Unified Payments Interface

Unified Payments Interface (UPI) is a trending payments system in India now-a-days, UPI is the fastest payments gateway and has been developed by the National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI) regulated by Reserve Bank of India (RBI). UPI is completely built on the IMPS technology which enables a user to instantly transfer funds from their bank account to the end user’s bank account through UPI Virtual Address (unique ID generated by the bank) or by using their Bank Account Number and IFS Code.

Unified Payments Interface (UPI) is a revolutionary payments system launched by NPCI on 11^th April, 2016 by ex-RBI governor Shri Raghuram Rajan. UPI was publicly launched on 25^th August, 2016 and ever since then it has seen significant scale up in transaction. Therefore, currently there are 39 apps live on Google Play Store and 50+ issuing banks supporting UPI.

Additionally, post demonetization under the initiative of government, NPCI launched Bharat Interface for Money (BHIM), which has seen over 16.5 million downloads. All together, they have been 36.5 million UPI-enabled App downloads and more than 3.5 lakh+ transactions per day.

UPI is a digital payments system which makes its operations live 24 X 7 X 365 days unlike NEFT whose operations are limited to 23 settlements in a day, starting from 8:00 AM to 7:30 PM in evening and is not operational on 2^nd and 4^th Saturdays of the month. Also, there are no settlements done on the Sundays and Public Holidays.

Benefits for end Customers:

• Round-the-clock availability
• Access to multiple bank accounts through single app
• Transact with Virtual ID – No need of sharing credentials repeatedly
• Single click authentication
• Raise complaints from mobile app directly

Now, the question arises that how can YOU use this amazing payments system? It is simple if you have a smartphone, just download the online banking application from Google Play Store/Apple Store and follow the following steps:

1. Register your mobile number with the respective bank account along with your account number
2. Install any UPI application, a preferred platform is BHIM which supports both the mobile platforms
3. Select your preferred language
4. Allow app permissions
5. Make sure that your device is protected by Google PIN/Lock pattern or fingerprint lock
6. Select the correct mobile number which is registered with the bank
7. Select preferred bank in which you have your account.
8. Update last 6 digits and expiry details of your ATM Debit Card
9. Create your UPI PIN (6 digits). You will have to remember this code each time a transaction has been initiated and the PIN will be needed for transaction authentication
10. Create app PIN (4 digits) and you are all set

Nobody wants to wait in a long queue to deposit funds when there is this amazing and unique payments solution which is capable of sending funds throughout India in a fraction of seconds. Now, you might be thinking how it is a unique payments method when there are lots of payments processing system and web wallets available these days? Here’s how:

• UPI enables us to initiate immediate money transfers through mobile device 24x7x365
• Allows transacting with multiple banks using a single mobile application
• Allows two-factor authentication on a single click – aligned with the regulatory guidelines, which is an effective feature of seamless single click payment
• Virtual address of the customer for Pull & Push transaction provides additional layer of security while transacting because there’s no need to provide your credentials like IFS code, bank account number, etc. repeatedly
• Allows easy bill sharing with friends
• Is the best solution for COD (Cash on Delivery) goods as you don’t have to visit an ATM and withdraw an extra amount since you can pay the exact amount through UPI
• Allows merchant payment with single application or in-app payments.
• Allows utility Bill Payments, over the counter payments and Barcode (scan and pay) based payments
• Allows donations, collections, scalable disbursements
• You can raise complaints directly from the mobile app

Is UPI beneficial for Merchants as well?

Yes, UPI payments benefit merchants too, as there is an opportunity to minimize operational expenses.

• Competitive price offering makes it economical & cost effective

• Near real-time settlement: Instant realization of funds provided for liquidity and working capital
• Solution to ease last mile delivery hassle: Minimize the effort of cash handling and optimize the cost of cash management
• Provides for payment essentials like complaint management, reconciliation and dispute management through your acquiring partners
• The simplicity of solution and ease of enablement makes it a popular payment tool. No additional infrastructure or development is required. An easy inclusion to the existing payment offerings through your partner

Being Indians, we should promote this payments solution and contribute towards Digital India Programme and become a ‘Faceless, Paperless and Cashless’ economy.

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Jithin Jayadevan

Manager – Billing at ESDS Software Solutions Limited

Jithin is passionate about data analysis and believes to be process-driven. He is also fond of gadgets and likes to do R&D with them. Jithin is one of those unique souls who prefer automation in tasks over manual dependency.

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