NPCI International ties up with Uzbekistan's NIPC to enable UPI payments via UZQR
On 30 August 2026, NPCI International Payments Ltd signed a commercial agreement with Uzbekistan's National Interbank Processing Centre to let Indian UPI apps scan Uzbekistan's national QR code, UZQR, for merchant payments.
Summary
NPCI International Payments Ltd (NIPL), the international arm of the National Payments Corporation of India, signed a commercial agreement on 30 August 2026 with the National Interbank Processing Centre JSC (NIPC), operator of Uzbekistan's national payment system HUMO. The deal lets Indian travellers scan Uzbekistan's national interoperable QR code, UZQR, with UPI apps for instant merchant payments from their Indian bank accounts. The agreement was announced during Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to Uzbekistan and follows approvals from the Reserve Bank of India and the Central Bank of Uzbekistan. UPI was already accepted in ten countries: Singapore, the UAE, France, Mauritius, Nepal, Bhutan, Qatar, Sri Lanka, Cambodia and Greece.
Key facts
- Parties
- NIPL (NPCI) and NIPC JSC (operator of HUMO), Uzbekistan
- Date
- 30 Aug 2026, during PM's visit
- What
- UPI apps can scan UZQR for merchant (P2M) payments
- Approvals
- RBI and Central Bank of Uzbekistan
- UPI abroad (earlier)
- Singapore, UAE, France, Mauritius, Nepal, Bhutan, Qatar, Sri Lanka, Cambodia, Greece
Practice MCQs 2 questions
Under the August 2026 NIPL agreement, Indian UPI apps can scan which QR code for merchant payments in Uzbekistan?
Show answer
Correct answer: B — UZQR
UPI apps can scan UZQR, Uzbekistan's national interoperable QR code; NIPC operates the HUMO payment system.
Before the Uzbekistan deal, UPI was accepted in ten countries as per the Finance Ministry. Which of the following was NOT among them?
Show answer
Correct answer: D — Japan
The ten were Singapore, UAE, France, Mauritius, Nepal, Bhutan, Qatar, Sri Lanka, Cambodia and Greece; Japan was not listed.