Bhubaneswar: In a major step to simplify digital payments, India will allow users to authorize transactions on the Unified Payments Interface (UPI) using facial recognition and fingerprints, starting Wednesday, according to officials familiar with the matter.
Currently, UPI transactions require a Personal Identification Number (PIN) for approval. The new system will link users’ Aadhaar-based biometrics to UPI accounts, allowing secure, faster, and more convenient payments without entering a PIN.
The move is expected to benefit elderly users and those less familiar with digital payment procedures, while also bolstering security. Banks and fintech companies are set to update their apps to incorporate the new authentication feature.
UPI, India’s flagship digital payment platform, already handles billions of transactions monthly. Introducing biometric authentication is seen as a key step toward further digital inclusion, making cashless payments more accessible to a wider population.
“This development enhances both security and convenience, enabling a seamless payment experience,” said a source familiar with the rollout.
Analysts predict that this initiative will accelerate digital adoption across urban and rural India, while reinforcing the government’s push toward a cashless economy.
-OdishaAge
