UPI Sets New Benchmark: Record-Breaking Transactions Till Date

India’s digital payment revolution has crossed another historic milestone. In January 2026, transactions through the Unified Payments Interface (UPI) surged to an all-time high, both in value and volume. According to official data, Indians conducted over 21.7 billion UPI transactions worth ₹28.33 lakh crore in just one month. This sharp rise highlights how UPI has become the backbone of everyday payments, from small retail purchases to large-value transfers, reinforcing India’s position as a global leader in digital public infrastructure.

Record-Breaking UPI Numbers

• In January 2026, UPI transactions touched ₹28.33 lakh crore, up from ₹27.97 lakh crore in December 2025.
• This represents a 21% month-on-month growth in value terms.
• In volume, transactions reached 21.70 billion, reflecting the expanding trust and reliance on UPI across users and businesses.
• The scale of transactions confirms that UPI is no longer just a payment option but a default mode of transaction in India’s economy.

Daily Transaction Trends: Speed and Scale

• The growth is not limited to monthly totals.
• In January, the average daily UPI transactions stood at around 700 million, with a daily transaction value of approximately ₹91,403 crore.
• This shows the unmatched speed, convenience and reliability of UPI, handling massive transaction loads seamlessly.

What Is Driving the Surge in UPI Usage?

• Several factors are contributing to UPI’s rapid expansion.
• These include wider smartphone penetration, increased merchant acceptance, zero-cost transactions for users, and seamless integration with banks and apps
• Government support for Digital India, combined with user-friendly innovations such as QR-based payments and recurring mandates, has further accelerated adoption.
• The continued rise reflects behavioural change, with digital payments becoming routine even in small towns and rural areas.

UPI’s Role in India’s Digital Economy

• UPI has emerged as a core pillar of India’s digital public infrastructure, supporting financial inclusion and transparency.
• It has reduced dependence on cash, improved tax compliance, and enabled small businesses to participate in the formal economy.
• Experts note that UPI’s year-on-year growth of around 28% signals long-term sustainability rather than temporary adoption.

Key Summary at a Glance

Aspect	Details
Why in News?	UPI hits record transaction value and volume
Key Figure	₹28.33 lakh crore in January 2026
Growth Trend	Strong MoM and YoY rise
Institution	National Payments Corporation of India

Question

Q. What was the total value of UPI transactions recorded in January 2026?

A. ₹27.97 lakh crore
B. ₹25.80 lakh crore
C. ₹28.33 lakh crore
D. ₹30.10 lakh crore