diff --git a/apps/payments/Cargo.toml b/apps/payments/Cargo.toml
index 0c6c9a2..86cf510 100644
--- a/apps/payments/Cargo.toml
+++ b/apps/payments/Cargo.toml
@@ -12,3 +12,7 @@ tracing.workspace = true
 tracing-subscriber.workspace = true
 reqwest = { version = "0.12", features = ["json", "stream"] }
 anyhow.workspace = true
+contracts = { path = "../../crates/contracts" }
+sqlx.workspace = true
+uuid.workspace = true
+chrono.workspace = true
diff --git a/apps/payments/src/main.rs b/apps/payments/src/main.rs
index b49eeb6..05eacad 100644
--- a/apps/payments/src/main.rs
+++ b/apps/payments/src/main.rs
@@ -4,14 +4,18 @@ use axum::{
     routing::{get, post},
     Json, Router,
 };
+use contracts::auth_middleware::AuthUser;
 use serde::{Deserialize, Serialize};
 use std::net::SocketAddr;
 use tracing_subscriber::{layer::SubscriberExt, util::SubscriberInitExt};
+use uuid::Uuid;
+use sqlx::postgres::PgPool;
 
 #[derive(Clone)]
 struct AppState {
     beeceptor_url: String,
     client: reqwest::Client,
+    pool: PgPool,
 }
 
 #[derive(Debug, Serialize, Deserialize)]
@@ -54,11 +58,29 @@ struct PaymentStatusResponse {
 }
 
 async fn create_order(
+    auth: AuthUser,
     State(state): State<AppState>,
     Json(payload): Json<CreateOrderRequest>,
 ) -> Result<Json<CreateOrderResponse>, (StatusCode, String)> {
     tracing::info!("Creating payment order: amount={}", payload.amount);
 
+    // Validate package_id
+    let package_id_str = payload.package_id.as_ref().ok_or((StatusCode::BAD_REQUEST, "package_id is required".to_string()))?;
+    let package_id = Uuid::parse_str(package_id_str).map_err(|_| (StatusCode::BAD_REQUEST, "Invalid package id".to_string()))?;
+
+    // Fetch package to get tracecoins amount
+    let package = sqlx::query!(
+        "SELECT tracecoins_amount FROM pricing_packages WHERE id = $1 AND is_active = true",
+        package_id
+    )
+    .fetch_optional(&state.pool)
+    .await
+    .map_err(|e| (StatusCode::INTERNAL_SERVER_ERROR, format!("DB error: {e}")))?;
+
+    let package = package.ok_or((StatusCode::BAD_REQUEST, "Invalid or inactive package".to_string()))?;
+    let tracecoins_credited = package.tracecoins_amount;
+
+    // Call Beeceptor to create order
     let resp = state
         .client
         .post(&state.beeceptor_url)
@@ -66,8 +88,8 @@ async fn create_order(
         .json(&serde_json::json!({
             "amount": payload.amount,
             "currency": payload.currency.as_deref().unwrap_or("INR"),
-            "package_id": payload.package_id,
-            "user_id": payload.user_id,
+            "package_id": package_id_str,
+            "user_id": auth.user_id.to_string(),
         }))
         .send()
         .await
@@ -95,6 +117,19 @@ async fn create_order(
         .unwrap_or("mock_order_123")
         .to_string();
 
+    // Insert payment record
+    sqlx::query!(
+        "INSERT INTO payments (user_id, package_id, razorpay_order_id, amount_inr, tracecoins_credited, status) VALUES ($1, $2, $3, $4, $5, 'PENDING')",
+        auth.user_id,
+        package_id,
+        order_id,
+        payload.amount as i64,
+        tracecoins_credited
+    )
+    .execute(&state.pool)
+    .await
+    .map_err(|e| (StatusCode::INTERNAL_SERVER_ERROR, format!("DB error: {e}")))?;
+
     Ok(Json(CreateOrderResponse {
         order_id,
         amount: payload.amount,
@@ -104,13 +139,14 @@ async fn create_order(
 }
 
 async fn verify_payment(
+    auth: AuthUser,
     State(state): State<AppState>,
     Json(payload): Json<VerifyPaymentRequest>,
 ) -> Result<Json<VerifyPaymentResponse>, (StatusCode, String)> {
     tracing::info!("Verifying payment: order_id={}", payload.order_id);
 
+    // Verify with Beeceptor
     let verify_url = format!("{}/verify", state.beeceptor_url.trim_end_matches('/'));
-
     let resp = state
         .client
         .post(&verify_url)
@@ -136,6 +172,68 @@ async fn verify_payment(
         ));
     }
 
