A step-by-step guide on how to use BHIM app

 At a programme in New Delhi on Friday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched the mobile payment app BHIM (Bharat Interface for Money). Developed by the National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI), BHIM is an aggregator for all UPI-based services offered by banks.

UPI, or Unified Payment Interface, is a payment system that allows money transfer between any two bank accounts by using a smartphone. UPI allows a customer to pay directly from a bank account to different merchants, both online and offline, without the hassle of typing credit card details, IFSC code, or net banking/wallet passwords.

Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to use the app:

1. Android users can download the application from Play Store by searching for ‘BHIM’. The app is not available for iOS users yet.

2. Install the application and choose your language. The app will prompt you to verify your phone number using an SMS. Click on Next and wait for the verification process to be completed.

3. Once the verification is complete, input a four digit passcode.

4. After a passocode is set, the app will ask you to select your bank. Once the bank is selected, the app automatically picks up your details using your phone number. Select the primary bank account that will be used for all your transactions.

5. The app displays three options — send, request and scan/pay. Transactions are possible only between verified phone numbers.

6. To send money to someone, type in their phone number and the amount to be transferred. The app will prompt you to input your MPIN, usually a four or a six digit code that authenticates a mobile transaction.

7. Likewise, you can request money from someone, using their phone number.

8. The third option, scan & pay, allows users to transfer money using a QR code, a two dimensional black and white barcode which can be decoded by a smartphone or a tablet. Each phone number is assigned a QR code which can be accessed under profile on the home screen.

Google introduces tools for small businesses in India

Google India on Wednesday announced key initiatives for the small and medium businesses in India, including a new tool that would help them create an online presence, besides a digital training programme.

The announcement was made by Google CEO Sundar Pichai, who is in the national capital for a day. Mr. Pichai said the brand new tool — My Business, has been introduced in India first and would be taken to other countries gradually.

Google My Business would help small businesses set up website from their mobile devices. All they need is a smartphone and a few minutes, he said.

“We’ve learnt that when we solve for a place like India, we solve for everyone around the world,” Mr. Pichai said.

The tech giant also launched Digital Unlocked, an education programme in association with industry body FICCI and Indian School of Business. The programme will impart mobile and online courses to help small businesses.

Dhoni steps down as ODI, T20 captain

Mahendra Singh Dhoni on Wednesday stepped down as captain 

A BCCI press-release stated: “Mahendra Singh Dhoni has informed the BCCI, that he wishes to step down as the captain of the Indian Cricket Team from the One Day Internationals and the T20 Internationals formats of the game. He will be available for the selection for the Paytm One Day Trophy and Paytm T20I Trophy against England and the same has been conveyed to the Senior Selection Committee."

Through the press-release, the BCCI CEO Rahul Johri declared: “On behalf of every Indian cricket fan and the BCCI, I would like to thank M.S. Dhoni for his outstanding contribution as the captain of the Indian team across all formats. Under his leadership, Indian team has touched new heights and his achievements will remain etched forever in the annals of Indian cricket.”

Apple plans to make iPhones for the Indian market in Bengaluru

Apple plans to make iPhones for the Indian market in Bengaluru. Wistron, a Taiwanese OEM maker for Apple, is setting up a facility in Peenya, the city's industrial hub, to manufacture the iPhones. The facility will start production from next April, according to industry sources.

Top sources in the company confirmed to TOI that Apple is "very serious" about beginning assembly operations —and thereafter full manufacture — in India by the end of next year. "Bangalore is being looked at seriously," said multiple sources within the company. Local manufacture will help Apple price its phones competitively as full imports attract 12.5% additional duty.

Foxconn, Apple's largest Taiwan-based OEM, earlier committed to setting up a manufacturing plant in Maharashtra. The assumption was the plant would make only Apple products. But sources say Foxconn has tied up with other players like Xiaomi and OnePlus for local manufacture and not necessarily to only make Apple products there.

This will be Apple's second big announcement for Bengaluru. In May, Apple announced a design and development accelerator in the city to grow the iOS developer community and also to guide Indian developers to leverage Apple's programming language Swift and build apps for Apple TV and Apple Watch. The facility will open early next year.

The Bengaluru manufacturing facility underscores India's importance for the Cupertino-based company. Apple CEO Tim Cook's multi-city India tour earlier this year signalled the growing importance of India powered by the demand for Apple products by a burgeoning middle class. Data from Hong Kong-based Counterpoint Technology Market Research showed that Apple sold 2.5 million iPhones in India from October 2015 to September 2016, a rise of more than 50% over the year-ago period.

33 MLAs of People's Party of Arunachal join BJP

Politics turned a full circle in Arunachal Pradesh on Saturday when 33 of the 43 People's Party of Arunachal (PPA) MLAs joined the saffron party in Itanagar. PPA is left with only 10 MLAs in the 60-member house.

Cash withdrawal limit from ATMs increased to Rs 4,500 per day from January 1

The RBI has decided to increase the cash withdrawal limit from ATMs to Rs 4,500 per day from the present Rs 2,500 with effect from January 1.

However, there is no change in the weekly withdrawal limits, which stays at Rs 24,000.

"On a review of the position, the daily limit of withdrawal from ATMs has been increased (within the overall weekly limits specified) with effect from January 01, 2017, from the existing Rs 2500/- to Rs 4500/- per day per card. There is no change in weekly withdrawal limits. Such disbursals should predominantly be in the denomination of Rs 500," said RBI in a statement.

Earlier today, Finance Minister Arun Jaitley had said that RBI has enough currency and situation of cash supply has improved significantly.

Friday was the last day of the 50-day window to deposit demonetised notes in banks.

Long queues were seen at bank branches and ATMs.

PM Modi likely to address nation on New Year eve

With the 50-day period for depositing of demonetised notes of Rs 500 and Rs 1,000 expiring on Friday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to address the nation before the dawn of the New Year.

"Prime Minister Narendra Modi is likely to address the nation before dawn of the New Year," sources said.

The PM, announcing the demonetisation of Rs 500 and Rs 1,000 notes on November 8, had urged the nation to give him 50 days to get things back on track.


In his address, the Prime Minister may speak about the roadmap post the demonetisation period, especially on the steps likely to be taken to ease cash flow that has been a major problem ever since demonetisation took place.

He may also speak on the steps to deal with the problems the economy faces after the demonetisation was announced on November 8.

The Prime Minister in his public meetings in the last few weeks has been urging the people to bear with the pain following the government's decision and that it would start easing gradually once the 50-day period is over.

On Tuesday, Modi met economists and experts at a meeting in Niti Aayog to discuss the current economic situation.