On December 23, 2025, PayNearby announced it has secured approval from the National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI) to operate as a Third-Party Application Provider (TPAP) on the Unified Payments Interface (UPI).  

The fintech firm has simultaneously launched the PayNearby Saathi app aiming to deepen digital payment adoption across semi-urban and rural India through its local retail network. 

NPCI Approval and Saathi App Launch Drive Rural UPI Adoption 

The NPCI approval enables PayNearby to directly provide UPI services under its own brand. With this, the company has rolled out its PayNearby Saathi app to facilitate assisted digital payments.  

The application is powered through its 12,00,000 retail partners covering over 20,000 PIN codes across India, focusing largely on underbanked and less digitised regions. 

The Saathi app aims to make UPI services more accessible by operating through the company’s trusted network of neighbourhood retailers and Digital Naaris.  

These intermediaries help users open bank accounts, transfer money, pay bills and access essential financial services, providing a human interface to bridge digital literacy gaps. 

Multiple Features Focused on Accessibility and Diverse Users 

The Saathi app supports UPI payments and other banking-linked functionalities, including deposits like fixed and recurring options, investment access in gold and mutual funds, bill payments, and select credit facilities.  

To ease navigation for non-digital natives, the platform includes support for regional languages and voice-based interaction powered by Bhashini, the government’s speech recognition platform. 

Additionally, the app features an AI assistant that explains product details and guides users through completing transactions, helping improve the overall experience and encouraging recurring use. 

Read More: UPI Records 20.47 Billion Transactions in November 2025: Phone Retains the Leader Board! 

Targeting Financial Inclusion Through Assisted Platforms 

With over 500 million UPI users in India, many adults, especially from rural and semi-urban areas, remain new to digital payments. PayNearby’s model combines digital tools and assisted access to reach this audience effectively.  

By offering voice support and multilingual options, it aims to overcome the digital divide in financially underserved regions. 

Conclusion 

PayNearby’s entry as a TPAP on UPI and the launch of the Saathi app mark steps towards improving digital payment access in India’s less digitised zones. Its distribution-led model provides both technology and human support, enabling smoother UPI onboarding for first-time users. 

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