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Navi Surpasses Cred to Become Fourth Largest UPI App in India!

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Navi Surpasses Cred to Become Fourth Largest UPI App in India!

Sachin Bansal’s fintech platform Navi has emerged as the fourth largest UPI app in India, overtaking Kunal Shah-led Cred. According to data from the National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI), Navi witnessed a significant 31% month-on-month growth in October, registering 158 million transactions compared to 120 million in September.

Market Dynamics

Despite Navi’s impressive growth, Cred also saw an increase in transactions, growing from 140 million in September to 152 million in October. However, Navi’s expansion came even as it scaled back its cashback and incentive programs, demonstrating its ability to attract users through its core offerings.

UPI Market Leaders

The UPI market continues to be dominated by:

  • PhonePe: 48% market share
  • Google Pay: 37% market share
  • Paytm: 7% market share

Both Navi and Cred now account for approximately 1% of the UPI market each. Additionally, Flipkart Group’s super.money app has shown rapid growth, doubling its transaction count to 50 million in October and achieving a 0.3% market share.

Impact of Festive Sales

The festive season contributed to an overall 11% increase in UPI transaction volumes and a 14% rise in transaction value during October. This surge highlights the seasonal boost that often accompanies major shopping events in India.

Navi’s Unique Offerings

Unlike many UPI and fintech apps, Navi operates as a manufacturer of financial products. It offers a range of services including:

  • Personal loans
  • Home loans
  • Mutual funds
  • Insurance
  • Digital gold

This approach distinguishes Navi from competitors who typically act as third-party distributors of financial products.

Resilience Amid Regulatory Challenges

In October, the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) directed Navi Finserv and three other non-banking financial companies (NBFCs) to halt lending practices due to concerns over high interest rates and hidden charges. Notably, this directive did not impact Navi’s UPI operations, allowing it to continue expanding its user base.

Challenges in Market Regulation

The NPCI has faced challenges in implementing a proposed 30% market share cap for UPI apps, aimed at preventing concentration risk within the ecosystem. Currently, PhonePe and Google Pay collectively account for about 85% of UPI transactions, highlighting the dominance of these two players.

NPCI’s Strategic Moves

To foster competition, NPCI has spun off its BHIM app into a separate entity and appointed veteran banker Lalitha Nataraj as its CEO. However, despite these efforts, BHIM has not seen significant growth in transaction volumes this financial year.

Future Prospects

As tier-two UPI apps like Navi and super.money gain traction, competition in India’s UPI ecosystem is intensifying. With plans to introduce innovative credit products—such as RuPay credit cards on UPI—emerging players are poised to disrupt the market further. Meanwhile, the dominance of leading apps remains a challenge for regulators aiming to promote a more balanced ecosystem.

Conclusion

Navi’s rise to become the fourth-largest UPI app marks a significant milestone in India’s digital payment landscape. By leveraging its unique business model and navigating regulatory challenges effectively, Navi is positioned for continued growth. As competition heats up among fintech players, the evolution of the UPI ecosystem will be crucial for enhancing financial inclusion across India.

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  1. I don’t think the title of your article matches the content lol. Just kidding, mainly because I had some doubts after reading the article.

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Funding

Agritech Startup Gramik Raises INR 17 Crore to Expand Rural Commerce in India

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StartupStories
  • Gramik, a Lucknow-based agritech startup, has secured INR 17 crore in a bridge funding round ahead of its upcoming INR 56 crore Series A raise.
  • The funding round included investments via Optionally Convertible Debentures (OCDs) and Compulsorily Convertible Debentures (CCDs).
  • Key investors include Sammaan Global Ventures, Money Creeper Investment, and prominent angels such as Balram Yadav (MD & CEO, Godrej Agrovet), Gev Aryaton, Irfan Alam, Nikhil Bhagat, and Salvia Siddiqui.

Gramik’s Unique Peer Commerce Model

  • Founded in 2021 by Raj Yadav, Gramik empowers over 120 million small and marginal farmers in India through a technology-driven rural commerce platform.
  • The startup operates a dual-channel distribution network using Village-Level Entrepreneurs (VLEs) and rural retailers to deliver high-quality agri-inputs to remote areas.
  • Gramik’s full-stack platform offers demand aggregation, logistics, embedded credit, and agronomy services, ensuring last-mile delivery and support for farmers.

