorized CGD entities across 309 geographical areas in the country. These areas cover the entire mainland of the nation. According to the government, India currently has around 1.74 crore domestic PNG connections across the country.

PNG is supplied directly to homes via a pipeline. Consumers do not have to go through the processes of booking, storage, and delivery associated with LPG cylinders. Consumption is recorded via a meter, and payment is made based on the gas actually used.

Continuous supply through a pipeline eliminates the hassle of running out of gas and waiting for cylinder deliveries. PNG is considered a relatively cleaner option compared to many traditional cooking fuels, which can help reduce indoor air pollution and emissions.

200 SCM of APM Gas for Every Additional Connection

Under the scheme, a prescribed threshold for domestic PNG connections has been set for each Geographical Area (GA). Eligible City Gas Distribution (CGD) entities that achieve incremental billed domestic PNG connections above the prescribed threshold during the scheme period will receive an additional allocation of 200 Standard Cubic Metres (SCM) of APM gas for every such incremental connection.

The additional allocation of APM gas will help CGD entities reduce their dependence on costlier Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG), which they currently procure for the Compressed Natural Gas (Transport) segment. Replacing a portion of this LNG with lower-cost APM gas is expected to reduce their overall gas sourcing costs.

According to government estimates, this incentive could reduce the payback period for investments made in domestic PNG networks from approximately 10 years to around three years. This will provide companies with a strong business incentive to extend pipeline networks to more households.

Government Takes Key Steps to Expand PNG Network

In addition to incentive schemes, the government has undertaken several initiatives at both regulatory and digital levels to expand the domestic PNG network. Provisions have been made to expedite the approval process for pipeline projects under the ‘Natural Gas and Petroleum Product Distribution (through laying, building, operating, and expanding pipelines and other facilities) Order, 2026’.

A uniform fee structure has also been implemented for the use of land or public spaces regarding the Right of Way (RoW) for laying PNG pipelines. Provisions have been made to process applications on a priority basis within a stipulated timeframe.

States are also being encouraged to reduce VAT to 5 percent to lower the cost of natural gas. Several states have already taken steps in this direction. Additionally, the ‘National PNG Campaign 2.0’ was conducted from January 1 to June 30, 2026, with the aim of accelerating the rollout of domestic PNG connections.

An integrated PNG registration portal is also being developed to make it easier for consumers to apply for new connections and track their application status. The broader objective of these government initiatives and the new incentive scheme is to connect more households with clean, convenient, and reliable pipeline-based cooking fuel.

(PIB)

BRICS Is Open to All, Respects Everyone: PM Modi Emphasizes Inclusive Approach

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BRICS Is Open to All, Respects Everyone: PM Modi Emphasizes Inclusive Approach

The 18th BRICS Summit commenced today, Saturday. Prime Minister Narendra Modi formally inaugurated the event at Bharat Mandapam, extending a warm welcome to the member nations. In his address, he clarified that the group is not against anyone but strives to respect everyone.

Addressing the summit, PM Modi said, “It gives me immense pleasure to welcome and greet you all to India. India’s BRICS presidency is based on a people-centric and humanity-first approach. Resilience, innovation, cooperation, and sustainability have been our priorities. Alongside these priorities, we have placed special emphasis on connecting BRICS cooperation with the common people.”

He further added, “With this vision, more than 350 meetings were organized. We had the opportunity to welcome your teams to nearly 30 cities. I express my heartfelt gratitude to all of you for your active contribution and support in making India’s BRICS presidency a success.”

Elaborating on the essence of BRICS, PM Modi stated, “This year’s BRICS Summit marks a historic milestone. We are celebrating the 20th anniversary of BRICS. In human life, the age of 20 marks the beginning of a new phase of maturity and responsibility. It is a stage where responsibilities align with dreams, and potential finds a new direction. Today, BRICS, too, is at a moment of ‘coming of age.’ Over the past 20 years, BRICS has carved a distinct identity for itself on the global stage. We respect each other’s perspectives and move forward with a sense of duty. We do not stand against anyone; rather, we strive to move forward with the vision of taking everyone along.”

Speaking on the roadmap for the next 20 years, PM Modi said that the time has come to translate our unity and consensus within BRICS into tangible results on the global stage. We must work on a new and ambitious agenda for the coming two decades, and we need to begin this process by refining our own working systems. The BRICS chairmanship rotates annually, but this should not halt our institutional momentum. I propose a BRICS ‘Continuity and Implementation Mechanism.’ This would enable the follow-up of all initiatives and outcomes through the Troika.

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