PayNearby has earned Third-Party Application Provider (TPAP) approval from the National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI), marking a pivotal step toward extending UPI accessibility to underserved rural and semi-urban communities. Announced on December 23, 2025, from Mumbai, this license empowers the company to operate as an official UPI intermediary, leveraging its expansive network of over 15 lakh retail partners, known as Digital Naaris and local outlets, across more than 20,000 PIN codes to facilitate assisted digital onboarding.
Coinciding with the approval, PayNearby unveiled Saathi, a groundbreaking financial wellness app tailored for Bharat’s first-time digital users. The platform simplifies UPI transactions by enabling seamless account openings for UPI-linked savings, peer-to-peer payments, bill settlements, and merchant collections—all in an intuitive, assisted mode through trusted neighborhood stores.
Beyond payments, Saathi bundles a comprehensive suite of services: investment options like fixed deposits (FDs), recurring deposits (RDs), digital gold, and mutual funds; plus credit products including personal loans, gold loans, business loans, and credit cards. Future updates promise micro-insurance and expanded lending to drive long-term financial empowerment.
What sets Saathi apart is its focus on inclusivity. Available in multiple Indian languages, the app features a personal AI assistant delivering real-time education and navigation support for UPI, investments, insurance, and savings—ideal for those navigating digital tools for the first time. It integrates Bhashini, the Government of India’s AI-driven speech technology, enabling voice queries and responses in local dialects for barrier-free interactions. With UPI boasting over 504 million active users and vast untapped potential, Saathi’s design addresses trust, awareness, and literacy gaps in digital adoption.
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Anand Kumar Bajaj, Founder, MD & CEO of PayNearby, highlighted the initiative’s role in localizing technology: “UPI reflects India’s digital prowess globally, yet millions await full inclusion. Through our Distribution-as-a-Service and Saathi, we bring simplified, trusted services to semi-urban and rural Bharat, connecting it to India’s financial revolution.” Founded in 2016, PayNearby’s B2B2C model continues to bridge urban-rural divides, fostering confidence in digital finance.
