Hyderabad, October 27, 2026: The International Institute of Information Technology Hyderabad (IIIT Hyderabad) and the National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI) have entered into a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to collaborate on strengthening cybersecurity in India’s digital payments ecosystem. The agreement was signed on October 24, 2026, and will focus on research, innovation, and capacity building.
The partnership brings together NPCI’s experience in developing and operating digital payments infrastructure with IIIT Hyderabad’s expertise in advanced technology research. The initiative at IIIT Hyderabad will be led by the Cyber Manthan Centre (CMC), which works in cybersecurity, digital forensics, and trusted infrastructure, under the leadership of Director Prof. Sandeep K. Shukla.
Focus on research and capacity building
The MoU establishes a framework for joint research and development aimed at addressing emerging cybersecurity challenges in digital payments. Capacity building will be a key component, with plans for specialised training, knowledge exchange, research engagement, and industry-oriented learning opportunities.
The collaboration aims to connect academic research with industry needs, strengthen academia-industry engagement in cybersecurity, and develop a skilled workforce capable of tackling evolving security threats in the digital payments sector.
Leaders highlight importance of partnership
Dilip Asbe, Managing Director & CEO of NPCI, said the collaboration brings together industry experience and academic expertise to advance cybersecurity research, develop practical solutions, and build capabilities to address current and emerging risks. He added that the partnership reinforces NPCI’s commitment to proactive risk management and elevating security standards across digital payments.
Prof. Sandeep K. Shukla, Director of IIIT Hyderabad, stated that the partnership will provide a platform to explore cybersecurity challenges specific to digital payments and apply emerging technologies to enhance payment security. He emphasised the importance of capacity building to enable students, researchers, and professionals to develop specialised skills for securing the next generation of digital payment systems.
Cyber Manthan Centre to lead IIIT Hyderabad’s role
The Cyber Manthan Centre at IIIT Hyderabad will steer the institute’s engagement in the partnership, focusing on research and training in cybersecurity, digital forensics, and trusted infrastructure.
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