Banking and RBI
RBI issues Digital Payments E-mandate Framework, 2026
21 April 2026 | Reserve Bank of India press release 2026-2027/116; The Hindu BusinessLine
On 21 April 2026 the RBI issued consolidated directions titled Digital Payments - E-mandate Framework, 2026. The RBI says they consolidate existing instructions with a few minor changes based on stakeholder feedback, and take effect immediately.
As reported by The Hindu BusinessLine: customers must complete a one-time registration with additional factor authentication (AFA), and issuers must send a pre-transaction notification at least 24 hours before a debit and a post-transaction notification. Recurring transactions up to Rs 15,000 can be authorised without AFA; for insurance premiums, mutual fund subscriptions and credit card bill payments the limit is Rs 1,00,000 per transaction. No charges can be levied on customers for the e-mandate facility, and existing card e-mandates can be mapped to re-issued cards.
Key facts- Framework: Digital Payments - E-mandate Framework, 2026
- Effective: immediately, 21 April 2026
- Without AFA: up to Rs 15,000; Rs 1,00,000 for insurance, MF, card bills
- Pre-debit notification: at least 24 hours before
Exam takeaway: AFA means additional factor authentication, an extra check beyond the normal login.
Quick revision: RBI E-mandate Framework 2026: Rs 15,000 no-AFA limit (Rs 1 lakh for insurance/MF/card bills); 24-hour pre-debit alert.
Reserve Bank of India press release 2026-2027/116; The Hindu BusinessLine original sourceEconomy and Finance
NPCI Bharat BillPay adds Postal Life Insurance as a biller
21 April 2026 | CNBC TV18
NPCI Bharat BillPay Limited (NBBL) has onboarded Postal Life Insurance (PLI) as a biller in the insurance category on the Bharat Connect platform, CNBC TV18 reported on 21 April 2026. Policyholders of PLI and Rural Postal Life Insurance (RPLI) can pay renewal premiums via Bharat Connect-enabled online platforms and offline agent networks. State Bank of India acted as the Biller Operating Unit (BOU).
PLI, operated by India Post under the Department of Posts, services over 1.25 crore active policies and processes about 2.5 lakh transactions daily. Insurance billers on Bharat Connect have risen to 65. The platform supports more than 22,600 billers across 29 categories. NBBL is a wholly owned subsidiary of NPCI.
Key facts- Biller added: Postal Life Insurance (PLI and RPLI)
- Biller Operating Unit: State Bank of India
- Insurance billers on Bharat Connect: 65
- Platform: 22,600+ billers, 29 categories
Exam takeaway: A Biller Operating Unit (BOU) is the bank that onboards and supports billers on Bharat Connect.
Quick revision: NBBL onboards Postal Life Insurance on Bharat Connect; SBI is BOU; 65 insurance billers.
CNBC TV18 original sourceAppointments, Awards and Important Days
Civil Services Day 2026: Minister cites governance reform figures
21 April 2026 | Daily Excelsior
Union Minister Dr Jitendra Singh, in charge of DoPT, Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions, addressed Civil Services Day in New Delhi on 21 April 2026. He said entries for the Prime Minister's Awards for Excellence rose from 1,216 in 2023 to 1,588 in 2024 and 2,035 in 2025 across over 750 districts.
He cited more than 88 lakh officials on the iGOTKarmayogi platform who have accessed over 2,000 courses, and CPGRAMS grievances rising from about 2 lakh a year in 2014 to 25-30 lakh now, with over 95 per cent disposed of and average resolution time down from 60 days to about 12 days. He also mentioned removal of nearly 2,000 obsolete rules.
Key facts- Day: Civil Services Day, 21 April 2026
- PM Excellence Awards entries: 1,216 (2023), 1,588 (2024), 2,035 (2025)
- iGOTKarmayogi: 88 lakh+ officials, 2,000+ courses
- CPGRAMS resolution time: about 60 days to about 12 days
Exam takeaway: Civil Services Day is observed on 21 April each year.
Quick revision: Civil Services Day 21 Apr 2026: PM Awards entries 2,035 (2025); CPGRAMS resolution about 12 days.
Daily Excelsior original source