Another major step towards enhancing digital payments in India could soon be taken. Recent reports indicate that UPI users will soon be able to make payments even without an internet connection.
According to reports, the National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI) is working on a feature that will allow users to make payments on another device or a merchant's Point-of-Sale (PoS) terminal without internet connectivity.
How will this new feature work?
It is reported that this new system will be based on Near Field Communication (NFC) technology. NFC is a short-range wireless technology that enables fast and secure data transfer over very short distances. The maximum limit for offline UPI transactions made using this facility could be up to ₹2,000.
Funds must be added to the wallet first.
However, to use this feature, users will first need to add money to the 'UPI Lite' digital wallet using the internet. Once that is done, payments can be easily made by simply tapping the device on an NFC-enabled PoS terminal in areas where internet service is unavailable. Notably, there will be no need to enter a UPI PIN during this process.
The report also mentions that the NPCI may begin certifying PoS device manufacturers in the country this year to enable them to support this new offline UPI system.
Offline UPI options already exist.
It is worth noting, however, that the concept of making UPI payments without the internet is not new. You can already make payments without mobile data using services like *99# and UPI 123Pay. The *99# service operates on USSD technology and can be used on any GSM phone; users simply dial *99# and select their bank.
After that, payments can be made by entering a UPI ID or mobile number via the 'Send Money' option. A maximum of ₹5,000 can be transferred in a single transaction through this method. On the other hand, UPI 123Pay has been specifically designed for feature phone users.
Disclaimer: This content has been sourced and edited from Dainik Jagran. While we have made modifications for clarity and presentation, the original content belongs to its respective authors and website. We do not claim ownership of the content.
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