InternationalSaturday, 21 March 2026·https://testbook.com/current-affairs/21-march-2026-daily-current-affairs
India and Sri Lanka deepen UPI merchant acceptance through NPCI International expansion
NPCI International said it will expand UPI merchant acceptance in Sri Lanka to support cross-border digital payments.
Key highlights
Direct fact
In March 2026, NPCI International Payments Limited (NIPL) reaffirmed plans to expand UPI merchant acceptance across Sri Lanka by linking India’s UPI ecosystem with LankaQR.
Key specifics
- UPI currently processes over 20 billion financial transactions every month.
- India has more than 700 million QR touchpoints under the UPI ecosystem.
- The integration is designed to improve the payment experience for Indian tourists in Sri Lanka.
- The arrangement supports Sri Lanka’s digital economy through instant account-to-account mobile payments.
- The move strengthens economic and cultural ties between India and Sri Lanka.
Exam lens
International relations and digital payments, NIPL, Sri Lanka, LankaQR, 20 billion monthly transactions — TNPSC may ask the partner country, the payment network, and UPI scale.