Unified Payments Interface (UPI) users may soon be able to authenticate transactions using biometrics, such as facial recognition and finger-prints, as an alternative to entering a personal identifica-tion number (PIN), according to industry players.
The National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI) is preparing to roll out this update to UPI, which is expected to enhance security and conveni-ence. The move comes amid growing concerns around PIN theft and fraud and at a time when UPI accounts for over 80 per cent of digital transactions in the country.
Sources confirmed that the
NPCI, which has been working on the feature for over a year, has shared the details with UPI ecosystem participants for review, feedback, and to ensure their readiness ahead of a potential rollout. A demo is likely to be showcased at the 2025 Global Fintech Fest.
A source who did not wish to be named said the feature was still a ‘WIP’ (work in prog-
ress). “It is a matter of having additional security that is better than a one-time pass-word (OTP). The implementa-tion is subject to approvals from the Reserve Bank of India, the NPCI steering committee, and the ecosystem at large,” the person said.
An email sent to the NPCI did not elicit a response till press time.