Archive · 21 Sep 2025
UPI Payments Surge, Signaling India's Economic Formalization
Imagine more and more people in India are using their phones to pay for things instead of using cash.
This is because of a system called UPI.
UPI is used for almost half of what people spend money on.
Even things like buying food and paying bills are done digitally now.
Less cash is being used, and people are also withdrawing less cash from ATMs.
Experts think this means the Indian economy is becoming more official and organized.
It's a sign that things are changing!
UPI transactions reached 34.9 billion in Q1 2025, totaling Rs 20.4 lakh crore.
UPI payments account for roughly 40% of private final consumption expenditure in Q1 2025.
Digital payments are used for various expenditures, including food, utilities, and investments.
Household currency holdings are decreasing; falling from 12.5% in 2020-21 to 3.4% in 2023-24.
ATM withdrawals have decreased, despite a growing economy.
- Who
- Indian households and businesses
- What
- The increasing adoption of digital payments via UPI and its effect on the Indian economy
- When
- As of April-June 2025 and July 2025
- Where
- India
- Why
- To show how the Indian economy is formalizing and moving away from cash transactions
The Decline of Cash
Economic Formalization
Impact of UPI
The Decline of Cash
UPI demonstrates a shift away from cash-based transactions, potentially indicating a decrease in reliance on cash.
Economic Formalization
The growth of UPI suggests a growing trend of formalization in the Indian economy
- UPI Transactions (Q1 2025)
- 34.9 billion
- UPI Transaction Value (Q1 2025)
- Rs 20.4 lakh crore
- UPI Share of Private Consumption (Q1 2025)
- 40%
- Household Currency Holdings (2020-21)
- 12.5% of gross household financial savings
- Household Currency Holdings (2023-24)
- 3.4% of gross household financial savings
- ATM Withdrawal Transactions (July 2025)
- 44 crore
- Currency with Public to GDP Ratio (March 2025)
- 10.9%