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UPI FAQs

Customers
What is UPI?

Unified Payments Interface (UPI) is an instant payment system developed by the National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI), an RBI regulated entity. UPI is built over the IMPS infrastructure and allows you to instantly transfer money between any two parties' bank accounts.

What is an UPI-PIN?

UPI-PIN (UPI Personal Identification Number) is a 4-6 digit pass code you create/set during first time registration with this App. You have to enter this UPI-PIN to authorize all bank transactions. If you have already set up an UPI-PIN with other UPI Apps you can use the same on BHIM. (Note: Banks issued MPIN is different from the UPI UPI-PIN, please generate a new UPI-PIN in the BHIM app) Note: Please do not share your UPI-PIN with anyone. BHIM does not store or read your UPI-PIN details and your bank's customer support will never ask for it.

What happens if I enter wrong UPI-PIN during a transaction?

In case you enter the wrong UPI PIN , the transaction will fail. In case you input the wrong UPI PIN multiple times, bank may temporarily block sending money using UPI from my account (this varies from bank to bank)

I have selected the Bank name to link with UPI but it does not find my bank A/C

In such a case, please ensure that the mobile number linked to your bank account is same as the one verified in any UPI App. If it is not the same, your bank accounts will not be fetched by the UPI platform.

How do I pay an online merchant through UPI?

When you shop-online, you can pay through UPI when you see UPI as a payment option. On clicking that, you will need to enter your Payment Address (eg - xyz@upi). Once entered, you will receive a collect request on your BHIM app. Enter your UPI-PIN here and your payment will be complete. As easy as this!

Do money transfers happen on UPI only during banking hours?

All payments are instant and 24/7, regardless of your bank's working hours.

I have paid for my transaction but not received anything. Why is that?

Once you complete a transaction, you should see a success status on the BHIM screen and receive an SMS from your bank. In some cases due to operator issues it can take longer time. In case you have not received your confirmation within an hour please contact the customer support at your bank.

How can I view my transaction history?

Go to Home Screen ->Transaction History, to view all your past and pending transactions.

How is UPI different from IMPS?

UPI is providing additional benefits to IMPS in the following ways:

1.Provides for a P2P Pull functionality

2.Simplifies Merchant Payments

3.Single APP for money transfer

4.Single click two factor authentication

Does a customer need to register before remitting funds using UPI?

Yes, a customer needs to register with his/her PSP before remitting funds using UPI and link his accounts.

Does the customer need to register a beneficiary before transferring funds through UPI? What details of beneficiary will be required?

No, registration of Beneficiary is not required for transferring funds through UPI as the fund would be transferred on the basis of Virtual ID/Account+IFSC/Aadhaar Number. (Please check with your PSP and Issuing bank with regard to the services enabled on the App).

Does customer need to have a bank account or this can be linked to a card or wallet?

Earlier customer was allowed to link only bank accounts, now customer can link PPI Wallets as well in UPI.

Does the beneficiary also have to register for UPI for receiving funds?

In case of Virtual ID transaction, the beneficiary needs to have a Virtual ID and in turn be registered with UPI but in case of Account + IFSC or Aadhaar number, the beneficiary need not be registered for UPI. (Please check with your PSP and Issuing bank with regard to the services enabled on the App).

What happens if my mobile phone is lost?

In case of mobile loss, one needs to simply block his mobile number thus no transaction can be initiated from the same mobile number which is a part of device tracking and at the same time UPI pin would be required for any transaction which is not to be shared with anyone.

Can I link more than one bank account to the same virtual address?

Yes, several bank accounts can be linked to the same virtual address depending on the functionalities being made available by the respective PSPs.

What are the different channels for transferring funds using UPI?

The different channels for transferring funds using UPI are:

a.Send/Collect through Virtual ID

b.Account Number + IFSC

c.Aadhaar Number

What if my account is debited but the transaction does not go through?

UPI provides for real time reversals for declines and amount would be transferred back to the payer account immediately. In case if it does not reverse the amount immediately, you can contact your bank for the same.

Can I put a stop payment request for funds transferred by UPI?

No, once the payment is initiated, it cannot be stopped.

Where do I register a complaint with reference to the UPI transaction?

You can also raise your grievance or check status of UPI transaction through the UPI App of the participating banks.

What is the limit of fund transfer using UPI?

For normal UPI the transaction limit is up to Rs 1 Lakh per transaction. For few specific categories of transaction in UPI like Capital Markets, Collections, Insurance, Foreign Inward Remittances the transaction limit is up to 2 lakh and for Initial Public Offering and Retail Direct Scheme the limit is up to Rs 5 lakh per transaction.

If I change my UPI app will I be required to register again or I can carry the same virtual address?

In case of change in UPI App, a person needs to re-register and it needs to create a new VPA with the handle of the PSP.

What happens if I forget my pin?

In case someone forgets the UPI pin, he needs to re-generate a new UPI pin using his debit card details (the last six digits of their debit card & expiry date).

Will I be able to use UPI after I change my sim or mobile?

In case of change in sim/mobile/application of the PSP, customer would require to re-register themselves for UPI.

Will I be able to use UPI across all Mobile platforms?

UPI is available on Android and iOS platform.

What is the timeline to approve a collect request by a payer?

The timeline to approve a collect request needs to be defined by the requester.

In case my mobile is used by another person, will there be any security breach?

In any transaction, the UPI pin would be required which needs to be fed through the mobile at the time of any transaction making it safe and secured.

What if I change my mobile carrier?

