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Harsh Kumar

Harsh Kumar

Harsh Kumar

Harsh Kumar is a Business Standard reporter for economic affairs. He has previously worked as a financial journalist with Moneycontrol and Outlook group, focusing on comprehensive coverage of financial services and the MSME (micro, small , and medium enterprises) ministry. Kumar is an alumnus of Jamia Millia Islamia, where he studied journalism and media studies.

Harsh Kumar is a Business Standard reporter for economic affairs. He has previously worked as a financial journalist with Moneycontrol and Outlook group, focusing on comprehensive coverage of financial services and the MSME (micro, small , and medium enterprises) ministry. Kumar is an alumnus of Jamia Millia Islamia, where he studied journalism and media studies.

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Harsh Kumar

Cyber threats a risk, but financial sector well equipped: DFS secretary

US tariff easing brightens outlook for Indian exporters, says DFS secy Nagaraju

Cyber threats a risk, but financial sector well equipped: DFS secretary
Updated On : 17 Feb 2026 | 11:19 PM IST

Govt weighs AI-based credit scores to expand access to formal finance

The Centre is exploring AI-based credit scoring and UPI-linked credit lines to widen access to formal finance for women, first-time borrowers and vulnerable communities

Govt weighs AI-based credit scores to expand access to formal finance
Updated On : 17 Feb 2026 | 11:34 PM IST

DFS secy opens CGHS facilitation camps as NIACL launches Ayush mediclaim

M Nagaraju inaugurated NIACL's facilitation camps to raise awareness and onboard CGHS beneficiaries for the new 'Paripoorna Mediclaim Ayush Bima', offering flexible, GST-free health cover

DFS secy opens CGHS facilitation camps as NIACL launches Ayush mediclaim
Updated On : 17 Feb 2026 | 8:10 PM IST

DFS secy urges stronger BC ecosystem, better services and process upgrades

M Nagaraju highlighted the vital role of Business Correspondents in last-mile banking, urging continuous process improvement, service expansion and enhanced digital oversight to meet customer needs

DFS secy urges stronger BC ecosystem, better services and process upgrades
Updated On : 17 Feb 2026 | 8:05 PM IST

Govt weighs making National Pension System mandatory for gig workers

Government weighs mandatory NPS coverage for gig and unorganised workers, explores auto-enrolment and digital onboarding to widen pension net and boost long-term retirement security

Govt weighs making National Pension System mandatory for gig workers
Updated On : 16 Feb 2026 | 11:28 PM IST

Targeted interventions needed to bolster Rupay debit card: Report

A DFS report shows UPI has overtaken cash as the most preferred payment mode and recommends focused merchant enablement and stronger support for RuPay debit card usage in rural and semi-urban India

Targeted interventions needed to bolster Rupay debit card: Report
Updated On : 16 Feb 2026 | 11:01 PM IST

Will wipe out ₹2,162 crore losses by March 2028: Bihar Gramin Bank Chairman

Bihar Gramin Bank's JEEViKA exposure at ₹11,500 crore; NPAs below 2%

Will wipe out ₹2,162 crore losses by March 2028: Bihar Gramin Bank Chairman
Updated On : 13 Feb 2026 | 3:30 PM IST

Bank unions calls DFS move to revise PLI framework 'discriminatory'

UFBU alleges proposed changes to performance-linked incentive structure in public sector banks are discriminatory and violate status quo agreed during conciliation

Bank unions calls DFS move to revise PLI framework 'discriminatory'
Updated On : 13 Feb 2026 | 2:48 PM IST

Economic self-reliance core to govt policy: FM Nirmala Sitharaman

Finance minister says Budget aims to strengthen domestic capabilities, citing strong growth and low inflation as a "Goldilocks moment" for the economy

Economic self-reliance core to govt policy: FM Nirmala Sitharaman
Updated On : 12 Feb 2026 | 7:51 PM IST

