Context:
In a strategic move to enhance cybersecurity and digital resilience within India’s fast-expanding digital payments infrastructure, the National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI) and the Institute for Development and Research in Banking Technology (IDRBT) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on June 12, 2025.
Why This Matters
As India’s digital payment ecosystem witnesses exponential growth, the associated risk of cyber threats has also surged. This partnership aims to fortify India’s financial infrastructure by building skilled human capital, improving threat intelligence, and introducing structured certification programs to enhance the sector’s preparedness against cyber threats.
Key Objectives of the MoU
- Strengthen cyber resilience in digital and retail payments.
- Launch specialized training programs on cybersecurity, data privacy, and digital risk.
- Roll out NPCI-certified security programmes tailored to regulatory and industry standards.
- Provide access to IDRBT’s upgraded threat intelligence platform, सचेत (IBCART 3.0).
- Promote information sharing, early warning mechanisms, and incident response frameworks.
Highlights of the Partnership
- Joint capacity-building efforts across rural and urban financial ecosystems.
- Proactive risk mitigation strategies for digital payment professionals.
- Empowerment of banks and fintechs with certified cybersecurity talent.
- Alignment with India’s broader Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI) and financial inclusion goals.
About NPCI
- Umbrella organization for retail payment systems in India, established by RBI and IBA.
- Pioneered systems like UPI, IMPS, RuPay, AePS, NACH, and e-RUPI.
- Key subsidiaries include NIPL (international), NBBL (bill payments), and NBSL (registry services).
- Central to the development of India’s interoperable and inclusive payment ecosystem.
About IDRBT
- Established by the Reserve Bank of India in 1996 for R&D in banking technology.
- Instrumental in launching INFINET, SFMS, and the National Financial Switch.
- Hosts CISO, CIO, and CAO forums, guiding Indian banks on tech governance and cybersecurity.
- Developer of the सचेत (IBCART 3.0) platform for real-time cyber threat intelligence and response.
