In order to use Unified Payments Portal (UPI), an individual is required to register himself and create a unique UPI ID/VPA. UPI registration can be done using any UPI-enabled bank mobile application or any third-party application. After registration, one can start using UPI to send and receive payments. Let us find out more.
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UPI or Unified Payments Interface is an instant payment platform which is strictly regulated by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI). It allows the users to transfer money directly from their bank account to the recipient’s bank account. Apps like BHIM, Google Pay and Amazon Pay, etc. use this platform to enable cashless as well as card-less bank to bank money transfer.
Follow the steps explained below to register with UPI:
Step 1- Install either the UPI-BHIM app or your bank’s enabled UPI app from Google Play Store or Apple App Store.
Step 2- Select your preferred language. Verify your mobile number. Select your bank account and account.
Step 3- Create your profile by entering basic details like your name, virtual ID and password. The virtual ID you create will be your payment address.
Step 4- Go to Add/Link/Manage Bank Account option on the app and link your bank and account number with the previously created virtual ID.
Step 5- Create your MPIN. This will be your password required to proceed with the transaction.
Step 6- You are successfully registered.
Once registered, you need to generate your mPIN (Mobile Personal Identification Number). You will need to enter this mPIN every time you need to make a transaction. Let’s check how to set an mPIN.
Steps to generate mPIN are explained further:
First of all, make sure that the mobile number you’re using is linked to your bank account. Once this is established, you can generate your mPIN using either the online method or the offline method.
1. Dial *99#.
2. Type 3-4 letters of your bank OR first 4 digits of your BANK IFSC Code and hit “Send”.
3. Select “Generate MPIN” from the options displayed on your mobile screen.
4. Enter the last 4 or 6 digits of your debit card number and the expiry date (MMYY) with a single space. E.g. 123456 1219.
5. Now, generate your mPIN. It can be 4-digit or 6-digit mPIN depending on your bank. Enter it twice separated by a single space and hit the “Send” button. E.g.1234 1234.
You will receive a notification on successful registration of your mPIN. Your transaction reference number will also be given. Note this and keep it safe for any future reference.
On successful generation, a pop-up message notification will display on your screen.
Sending and receiving money via UPI is extremely easy. Follow the steps explained below for easy UPI money transfers:
Some of the best UPI apps to send or receive money digitally are:
Bharat Interface for Money or BHIM is a UPI-enabled mobile application which is regulated by the Government of India and thus carries the utmost level of security.
Google Tez is a UPI-enable mobile payments service provided by Google Inc. and is built by NPCI (National Payments Corporation of India). It is partnered with most of the major banks in India and is thus accessible to most of the users.
The State Bank of India has come up with its own UPI-based payment platform which customers can use for safe and quick fund transfers. This App used BHIM-UPI interface. It is also known as BHIM SBI Pay.
Amazon Pay is a BHIM UPI enabled payment system which is an extension of Amazon India. Along with providing a virtual supermarket experience Amazon now also enables its users to make payments using Amazon Pay platform via UPI. Registered users of Amazon can set up Amazon Pay directly on the Amazon mobile app and also earn rewards up to Rs. 350.
PhonePe is a BHIP UPI enabled mobile app which is used for cashless/card-less transactions.
UPI is, by far, the easiest and one of the safest modes of transferring money online. Unlike other money transfer methods, UPI is available round the clock, seven days a week. Some other reasons why you must register on UPI are given below-
No Need to Add Payee – In case of UPI, you just need to enter the payee’s Virtual Payment Address (VPA) or scan the UPI QR code and the amount will be sent immediately. This feature makes UPI ideal for emergency money transfers. For NEFT and IMPS transfers, you first need to add a beneficiary with your bank account which takes some time. Only after the beneficiary is successfully added can you transfer the money.
No Extra Charges – UPI entails zero transaction charges, as opposed to NEFT and IMPS that charge a minimal amount as a transaction charge.
For NEFT, it is at least Rs 2.5 per transaction while IMPS fund transfer costs a minimum of Rs 5. On the other hand, UPI Transfer is completely free of charges.
Higher Limit – UPI offers its users a higher transaction amount as compared to mobile wallets. In the case of e-wallets, the maximum transaction amount is usually restricted to Rs 20,000. However, in the case of UPI, you can transact up to Rs 1 Lakh per transaction.
Safe and Secure – Making payments through UPI is the safest as you do not have to share your personal details like account number, etc. All you need to share is your VPA which does not disclose any of your personal information.
Q. What is UPI registration?
UPI registration is the process of listing or rolling oneself on a UPI app to process transactions. To use UPI as a payment mode, a customer is required to register himself and create a unique UPI ID or Virtual Payment Address (VPA). This ID is used to send and receive money using UPI. Without UPI registration or creating a VPA, the customer cannot use this payment mode.
Q. How do I join UPI?
To start using UPI for transactions, you will have to register yourself on a UPI enabled bank’s app or a 3rd party app such as BHIM UPI, PhonePe, etc. First of all, download the app and set-up by selecting a language, mobile number, and then create your unique VPA. This unique VPA/ID will be used for transactions. After setting up your account, go to ‘Link Account/Add Account’ and link your bank account with the VPA. Finally, set an MPIN and you will be registered to use UPI.
Q. How is UPI ID created?
UPI ID, also called Virtual Payment Address (VPA), can be created using a UPI-enabled bank application or a 3rd party app. Download the app and set-up your account. After this, go to ‘create UPI ID’ and on the next screen, enter the prefix for your VPA (for example abcd@upi). Click to continue and your UPI ID is created. You can use this unique ID to receive and send money using UPI.
Q. How to do UPI registration using BHIM UPI?
To perform UPI registration using BHIM UPI, you will need to download the application from either Google Playstore or Apple App Store. After that, select a language and permit the app to send an SMS to verify. Then, on the homepage, click on ‘create UPI ID’. Enter a prefix to your unique UPI ID and click ‘continue’.
Q. Is it safe to make payments via UPI?
UPI is a safe platform to send or receive money directly from/to your bank account. This system is regulated by the government and thus is quite safe. However, to safeguard at your end, it is advised to never share your mPIN or UPI ID with anyone. And keep on changing it frequently. It is also advised not to make any online transactions using public networks (wifi networks offered by restaurants and cafes, etc.). Always use safe networks, i.e. your home wifi connection or your mobile network.
