UPI ( Unified Payment Interface) is completely different from traditional online transfer methods like NEFT/IMPS. UPI is being developed by NPCI which owns IMPS transfers as well and then integrated with member banks to enable UPI transfers. Let me put it in details about all the available transfer methods before I explain UPI -
- What is NEFT ? get bank accnt number and ifsc code, transfer the amount it will get credited in bulk on hourly basis by RBI. This need a valid bank account number, need to have netbanking enabled and more importantly both the parties should have bank account number.
- What is IMPs ? This same as NEFT only thing amount get credited to the beneficiary account instantly. IMPS can only be done between two bank accounts which is must. You can transfer using IMPS using ifsc code and account number or you can transfer if you know the unique MMID and mobile number of beneficiary.
- Now WHAT IS UPI ? - This does not require having bank account for anybody who want to transfer and get the money i.e. You should have smartphone, install Bank Mobile App like for hdfc- payzapp, ICICI - Pocket etc.) register with your mobile number, GET unique UPI-ID and start banking. In more under-stable way - It is like Paytm where you can transfer the money from one wallet to another using just mobile number, which is already prevailing for Banks as well but between same banks i.e. If you have hdfc mobile app you can transfer the money between another guy who has hdfc payzapp, if you have icici pocket app you can transfer the money from one pocket app to another using mobile number, BUT WITH UPI YOU WOULD BE ABLE TO TRANSFER THE MONEY FROM ONE HDFC PAYZAPP TO ANOTHER ICICI POCKET APP - This is the essence of UPI. If you dont have bank account then also you can install any bank app and send/receive money in your app from any body who has upi enabled app.
- So Here is the detailed steps to use UPI -
- UPI is integrated with your bank's app - Install any bank app and register using mobile number.
- Once you register, a unique 'virtual address' will be created, which will be mapped with your mobile phone.
- You can pay for transactions as low as Rs 50 and go all the way up to Rs 1 lakh. Payments can be made between friends, to merchants and even to delivery boys instead of doing cash on delivery.
- All you need is the unique ID of the ecommerce firm, of any merchant, friends etc and transfer the amount instantly.
- Further Review of UPI Features -
- You can payall the bills, do recharges, pay utililty bills etc - Yes this can be done in any existing bank mobile app so this is not something new.
- You can pay for e-com order which are cash on delivery - Yes this you can do since now you have the capability to transfer money to anybody having UPI-Idd.
- Banking is moving to Cashless Society - Only to a extent since these apps have limit of 1 lac maximum and that also if you provide the KYC. Still people will prefer going to banks for money related things of business transactions . This UPI will be only used for the tech-loving guys who buy online, watch movies by online ticket, lives in metro cities etc. My 70% of Indian living in villages who have just opened account in banks can not use all these tech-savy app unless literacy or more specific finance literacy is not given to them.
I think UPI is idea of Outgoing RBI governer Raghuram Rajan with good intentions and yes this will be new breakthrough for new generations who uses smartphone for each and everything, however this can not be used for larger business transactions, can not be used by mid-age middle class people as they are still struggling to use NEFT/IMPS.
