What is UPI, the payment method used everywhere in India?

Introduction to UPI Payments

UPI, short for Unified Payment Interface, is a real-time payment system developed by the National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI). Launched in 2016, it is regulated by the Reserve Bank of India.

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UPI integrates most banking and third-party payment platforms in India. Banking apps and e-wallets such as PhonePe, Paytm, BHIM app, MobiKwik, Google Pay, Uber, Chillr, Paytm Payments Bank, SBI Pay, iMobile, Axis Pay, and Bank of Baroda (BOB) UPI all support UPI payments.


Before the launch of UPI, India's official money transfer service was IMPS (Immediate Payments Service). Consumers were required to provide information such as their bank card number, account name, and IFSC (Indian Financial System Code) to complete the transfer process.


UPI consolidates this complex information into a single string ID.


As of 2022, UPI has processed over 45 billion transactions, totaling over 830 trillion rupees.


UPI Payment Features

Payment Type: Online Banking Transfer

Supported Currencies: INR, USD

Suitable Industries: E-commerce, Gaming, Virtual Reality

Delivery Time: Real-time

Minimum Single Transaction Amount: 100 INR

Maximum Single Transaction Amount: 50,000 INR

Refunds: Yes

Refund Fee: 10 USD/transaction

Refunds: Yes

Refund Fee: 1 USD/transaction

Available Regions/Countries: 1 country, India