UPI goes live in Uzbekistan through UZQR
Next story · 31 AugQ1 2026-27 GDP grows 7.8% (real), 10.3% nominal
On 30 August 2026 NPCI International Payments Ltd (NIPL) signed a commercial agreement with Uzbekistan’s National Interbank Processing Centre, operator of the HUMO payment system. Indian travellers can now scan Uzbekistan’s national QR code, UZQR, with UPI apps to pay merchants. It was announced during the Prime Minister’s visit to Uzbekistan.
- Agreement
- 30 Aug 2026
- Indian side
- NPCI International Payments Ltd (NIPL)
- Uzbek side
- National Interbank Processing Centre (NIPC), operator of HUMO
- QR code
- UZQR, Uzbekistan’s national interoperable QR
- Approvals
- RBI and Central Bank of Uzbekistan
- Payment type
- person-to-merchant (P2M)
UPI in Uzbekistan: what happened?
Indians abroad usually pay with cards or cash and lose money on currency mark-ups. When UPI links to a country’s QR network, they can pay from their own bank account. Uzbekistan joins a growing list of such countries.
- NPCI International and Uzbekistan’s NIPC (operator of HUMO) agreed on 30 Aug 2026 to let Indian travellers pay via UPI by scanning UZQR codes [PIB].
What are the benefits?
- Near-universal acceptance across retail, hospitality and service merchants that use UZQR.
- Direct payment from Indian bank accounts, cutting foreign exchange mark-up friction.
- Less reliance on international cards or cash for tourists, business travellers and students.
- Stronger cooperation in digital public infrastructure.
Where else is UPI accepted?
- Singapore, the UAE, France, Mauritius, Nepal, Bhutan, Qatar, Sri Lanka, Cambodia and Greece.
What can Prelims ask on UPI in Uzbekistan?
- NIPL: international arm of NPCI.
- UZQR: Uzbekistan’s national interoperable QR; HUMO: its national payment system.
- UPI accepted in Singapore, UAE, France, Mauritius, Nepal, Bhutan, Qatar, Sri Lanka, Cambodia, Greece.
How to use this in Mains
- As per PIB (2026-08-31): NPCI International and Uzbekistan's NIPC (operator of HUMO) agreed on 30 Aug 2026 to let Indian travellers pay via UPI by scanning UZQR codes.
- UPI internationalisation is part of India's digital public infrastructure diplomacy.
Quotable data pointNPCI International and Uzbekistan's NIPC (operator of HUMO) agreed on 30 Aug 2026 to let Indian travellers pay via UPI by scanning UZQR codes.
PIB: Finance: UPI via UZQR in Uzbekistan, 31 Aug 2026
Exam angle
Prelims: NIPL; UPI abroad.
Practice MCQs
Original practice questions (not PYQs).
UPI payments in Uzbekistan work through which QR system?
Answer (b) & explanation
PIB, 31 Aug 2026.
Questions students ask about this
How can Indians use UPI in Uzbekistan?
By scanning Uzbekistan's national interoperable QR code, UZQR, with UPI apps to pay merchants.
Who signed the agreement?
NPCI International Payments Ltd and Uzbekistan's National Interbank Processing Centre, operator of HUMO.
Which regulators approved it?
The Reserve Bank of India and the Central Bank of Uzbekistan.
Keep studying
Go deeper
Official source: PIB: Finance: UPI via UZQR in Uzbekistan, 31 Aug 2026
facts from cited sources only; faculty review pending