UPI access expanded for NRIs via international mobile numbers

Introduction

Paytm has enabled Non-Resident Indians (NRIs) to link international mobile numbers on its app for seamless UPI-based payments, marking a significant step in expanding India’s digital payment ecosystem globally. The initiative, supported by National Payments Corporation of India, allows NRIs to transact directly using NRE/NRO accounts without requiring an Indian SIM card.

ANALYSIS

The move represents a major expansion of India’s digital public infrastructure (DPI), particularly the Unified Payments Interface (UPI), into the global financial ecosystem.By allowing NRIs from 12 countries (including USA, UK, UAE, Singapore, Australia, Canada, etc.) to use UPI through international numbers, the initiative eliminates traditional barriers such as dependency on Indian SIM cards, international payment gateways, and currency conversion delays. This enhances ease of transactions and financial connectivity for the Indian diaspora.

The integration with NRE/NRO accounts ensures regulatory compliance while enabling real-time, low-cost cross-border transactions, which can significantly reduce remittance costs and transaction friction. This is particularly important given India’s position as one of the largest recipients of remittances globally.

From a technological perspective, the platform leverages UPI’s strengths—instant payments, interoperability, and QR-based transactions—to enable NRIs to pay merchants, transfer funds, and engage in digital commerce within India seamlessly. The inclusion of features such as spend analytics, account aggregation, and AI-based insights reflects the evolution of fintech platforms towards value-added financial services.

This initiative also strengthens India’s ambition to internationalise UPI and position it as a global payment standard, aligning with broader efforts by NPCI to expand UPI acceptance across countries.

However, challenges may include regulatory coordination across jurisdictions, cybersecurity risks, and data privacy concerns, especially in cross-border financial transactions.

Overall, the development highlights a shift towards borderless digital finance, reinforcing India’s leadership in fintech innovation and digital payments.

Implications

• Enhances financial inclusion for NRIs and global Indians
• Reduces remittance costs and transaction delays
• Strengthens global adoption of UPI and India’s fintech leadership
• Promotes digital payments ecosystem and cross-border transactions
• Supports integration of diaspora with India’s economy

Static Part

Institution: National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI)

• Established: 2008
• Headquarters: Mumbai
• Function: Operates retail payment systems including UPI, RuPay, IMPS

Key Concepts

• UPI (Unified Payments Interface): Real-time payment system enabling instant fund transfers
• NRE Account: Non-Resident External account (for foreign earnings, repatriable)
• NRO Account: Non-Resident Ordinary account (for income earned in India)

Updated - 27 October 2025; 06:38 PM | Deccan Chronicle