Good morning! Here’s your quick catch-up on the biggest stories making headlines today.
A naval collision between Indian and Pakistani warships in the Arabian Sea has triggered a diplomatic protest, with India calling the incident unacceptable and unprofessional.
In a separate move affecting millions of workers, the government has raised the mandatory PF salary ceiling from ₹15,000 to ₹25,000, expanding EPF and EPS coverage to 51 lakh more employees.
Also in today’s Bhaskar Smart Brief, don’t miss our breakdown of what the new UPI merchant payment charges mean and who will actually pay. Elsewhere, veteran actor Anant Nag is set to receive the Dadasaheb Phalke Award, while India’s West Indies squads bring fresh combinations and notable absences.
Along with these, we’ve rounded up the other top stories you need to start your day.
Today’s Top Headlines
India, Pak warships collide in Arabian Sea
A routine naval patrol has turned into a diplomatic flashpoint after Indian and Pakistani warships collided in the Arabian Sea. India says the Pakistani vessel approached at high speed and made an incorrect turn, leading to the collision.
India has since summoned Pakistan’s Chargé d’Affaires and lodged a strong protest, calling the incident unacceptable and unprofessional. The Pakistani vessel, identified as PNS Hunain, was reportedly damaged. With details of the incident still emerging, the focus now shifts to how Pakistan responds. READ MORE
EPF eligibility salary limit raised to ₹25,000 monthly
A bigger paycheque may now come with a bigger retirement cushion for millions of workers. The government has raised the mandatory PF salary ceiling from ₹15,000 to ₹25,000 a month, bringing 51 lakh more employees under EPF and EPS coverage.
The change matters because the limit has stayed unchanged since 2014. Employees earning between ₹15,000 and ₹25,000 will now gain access to PF savings and pensions, while companies must extend coverage under the revised ceiling. READ MORE
UPI rules change from Oct 15: What stays free?
UPI has made paying for almost anything as easy as scanning a QR code. So, news of new charges from October 15 has naturally raised questions. But the change is not about making everyday UPI transfers costly.
The revised MDR framework applies to certain merchant transactions, while person-to-person payments remain free. So, who actually pays, how much could be charged, and where does the money go? Here’s what changes.
For users, the key point is simpler: sending money to friends or family remains free. The bigger change concerns merchant payments and how they are charged. READ MORE
Dadasaheb Phalke Award 2024 goes to Anant Nag
Some actors make films. A few become part of generations of memories. Kannada actor Anant Nag belongs to the latter. With more than 300 films across languages, the veteran actor has now been chosen for the Dadasaheb Phalke Award 2024, one of Indian cinema’s highest honours.
From Malgudi Days to KGF, Nag has remained a familiar face across generations. The honour will be presented at the National Film Awards ceremony in Gujarat on September 22. READ MORE
Hardik out again; Dhir, Jurel, Nabi get maiden call-up for WI series
India’s next white-ball assignment comes with some unexpected gaps—and a few fresh faces ready to step up against West Indies. Hardik Pandya has again missed out on both squads, while Ruturaj Gaikwad returns to the ODI side after a long wait, adding another option to India’s top order.
With Shreyas Iyer and Jasprit Bumrah away for the Asian Games, the balance of the team will change. Mohammed Siraj is back to lead the pace attack, but the bigger question is how India uses its new combinations. READ MORE
The Day Ahead 1. Tata Sons board is scheduled to meet in Mumbai today. RBI ruling regarding Core Investment Company (CIC) and NBFC registration, Chandrasekaran succession, and Trusts row in focus. Chairman N.Chandrasekaran announced in August that he will not seek a 3rd term when his current tenure expires on Feb 20, 2027
2. The NSE IPO officially opens for public subscription today. India’s biggest bourse is set to make its market debut, marking the country’s 2nd-largest public issue to date. It is seeking an overall market valuation of ₹4.42 lakh crore at the upper end of the price band, which is set at ₹1,700–₹1,785 per equity share
3. PM Modi to inaugurate SEMICON India 2026 in New Delhi on his 76th Birthday. Over 600 companies and representatives from 52 countries are expected to participate. The core aim is to accelerate India’s transition from a technology consumer and chip-design hub into a global semiconductor manufacturing, assembly, and systems powerhouse.
4. The Supreme Court is scheduled to hear a crucial plea filed by the Centre concerning how the ‘creamy layer’ criteria among Other Backward Classes (OBCs) should be identified and applied retrospectively to candidates who cleared the Civil Services Examination (CSE) 2025.
5. India are set to face Afghanistan in the third T20I of the three-match series at New Delhi’s Arun Jaitley Stadium on September 17. With a 2-0 lead, India will aim for a clean sweep, while Afghanistan will look to end the series on a positive note. Changes are expected in India’s playing XI, with Vaibhav Sooryavanshi likely to be included.
Visual Of The Day
‘Family, Faith & Festivity’: Actor Salman Khan joins brother Sohail’s family for Ganpati aarti after Visarjan (Photo: Salman’s PR team)
Today In History
Statement Of The Day
News With A Twist Ant pulls tiny Lord Ganesha chariot!
Sometimes, the strangest stories are the ones that sound too odd to be true. An ant pulls a tiny Lord Ganesha chariot, a garba partner is available for hire, and a seemingly lifeless snake gets a second chance through an unusual rescue effort.
And that’s not all. For those dreaming of escaping Earth, a 90-minute space trip now comes with a ₹6.4-crore price tag. From ingenious fixes to tiny feats and unexpected adventures, these stories show just how unpredictable the news can get.
Here are five quirky stories that grabbed attention across the world. READ MORE News In Headlines
- ₹1 crore US job fee may hit 3.63 lakh Indian students READ MORE
- Who funded free UPI, and who gets paid now? READ MORE
- Who will decide what you watch? RSS forms OTT content panel READ MORE
- Pak refuses to play Hockey Asian Champions Trophy in India READ MORE
- India faces 100% tariff over Russian oil READ MORE
- Modi’s schoolmate gets land back after PM meeting READ MORE
