Consider the following countries: [Government programs & schemes]

I. United Arab Emirates

II. France

III. Germany

IV. Singapore

V. Bangladesh

How many countries amongst the above there other than India where international merchant payments are accepted under UPI?

The correct option is Only three.

The Unified Payments Interface (UPI), developed by the National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI), has expanded its digital payment services globally through its international arm, NPCI International Payments Limited (NIPL). Among the five countries listed, international merchant payments under UPI are accepted in the following three countries:
1. United Arab Emirates (UAE): UPI merchant acceptance is active in the UAE through partnerships with Mashreq Bank's NEOPAY, allowing Indian travelers to make payments across retail outlets.
2. France: UPI payments are accepted in France, starting with the iconic Eiffel Tower, through an agreement with the French e-commerce and proximity payments company, Lyra.
3. Singapore: UPI merchant payments are enabled in Singapore through partnerships with NETS and Liquid Group, allowing seamless QR code-based payments for travelers.

Germany and Bangladesh have not fully enabled active merchant-level acceptance of UPI payments in the same manner as the other three. Therefore, out of the given options, UPI international merchant payments are accepted in exactly three countries (United Arab Emirates, France, and Singapore).