# NPCI Unified Agent Protocol (UAP)

> A reported national framework from India's NPCI to let AI agents execute small-ticket UPI payments using UPI Circle (delegated authority) and Reserve Pay (pre-blocked funds), with spending limits, identity checks, and audit trails. NPCI deferred the expected launch at Global Fintech Fest (September 8–11, 2026) pending regulatory review. At GFF on September 10, NPCI's chairman publicly described the protocol work for the first time, stating that AI agents may read intent but authentication and settlement must remain deterministic and auditable. No public specification has been released.

> **Unverified draft.** This entry is seeded but not yet verified against primary sources.

## At a glance

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Name | UAP |
| Layer | payment-authorization |
| Category | framework |
| Status | draft |
| Created by | NPCI |
| Launched | — |
| Rails | UPI |
| Settlement | Delegates settlement to UPI's existing infrastructure (UPI Circle delegation and Reserve Pay fund blocks). |
| Reversible | — |
| Human in loop | optional |
| D2C fit | strong |
| B2B fit | weak |
| Spec | — |
| Last verified | 2026-09-14 |

## Sources

_No sources yet — unverified draft._

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_Source: payful.ai — independent editorial reference. Verified 2026-09-14._