NPCI Plans Biometric Authentication for UPI, Making PIN Optional

The National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI) is reportedly working on allowing UPI transactions to be authenticated using biometrics, such as face ID and fingerprints, as per news reports. This would make the entry of a UPI PIN optional. NPCI has not confirmed or denied the development.

At present, all UPI payments require users to enter a 4-6 digit PIN to complete a transaction. This PIN is linked to the bank account and is required every time a user sends money or makes a payment.

Possible Changes in UPI Flow

If implemented, users may be able to approve payments using facial recognition, fingerprint scans, or other physical identifiers. These methods would act as an alternative to manually entering a PIN.

Industry participants have pointed out that biometric traits are harder to replicate or steal compared to numeric PINs. This could potentially reduce UPI-related fraud, especially cases involving PIN theft or social engineering scams.

Removing the need to remember or enter a PIN could make it easier for individuals with limited digital literacy to use UPI. This includes elderly users and those in rural areas who may face difficulties using current interfaces.

Need for Infrastructure 

Any rollout of biometric-based UPI will require adequate infrastructure, including biometric-enabled devices and secure databases. Data privacy, consent mechanisms, and system reliability would also need to be addressed.

While there is ongoing work on integrating biometric options into UPI, NPCI has not made an official announcement. The timeline and implementation details remain unclear.

UPI Usage Continues to Grow

According to the RBI’s June 2025 Payment System Indicators report, UPI recorded 18.39 billion transaction volume with a total value worth ₹24.03 lakh crore. As UPI continues to dominate digital payments, updates to authentication methods are under active discussion.

Read More: New UPI Rules Set to Roll Out from August 1: Key Changes You Should Know!

Conclusion

Biometric verification for UPI transactions is being explored as a potential alternative to PINs. The proposal is still under development and not yet officially confirmed by the NPCI.

Disclaimer: This blog has been written exclusively for educational purposes. The securities mentioned are only examples and not recommendations. This does not constitute a personal recommendation/investment advice. It does not aim to influence any individual or entity to make investment decisions. Recipients should conduct their own research and assessments to form an independent opinion about investment decisions. 

Investments in the securities market are subject to market risks, read all the related documents carefully before investing.