Paytm Now 100% Indian-Owned: A Milestone for Atmanirbhar Bharat
In a landmark development for India’s digital economy, Paytm is now entirely Indian-owned, marking a proud chapter in the country’s push for technological self-reliance.
Nearly a decade after founder Vijay Shekhar Sharma famously said, “We are as Indian as Maruti,” that declaration has now become reality. Chinese tech giant Ant Financial, an affiliate of Alibaba Group, has fully exited One97 Communications—Paytm’s parent company—by selling its remaining 5.84% stake for ₹3,803 crore. With this move, all Chinese ownership in Paytm has officially ended. “This makes Paytm as Indian as Tata,” remarked a source familiar with the deal.
A Profitable New Chapter
The ownership transition comes on the heels of a major financial milestone. Paytm reported its first-ever fully profitable quarter, clocking a net profit of ₹123 crore in Q1 FY26. This is a key turning point for a company that was often criticized for its high cash burn and dependence on foreign capital.
Some highlights from Q1 FY26 include:
- 28% YoY growth in revenue
- 52% YoY growth in contribution profit
- Strong growth in merchant subscriptions, lending partnerships, and UPI transactions
This signals that Paytm is not just surviving, but thriving—fueled by operational efficiency, diversification of revenue streams, and deeper ecosystem engagement.
UPI Innovation at the Forefront
Paytm continues to lead India’s fintech revolution through innovation in UPI and digital payments. Some of the latest features introduced include:
- Hidden payments for added user privacy
- Home screen widgets for quicker access
- Custom UPI IDs for personalized branding
- Downloadable UPI statements for better tracking
- Total balance view across all linked bank accounts
Moreover, Paytm UPI is now accepted internationally, enabling Indian users to make seamless transactions in countries such as:
- United Arab Emirates (UAE)
- Singapore
- Nepal
- Bhutan
- France, and more
This expansion positions Paytm as a key player in cross-border digital payments, supporting NRIs, tourists, and global trade in a rapidly digitizing economy.
From Doubt to Dominance: The Paytm Transformation
Paytm’s journey has not been without challenges. Once questioned for its heavy foreign investment, the company has undergone a strategic transformation—from a foreign-backed fintech startup to a profitable, Indian-owned tech powerhouse.
- Founded in 2010, Paytm was initially a mobile recharge platform
- Post-demonetization in 2016, it rapidly scaled to become India’s leading digital wallet
- Over the years, it expanded into payments bank, lending, wealth tech, ticketing, and merchant services
With the exit of Chinese investors and a sharper focus on financial inclusion, the company now aligns more closely with the “Atmanirbhar Bharat” (Self-Reliant India) vision advocated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
What This Means for Indian Tech
Paytm’s 100% Indian ownership could inspire a wider trend of decolonizing Indian startups from foreign dependence. It also reflects growing investor confidence in Indian founders, product maturity, and regulatory alignment.
As India’s fintech ecosystem matures—with UPI volumes crossing 14 billion transactions monthly—homegrown players like Paytm are poised to lead the charge in building a secure, innovative, and globally relevant financial infrastructure.
