Parliamentary proceedings have addressed key issues ranging from digital payment policies to skill development initiatives for adolescent girls. Here's a summary of the important updates:
No Transaction Charges on UPI Payments
The government has firmly stated that there are no plans to impose transaction charges on Unified Payments Interface (UPI) based digital payments. Minister of State for Finance, Pankaj Chaudhary, clarified this in a written reply in the Lok Sabha. This reassurance comes amid speculation and concerns sparked by earlier comments suggesting potential fees on UPI transactions.
The legal framework, specifically Section 10A of the Payment and Settlement Systems Act 2007, ensures that no charges are levied on payers or beneficiaries using electronic modes like UPI. The Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT) has also notified UPI and RuPay debit cards as prescribed electronic modes of payment under Section 269SU of the Income-tax Act, 1961.
To support the UPI ecosystem, the government implemented an incentive scheme from FY 2021-22 to FY 2024-25, providing approximately ₹8,730 crore. This support aims to sustain zero-charge transactions for users. UPI has witnessed remarkable growth, with transactions increasing from 92 crore in FY 2017-18 to 18,587 crore in FY 2024-25. In July 2025, UPI achieved a record of over 1,946.79 crore transactions in a single month.
NAVYA Scheme Launched for Adolescent Girls
The central government launched the NAVYA scheme, officially named "Nurturing Aspirations through Vocational Training for Young Adolescent Girls," on June 24, 2025. This joint initiative by the Ministry of Women and Child Development (MWCD) and the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (MSDE) aims to empower adolescent girls aged 16 to 18 years by providing vocational training.
NAVYA focuses on offering skill-based training in non-traditional and emerging job roles, such as designing, telecom, financial services, drone and smartphone assembly, solar installation, and CCTV setup. The program targets girls who have completed at least Class 10. The pilot program is being implemented across 27 districts in 19 states, with a focus on aspirational and Northeastern districts.
The objectives of the NAVYA scheme include providing short-term vocational training to enhance employability, building confidence and self-reliance, promoting gender equality, and supporting girls from underdeveloped regions. Participants will receive government-recognized certificates under PMKVY and PM Vishwakarma schemes. NAVYA aims to train 3,850 adolescent girls in non-traditional roles under the Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana (PMKVY) 4.0. Training modules also cover health, nutrition, hygiene, financial literacy, life skills, and legal awareness.
Other Parliamentary Updates
The Rajya Sabha was adjourned after passing the Indian Ports Bill 2025, which seeks to consolidate laws related to ports, promote integrated port development, facilitate ease of doing business, and ensure optimal utilization of India's coastline. The Lok Sabha was also adjourned amid opposition protests. A special discussion on Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla's mission to the International Space Station (ISS) was disrupted due to the uproar. Union Minister Piyush Goyal tabled the Jan Vishwas (Amendment of Provisions) Bill, 2025, in the Lok Sabha, which was then referred to a select committee. This bill aims to decriminalize and rationalize offenses to enhance trust-based governance.
