THIRD-PARTY APPLICATION PROVIDER (TPAP)

GS 3 – SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

A TPAP is an entity that offers UPI-compliant applications to end-users for facilitating payment transactions via the Unified Payments Interface (UPI). These applications include mobile wallets, merchant platforms, or other services that utilize UPI for payments.

The UPI platform is owned and operated by the National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI), which oversees retail payment systems in India.

How TPAPs Work:

• Infrastructure Utilization: TPAPs rely on the UPI framework provided by NPCI and collaborate with Payment Service Providers (PSPs) and partner banks to enable seamless transactions.
• Compliance and Security: They ensure their applications meet the security and compliance standards set by NPCI.
• Licensing Requirements: PSPs must obtain a TPAP license from NPCI to provide UPI services and facilitate merchant transactions through their associated banks.

Current Status (As of February 27, 2024):

There are 22 NPCI-approved third-party UPI applications that enable users to send and receive payments using UPI IDs. Some of these apps include:

• Amazon Pay
• Google Pay
• Groww
• Jupiter Money
• Mobikwik
• PhonePe
• Samsung Pay
• TataNeu
• WhatsApp