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The National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI) developed the Unified Payments Interface (UPI) in 2016, and it has altered the landscape of digital payments in India. It has now expanded its impact beyond national lines, finding momentum in a variety of foreign marketplaces.
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What is UPI?
Unified Payments Interface (UPI) is a breakthrough mobile-centric payment system established by NPCI. It enables rapid and secure transactions using a variety of methods, such as QR code scanning or phone number authentication, and connects directly to users' bank accounts for smooth transactions.
UPI, which is mostly used through dedicated apps such as BHIM, Google Pay, PhonePe, and others, assures quick transactions across numerous banks while incurring no additional fees. Its advanced security measures, such as phone number linking and PIN authentication, protect consumers' financial activities.
With such advanced features, the international spread of UPI represents a worldwide shift towards more efficient and user-friendly digital payment solutions. It now also facilitates seamless cross-border transactions and lowers remittance expenses for users worldwide.
List of Countries That Accept Indian UPI
- Bhutan
Start date: July 13, 2021.
Support: Became the first country to implement India's UPI standards for QR code payments.
- Malaysia
Start date: August 2021.
Support: Collaboration with Merchantrade Asia to facilitate UPI remittances to India.
- Nepal
Start date: September 2021.
Support: UPI is now available in Nepal for both person-to-person (P2P) and person-to-merchant transactions.
- Sri Lanka
Start date: July 2023.
Support: Network-to-network agreement for UPI to improve payment infrastructure.
- United Kingdom
Start Date: August–September 2022
Support: Collaboration with TerraPay to provide cross-border payments using UPI.
- Netherlands, Belgium, Luxembourg, and Switzerland (Europe)
Start date: October 2022.
Support: Partnership with Worldline to accept Indian payment methods across Europe.
- Oman
Start date: October 2022.
Support: Collaboration with the Central Bank of Oman to enable seamless digital transfers through RuPay cards and the UPI platform.
- United Arab Emirates UAE
Start date: July 2023
Support: An agreement was made to integrate India's UPI and the UAE's Instant Payment Platform (IPP), allowing for more efficient cross-border transactions.
- Mauritius
Start date: February 14, 2024.
Support: UPI services have been launched for Indian tourists visiting Mauritius.
- Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, Philippines, Vietnam, Cambodia, Hong Kong, Taiwan, South Korea, Japan
Start date: February 21, 2024.
Support: Allows for instant money transactions between Indian and Singapore residents using UPI and PayNow.
- France
Start date: February 2024.
Support: UPI services have been launched at the Eiffel Tower, allowing Indian tourists to pay by scanning a QR code.
Meanwhile, ongoing discussions:
- Russia
High-level conversations between India and Russia over mutual acceptance of RuPay and Mir cards, as well as investigating the interaction between UPI with Russia's Faster Payments System (FPS).
- Thailand
Efforts are underway to connect India's UPI to Thailand's Prompt Pay Service, allowing for frictionless fund transfers between the two nations.
Also, to use UPI internationally:
Enable international payments on UPI-compatible apps is critical for using UPI abroad. Users can enable this option in the app settings, assuring frictionless transactions, but with transaction restrictions and potential bank charges.
NPCI's strategic partnerships with foreign entities have permitted UPI integration across multiple nations, improving global payment ecosystems and increasing economic connectedness. The rapid expansion of UPI transactions in India demonstrates their widespread adoption and use.
Projections show a large increase in everyday transactions, demonstrating UPI's critical role in determining the future of digital payment.
India's UPI has broken down geographical barriers, emerging as a leader in global digital payment networks. Its expansion represents a significant change towards more inclusive and efficient financial institutions, which will promote global economic growth and interconnection.