+    // Find pending payment by razorpay_order_id
+    let payment = sqlx::query!(
+        "SELECT id, user_id, tracecoins_credited FROM payments WHERE razorpay_order_id = $1 AND status = 'PENDING'",
+        payload.order_id
+    )
+    .fetch_optional(&state.pool)
+    .await
+    .map_err(|e| (StatusCode::INTERNAL_SERVER_ERROR, format!("DB error: {e}")))?;
+
+    let payment = match payment {
+        Some(p) => p,
+        None => return Err((StatusCode::NOT_FOUND, "Payment not found or already processed".to_string())),
+    };
+
+    // Ensure the authenticated user matches the payment user
+    if payment.user_id != auth.user_id {
+        return Err((StatusCode::FORBIDDEN, "Payment does not belong to user".to_string()));
+    }
+
+    // Update payment status to SUCCESS
+    sqlx::query!(
+        "UPDATE payments SET status = 'SUCCESS', verified_at = NOW(), razorpay_payment_id = $1 WHERE id = $2",
+        payload.payment_id,
+        payment.id
+    )
+    .execute(&state.pool)
+    .await
+    .map_err(|e| (StatusCode::INTERNAL_SERVER_ERROR, format!("DB error: {e}")))?;
+
+    // Credit wallet (increase balance)
+    sqlx::query!(
+        "INSERT INTO tracecoin_wallets (user_id, balance, reserved) VALUES ($1, $2, 0) ON CONFLICT (user_id) DO UPDATE SET balance = tracecoin_wallets.balance + excluded.balance",
+        payment.user_id,
+        payment.tracecoins_credited
+    )
+    .execute(&state.pool)
+    .await
+    .map_err(|e| (StatusCode::INTERNAL_SERVER_ERROR, format!("DB error: {e}")))?;
+
+    // Get wallet id for ledger
+    match sqlx::query_scalar!(
+        "SELECT id FROM tracecoin_wallets WHERE user_id = $1",
+        payment.user_id
+    )
+    .fetch_optional(&state.pool)
+    .await
+    {
+        Ok(Some(wallet_id)) => {
+            sqlx::query!(
+                "INSERT INTO tracecoin_ledger (wallet_id, type, amount, reason, reference_id) VALUES ($1, 'CREDIT', $2, $3, $4)",
+                wallet_id,
+                payment.tracecoins_credited as i64,
+                "PURCHASE",
+                payment.id
+            )
+            .execute(&state.pool)
+            .await
+            .ok();
+        }
+        _ => {}
+    }
+
     Ok(Json(VerifyPaymentResponse {
         verified: true,
         payment_id: payload.payment_id,
@@ -151,7 +249,6 @@ async fn get_payment_status(
     tracing::info!("Getting payment status: payment_id={}", payment_id);
 
     let status_url = format!("{}/{}", state.beeceptor_url.trim_end_matches('/'), payment_id);
-
     let resp = state
         .client
         .get(&status_url)
@@ -206,9 +303,16 @@ async fn main() {
     let beeceptor_url = std::env::var("BEECEPTOR_URL")
         .unwrap_or_else(|_| "https://nxtgauge.free.beeceptor.com".to_string());
 
+    let db_url = std::env::var("DATABASE_URL")
+        .unwrap_or_else(|_| "postgres://postgres:password@localhost:5432/nxtgauge".to_string());
+    let pool = PgPool::connect(&db_url)
+        .await
+        .expect("Failed to connect to database");
+
     let state = AppState {
         beeceptor_url,
         client: reqwest::Client::new(),
+        pool,
     };
 
     let app = Router::new()
diff --git a/apps/users/src/handlers/coupons.rs b/apps/users/src/handlers/coupons.rs
index cd17bea..87b9609 100644
--- a/apps/users/src/handlers/coupons.rs
+++ b/apps/users/src/handlers/coupons.rs
@@ -6,6 +6,7 @@ use axum::{
     routing::{delete, get, patch, post},
     Json, Router,
 };
+use chrono::{DateTime, Utc};
 use contracts::auth_middleware::AuthUser;
 use serde::{Deserialize, Serialize};
 use uuid::Uuid;
@@ -16,6 +17,7 @@ pub fn coupons_router() -> Router<AppState> {
     Router::new()
         .route("/", get(list_coupons).post(create_coupon))
         .route("/{id}", patch(update_coupon).delete(delete_coupon))
+        .route("/validate", post(validate_coupon))
 }
 
 pub fn discounts_router() -> Router<AppState> {
@@ -430,11 +432,161 @@ async fn update_discount(
     .execute(&state.pool)
     .await;
 