No problem at all. You can continue using UPI apps as usual.

What if I change my handset?

If you change your handset, you will need to:

1.Download the PSP app again

2.Register through mobile verification

3.Your VPA will be auto saved

Will you ever auto-deduct payments from my account?

We will not auto deduct payments from your account.

How are you getting all my bank A/C information?

This is a feature of the UPI payment platform (built by NPCI - an RBI regulated entity). The UPI platform retrieves the accounts details linked with your mobile number in a masked manner i.e. UPI app can't see all the details. This exchange is done over secure banking networks and we don't store or ever use it.

What if I lose my phone?

If you lose your phone, the UPI-PIN is required to authorize all transactions which will not be known to any third person and hence they will not be able to use the UPI app. In addition, please contact our customer support at your bank in the event you lose your phone.

My UPI transaction has failed but my bank account has been debited.

In case of failures money will be refunded back to your account. Sometimes this takes longer than intended. If you do not receive the refund within 1 hour, please contact customer support at your bank.

How do I set my UPI-PIN with the bank directly?

You can set your UPI pin on any PSP app using your debit card details.

My transaction is showing “Pending”. The amount has been debited and not credited. Is there a problem?

Your transaction is successful, but due to some issue at the beneficiary bank end, there is a delay. The amount will reach him/her in 48 hours, once the bank is done with its daily settlements.

Can I use more than one UPI application on the same mobile if they are linked to different bank accounts?

Yes, one can use more than one UPI application on the same mobile and link both same as well as different accounts.

Banks
How can a bank onboard on UPI as a PSP?

Get in touch with your respective Relationship Manager from NPCI to raise a request to get on boarded on UPI.

How can a bank onboard on UPI as a remitter & beneficiary only?

Get in touch with your respective Relationship Manager from NPCI to raise a request to get on boarded on UPI.

How to on-board a merchant for UPI?

Broadly bank need to follow below process at their end for on-boarding a merchant.
1. Compliance & Risk Assessments: KYC compliance/Due diligence, Nodal account/CASA account type, Risk Assessment, NDA with the Bank, etc.
2. Identification Generation: Banks will generate merchant identifier which will be used by bank to identify the merchant like MID/TID, etc.
3. Configuration/Interface for UPI: MCC, UPI ID, A/C & IFS, Type need to be defined by Acquiring Switch of the bank. Web or Mobile based details need to be populated during online transaction. Acquiring bank should allocate the correct MCC to the merchant depending upon the merchant business category.

Who will provide the documents required for on-boarding a new merchant?

Bank acquiring merchant have to submit documents as per the NPCI requirement along with the audit requirement for all merchant on boarded to NPCI.

Third Party Applications (TPAPs)
How can a TPAP get onboarded on UPI?

Get in touch with your sponsor bank who will help raise a request to get onboarded on UPI.

Merchants
How can a merchant start accepting payments on UPI?

To enabling UPI system, merchant need to partner with the acquirer bank. Acquiring bank will provide the UPI infrastructure to merchant.

When will merchant receive the money after UPI transaction?

Merchant will receive the money immediately after customer confirms the payment into the merchant Pool bank account/ merchant bank account as per their agreement.

What is MCC code and who provides MCC code?

MCC code (merchant category code) is four digit number listed in the ISO 18245 for retail financial services. MCC is used to classify the business by the type of goods or services it provides. MCC code is provided by the bank while on boarding process.

What are available integration modes for merchant?

Merchant can integrate UPI through QR, Intent, application based and Collect modes

What is QR based integration mode?

QR based integration is features given to merchant where they can use a QR for UPI transaction. In the QR the merchant information is stored like merchant UPI ID and amount. So, when the customer scans the QR for payments the customer will get the merchant information on the payment page.

Where does Merchant register a complaint with reference to the UPI transaction?

Merchant can raise their grievance or check status of UPI transaction directly with their acquiring banks.

If a customer return the goods or rejected the services, how will merchant return the money?

Merchant will ask the bank to refund the charged amount as per the defined process.

PrePaid Payment Instruments (PPI) on UPI
What are Prepaid Payment Instruments (PPIs)?

PPIs are instruments that facilitate purchase of goods and services, conduct of financial services, enable remittance facilities, etc., against the value stored therein.

Please refer the Reserve Bank of India - Master Directions (rbi.org.in) for additional information.

What is PPI Interoperability through UPI?

Interoperability is the technical compatibility that enables a payment system to be used in conjunction with other payment systems.

Prepaid instruments issued in the form of wallets are now allowed link on UPI. By which a PPI holder can send and received payments using UPI. As per extant RBI interoperability guidelines, full-KYC PPIs can be linked to UPI through the PPI Issuers UPI Apps and TPAPs for using UPI.

How does PPI Interoperability through UPI help the customer?

A full KYC PPI holder can now pay and receive fund to any merchants/ customers from the balance held on their PPIs through UPI.

How does PPI Interoperability benefits the merchants?

The merchant who accepts the UPI payments can now receive UPI payments from PPI accounts without setting up a separate arrangement with each PPI Issuers.

As a customer, are there any charges to be paid by me for PPI on UPI transactions?

There are no charges to be paid by the customer/ PPI holder for UPI transactions.

As a UPI user, are there any charges to be paid by me for receiving UPI transactions from PPIs?

There are no charges to be paid by the customer for receiving UPI transactions from PPIs.

Are PPI holders allowed to link their PPIs on TPAPs?

Yes. A PPI holder can link their full KYC PPIs on TPAP.