One-fifth share in volume, value: Ernakulam drives Kerala’s UPI economy

KOCHI: From roadside tea stalls and fish markets to supermarkets, hospitals, and educational institutions, QR codes have become as common as cash counters across Kerala. And, true to its billing as Kerala’s commercial capital, Ernakulam district is leading the state’s shift to digital payments.

The latest district-wise Unified Payments Interface (UPI) data from the National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI) shows that the state’s digital payments ecosystem is maturing fast, with Ernakulam emerging as the undisputed leader in both transaction volume and value.