NPCI To Launch Agentic Payments On UPI: Report

UPI operator NPCI is reportedly looking to launch a framework which would see AI agents execute small-ticket digital payments without requiring explicit user authorisation for every transaction. The NPCI is likely to unveil the ‘Unified Agent Protocol’ next week at the 2026 edition of the Global Fintech Fest in Mumbai, as per a report by Reuters. The protocol aims to leverage existing UPI mechanisms, including UPI Circle and Reserve Pay, to allow users to delegate payment authority to AI agents