NPCI Launches UPI One World Pilot for International AI Summit Delegates
The National Payments Corporation of India has initiated a pilot program for its innovative 'UPI One World' wallet service, specifically designed for international delegates attending the India AI Impact Summit 2026. This strategic rollout enables foreign visitors from over forty countries to conduct person-to-merchant UPI payments throughout India, eliminating the traditional requirements of an Indian mobile number or local bank account.
Pilot Program Details and Summit Timeline
The pilot service will be operational during the summit, scheduled from February 16 to February 20, 2026, in New Delhi. This controlled implementation aims to familiarize global participants with India's advanced real-time payments ecosystem, showcasing the nation's technological prowess on an international stage.
How the UPI One World Service Functions
This groundbreaking service allows inbound foreign travelers to execute real-time P2M UPI payments during their stay in India using indigenous 'Made in India' UPI technology. The primary objectives are to simplify day-to-day transactions for international visitors while significantly reducing their dependence on physical cash and cumbersome foreign exchange conversions.
The wallet is accessible through authorized prepaid payment instrument issuers at New Delhi International Airport and at the dedicated NPCI Pavilion located at Bharat Mandapam. Users can conveniently load the wallet using approved international payment methods and complete transactions by scanning standard UPI QR codes through a specialized PPI-UPI application. Any remaining balance can be seamlessly transferred back to the original payment source in compliance with established foreign exchange regulations.
Registration and Usage Process
To utilize this service, visitors must follow a streamlined registration process:
- Download the CheqUPI application developed by Transcorp
- Complete the application by submitting personal details along with passport and visa document uploads
- Undergo a secure selfie-based verification procedure
- Establish a personalized UPI PIN, after which a unique UPI ID is generated
Once registered, the wallet can be immediately loaded using international debit or credit cards and activated for payments. The system permits users to load up to Rs 25,000 per transaction, with a maximum of two wallet loadings per month, capped at a total of Rs 50,000.
Executive Perspective on the Initiative
Sohini Rajola, Executive Director of Growth at NPCI, emphasized the significance of this development: "UPI stands as the world's largest real-time payment system. By extending the 'UPI One World' service to foreign guests at the India AI Impact Summit, we are providing a convenient and efficient method to experience India's real-time payments ecosystem and our domestically developed technology. This initiative also offers valuable insights into how smoother cross-border payment systems can contribute to a more interconnected global digital economy."
Context and Current UPI Performance
This innovative pilot arrives at a pivotal moment as UPI continues its remarkable expansion trajectory. The platform achieved a record 21.7 billion transactions valued at Rs 28.3 lakh crore in January 2026 alone, demonstrating the profound adoption and scalability of India's real-time payments infrastructure. NPCI has clarified that certain countries have been excluded from the pilot program in accordance with specific regulatory guidance, ensuring compliance with international financial protocols.
