NPCI International and Uzbekistan’s NIPC Partner to Enable UPI Payments Across Uzbekistan Via UZQR

Key Highlights:

• NPCI International Payments Ltd. (NIPL) partnered with Uzbekistan’s National Interbank Processing Centre JSC (NIPC) on August 30, 2026.
• This agreement enables Indian travellers to make instant merchant payments in Uzbekistan using UPI-enabled applications by scanning UZQR.
• The partnership received formal approvals from the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) and the Central Bank of Uzbekistan (CBU).
• HUMO, Uzbekistan’s national payment system, is designated as NIPL’s authorized partner for cross-border merchant acceptance.
• Uzbekistan is now the eleventh country where UPI is accepted for seamless international payments.

Detailed Insights:

• The integration with Uzbekistan’s Unified National QR infrastructure (UZQR) ensures near-universal acceptance for UPI users across various merchants.
• This initiative facilitates a seamless travel experience for Indian tourists, business travellers, and students by eliminating foreign exchange markup and reducing reliance on cash or international cards.
• The collaboration strengthens digital public infrastructure cooperation and aligns with the broader strategic and economic goals of both India and Uzbekistan.
• The expansion of UPI internationally underscores India's growing influence in digital payments and financial technology.

Key Concepts Involved:

• NPCI International Payments Ltd. (NIPL): The international arm of NPCI, responsible for deploying UPI and RuPay globally.
• National Interbank Processing Centre JSC (NIPC): Operator of Uzbekistan’s national payment system, HUMO, and responsible for UZQR.
• UPI (Unified Payments Interface): India's real-time payment system allowing instant money transfers between bank accounts.
• UZQR: Uzbekistan’s national interoperable QR code infrastructure for merchant payments.