The National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI) announced a major change to the Unified Payments Interface (UPI) system. This change is aimed at curbing online fraud and enhancing user security. Beginning October 2, users will no longer need to link their mobile numbers to complete UPI transactions.
Instead, customers will be able to create unique UPI IDs using a combination of letters and numbers, similar to an email address. For example, an ID could look like yourname@upi instead of a mobile number.
Until now, mobile numbers were widely used as UPI IDs, raising concerns about personal data leaks and fraud. The new rule is designed to reduce the risk of identity theft and safeguard user information. Major digital payment platforms, including Paytm, Google Pay and PhonePe, have already updated their apps to support the transition.
According to NPCI, the system offers multiple benefits. Users will gain stronger privacy protections by avoiding the need to share their phone numbers. Meanwhile, merchants can register UPI IDs under their brand names, boosting credibility. Transactions are also expected to become faster and more convenient. The new IDs can be shared as easily as an email address. The update is part of NPCI’s ongoing efforts to strengthen digital payment security and encourage wider adoption of UPI across the country.
