India's digital payment landscape has just achieved a monumental leap towards true financial inclusion. The long-awaited feature of making UPI payments without an active internet connection is now a reality for millions. This breakthrough is set to revolutionize transactions, especially in regions where cellular internet is unreliable or completely absent.
How to Use Offline UPI Payments: A Step-by-Step Guide
To access this new service, users must follow a straightforward process using their mobile phones. The system is designed to be intuitive, even for those new to digital payments.
First, ensure that your mobile number is registered with your bank and that you have already set up your UPI PIN through your bank's official app or website. Once that is confirmed, simply dial *99# from the mobile number linked to your bank account.
An interactive menu will immediately appear on your screen, presenting various UPI options. You will see choices like Send Money, Request Money, and Check Balance. To initiate a payment, select the Send Money option by entering the corresponding number provided in the menu.
The system will then guide you through entering the recipient's details. You have the flexibility to send money using the recipient's mobile number, their UPI ID, or their bank account number along with the IFSC code. After providing these details, you will be prompted to enter the amount you wish to send.
The final and most crucial step is to authorize the transaction. You will need to confirm the payment by entering your secure UPI PIN. Once verified, the transaction is complete.
Key Features and Transaction Limits
This innovative service, powered by USSD technology, is not free of cost. A nominal fee of ₹0.50 is charged for every transaction. Furthermore, to manage risk and promote its use for smaller, everyday payments, the system currently supports transactions with a maximum limit of ₹5,000.
A significant advantage is its universal accessibility. The service works across all telecom networks and on any type of mobile handset, including basic feature phones. This makes it a powerful tool for bridging the digital divide. To ensure no one is left behind due to a language barrier, the menu is available in several Indian languages.
Boosting Financial Inclusion in Rural India
The implications of this development are profound. The service is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week, providing constant financial access. Its security protocol, which mandates UPI PIN authorization for every single transaction, ensures that users' money remains safe.
This offline UPI system is poised to be a game-changer for rural communities and for situations when network outages make online payments impossible. It effectively brings the power of India's digital payment revolution to every citizen, with or without an internet connection.
