Context
- The 7th Global Fintech Fest (GFF) 2026 is being held in Mumbai from 8 to 11 September 2026.
- GFF has emerged as a major global platform for dialogue, collaboration and innovation in financial technology (FinTech).
What is Global Fintech Fest?
- Global Fintech Fest (GFF) is a global platform that brings together stakeholders to discuss and shape developments in financial technology.
- It provides an avenue to showcase India’s fintech experience and exchange ideas with global innovators.
- It also strengthens engagement between India, developed economies, emerging markets and the Global South.
About Global Fintech Fest 2026
| Particular | Details |
| Principal Organisers | Payments Council of India (PCI), National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI) and Fintech Convergence Council (FCC) |
| Major Supporting Institutions | MeitY, Department of Financial Services, Ministry of Finance, NEST Division of MEA, NITI Aayog, RBI, SEBI, IFSCA and PFRDA |
| Theme | “Potential to Impact: Agentic AI | Tokenisation | Quantum: Trusted, Connected, Global Systems for Inclusive Finance” |
| Major Focus | Agentic AI, Tokenisation, Quantum technologies and inclusive digital finance |
Robust and Trusted Regulatory Ecosystem
As India’s fintech sector has expanded, the Government and the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) have strengthened the regulatory and consumer-protection framework supporting digital finance.
- Self-regulation: RBI’s Framework for Self-Regulatory Organisation(s) in the FinTech Sector (SRO-FT), May 2024 promotes ethical conduct, market integrity and dispute resolution.
- Payment security: RBI’s Master Directions on Digital Payment Security Controls, 2021 prescribe minimum security standards for digital payment channels.
- Data protection: The Digital Personal Data Protection Act, 2023 and Digital Personal Data Protection Rules, 2025 provide a framework for protecting personal data.
- Regulatory Sandbox: RBI’s Regulatory Sandbox framework, August 2019 enables innovative financial products and services to be tested in a controlled regulatory environment.
- Consumer protection: Digital lending regulations, the Digital Lending Apps (DLA) directory, the National Cybercrime Reporting Portal and helpline 1930, along with the SACHET portal, support consumer protection.
Key Institutions Involved
I. Payments Council of India (PCI)
- Payments Council of India (PCI) is a non-profit industry association representing India’s digital payments ecosystem.
- It was formed under the aegis of the Internet and Mobile Association of India (IAMAI) in 2013, to drive digital payment adoption, represent industry concerns, and promote a less-cash economy.
- Project Pratima: PCI initiated this project to develop standard icons for common digital-payment use cases, helping improve trust, security and familiarity with digital payments.
II. National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI)
- NPCI is the umbrella organisation responsible for operating retail payment and settlement systems in India.
- It was incorporated in 2008 as a not-for-profit company.
- It was established as an initiative of the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) and Indian Banks’ Association (IBA) under the Payment and Settlement Systems Act, 2007.
- NPCI itself describes its major retail-payment products as including UPI, RuPay, NACH, IMPS, NETC, AePS and e-RUPI, among others.
Conclusion
The 7th Global Fintech Fest 2026 highlights India’s growing role in shaping the global fintech landscape. Its emphasis on Agentic AI, tokenisation and quantum technologies, combined with India’s DPI-led financial ecosystem, reflects the transition towards more connected, secure and inclusive digital finance. Strengthening cybersecurity, data protection, consumer safeguards and responsible innovation will be critical to sustaining this growth.
| Important CTC from this Article Payments Council of India and National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI) |