The National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI) has launched a new feature for UPI payments. Now, users can make transactions using their fingerprint or face authentication instead of a PIN.
The announcement was made at the Global Fintech Fest 2025 in Mumbai. This update will make digital payments safer, faster, and easier for everyone.
A New Way to Pay
The feature was launched by M. Nagaraju M, Secretary, Department of Financial Services (Ministry of Finance).
He said the upgrade will make digital transactions more secure and convenient.
With on-device biometric verification, users can now confirm payments directly through their smartphones.
They can also use biometrics to set or reset UPI PINs or even withdraw cash from ATMs.
Users can still choose between PIN or biometric authentication, depending on their preference.
Easy Access for Everyone
Previously, users had to use debit card details or Aadhaar OTPs to create a UPI PIN. Now, they can set it up using Aadhaar-based face authentication.
This makes the process faster and simpler.
The new feature is especially helpful for senior citizens and first-time users. It removes technical barriers and promotes digital inclusion.
Better Security Against Fraud
The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has encouraged banks to use new security tools to prevent fraud. With the biometric update, each UPI transaction will have device binding and cryptographic protection.
This means only the user’s own face or fingerprint can authorize payments. It ensures stronger security and protects users from digital scams.
A Major Step in India’s Digital Growth
This innovation shows India’s growing strength in financial technology. Biometric UPI authentication will make the country’s digital payment system smarter and safer.
NPCI will soon roll out the feature across major banks and UPI apps. Once available, users can activate it easily in their app settings.