Expansion Plans and Future Growth

  • Gramik currently operates in 12 districts, with 1,200+ active VLEs and 250+ rural retail partners, and plans to expand to 3,000 VLEs and reach 1 million+ farmers across Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra, and Jammu.
  • The new funds will be used to expand Gramik’s private-label products, enhance agronomy-led farmer engagement, and scale operations in key states.
  • With a strong focus on supply chain efficiency, technology, and farmer advisory services, Gramik aims to become a leader in India’s $50 billion agri-input and rural commerce market.
  • Backed by previous seed funding of over INR 25 crore, Gramik is set to drive innovation and inclusive growth for rural communities.

 

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Reliance Jio Platforms Puts $100 Billion IPO on Hold to Focus on Growth

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Reliance Jio Platforms, the digital and telecom powerhouse led by Mukesh Ambani, has decided to postpone its highly anticipated initial public offering (IPO), shelving plans for a 2025 listing. The IPO, which analysts valued at over $100 billion and expected to be India’s largest-ever stock market debut, will not take place this year. The company has yet to appoint bankers for the process, signaling that preparations for the public offering have not started in earnest.

According to sources close to the matter, Jio Platforms wants to give its business more time to grow before going public. The company is focusing on boosting revenues, expanding its telecom subscriber base, and scaling up its digital services—including apps, connected devices, and AI solutions—so it can achieve a higher valuation when the IPO eventually happens. Nearly 80% of Jio Platforms’ $17.6 billion annual revenue currently comes from its telecom business, Reliance Jio Infocomm, but the company is investing heavily in new digital ventures and partnerships, such as its collaboration with Nvidia on AI infrastructure.

The news of the delay impacted the market, with shares of parent company Reliance Industries falling by up to 1.8% following the announcement. Despite a strong IPO environment in India, Jio’s move is seen as a strategic decision to ensure stronger business fundamentals and a higher valuation before entering the public markets. Major investors, including Google and Meta, are said to support the decision, viewing it as a step toward long-term value creation.

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Starlink Receives Final Regulatory Approval to Launch Satellite Internet in India

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Starlink - StartupStories

Elon Musk’s Starlink has received the final regulatory green light to launch its satellite internet services in India, marking a major milestone for the country’s digital connectivity. The Indian National Space Promotion and Authorisation Centre (IN-SPACe) granted Starlink the crucial approval, making it the third company after Eutelsat OneWeb and Reliance Jio to secure full regulatory clearance for satellite broadband in India.

What Does This Mean for India?

  • Starlink can now move forward with commercial satellite broadband operations, aiming to bring high-speed internet to both urban and remote regions where traditional connectivity is limited or unavailable.
  • The approval allows Starlink to operate its Gen1 satellite constellation over Indian territory, using a mix of Ka and Ku band frequencies for reliable internet access.
  • The license is valid until July 7, 2030, giving Starlink five years to establish and grow its presence in the Indian market.

What’s Next for Starlink?

Before launching services, Starlink must:

  • Acquire satellite spectrum from the Department of Telecommunications (DoT)
  • Set up ground infrastructure such as gateway stations across the country
  • Complete security and compliance trials as required by Indian authorities

If all goes according to plan, Starlink’s commercial rollout could begin by late 2025 or early 2026.

Pricing and Partnerships

  • Starlink kits are expected to cost around ₹33,000, with monthly subscription fees likely ranging from ₹3,000 to ₹4,200.
  • The hardware and services will be distributed through major telecom partners like Bharti Airtel and Reliance Jio, expanding Starlink’s reach across India36.
  • These rates are similar to those in neighboring countries where Starlink has already launched.

Why Is This Important?

  • Starlink’s entry is set to transform India’s internet landscape, especially for rural and underserved communities.
  • The move supports India’s broader goal of expanding digital access and bridging the connectivity gap across diverse regions.

In Summary

With this final approval, Starlink is poised to revolutionize satellite internet in India, offering new options for millions of users and supporting the country’s digital future. The next steps involve spectrum allocation, infrastructure setup, and regulatory compliance—after which Starlink aims to go live, potentially as soon as the end of 2025.

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