1. Skydo Becomes First Indian Cross-Border Platform Licensed in Canada
Bengaluru-based fintech startup Skydo has officially secured an international payment license in Canada, making it the first Indian cross-border payments platform to receive regulatory approval overseas.
- The Impact: This license, granted under Canada's Retail Payment Activities Act, allows Skydo to facilitate two-way payment flows (collections and payouts) between India and Canada.
- Strategic Growth: It marks a major evolution for the firm, transforming it from an India-centric collection service into a multi-country payments operator, providing a significant base for its planned expansion across North America.
2. Mahesh Dixit Appointed as New IB Director
The Appointments Committee of the Cabinet (ACC) officially appointed senior IPS officer Mahesh Dixit as the new Director of the Intelligence Bureau (IB).
- Succession: Dixit, a 1993-batch IPS officer of the Andhra Pradesh cadre, officially succeeds incumbent Tapan Kumar Deka.
- Background: Known for his deep operational expertise, Dixit has previously led the Subsidiary Intelligence Bureau in Jammu and Kashmir, playing a pivotal role in security operations following the revocation of Article 370. His tenure as DIB is set for two years.
3. NCERT Introduces Chapter on 1975 Emergency
The National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT) has introduced a dedicated chapter on the 1975–77 Emergency in its revised Class 9 Social Science textbook for the first time.
- Curriculum Focus: The new material, titled "Challenges to Democratic Practices in India," frames the Emergency as a critical test for Indian democracy. It covers key events such as the suspension of Fundamental Rights, press censorship, and the widespread arrests of political leaders.
- Purpose: According to official statements, the inclusion aims to help students better understand the importance of constitutional values, civil liberties, and the resilience of democratic institutions.
