NPCI International, Uzbekistan’s NIPC to enable UPI payments via UZQR merchant codes

NPCI International Payments Ltd and Uzbekistan’s National Interbank Processing Centre have agreed to let Indian UPI app users scan UZQR codes at Uzbek merchants, a move aimed at simplifying payments for Indian travellers and extending UPI’s international acceptance network.

— Source publishedSun, 30 Aug, 2026, 18:01 IST·First seen Sun, 30 Aug, 2026, 18:33 IST·Source NDTV Profit

What happened

NPCI International Payments Ltd · NPCI International Payments and Uzbekistan’s National Interbank Processing Centre agreed to enable Indian UPI apps to scan

Key facts

  • 11 agreements
  • $1 million Aral Sea afforestation grant
  • 100 Lal Bahadur Shastri Scholarships
  • 2026-28 Tourism Partnership Programme
  • 2026-30 Cultural Exchange Programme

Why this matters

Banks, payment processors and travel-commerce platforms can explore partnerships around UZQR-UPI acceptance to serve Indian visitors and build cross-border payment volume.

What to watch

  • A confirmed go-live date and the list of UPI apps enabled for Uzbekistan payments.
  • Number and geographic concentration of UZQR merchants capable of accepting UPI-funded scans.
  • Published FX rates, fees, daily limits, refund handling, and whether transactions settle in Uzbek som with transparent INR conversion.
  • Reported transaction volumes, repeat usage, and merchant conversion rates in the first 90 to 180 days.
  • Expansion beyond merchant payments into P2P transfers, ATM cash access, transit, government fees, or online checkout.
  • New NPCI International agreements with payment networks in Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, or other Central Asian markets.
  • NPCI International and NIPC will need to disclose launch timing, participating UPI apps, merchant coverage, FX conversion methodology, transaction limits, and customer support rules.
  • Indian banks and UPI apps may add Uzbekistan as a supported international destination and promote travel-specific payment messaging before peak tourism periods.
  • Uzbek acquirers and merchant-payment providers may prioritize UZQR terminal and QR deployment in tourist-heavy locations.
  • Card issuers and travel-wallet providers may respond with lower foreign-exchange markups, instant spend alerts, or destination-specific offers.
  • Travel platforms, airlines, hotels, and tour operators may bundle UPI acceptance into India-focused marketing and checkout experiences.