The Unified Payments Interface (UPI) completed 10 years on August 25, 2026, marking a decade of transforming the way Indians send and receive money.
Launched on August 25, 2016, by the National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI) under the regulatory oversight of the Reserve Bank of India (RBI), UPI has grown from an Indian digital payment system into an international payment platform. It is now operational in 11 countries.
From paying for groceries and bills to making payments while travelling abroad, UPI has become an important part of India’s digital payments ecosystem.
UPI’s Massive Growth in 10 Years
UPI has played a major role in changing India’s digital payment landscape by enabling instant and interoperable transactions directly between bank accounts.
According to a Ministry of Finance note, annual UPI transaction volume rose from 1.78 crore transactions in FY 2016-17 to more than 24,162 crore transactions in FY 2025-26.
The value of transactions also increased sharply, from ₹0.07 lakh crore in FY 2016-17 to around ₹314 lakh crore in FY 2025-26.
11 Countries Where UPI Is Operational
UPI’s international expansion has made it possible for Indian users to make digital payments at participating merchants in several countries.
The 11 countries are:
- Bhutan – Indian travellers can use UPI-enabled payments at participating locations.
- Cambodia – UPI provides an additional digital payment option for Indian visitors.
- France – UPI payments are available at participating locations, offering greater convenience to Indian tourists.
- Greece – Indian visitors can use UPI-enabled payments at participating outlets.
- Mauritius – UPI has expanded digital payment connectivity between India and Mauritius.
- Maldives – The popular tourist destination is part of UPI’s international network.
- Nepal – UPI provides another convenient payment option for Indians travelling to the neighbouring country.
- Qatar – UPI’s presence in Qatar expands India’s digital payment reach in the Gulf region.
- Singapore – UPI-enabled cross-border payments provide greater convenience to users in participating locations.
- Sri Lanka – UPI has strengthened digital payment links between India and Sri Lanka.
- United Arab Emirates (UAE) – UPI is available at participating locations, giving Indian visitors a familiar digital payment option.
UPI’s Role in India’s Digital Economy
UPI’s growth goes beyond transaction numbers. It has become a key part of India’s Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI) by offering a fast and interoperable payment system.
Its simple payment process has helped expand access to digital financial services, allowing users to make payments directly from their bank accounts without depending on cash.
The Ministry of Finance has also highlighted UPI’s role in promoting financial inclusion and encouraging greater participation in the formal digital economy.
PM Modi Marks UPI’s 10th Anniversary
Prime Minister Narendra Modi also marked UPI’s 10th anniversary and highlighted its transformative impact on India’s digital payment ecosystem.
He described UPI’s journey as a matter of pride for Indians and encouraged citizens to share their experiences of using digital payments and how UPI has changed their everyday lives.
What Lies Ahead for UPI?
Over the past decade, UPI has evolved from an Indian payment initiative into a digital platform with an expanding international presence.
With UPI now operational in 11 countries, its global reach could make digital payments increasingly convenient for Indian travellers and support the growth of cross-border transactions.
As digital payments continue to expand, UPI’s combination of speed, convenience and interoperability is likely to remain one of India’s most significant digital innovations.