Unified Payments Interface (UPI)
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- Context: Unified Payments Interface has completed 10 years since its launch in 2016.
- The network has expanded rapidly, with participating banks rising from 216 (2021) to 691 (2026).
- Has significantly improved access to digital payments.
- Provides affordable and user-friendly payment options across both urban and rural regions.
- UPI services are now operational in more than eight countries, including: United Arab Emirates, Singapore, Bhutan, Nepal, Sri Lanka, France, Mauritius, Qatar
About UPI
- A real-time payment platform that allows instant transfer of money between bank accounts using a mobile device.
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- Eliminates the need for traditional banking details during transactions.
- Managed by the National Payments Corporation of India.
- Enables users to send and receive money across different banks and apps through a single UPI ID/interface.
- Ensures seamless integration across platforms.
Key Functional Features
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- Instant fund transfer facility
- 24×7 availability
- QR code-based payments
- Supports: Person-to-Person (P2P), Person-to-Merchant (P2M) transactions
Security Mechanism
- Uses two-factor authentication for verification.
- Built on secure digital protocols to ensure safe and reliable transactions.
Southern Railway – 75th Foundation Day
- Context: Southern Railway, one of the oldest zones of Indian Railways, celebrates its 75th Foundation Day today, April 14.
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- On April 14, 1951, Southern Railway was formed through the amalgamation of the Madras & Southern Mahratta Railway, the South Indian Railway, and the Mysore State Railway.
- The history of railways in South India began in 1856 with the operation of the first train from Royapuram to Arcot (Walajah Road).
- The railway network expanded nationally through connections established with the West Coast in the 1860s, Mumbai in the 1870s, and Howrah in the 1900s.
- Key achievements of Southern Railway include the Nilgiri Mountain Railway (1899) and the Pamban Bridge (1925).
- While preserving its rich heritage, Southern Railway remains committed to providing modern technology, safety, and world-class amenities.
About Southern Railway
- Southern Railway’s current network spans a vast region of the southern Indian peninsula.
- It covers the states of Tamil Nadu, Kerala, and Puducherry, as well as a small portion of Andhra Pradesh.
- Its coverage extends from Mangalore (West Coast) to Kanyakumari (South), and from Renigunta (Northwest) to Gudur (Northeast).
- The headquarters of Southern Railway is located in the city of Chennai.
- Southern Railway comprises a total of 6 divisions: Chennai, Tiruchirappalli, Madurai, Palakkad, Thiruvananthapuram, Salem
About Indian Railways
- In India, railway transportation was first introduced in 1853 during the tenure of Lord Dalhousie as Governor-Generalbetween Bombay and Thane.
- In terms of railway infrastructure, India ranks 4th globally, following the United States, Russia, and China.
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- Indian Railways is divided into 18 zones.
- Four sites associated with Indian Railways are included in the UNESCO World Heritage Sites list:
- Darjeeling Himalayan Railway (1999)
- Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus (2004)
- Nilgiri Mountain Railway (2005)
- Kalka–Shimla Railway (2008)
