Digital Payments — India Records Strong Growth in April Digital Transactions Data
Digital Payments – India’s digital payments landscape continued its upward trajectory in April, registering a significant rise in both transaction volume and value. Data released by the National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI) on Friday showed that total transactions reached 22.35 billion during the month, marking a 25 per cent increase compared to the same period last year. In monetary terms, these transactions were valued at Rs 29.03 lakh crore, reflecting a 21 per cent annual growth.
Daily Transaction Activity Sees Steady Rise
The growth was also visible in day-to-day activity. The average number of daily transactions climbed to 745 million in April, up from 730 million recorded in March. Alongside this, the average daily transaction value rose to Rs 96,766 crore, compared with Rs 95,243 crore in the previous month. These figures indicate consistent user engagement and increasing reliance on digital platforms for everyday financial activities.
IMPS Maintains Growth Momentum
The Immediate Payment Service (IMPS), another key component of India’s payment infrastructure, reported monthly transaction volumes of 362 million. The total value of these transactions stood at Rs 7.01 lakh crore, reflecting a 13 per cent year-on-year increase. On average, IMPS handled about 12.08 million transactions per day during the month, underlining its continued relevance in facilitating instant bank transfers.
UPI Continues to Dominate the Ecosystem
The Unified Payments Interface (UPI) remains the backbone of India’s digital payments system. Although March recorded the platform’s highest-ever monthly volume at 22.64 billion transactions, April’s performance continues to demonstrate its scale and reliability. Since its introduction in 2016, UPI has grown rapidly and is now widely used for both small and high-value payments.
Expanding Global Presence of UPI
UPI’s reach has extended well beyond India’s borders. The system is now operational in more than eight countries, including the United Arab Emirates, Singapore, Bhutan, Nepal, Sri Lanka, France, Mauritius, and Qatar. This international expansion is not only facilitating cross-border payments but also strengthening remittance flows and promoting financial inclusion. It has also positioned India as a key player in the global financial technology space.
A Decade of Remarkable Growth
According to the Ministry of Finance, UPI has witnessed an extraordinary rise over the past decade, with transaction volumes increasing nearly 12,000 times. From just 2 crore transactions in the financial year 2016–17, the platform processed over 24,162 crore transactions in the financial year 2025–26. This dramatic growth highlights how deeply digital payments have become embedded in the country’s economic activity.
Surge in Transaction Value Reflects Wider Adoption
The value of transactions processed through UPI has also grown sharply. From a modest Rs 0.07 lakh crore in its first year, the platform handled approximately Rs 314 lakh crore in FY 2025–26. This more than 4,000-fold increase indicates that users are not only making frequent payments but are also trusting the system for larger financial transactions.
Strengthening India’s Digital Infrastructure
Government assessments suggest that UPI’s success lies in its scalability, interoperability, and reliability. These features have helped India build a robust digital public infrastructure that supports economic growth and innovation. The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has also acknowledged UPI as the world’s largest real-time payment system by transaction volume, further reinforcing India’s position on the global stage.
Overall, the latest figures underline the continued expansion of India’s digital payments ecosystem, driven by widespread adoption, technological innovation, and growing international acceptance.