India unveils new security standards for its digital payments system to drive global adoption
NEW DELHI: India is moving to position its QR (Quick Response) code-based payment system on the global stage. The Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) has introduced fresh norms covering biometric authentication, QR code-based payments and digital currency security to reduce fraud risks and enhance interoperability according to two people aware of the development.The move is intended to strengthen safeguards in India’s rapidly expanding digital financial ecosystem and build confidence among developed economies, where QR code payments are still a novelty, the people said.The rapid expansion of digital payments, biometric-based authentication systems and QR code transactions in India has raised concerns over fraud, identity theft, data misuse and vulnerabilities in the digital payment infrastructure.
With over 218 billion digital payment transactions in April-February of FY26 through QR code scans and biometric authentication, regulators are seeking a structured security framework to guide banks, fintech companies and payment service providers.India’s QR code-based payment system is already operational in Singapore, the UAE, France, Nepal, Bhutan, Sri Lanka and Mauritius, and is expected to be launched in Japan shortly. Finance ministry data showed digital payments totalling ₹284.7 trillion in value were made in April-February.According to a BIS order reviewed by Mint, one of the newly notified standards establishes a security framework for the use of biometrics in financial services.“The standard lays down requirements for secure biometric authentication systems, including protection of biometric data, safeguards against spoofing or identity manipulation, secure storage and transmission of biometric information, and protocols
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