SampathKumar R
Chennai
Summary
Visionary payments technology leader with a record of architecting nation-scale, 24/7, highly scalable transaction processing systems and leading Active–Active, multi-data center deployments across geographies. Proven expertise in open-source, cloud-native transformation, delivering 80% cost savings and 10× productivity gains while eliminating vendor lock-in. Skilled at leveraging AI-driven development methodologies to accelerate delivery cycles, enhance resilience, and support global product commercialization in payments and settlement ecosystems, fully aligned with regulatory and business objectives.
Overview
25
25
years of professional experience
Work History
Online Payment Products & New Applications Development
National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI)
Chennai
09.2015 - Current
- Transformed India’s core payment infrastructure by replacing legacy vendor platforms (Euronet, FIS) with NPCI-developed, open-source, cloud-native solutions, delivering 80% cost savings and complete vendor independence.
- Engineered a 20,000 TPS, 24/7, Active–Active, multi–data center payment platform with horizontal scaling and fault tolerance, powering national systems including RuPay, NFS, IMPS, AePS, ACH, UPI back office, and FastTag.
- Designed and implemented high-performance back-office systems capable of settling 300M+ transactions daily, ensuring accuracy, resilience, and compliance in clearing and settlement operations.
- Pioneered AI-driven development methodologies, achieving 10x faster build–test–deploy cycles while enhancing agility, quality, and operational efficiency.
- Led global deployment of NPCI’s payment platform IPR to CBUAE/AEP (UAE) and Mauritius, providing end-to-end product solutioning, development, and implementation to support sales initiatives and generate new revenue streams while enabling sovereign, secure, and innovative payment ecosystems.
Associate Vice President – Solution Engineering
Scope International Pvt. Ltd
Chennai
07.2014 - 09.2015
- Directed comprehensive solution engineering and delivery of EFT switching and debit card platforms across diverse geographies, ensuring high availability, scalability, and adherence to global operational and security standards.
- Bridged business, technology, and vendor ecosystems (Euronet, CR2) to architect, deliver, and operationalize secure, resilient, and future-ready payment solutions.
- Interpreted, implemented, and operationalized central bank regulatory mandates across Asia and the Middle East, integrating them seamlessly into transaction processing architectures to ensure continuous compliance, and uninterrupted service delivery.
Lead Consultant – Cards Domain
Capgemini India Pvt. Ltd
10.2011 - 06.2014
- Served as Domain Lead & SME in the Cards Centre-of-Excellence, driving merchant acquiring modernization, dispute lifecycle optimization, and end-to-end platform transformation.
- Provided high-impact payment consulting to clients across Europe and the US, including NETS payments processor, on card payments platform consolidation, migration strategies, and operational readiness.
- Developed accelerators and reusable IPs to fast-track delivery, authored solution blueprints for RFP/RFI responses, and conducted executive-level client and pre-sales presentations to influence decision-making, secure strategic deals, and enable successful program execution.
Head – Business Consultancy Group
ElectraCard Services Pvt. Ltd
Pune
10.2009 - 09.2011
- Led multi-country delivery programs implementing ATM/POS acquiring, EFT switching, and debit card management systems using the Electra Suite of payment solutions for global banking clients.
- Served as SME and domain authority in cards and payments, translating business needs into scalable solution architectures and ensuring alignment with regional regulatory and operational standards.
- Directed end-to-end delivery lifecycle — from strategic advisory and requirements analysis to solution implementation, testing, and go-live — ensuring on-time, on-budget outcomes.
- Drove revenue growth and cost optimization through tailored consulting engagements, delivering measurable business impact in the cards and payments domain.
Program / Project Manager – Project Management Group
ElectraCard Services Pvt. Ltd
03.2003 - 10.2009
- Planned and executed large-scale EFT switch and card platform implementation programs across multiple countries, ensuring scope, schedule, and quality objectives were consistently met.
- Drove stakeholder alignment and post–go-live stabilization, coordinating across business, technology, and vendor teams to ensure smooth transition to steady-state operations.
Senior Testing & Implementation Engineer
HMA Starwares Pvt. Ltd
Chennai
07.2000 - 04.2003
- Developed, tested, and implemented ATM EFT switch and debit card issuance systems across Asian markets using the IST/Starware EFT Switching software suite, enabling early adoption of open-platform payment technologies.
- Executed full SDLC activities including requirements validation, system configuration, functional testing, and production deployment, ensuring seamless integration with bank and network infrastructures.
Education
Advanced Management Program - Boston, USA
Masschusettes Institute of Technology
Boston, USA01.2024
MBA - Information Technology
Bharathiyar Institute of Technology
India01.2013
B. Tech - India
A.C.Tech – Anna University
India01.2000
Skills
- Digital strategy and transformation
- AI-driven development leadership
- Platform architecture and modernization
- High-volume transaction processing
- Global payments expertise
- Card and other real time payments solutions mastery
- Regulatory compliance excellence
- Board and CXO collaboration
Thought Leadership
- GFF' 22 |Masterclass on open platform, open-source solution approach in NPCI payment systems
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GcOyxlZPZyk
- The future of fintech and the AI digital transformation in India
https://www.linkedin.com/posts/npci_npcigff2024-gff2024-activity-7235223587773706240-XOBR?utm_source=social_share_send&utm_medium=member_desktop_web&rcm=ACoAAAZBLgMBFQ65JOEMr3AZI9JoO7qqEIfyLGo
- Cards in the fast lane: Rethinking card payments in an instant world
https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/cards-fast-lane-rethinking-card-payments-instant-world-rangasamy-jelyc/?trackingId=%2BQbsInS1BMCnW%2Fc23t6cGg%3D%3D
- Emergence of alternative payments and their impact on card payment networks, Capgemini Group, an in-depth analysis of how emerging payment methods are reshaping the traditional card ecosystem
- Digital wallets in payments: A U.S. Market perspective, Capgemini Group, a comprehensive study of successful mobile wallet providers in the U.S.
- Challenges in merchant acquiring business, Capgemini Group, a collaborative research paper examining operational, regulatory, and technological challenges in the acquiring space
Timeline
Online Payment Products & New Applications Development
National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI)
09.2015 - Current
Associate Vice President – Solution Engineering
Scope International Pvt. Ltd
07.2014 - 09.2015
Lead Consultant – Cards Domain
Capgemini India Pvt. Ltd
10.2011 - 06.2014
Head – Business Consultancy Group
ElectraCard Services Pvt. Ltd
10.2009 - 09.2011
Program / Project Manager – Project Management Group
ElectraCard Services Pvt. Ltd
03.2003 - 10.2009
Senior Testing & Implementation Engineer
HMA Starwares Pvt. Ltd
07.2000 - 04.2003
Advanced Management Program - Boston, USA
Masschusettes Institute of Technology
MBA - Information Technology
Bharathiyar Institute of Technology
B. Tech - India
A.C.Tech – Anna University
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