*99#

*99#, a USSD based mobile banking service of NPCI was initially launched in November 2012. The service had limited reach and only two TSPs were offering this service i.e. MTNL & BSNL. Understanding the importance of mobile banking in financial inclusion in general and of *99# in particular, various regulatory/trade bodies came together to ensure on boarding of all TSPs on *99# (USSD 1.0). With the wider ecosystem (11 TSPs), *99# was dedicated to the nation by Hon’ble Prime minister on 28th August 2014, as part of Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojna .

NPCI launched Unified Payments Interface (UPI) with member banks on 25th August, 2016. UPI allows account holders across banks to send and receive money using a unique id known as UPI id or payment address. UPI allows users the facility to generate their own UPI ID. Besides UPI ID, user can also send money using the conventional financial address i.e. Account number + IFSC. Conceptualized as a mobile application based solution primarily catering to internet compatible phones (smartphone users) , UPI is now available for non-internet based mobile devices (smartphone as well as basic phones ) in the form of dialing option (*99# ) and is known as USSD 2.0 .This functionality i.e. USSD 2.0 is launched along with BHIM on 30th December 2016.

*99# service has been launched to take the banking services to every common man across the country. Banking customers can avail this service by dialing *99# on their mobile phone and transact through an interactive menu displayed on the mobile screen (available only for live TSPs). Key services offered under *99# service include, Sending and Receiving interbank account to account funds, balance enquiry, setting / changing UPI PIN besides host of other services. *99# service is currently offered by 83 leading banks & all GSM service providers and can be accessed in 13 different languages including Hindi & English. *99# service is a unique interoperable direct to consumer service that brings together the diverse ecosystem partners such as Banks & TSPs (Telecom Service Providers).

It is a common technology platform developed by NPCI which allows the Banks and TSPs to seamlessly integrate with each other to provide banking services to the customers at large over the mobile phones (basic as well as smartphone).

Currently, following Financial, Non-financial and Value Added Services (VAS) are offered through *99# service.

• Uses USSD as the access channel that works across all GSM handsets (smartphone or otherwise) making it reach the last mile user
• Supports menu-based applications that is easy to maneuver for the users
• Does not require data connectivity (works on signalling channel) that makes it high availability service
• Round the clock availability (works even on holidays)
• Accessible through a common code *99# across specific GSM Operators and mobile handsets
• Additional channel for using BHIM app and key catalyst for financial inclusion