Here are 2 major UPI changes to take place in January 2024

Updated on 28-Dec-2023
HIGHLIGHTS

The NPCI has issued a circular asking digital payment providers to deactivate UPI IDs.

If your UPI ID is disabled, you will still be able to make payments.

The NPCI is working to put into action the ‘UPI Tap and Pay’ feature.

New Year is just around the corner and with the change in year, also come changes to the UPI interface that we use. A few key changes are planned with UPI for the new year that you should know of. Starting 1st January, you could even lose access to your UPI ID because of the new rules that would be put in place. Read along to know more. 

Inactive UPI IDs to get Disabled

Firstly, the National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI) has issued a circular asking digital payment providers to deactivate UPI IDs that have not used their UPI IDs for over a year. Now, the inactive UPI ID users have time until 31st December 2023 to complete their UPI IDs and activate them or else they will get deleted.

Also read: Google Pay lets you activate UPI using Aadhaar: Here’s how it works

Don’t panic just yet, let me tell you exactly what will happen. The third-party app providers and payment service providers will identify UPI IDs that have not been used for over a year and disable them just for inward transactions. If your UPI ID is disabled, you will still be able to make payments but won’t be able to receive money on the disabled ID. 

UPI Tap and Pay

Secondly, the NPCI is working to put into action the ‘UPI Tap and Pay’ feature across digital payment providers. This comes soon after the NPCI had shared details about the feature stating that it will be out soon. Now, a recent circular states that the feature will be made available to UPI users by January 31, 2024. One must note that this deadline is merely a recommendation for digital payment firms. They could take more time if they need to roll out the feature. 

Also read: Zomato UPI lets you pay without leaving app: It’s very convenient

I’ll quickly tell you how this feature works. Traditionally, we use our smartphones’ cameras and a QR Code to make UPI payments. Once this feature is rolled out for the masses, it will use near-field communication (NFC) technology to get the details about a payee’s UPI ID or a Virtual Payment Address (VPA). Only smartphones that have NFC capabilities will be able to use this feature.

Mustafa Khan

Mustafa is new on the block and is a tech geek who is currently working with Digit as a News Writer. He tests the new gadgets that come on board and writes for the news desk. He has found his way with words and you can count on him when in need of tech advice. No judgement. He is based out of Delhi, he’s your person for good photos, good food recommendations, and to know about anything GenZ.

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