DFS drafts Financial Inclusion 2.0 roadmap, focuses on universal banking

Financial Inclusion 2.0 plan aims to deepen access to banking, credit, insurance, pension and digital services, targeting universal coverage by 2047

DFS drafts Financial Inclusion 2.0 roadmap, focuses on universal banking
Updated On : 11 Feb 2026 | 8:27 PM IST

Bhel OFS opens for non-retail investors; govt to sell up to 5% stake

The Centre has announced an Offer for Sale in BHEL to divest up to a 5 per cent stake, with bids opening for non-retail investors on Wednesday and retail investors on Thursday

Bhel OFS opens for non-retail investors; govt to sell up to 5% stake
Updated On : 10 Feb 2026 | 10:59 PM IST

Vishwakarma allocation cut in FY27 despite steady loan processing by banks

Budgetary support for PM Vishwakarma has been cut in FY27 even as banks process lakhs of artisan loan applications, raising questions on credit absorption and scheme scale-up

Vishwakarma allocation cut in FY27 despite steady loan processing by banks
Updated On : 08 Feb 2026 | 11:36 PM IST

Govt receives financial bids for IDBI Bank stake sale, says Dipam

The government has received financial bids for IDBI Bank's strategic disinvestment, a key transaction as it targets ₹80,000 crore from disinvestment and asset monetisation in FY27

Govt receives financial bids for IDBI Bank stake sale, says Dipam
Updated On : 06 Feb 2026 | 11:13 PM IST

Budget 2026-27: FM Nirmala Sitharaman for 'a lot more on disinvestment'

Says IBC amendment Bill will come up in second half of Budget session

Budget 2026-27: FM Nirmala Sitharaman for 'a lot more on disinvestment'
Updated On : 03 Feb 2026 | 12:17 AM IST

Govt likely to consider merger of state-run financiers PFC and REC

Following the announcement, shares of the two entities surged up to 6% on Sunday's special trading session

Govt likely to consider merger of state-run financiers PFC and REC
Updated On : 03 Feb 2026 | 12:12 AM IST

ToR for banking panel likely by next month, says DFS secy M Nagaraju

On hiking FDI in PSBs, DFS Secy M Nagaraju says govt is considering raising the FDI cap to 49% from 20% to boost capital; inter-ministerial consultations are underway

ToR for banking panel likely by next month, says DFS secy M Nagaraju
Updated On : 02 Feb 2026 | 11:30 PM IST

FM: Building ecosystem for improving productivity, employment generation

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman and top officials explain the thinking behind Budget 2026-27, from record capex and tax reforms to disinvestment and global risks

FM: Building ecosystem for improving productivity, employment generation
Updated On : 02 Feb 2026 | 12:27 AM IST

Union Budget 2026-27: Divestment, monetisation goal at ₹80,000 crore

Budget 2026 raises the FY27 disinvestment and asset monetisation target to Rs 80,000 crore, banking on a stronger pipeline of stake sales and infrastructure monetisation despite a shortfall in FY26

Union Budget 2026-27: Divestment, monetisation goal at ₹80,000 crore
Updated On : 01 Feb 2026 | 11:36 PM IST

Union Budget 2026-27: Big push for SMEs with ₹10,000 crore growth fund

Budget FY27 proposes a Rs 10,000-crore SME Growth Fund, mandatory TReDS adoption for CPSEs, and expanded credit guarantees to improve equity access, liquidity, and payment discipline for MSMEs

Union Budget 2026-27: Big push for SMEs with ₹10,000 crore growth fund
Updated On : 01 Feb 2026 | 11:20 PM IST

FinMin asks Nabard to study impact of RRB amalgamation during FY28

Finance Ministry asks NABARD to study RRB mergers' impact as viability reforms, IPO plans and tech integration aim to boost sustainability, inclusion and rural credit growth

FinMin asks Nabard to study impact of RRB amalgamation during FY28
Updated On : 31 Jan 2026 | 12:35 AM IST