When it comes to convenient payment for purchase of goods, services, payment of taxes, loan EMIs, etc., UPI has become the most popular mode of conducting financial transactions. What’s more, it is regularly adding new features to broaden its offering and improve users’ experience. UPI (United Payment Interface) underwent many such changes throughout the year 2024 and has taken significant strides on the international front. Read on to learn about some UPI features that might be of use to you in 2025 while transacting online in India and abroad.
All WhatsApp users can now use UPI payment
In December 2024, the NPCI (National Payment Corporation of India) did away with the UPI user onboarding limit on WhatsApp, allowing the instant messaging platform’s entire Indian user base (about 596.6 million as of December 2024) to use WhatsApp Pay services. Very soon, all WhatsApp users will be able to use UPI via WhatsApp.
Previously, only a few WhatsApp users could use WhatsApp Pay, thanks to NPCI’s limit on the number of users. Notably, in 2020, NPCI had imposed a user cap of 1 million on WhatsApp Pay, which was later raised to 100 million by November 2022.
Cashback on shopping abroad
RuPay JCB credit and debit cards are eligible for a 25% cashback on all international PoS (point-of-sale) transactions in countries like Japan, Singapore, Indonesia, and the Philippines. If your RuPay card is activated for international transactions, there is no minimum transaction amount to receive this cashback. However, the cashback, which will be credited in Indian Rupees, will be limited to a maximum of Rs 3,000 per transaction. A unique card is eligible to receive a maximum of Rs 15,000/- cashback within the cashback period (30th October 2024-29th January 2025).
More countries where you can pay with UPI
If you are planning to travel abroad in 2025, UPI can be of great help in certain countries. Starting in 2024, the Eiffel Tower in Paris became the first French merchant to accept UPI. With other merchants coming in, touring Indians will find it easy to remotely book hotels, museum visits, etc, for their stay in France. Apart from France, Nepal and Qatar have also enabled UPI payments in 2024, allowing Indian travelers to make reservations and payments without having to worry about running out of native currency. At present, Bhutan, Mauritius, Singapore, Sri Lanka, and the UAE accept UPI payments.
Mr Mohan K, founder of TechFini and co-founder of IppoPay, says, “UPI’s robust, user-centric design and interoperability make it a game-changer in promoting financial inclusion. It offers a low-cost remittance alternative, benefiting migrant workers and small businesses, while reducing dependence on traditional systems like SWIFT. Despite challenges like regulatory alignment and cybersecurity risks, UPI’s global adoption showcases its potential as a scalable financial solution. With more countries joining, UPI is poised to enhance global financial connectivity and democratize digital payments worldwide”.
Now you can link your international number to UPI
If you are an NRI (Non-Resident Indian) who has an NRE/NRO account, you can make UPI transactions with ease. You can easily onboard via a UPI application that supports international mobile numbers, like iMobile (ICICI Bank), BHIM, and PhonePe. If you hold phone numbers of any of the following countries, you are eligible for UPI linkage:
- Australia
- Canada
- France
- Hong Kong
- Malaysia
- Singapore
- United Arab Emirates
- United Kingdom
- United States of America
UPI One World Wallet for international tourists
For all travellers visiting India, UPI introduced the UPI One World wallet last year. International travellers can use the UPI One World app to make payments at merchant locations in India by simply scanning the QR codes. Any unused balance can be transferred back to the original payment source, in accordance with forex regulations. Travellers can undertake a full KYC process using only their valid passports and visa.
Delegated payments through UPI
You can now use UPI Circle and delegate transaction-making to your immediate family members. Introduced in 2024, this allows the primary, or main UPI user to fully delegate, or authorise up to 5 secondary users (partial delegation) to make transactions from the bank account of the primary user (in this case, you).
You can also set limits on transactions as well. Every fully delegated user can spend a maximum of Rs 15,000 per month, and Rs 5,000 per transaction. In partial delegation, the primary user inputs the UPI pin to complete the transaction which has been initiated by the secondary user. If you are travelling abroad and are unable to make domestic transactions you can very well use this delegation feature to allow your dear ones to continue utilising it when needed.
Personal Accident Policy for RuPay Cardholders
Many RuPay cardholders are eligible for a personal accident policy that offers worldwide coverage and also takes care of permanent total disability. RuPay Platinum cardholders are eligible for a sum insured of Rs 2,00,000, while RuPay Select cardholders get a sum insured of Rs 10,00,000. However, to qualify for this, a minimum of one successful RuPay Card-induced financial transaction at any PoS or e-commerce sites, both intra/inter-bank, within 30 days prior to the date of the accident (including the accident date). Source Link
