Unified Payments Interface (UPI) was introduced in India in 2016 which completely changed the way of payments. With UPI, sending money or making payments became a quick process, taking just seconds. However, UPI required an internet connection, limiting its use in rural areas with poor connectivity.
To address this, the National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI) launched UPI 123Pay in 2022, which allows UPI transactions without needing an internet connection.
UPI 123Pay enables people to make payments using basic feature phones. Users can dial *99# to access a list of banks. After selecting a bank, they enter the last six digits of their debit card and its expiry date, set up a UPI PIN, and activate their UPI ID. Once activated, users can start making transactions via UPI 123Pay.
Additionally, users can make transactions by calling designated IVR numbers or by giving a missed call to a number provided by their bank. This initiative makes digital payments accessible to millions of people, even in areas with limited internet access.
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