Adopting AI and Digital Public Infrastructure is the Need of the Hour: Nalin Bansal

Payments Systems Boost Inclusion and Efficiency

Mumbai, May 2026 : In an era of rapid technological transformation, adopting artificial intelligence (AI) and digital public infrastructure has become essential across all sectors, said NPCI’s Chief Relationship Management–Partnerships, Nalin Bansal. He emphasised that failure to embrace these advancements could result in falling behind in the global landscape. Bansal was speaking as the keynote speaker at a session on “Digital Public Infrastructure: Payments and Services” under the ‘Tech-Wari 2.0’ initiative आयोजित at the Mantralaya.

Principal Secretary of the Accounts and Treasury Department, Richa Bagla, delivered the opening remarks, highlighting how digital payment systems have made transactions more transparent, faster, and accountable.

In his address, Bansal noted that India’s digital payments and financial ecosystem did not emerge overnight but is the result of decades of consistent policy efforts, innovation, and coordination. Developments in the banking sector, the mobile revolution, identity systems like Aadhaar, and digital innovations have collectively shaped a robust digital economy. Platforms like UPI have significantly advanced financial inclusion, enabling millions of citizens and small businesses to participate in digital transactions and improving overall efficiency.

He pointed out that processes such as Know Your Customer (KYC) have become more cost-effective, while services like lending, insurance, and investments have become more accessible. A key strength of digital public infrastructure, he said, is that it operates within a trusted institutional framework involving coordination between the government, banks, technology providers, and regulators.

Citing examples like Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT), Aadhaar-enabled payments, UPI, and e-mandates, Bansal said these systems have ensured faster and more transparent service delivery to citizens. He also revealed that efforts are underway to enable credit facilities through UPI, which could provide instant loans for small-value transactions.

However, he acknowledged that a large segment of the population still remains outside the digital ecosystem. Bridging this gap by building awareness, trust, and access will be a key challenge going forward. He stressed that inclusion and efficiency remain the core strengths of digital infrastructure.

On AI, Bansal highlighted its growing role in data analytics, fraud detection, customer service, and decision-making processes. He also noted that emerging technologies like blockchain could enable seamless transfer of both transactions and ownership within a single system.

Additional Chief Secretary (Economic Reforms) Vikas Chandra Rastogi and other senior officials were present at the session, where participants actively engaged and had their queries addressed.