India Surpasses All Countries in Payment Speed Thanks to UPI Growth, Reports IMF

India has surpassed all other nations in the speed of payments, largely due to the rapid expansion of the Unified Payments Interface (UPI). According to an IMF note, the use of traditional payment methods like debit and credit cards is decreasing. UPI, developed by NPCI, is a real-time payment system that facilitates inter-bank transactions via mobile phones.

The IMF's Fintech Note, titled "Growing Retail Digital Payments: The Value of Interoperability," highlights UPI's swift growth since its 2016 launch. The note indicates that while UPI has expanded rapidly, proxies for cash usage have started to decline. Currently, UPI processes over 18 billion transactions monthly, dominating India's electronic retail payments landscape.

UPI's Impact on Cash Usage

The note provides evidence using detailed data from India's UPI transactions. This interoperable platform has become the world's largest retail fast payment system by volume. Since its inception, UPI's growth has coincided with a reduction in cash usage proxies. The note states, "India now makes faster payments than any other country. At the same time, proxies for cash usage have fallen."

Interoperable payment systems like UPI offer alternatives to closed-loop systems and can encourage digital payment adoption. These systems enable seamless transactions between users of different providers. The note mentions that total digital payments rise relative to cash usage proxies.

Challenges in Measuring Cash Usage

Estimating cash usage is challenging because cash transactions often occur anonymously and may not be recorded, especially in informal sectors. However, ATM withdrawal values in each district can approximate cash usage. When comparing transaction values to cash withdrawals, a similar pattern emerges.

The note reveals that digital payments relative to cash withdrawals increase significantly and consistently after integration in districts with greater interoperability. This suggests that interoperability supports digital payment adoption and encourages a shift away from cash.

Maintaining an Open and Competitive System

The fintech note was authored by Alexander Copestake, Divya Kirti, and Maria Soledad Martinez Peria. They advise policymakers to monitor the emergence of dominant private providers as the interoperable platform matures. Authorities should ensure a fully open and competitive system by using various metrics to identify potential threats.

The authors recommend that system operators consult with current and potential private sector participants at all development stages. This ensures design choices support the health of the interoperable ecosystem. The note emphasizes tailoring responses to specific anti-competitive mechanisms.

In summary, India's UPI has revolutionised digital payments by offering a fast and efficient alternative to traditional methods. Its growth has led to a decline in cash usage proxies, highlighting the importance of interoperability in promoting digital payment adoption.

With inputs from PTI