Unified Payments Interface (UPI), India's flagship digital payment system, has garnered international attention for its rapid growth and user-friendly design. Professor Carlos Montes, Lead Innovation Hub at the University of Cambridge Business School, highlighted UPI's global relevance during his visit to the inaugural NXT Conclave 2025 in New Delhi.

In January 2025, UPI processed around 17 billion transactions, reflecting its deep integration into India's financial ecosystem. Professor Montes noted that such growth results from collaborative efforts to develop citizen-centric technology and continuous innovation. He believes that other countries can draw valuable lessons from India's experience to implement similar systems tailored to their unique needs.

Sudhir Shyam, Economic Adviser at the Department of Financial Services (DFS), shared insights into UPI's international reach. The platform is currently live in seven countries, including the UAE, Mauritius, Nepal, Bhutan, Singapore, Sri Lanka, and the Maldives. Additionally, efforts are underway to introduce UPI in France, Peru, Trinidad & Tobago, and Namibia. This global expansion signifies a growing recognition of UPI's robust framework and its potential to revolutionize digital payments worldwide.

The exponential increase in UPI's transaction volume is attributed to its ease of use, which has led to widespread adoption across diverse demographics. Since its inception, UPI has attracted over 465.2 million unique users, supported by more than 80 live applications. Developed by the National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI) in 2016, UPI continues to set benchmarks in the digital payment landscape, offering a scalable model for other nations aiming to enhance their financial infrastructures.