India’s digital payments revolution has reached another historic milestone as UPI continues to reshape the country’s financial ecosystem. According to information shared by the Central Government in Parliament, UPI recorded an unprecedented transaction value of ₹314.23 lakh crore during the financial year 2025-26, while the total number of registered users crossed 55.49 crore by June 2026.
The latest figures underline the remarkable growth of India’s real-time digital payment platform, which has evolved from a convenient payment option into the country’s most widely used financial transaction system. Today, UPI powers everything from small roadside purchases to high-value business payments, making digital transactions faster, safer, and more accessible for millions of people.
The data, presented by Minister of State for Finance Pankaj Chaudhary in a written reply to the Lok Sabha, highlights the continued expansion of UPI both within India and internationally. The steady rise in users, transaction volumes, and transaction values reflects growing public confidence in digital payments and the success of India’s digital public infrastructure.
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UPI Continues to Record Exceptional Growth
The latest government figures show that UPI processed 24,161.69 crore transactions during FY 2025-26.
These transactions were collectively valued at ₹314.23 lakh crore, the highest ever recorded since the platform was introduced.
Compared with FY 2024-25, when UPI handled 18,586.60 crore transactions worth ₹260.56 lakh crore, the latest numbers represent another year of strong double-digit growth.
The rapid expansion demonstrates how digital payments have become deeply integrated into everyday life across urban and rural India.
Consumers now routinely use UPI to pay utility bills, purchase groceries, book transport services, shop online, transfer money to family members, and make merchant payments within seconds.
Five Years of Consistent Growth
One of the most striking aspects of the latest data is the consistency of UPI’s growth over the past five financial years.
Government statistics show that transaction volumes have increased every year without interruption.
- FY 2021-22: 4,595.61 crore transactions
- FY 2022-23: 8,371.44 crore transactions
- FY 2023-24: 13,112.95 crore transactions
- FY 2024-25: 18,586.60 crore transactions
- FY 2025-26: 24,161.69 crore transactions
The value of transactions has followed a similar upward trajectory.
During FY 2021-22, UPI processed payments worth ₹84.16 lakh crore.
That figure increased steadily to ₹139.15 lakh crore in FY 2022-23, ₹199.95 lakh crore in FY 2023-24, ₹260.56 lakh crore in FY 2024-25, before reaching the current record of ₹314.23 lakh crore.
The sustained growth highlights increasing public trust in India’s digital payment infrastructure.
More Than 55 Crore Users Now on UPI
Another significant milestone is the expansion of the UPI user base.
As of June 2026, 55.49 crore users had been onboarded onto the platform.
This means that a substantial portion of India’s population now has access to instant digital payments through smartphones and banking applications.
The increasing user base has been supported by growing smartphone penetration, affordable internet connectivity, expansion of banking services, and widespread merchant acceptance of QR-code-based payments.
From metropolitan cities to remote villages, UPI has enabled people to conduct financial transactions without depending on cash.
The simplicity of scanning a QR code or transferring money using a mobile number has made digital payments accessible even for first-time users.
Government Strengthens Security Framework
As transaction volumes continue to rise, ensuring the security of UPI remains a major priority.
The Finance Ministry informed Parliament that multiple security measures have been introduced jointly by the Government, the Reserve Bank of India (RBI), and the National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI).
Among the important safeguards are risk-based transaction limits, designed to identify and prevent suspicious or potentially fraudulent payments.
Authorities have also strengthened protections against unauthorised mobile number changes and misuse of SMS-based authentication, both of which have been used in certain financial frauds.
UPI applications are now required to comply with stricter security standards to enhance customer protection.
These initiatives aim to reduce cyber fraud while maintaining the speed and convenience that users expect from digital payments.
New Security Framework Enhances Protection
NPCI has further strengthened the digital payment ecosystem by introducing the Comprehensive UPI Information Security Framework (CUISF) 2025.
The framework establishes mandatory security standards for banks, payment service providers, and UPI applications.
It introduces advanced cybersecurity measures designed to protect sensitive financial information from emerging cyber threats.
In addition, NPCI has implemented the Mobile Application Security Framework, which requires payment applications to adopt stronger security controls and more resilient digital infrastructure.
Together, these measures seek to improve the reliability and resilience of India’s rapidly expanding digital payment network.
UPI Becoming a Global Payment Platform
While UPI continues to dominate domestic digital payments, its international presence has also expanded significantly.
According to the Finance Ministry, NPCI International Payments Limited (NIPL), established in April 2020, has been leading efforts to introduce India’s payment technologies in foreign markets.
The objective is to enable seamless digital transactions for Indian travellers while helping partner countries develop modern real-time payment systems.
Today, Indian users can make UPI-based merchant payments in several countries without relying entirely on international card networks.
This expansion reflects growing international recognition of India’s digital payment infrastructure.
UPI Available Across Multiple Countries
UPI merchant payment services are currently operational in several countries, including:
- Bhutan
- Singapore
- United Arab Emirates
- France
- Mauritius
- Sri Lanka
- Nepal
- Qatar
- Cambodia
Indian tourists visiting these destinations can increasingly pay merchants directly using familiar UPI applications.
Cross-border Person-to-Person (P2P) remittance services are also available through partner institutions in:
- Singapore
- Greece
- Nepal
These services simplify international money transfers while reducing transaction costs for individuals sending or receiving funds across borders.
Benefits for Businesses and Consumers
The rapid expansion of UPI has transformed both consumer behaviour and business operations.
For customers, digital payments eliminate the need to carry cash while enabling instant transfers at any time of day.
For merchants, UPI reduces dependence on cash handling, improves transaction records, and enables faster settlements.
Small businesses, street vendors, restaurants, retail stores, and service providers have all benefited from wider adoption of QR-code payments.
Even micro-enterprises that previously operated almost entirely in cash have increasingly embraced digital payments because of their simplicity and affordability.
The widespread availability of UPI has also encouraged greater financial inclusion by connecting millions of people to formal banking services.
India’s Digital Payments Model Gains Global Attention
The international expansion demonstrates how India’s digital public infrastructure is becoming a model for other countries.
Rather than merely exporting a payment application, India is sharing an entire ecosystem capable of supporting secure, real-time digital transactions.
Several countries are exploring collaborations with NPCI to develop domestic payment systems inspired by India’s experience.
Such partnerships strengthen India’s position as a global leader in financial technology while creating new opportunities for cross-border digital commerce.
For Indian businesses operating internationally, expanding acceptance can simplify payments, reduce foreign transaction costs, and improve customer convenience.
The latest figures on user adoption, transaction volume, transaction value, enhanced security measures, and international expansion illustrate how it has evolved into one of the world’s largest and fastest-growing digital payment platforms. With more than 55.49 crore users, over 24,161 crore annual transactions, and a record ₹314.23 lakh crore in transaction value during FY26, UPI continues to play a central role in India’s journey towards a digitally empowered economy and a more inclusive financial system.