-    match result {
-        Ok(_) => (StatusCode::OK, Json(serde_json::json!({ "ok": true }))).into_response(),
-        Err(e) => {
-            tracing::error!("Failed to update discount {id}: {e}");
-            (StatusCode::INTERNAL_SERVER_ERROR, Json(serde_json::json!({ "error": "Failed to update discount" }))).into_response()
+#[derive(Deserialize)]
+struct ValidateCouponPayload {
+    coupon_code: String,
+    role_key: String,
+    package_price_inr: i32,
+}
+
+#[derive(Serialize)]
+struct ValidateCouponResponse {
+    valid: bool,
+    discount_type: Option<String>,
+    discount_value: Option<i32>,
+    final_price_inr: i32,
+    message: String,
+}
+
+async fn validate_coupon(
+    _auth: AuthUser,
+    State(state): State<AppState>,
+    Json(payload): Json<ValidateCouponPayload>,
+) -> Result<impl IntoResponse, (StatusCode, String)> {
+    let code = payload.coupon_code.trim().to_uppercase();
+
+    // Fetch coupon
+    let coupon = sqlx::query!(
+        r#"
+        SELECT id, code, title, discount_type, discount_value, min_order_amount,
+               max_uses, role_keys, valid_until, is_active
+        FROM coupons
+        WHERE code = $1
+        "#,
+        code
+    )
+    .fetch_optional(&state.pool)
+    .await
+    .map_err(|e| (StatusCode::INTERNAL_SERVER_ERROR, format!("DB error: {e}")))?;
+
+    let coupon = match coupon {
+        Some(c) => c,
+        None => {
+            return Ok((
+                StatusCode::OK,
+                Json(ValidateCouponResponse {
+                    valid: false,
+                    discount_type: None,
+                    discount_value: None,
+                    final_price_inr: payload.package_price_inr,
+                    message: "Coupon not found".to_string(),
+                }),
+            ));
+        }
+    };
+
+    // Check active
+    if !coupon.is_active {
+        return Ok((
+            StatusCode::OK,
+            Json(ValidateCouponResponse {
+                valid: false,
+                discount_type: None,
+                discount_value: None,
+                final_price_inr: payload.package_price_inr,
+                message: "Coupon is inactive".to_string(),
+            }),
+        ));
+    }
+
+    // Check expiry
+    if let Some(valid_until) = coupon.valid_until {
+        if valid_until < chrono::Utc::now() {
+            return Ok((
+                StatusCode::OK,
+                Json(ValidateCouponResponse {
+                    valid: false,
+                    discount_type: None,
+                    discount_value: None,
+                    final_price_inr: payload.package_price_inr,
+                    message: "Coupon has expired".to_string(),
+                }),
+            ));
         }
     }
+
+    // Check role restriction
+    if !coupon.role_keys.is_empty() && !coupon.role_keys.iter().any(|r| r.eq_ignore_ascii_case(&payload.role_key)) {
+        return Ok((
+            StatusCode::OK,
+            Json(ValidateCouponResponse {
+                valid: false,
+                discount_type: None,
+                discount_value: None,
+                final_price_inr: payload.package_price_inr,
+                message: "Coupon not valid for your role".to_string(),
+            }),
+        ));
+    }
+
+    // Check minimum order amount
+    if payload.package_price_inr < coupon.min_order_amount {
+        return Ok((
+            StatusCode::OK,
+            Json(ValidateCouponResponse {
+                valid: false,
+                discount_type: None,
+                discount_value: None,
+                final_price_inr: payload.package_price_inr,
+                message: format!("Minimum order amount ₹{} required", coupon.min_order_amount / 100),
+            }),
+        ));
+    }
+
+    // Check usage limit if set
+    if let Some(max_uses) = coupon.max_uses {
+        let count: i64 = sqlx::query_scalar!(
+            "SELECT COUNT(*) FROM coupon_uses WHERE coupon_id = $1",
+            coupon.id
+        )
+        .fetch_one(&state.pool)
+        .await
+        .unwrap_or(Some(0))
+        .unwrap_or(0);
+        if count >= max_uses {
+            return Ok((
+                StatusCode::OK,
+                Json(ValidateCouponResponse {
+                    valid: false,
+                    discount_type: None,
+                    discount_value: None,
+                    final_price_inr: payload.package_price_inr,
+                    message: "Coupon usage limit reached".to_string(),
+                }),
+            ));
+        }
+    }
+
+    // Compute final price
+    let final_price = match coupon.discount_type.as_str() {
+        "PERCENT" => {
+            let discount = ((payload.package_price_inr as f64) * (coupon.discount_value as f64) / 100.0).round() as i32;
+            (payload.package_price_inr - discount).max(0)
+        }
+        "FIXED" => (payload.package_price_inr - coupon.discount_value).max(0),
+        _ => payload.package_price_inr,
+    };
+
+    Ok((
+        StatusCode::OK,
+        Json(ValidateCouponResponse {
+            valid: true,
+            discount_type: Some(coupon.discount_type),
+            discount_value: Some(coupon.discount_value),
+            final_price_inr: final_price,
+            message: "Coupon applied".to_string(),
+        }),
+    ))
+}
+    }
 }
diff --git a/apps/users/src/handlers/verifications.rs b/apps/users/src/handlers/verifications.rs
index affa46f..17f15d7 100644
--- a/apps/users/src/handlers/verifications.rs
+++ b/apps/users/src/handlers/verifications.rs
@@ -7,6 +7,7 @@ use axum::{
     Json, Router,
 };
 use contracts::auth_middleware::{require_admin, AuthUser};
+use db::models::role::RoleRepository;
 use db::models::verification::{VerificationRepository};
 use serde::Deserialize;
 use uuid::Uuid;
@@ -134,15 +135,54 @@ async fn trigger_activation(
         .execute(&state.pool)
         .await?;
 
