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Sujith Nair, CEO and Co-Founder of the Foundation for Interoperability in Digital Economy (FIDE), declared on Friday that the Unified Payments Interface (UPI) has evolved beyond being a mere technology it’s now a population-scale habit.
Speaking to ANI on the sidelines of the Carnegie Global Technology Summit, Nair emphasized that UPI has become an integral part of daily life for millions.
“UPI is no more a technology in some sense. It is a population-scale habit,” he said. “We have 500 million people using Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI) like UPI as a way of life. It is about bringing the large population, especially those without formal access to the economy closer together, and enabling collaboration among government, public, and private sectors to serve citizens and small businesses.”
DPI: Putting People And Businesses At The Centre
Nair highlighted how Digital Public Infrastructure is empowering individuals and businesses by placing them at the heart of the formal economy.
According to him, DPI not only offers access and opportunity but also creates choices for broader participation.
“It’s about expanding the pie for everyone, including markets,” he noted.
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He emphasized that this inclusive approach helps bridge the gap between underserved communities and economic growth, ensuring that technology serves as an enabler rather than a barrier.
ONDC: A Decentralized Alternative To Traditional E-Commerce
Turning to the Open Network for Digital Commerce (ONDC), Nair praised it as a transformative DPI initiative that promotes autonomy and participation without centralized control.
“ONDC allows shopkeepers, drivers, and small vendors to join the digital economy on their own terms,” he explained. “There’s no central platform dictating how they should operate. They get to make choices independently, increasing their participation and control.”
He further pointed out that ONDC isn’t just about facilitating more sales.
It also opens doors to critical financial services like loans and insurance, helping individuals build resilience and long-term stability.
India’s DPI Leadership And Global Influence
India’s success with DPI, particularly through Aadhaar and UPI, was a focal point during its G20 presidency. Nair observed that India has effectively demonstrated how digital ecosystems can drive public service delivery and economic inclusion.
Globally, countries are beginning to follow suit. Nigeria is advancing its digital identity and payments system, Malawi is piloting DPI-as-a-Packaged-Solution (DaaS) for post-disaster support, and Papua New Guinea is expanding digital access despite cybersecurity challenges.
Morocco is digitizing administrative and educational services, while the Dominican Republic has committed to the UNDP-led 50-in-5 campaign.
Challenges And The Road Ahead
Despite the global momentum, Nair acknowledged that DPI adoption is not without challenges.
Issues such as data privacy, cross-border data flows, and technical interoperability continue to pose significant hurdles.
These challenges risk creating further digital divides if not addressed effectively.
Nevertheless, India has taken proactive steps by signing Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) with several countries to share its DPI expertise.
The government continues to stress that India’s digital public goods are not meant for domestic benefit alone but are intended to serve as global resources for inclusive growth.
Conclusion: DPI As A Global Equalizer
As digital infrastructure becomes a foundational element of modern economies, leaders like Sujith Nair advocate for inclusive models that empower individuals, reduce dependency, and promote autonomy.
With UPI now entrenched as a habit and initiatives like ONDC gaining ground, India is setting a blueprint for how digital innovation can truly serve the people both at home and around the world.
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