Current Affairs - Business

BLS International Services Ltd has been contracted by India’s Ministry of External Affairs to establish and manage Indian Visa Application Centres in three major Chinese cities: Beijing, Shanghai, and Guangzhou. The centres will provide technology-driven, user-friendly visa services with advanced infrastructure and multilingual staff. This contract, effective from October 14, 2025, follows India’s resumption of tourist visas for Chinese nationals, aiming to strengthen people-to-people and diplomatic ties. BLS International, a global leader in visa outsourcing and citizen services, will play a key role in facilitating efficient visa processing and enhancing bilateral engagement between India and China.

Bajaj Finserv AMC introduced the ‘Pay with Mutual Fund’ feature, enabling investors to make UPI payments directly using their mutual fund holdings. This facility leverages the Insta Redemption mechanism, allowing redemption of up to ₹50,000 or 90% of the investment in real time. By partnering with fintech firm Curie Money, Bajaj Finserv ensures seamless integration of investment and payment systems, allowing users to maintain liquidity while earning higher returns than traditional savings accounts. This innovation marks a significant step in making mutual fund investments instantly usable for everyday transactions, blending investing with payment convenience.

The Government of India has entered into a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Zomato to generate around 2.5 lakh job opportunities every year through the National Career Service (NCS) portal. This collaboration aims to integrate gig and platform-based employment into India’s formal job ecosystem. By doing so, it seeks to provide better access to job opportunities for youth, ensure transparency in recruitment, and support the rapidly growing gig economy by offering structured and officially recognised employment pathways.

Ring One is an innovative smart ring created by Muse Wearables, an IIT-Madras-incubated startup. It merges health monitoring features with seamless contactless payment capabilities, making it a multifunctional wearable device. The ring utilises advanced tokenization technology to ensure secure transactions and includes a Secure Element chip for added data protection. By simply tapping the ring on an NFC terminal, users can make payments without carrying their phone, card, or wallet, offering both convenience and enhanced digital security in everyday life.

The Adani Group has been awarded the project to build a 12.9 km ropeway from Sonprayag to Kedarnath, cutting the current nine-hour trek to just 36 minutes. The ₹4,081 crore project will employ Tri-cable Detachable Gondola (3S) technology, enhancing stability and safety in high-altitude conditions. Designed to carry 1,800 passengers per hour per direction, it aims to boost pilgrimage accessibility, tourism, and regional economic development in Uttarakhand. Built under a Public-Private Partnership model, Adani will operate the ropeway for 29 years, generating local employment opportunities while ensuring safer and faster travel for pilgrims, particularly the elderly and those with health concerns.