Top Business & Regulatory Updates in India 2026: UPI MDR, Cyber Fraud SOP, AI Shopping, Insurance & Nuclear Energy

India is witnessing major business and regulatory developments that will impact merchants, consumers, and industries. The government is proposing a Merchant Discount Rate (MDR) of 0.25%–0.35% on UPI transactions above ₹2,000, making merchants responsible for digital payment processing costs. Meanwhile, the Supreme Court of India has directed the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) to implement standardized SOPs across all states and Union Territories for handling cyber fraud-related bank accounts. Artificial Intelligence is also transforming online shopping, with consumers increasingly relying on AI-powered recommendations instead of traditional search engines to compare prices, quality, and products. In the insurance sector, IRDAI has mandated that all policies issued from January 2027 must clearly identify the agent responsible for the sale, improving transparency and reducing mis-selling. Additionally, India’s Nuclear Energy Bill 2025 is driving investment, with over 30 potential sites identified for future nuclear power projects, supporting long-term sustainable energy growth.