-        // Send Email
-        if let Ok(user) = db::models::user::UserRepository::get_by_id(&state.pool, user_id).await {
-            let display = role_key_to_display(&role_key);
-            let _ = state.mail.send_approval_approved_email(
-                &user.email,
-                user.full_name.as_deref().unwrap_or_default(),
-                &display
-            ).await;
-        }
+         // Send Email
+         if let Ok(user) = db::models::user::UserRepository::get_by_id(&state.pool, user_id).await {
+             let display = role_key_to_display(&role_key);
+             let _ = state.mail.send_approval_approved_email(
+                 &user.email,
+                 user.full_name.as_deref().unwrap_or_default(),
+                 &display
+             ).await;
+         }
+
+         // Assign role to user in user_roles
+         if let Ok(Some(role)) = RoleRepository::get_by_key(&state.pool, &role_key).await {
+             sqlx::query!(
+                 "INSERT INTO user_roles (user_id, role_id, status, approved_at) VALUES ($1, $2, 'APPROVED', NOW()) ON CONFLICT (user_id, role_id) DO UPDATE SET status = 'APPROVED', approved_at = NOW()",
+                 user_id,
+                 role.id
+             ).execute(&state.pool).await.ok();
+         }
+
+         // Credit 250 promotional tracecoins
+         sqlx::query!(
+             "INSERT INTO tracecoin_wallets (user_id, balance, reserved) VALUES ($1, $2, 0) ON CONFLICT (user_id) DO UPDATE SET balance = tracecoin_wallets.balance + excluded.balance",
+             user_id,
+             250
+         ).execute(&state.pool).await.ok();
+
+         // Get wallet id for ledger entry
+         if let Ok(Some(wallet_id)) = sqlx::query_scalar!(
+             "SELECT id FROM tracecoin_wallets WHERE user_id = $1",
+             user_id
+         ).fetch_optional(&state.pool).await.ok().flatten() {
+             sqlx::query!(
+                 "INSERT INTO tracecoin_ledger (wallet_id, type, amount, reason, reference_id) VALUES ($1, 'CREDIT', $2, $3, $4)",
+                 wallet_id,
+                 250,
+                 "PROMOTIONAL_SIGNUP_BONUS",
+                 user_id
+             ).execute(&state.pool).await.ok();
+         }
+
+         // Create notification for user
+         sqlx::query!(
+             "INSERT INTO notifications (user_id, title, body, type) VALUES ($1, $2, $3, $4)",
+             user_id,
+             "Profile Approved",
+             format!("Your {} profile has been approved.", role_key_to_display(&role_key)),
+             "APPROVAL"
+         ).execute(&state.pool).await.ok();
     }
     
     Ok(())
@@ -274,7 +314,18 @@ async fn add_notes(
     )
     .await
     {
-        Ok(v) => (StatusCode::OK, Json(v)).into_response(),
+        Ok(v) => {
+            // Notify user that admin added notes/requested documents
+            sqlx::query!(
+                "INSERT INTO notifications (user_id, title, body, type, reference_id) VALUES ($1, $2, $3, $4, $5)",
+                v.user_id,
+                "Action Required",
+                format!("Admin requested: {}", notes),
+                "DOCUMENT_REQUEST",
+                v.id
+            ).execute(&state.pool).await.ok();
+            (StatusCode::OK, Json(v)).into_response()
+        }
         Err(e) => (StatusCode::INTERNAL_SERVER_ERROR, e.to_string()).into_response(),
     }
 }