Courses

How Digital Payments Work

Covers NFC, tokenisation, tap-to-pay, card and UPI architecture, merchant devices, mPOS, settlement, reconciliation, and digital wallets in emerging markets.

  • Level: Discovery
  • Duration: 3 hours
  • Language: English
  • Provider: Accredian
  • Certificate on completion

About this course

How Digital Payments Work is a 3-hour, self-paced programme for Chartered Accountants, NGO professionals, government employees, and school teachers & principals who want a clear, plain-language understanding of how digital payments actually function. The course begins with NFC, tokenisation, and tap-to-pay, explaining how everyday contactless payments like Google Pay and Apple Pay stay secure, then walks through card network architecture, covering the debit vs. credit card lifecycle and how Visa, Mastercard, and RuPay process transactions. Participants get a technical deep-dive into UPI's architecture, including NPCI, PSP banks, and TPAPs, and learn how merchant devices and mPOS systems

What you'll learn

  • Explain how NFC, tokenisation and tap-to-pay technologies secure transactions.
  • Describe how card networks work and how Visa, Mastercard and RuPay process transactions.
  • Understand UPI's architecture, including the roles of NPCI, PSP banks and TPAPs.
  • Explain how merchant devices and mPOS systems accept payments.
  • Understand settlement, reconciliation and emerging payment rails.
  • Explore global emerging-market wallets and future payment trends.

Curriculum

NFC, Tokenisation & Tap-to-Pay

  • What Is NFC & How Does Tap-to-Pay Work?
  • Tokenisation Explained Simply: Why Your Card Number Stays Safe
  • A Day in the Life of a Tap-to-Pay Transaction
  • Familiar Examples: Google Pay, Apple Pay & Samsung Pay
  • Staying Safe: Everyday Tips for Contactless Payments

Card Network Architecture

  • Debit vs Credit Cards
  • Card Transaction Lifecycle
  • Visa, Mastercard & RuPay Networks
  • Authorization & Authentication
  • Merchant Acquiring Process
  • Card Settlement Flow

UPI Architecture Deep-Dive

  • UPI Ecosystem Overview
  • NPCI Architecture
  • PSP Banks & Third-Party App Providers (TPAPs)
  • UPI Transaction Flow
  • UPI 2.0 Features
  • QR Code Payments

Merchant Devices & mPOS

  • What Is mPOS? Mobile Point-of-Sale, Simply Explained
  • Soundboxes, QR Stickers & Card Machines Compared
  • How a Small Shop Accepts Digital Payments
  • A Quick Look at Merchant Settlement

Settlement, Reconciliation & New Payment Rails

  • Settlement Process
  • Reconciliation Fundamentals
  • T+0 and T+1 Settlement Cycles
  • IMPS & FASTag Ecosystem
  • CBDCs & Digital Rupee
  • Future of Digital Payments

Global Digital Wallets & Future Trends

  • M-Pesa (Africa): Mobile Money Without a Bank Account
  • WeChat Pay & Alipay: Super-Apps in China
  • A Quick Look at Southeast Asia's Wallet Landscape
  • How India's UPI Compares Globally
  • What's Next: CBDCs, Digital Rupee & Future Trends

Frequently asked questions

How does tap-to-pay keep my card number safe?

Learn how tokenisation protects card details, how NFC enables contactless payments, and how Google Pay, Apple Pay and Samsung Pay work.

Does the course cover Visa, Mastercard and RuPay?

Yes. Understand card networks, debit and credit transactions, authorisation, authentication, merchant acquiring and settlement.

Will I understand UPI's architecture, not just use UPI?

Yes. Learn about NPCI, PSP banks, TPAPs, UPI transaction flows, UPI 2.0 features and QR-based payments.

How does a small shop accept digital payments?

Compare soundboxes, QR stickers, card machines and mPOS devices, and understand merchant settlement.

Does the course cover settlement and newer payment rails?

Yes. Learn about settlement, reconciliation, T+0 and T+1 cycles, IMPS, FASTag, CBDCs and the Digital Rupee.

Which tools and exercises are included?

Use Google Pay, the NPCI UPI Simulator and mPOS demos, with practical exercises on cards, UPI, tokenisation and settlement.