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Tag: Indian digital payments

  • Mobikwik flips the UPI script with Pocket UPI, ropes in Jaideep Ahlawat for new campaign

    Mobikwik flips the UPI script with Pocket UPI, ropes in Jaideep Ahlawat for new campaign

    MUMBAI: India’s largest digital wallet by transaction value, Mobikwik has kicked off a cheeky new campaign spotlighting its Pocket UPI product — a feature designed to challenge the dominance of traditional bank-linked UPI. The multi-media campaign stars actor Jaideep Ahlawat reprising his no-nonsense cop persona in humorous short films tackling the everyday mess of digital payments.

    In the first instalment, Ahlawat is seen policing cluttered bank statements caused by minor UPI transactions, positioning Pocket UPI as a hassle-free alternative. Unlike conventional UPI, Pocket UPI allows users to transact without linking their bank accounts, helping them avoid transaction-related clutter, track monthly expenses better, and make PIN-less payments — all while lowering fraud risks.

    “Pocket UPI is our latest push to simplify how India pays”, said Mobikwik CMO Jaskaran Singh Kapany. “And who better than Jaideep to bring gravitas and humour to what is essentially a smart tech switch for consumers”.

    The campaign dropped with a teaser on Ahlawat’s Instagram on 16 May, generating celebrity buzz around how his character would solve India’s digital payment headaches. The full film went live today on Mobikwik’s digital channels, with more short films focusing on security, speed, and budgeting tools lined up for release.

    According to the Redseer Report, Mobikwik serves over 176.4 million users and 4.6 million merchants and holds a 23 per cent market share in prepaid instrument (PPI) wallet gross transaction value as of November 2024. The company continues to scale its financial services footprint across credit, insurance, savings, and investments.

    Founded in 2009 by Bipin Preet Singh and Upasana Taku, Mobikwik has consistently positioned itself at the intersection of innovation and financial access. With Pocket UPI, it is now attempting to rewrite the UPI rulebook altogether.

  • NPCI ropes in Sohini Rajola to supercharge growth and partnerships

    NPCI ropes in Sohini Rajola to supercharge growth and partnerships

    MUMBAI: If India’s digital payments sector were a rocket, NPCI just strapped a turbo booster to its engine. On 2 April 2025, the National Payments Corporation of India appointed industry heavyweight Sohini Rajola as executive director – growth, a move that signals the organisation is gunning for scale, speed and sharper innovation.

    With two decades of experience spanning the length and breadth of banking and payments, Rajola has swapped her global briefcase at Western Union, where she served as Asia Pacific regional head, for a high-voltage mandate back home.

    Her to-do list? Massive.

    At NPCI, Rajola will lead the adoption of the corporation’s payment solutions across the nation, sharpen its product strategy, spearhead marketing innovation, and drive aggressive go-to-market tactics. She’ll also wrangle strategic alliances with banks, fintech players, regulators and government agencies. If it has a PIN code and a payment gateway, chances are she’s involved.

    “Sohini brings with her a wealth of experience in the payments and digital banking space. Her expertise will be invaluable in leading forward-thinking initiatives and driving innovative technical solutions to address both current and future market demands. We are confident that she will play a key role in advancing our mission to provide secure, seamless digital payment solutions for all. We welcome Sohini to the NPCI Group,” said NPCI MD & CEO Dilip Asbe.

    Rajola’s past includes heavyweight stints at Axis Bank, where she headed digital banking and cards, and a proven track record of navigating the complex corridors of digital transformation in the financial sector. Her return to India’s payment backbone couldn’t be more timely, as NPCI scales its solutions beyond borders and further entrenches UPI and RuPay into daily life.

    With Rajola now in the cockpit, expect more firepower from India’s payments mothership.