The National Payments Corporation of India, NPCI, has introduced ‘UPI One World’, a prepaid wallet service for foreign delegates attending the India AI Impact Summit 2026. The solution enables international visitors to make digital payments at UPI-enabled merchants in India without opening an Indian bank account.
TL;DR
- NPCI launched ‘UPI One World’ for foreign delegates at the India AI Impact Summit 2026.
- The prepaid wallet works across UPI-enabled merchants in India.
- Users do not need an Indian bank account to transact.
- The initiative was unveiled during the summit.
NPCI announced the launch of ‘UPI One World’ at the India AI Impact Summit 2026, introducing a prepaid digital wallet designed specifically for foreign delegates attending the event.
The wallet allows international visitors to load funds and make payments at merchants that accept UPI across India. Users are not required to open an Indian bank account to access the service. Instead, they can complete onboarding through designated channels and use the wallet for digital transactions during their stay.
UPI remains one of India’s primary digital payment systems, facilitating real-time transactions across banks and merchants. It is widely accepted by businesses of all sizes, from retail outlets and hospitality establishments to transportation services and online platforms.
By extending access through ‘UPI One World’, NPCI is enabling foreign delegates to directly use the same infrastructure that domestic users rely on for everyday payments.
NPCI has previously worked on expanding UPI’s accessibility, including enabling non-resident Indians to access UPI services using international mobile numbers linked to their bank accounts. The launch of a prepaid wallet specifically for foreign delegates represents another step in widening usage beyond resident account holders.
Officials highlighted that the service is structured to meet applicable regulatory requirements while offering a simplified payment experience for international visitors.
The unveiling at the India AI Impact Summit 2026 placed the launch in front of a global audience comprising policymakers, technology executives, investors, and industry stakeholders. The summit serves as a platform to showcase developments in artificial intelligence, digital infrastructure, and emerging technologies.
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India’s digital payments ecosystem has grown significantly over the past few years, with UPI recording billions of transactions monthly. Its QR-code based payment model has been adopted widely across urban and rural markets.
The ‘UPI One World’ wallet gives foreign delegates temporary access to this ecosystem during their participation in the summit. It eliminates the need for cash transactions or reliance solely on international cards while in India.
While NPCI has been working to expand UPI’s reach internationally through cross-border payment linkages with select countries, the ‘UPI One World’ wallet specifically addresses the needs of foreign visitors within India.
The launch underscores NPCI’s continued efforts to enhance accessibility and usability of UPI for a broader user base under regulated frameworks.
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