UCC Push Puts JD(U) In A Spot As Party Opposes Uniform Law In Bihar Ahead Of 2029

The central government has formally notified a change under the Payment and Settlement Systems Act, barring banks and payment system providers from imposing direct or indirect charges on Unified Payments Interface (UPI) transactions up to 2,000 rupees. The decision ensures no fee, levy, or additional charge applies to making or receiving payments within this limit. The government has also prohibited charges on RuPay debit card payments and kept person-to-person UPI transfers free. While individual transactions remain exempt from extra costs, merchant discount rates may apply to large entities with high turnover for transactions exceeding 2,000 rupees.

In this India Today Programme Video, anchor Marya Shakil takes up the intensifying global race to develop artificial intelligence and the growing debate over whether humans can keep pace with the technology they are creating. With tech leaders including Anthropic CEO Dario Amodei, OpenAI’s Sam Altman, Elon Musk and Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella warning about AI development outpacing safety guardrails, the question of how far the AI race should go is becoming increasingly urgent. US President Donald Trump, however, has rejected calls for slowing down, arguing that the United States cannot afford to fall behind China.

This special broadcast covers major developments in technology, crime investigations, and civic regulations. The report examines global debates on artificial intelligence safety following the resignation of Anthropic researcher Jacob Coxon, who cited existential threats from unchecked development. Anthropic Chief Executive Dario Amodei outlined a three-step framework covering embedded reviewers, industry safety standards, and international coordination, alongside reactions from international leaders and industry executives Vineet Nayar and CP Gurnani regarding sovereign AI regulations and technological monopolies. In Gurugram, authorities investigate a hit-and-run incident after a woman biker named Sia was struck by a speeding vehicle amid family allegations of a deliberate collision. In Mumbai, the Central Bureau of Investigation registered a fresh FIR in the death case of celebrity manager Disha Salian following directions from the Bombay High Court. The broadcast also reviews civic concerns regarding high-decibel sound systems during Ganesh Utsav in Maharashtra with activist Vidyanand Bapat.

In an interview with India Today, Dr. Arvind Gupta, Head of the Digital India Foundation, analyzed the global race for artificial intelligence and contrasted the technological paradigms of major world powers. Addressing China's proposal to offer open-source artificial intelligence to BRICS nations, Dr. Gupta dismissed the gesture, remarking, "There's nothing called free in technology." He outlined the core differences in national tech models, explaining that the Chinese model focuses on surveillance, the American approach centers on capitalism, and the Indian framework champions technology for development and humanity. Dr. Gupta highlighted Prime Minister Narendra Modi's consistent push for the non-weaponization of artificial intelligence, noting that global tech giants are now acknowledging these risks. He also addressed the rapid commercial developments in Silicon Valley and the critical need to build safety guardrails.