Called the Unified Agent Protocol, the proposed framework would enable payments without customers manually approving each transaction. Early adoption is expected among e-commerce platforms, with everyday purchases such as groceries as the initial focus. The launch timing has not been confirmed.

The framework would draw on UPI Circle and Reserve Pay. Circle enables an account holder to delegate payment authority, while Reserve Pay allows money to be set aside for several later transactions. Banks currently permit such blocks of up to ₹10,000 for a maximum of 90 days. These conditions could be revised for AI-based purchases.

NPCI also plans infrastructure through which merchants can connect with AI agents. Controls would cover customer instructions, payment caps, identity verification and records of actions taken. A framework for liability is under development, but responsibility when a payment goes wrong has not been fully explained.

Possible later applications include purchases triggered by discounts and investments activated at a customer’s chosen stock price. These remain potential uses rather than confirmed launch features. The planned service would enter an already large network: UPI processed 24.51 billion transactions in August, worth close to ₹30 lakh crore. Visa and Mastercard are also developing AI payment tools in India, while Pine Labs has introduced its P3P protocol.