A Detailed History of UPI Payments

Learn more about the history of UPI.
A Detailed History of UPI Payments
3 mins
4 May 2024

Gone are all those days when you had to carry a bulky wallet full of cash and debit/credit cards to buy something or pay the bills. Online payment in this digital world has made it extremely easy for you to make cashless transactions at your convenience. Access to real-time online payments has become an imperative notion in today's digital world. India has been making giant strides towards promoting a cashless economy with a Unified Payment Interface (UPI).

UPI refers to a digital payment platform that helps to enable fast interbank transactions. It is a system that allows to integrate multiple bank accounts into a single application. This digital platform helps to merge several banking features into one hood. UPI payment has made it extremely easy and seamless to transfer money or pay for expenses with just a few clicks on your smartphone while staying in the comfort of your home. Ever since the introduction of UPI service in 2016, it has achieved numerous milestones and has continued to be a success story till now. Do you wonder what is the reason behind this rise? Here is a detailed guide for you to understand the UPI payment development ever since its introduction.

What is UPI?

The National payments Corporation of India (NPCI) is an organisation that operates a retail payment and settlement system in India. In 2016, it conducted a pilot launch for UPI with 21 member banks to promote hassle-free transactions. With its introduction, several banks started to upload their UPI-enabled apps to Google Play Store to encourage online transactions.

The main reason behind the substantial hike in UPI transfer is its hassle-free functioning advantage to the large population. In addition, it further accelerated global innovation in payment technology by cutting out the intermediaries and inducing greater competition.

In order to digitise the fintech industry, the government of India has also started strategising different policies to promote digital payments over the past few years. These initiatives have been working to make India a digital and cashless economy. Riding on these initiatives, digital transactions have grown manifold in India from INR 2,071 crores in the financial year 2017-18 to INR 5,554 crores in the financial year 2020-21 and are growing exponentially.

The other facet of this digital journey is the 'Aadhaar digital-identity' program that has expanded economic inclusion for hundreds and millions of citizens. The motive behind the UPI payment introduction was to create a neutral marketplace and a platform that is easily accessible to all and at a low cost. To ensure healthier competition, the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has wisely placed explicit limits on UPI transfers.

UPI apps like Bajaj Finserv are designed in a way that requires strong two-factor authentication to make sure that the users are safe from digital fraud. The Bajaj Pay UPI offered by Bajaj Finserv is undoubtedly the safest and most secure service. We ensure that our customers stay safe from financial fraud.

UPI payments can boost India's GDP by a greater amount in upcoming years.

How UPI works?

  • Simple and individualistic
    Paying and receiving payments using a UPI ID is quite simple. You can send money with just a few clicks on the Bajaj Finserv app. The UI/UX of our app has been enhanced and simplified so that it can be easily operated by anyone.
  • Innovative
    The Immediate Payment Service (IMPS) has been paramount for UPI's success. Entering a UPI ID as opposed to the lengthy bank account number and/or IFSC code, has made transactions extremely effortless.
  • Inclusive
    The interoperability feature of UPI lets use send or receive money seamlessly once you have signed up on the UPI app.

Security

UPI apps are fostered with reliable levels of security, ensuring end-to-end data protection to their customers.

For UPI payments, The Bajaj Finserv app should be your go-to app for UPI payments. We offer a 24*7 instant money transfer facility to our users and ensure complete confidentiality of your financial data. Furthermore, the interface of our app is quite easy and straightforward so that users can use them easily without any hassle.

Create your account on Bajaj Finserv and enjoy exciting offers and vouchers from our partners.

Disclaimer

1. Bajaj Finance Limited (“BFL”) is a Non-Banking Finance Company (NBFC) and Prepaid Payment Instrument Issuer offering financial services viz., loans, deposits, Bajaj Pay Wallet, Bajaj Pay UPI, bill payments and third-party wealth management products. The details mentioned in the respective product/ service document shall prevail in case of any inconsistency with respect to the information referring to BFL products and services on this page.

2. All other information, such as, the images, facts, statistics etc. (“information”) that are in addition to the details mentioned in the BFL’s product/ service document and which are being displayed on this page only depicts the summary of the information sourced from the public domain. The said information is neither owned by BFL nor it is to the exclusive knowledge of BFL. There may be inadvertent inaccuracies or typographical errors or delays in updating the said information. Hence, users are advised to independently exercise diligence by verifying complete information, including by consulting experts, if any. Users shall be the sole owner of the decision taken, if any, about suitability of the same.

 Frequently asked questions

Which country started first UPI payment?

The Unified Payments Interface (UPI) was first introduced in India in 2016. It is a digital payment system that facilitates inter-bank transactions.

Which country owns UPI?

UPI is owned and operated by the National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI), an umbrella organisation for retail payments in India. NPCI is a not-for-profit organisation founded by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) and Indian Banks' Association (IBA).