This Diwali, the celebration extended beyond traditional lights and fireworks to a record-breaking surge in digital transactions. On October 31, the Unified Payments Interface (UPI), India’s digital payment platform, witnessed an impressive 644 million transactions in a single day. This volume was more than 20% higher than UPI‘s usual daily average of around 510-520 million transactions.

The data, shared by the National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI), which manages the UPI system, highlights how the holiday season drove a massive increase in digital transactions. UPI’s rapid, real-time payment capabilities made it a popular choice for festive shopping and gifting across the country, contributing to the platform’s extraordinary numbers on Diwali.

This unprecedented spike underscores the growing adoption of digital payments in India, as more people are embracing the convenience and security of cashless transactions. From neighborhood stores to online shopping sites, the festival of lights this year was powered not only by traditional cheer but also by the swift, secure flow of digital currency—making UPI a significant part of modern Diwali celebrations.

According to industry data, the surge in e-commerce transactions—spanning everything from pet products and books to new digital media subscriptions and holiday bookings—drove a significant rise in online payments.

Throughout the festive season leading up to Diwali, online retailers and digital payment platforms experienced strong sales. This momentum was particularly notable on Dhanteras, October 29, when the National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI) recorded 565 million UPI transactions. The trend continued the following day, with 546 million transactions on October 30.

The steady increase in digital transactions underscored the role of online shopping in this year’s festive celebrations, with UPI playing a central part in facilitating smooth and secure payments.