Digital payments are about to get much simpler for millions of people in India.
The Unified Payments Interface (UPI) has introduced a new biometric feature, which removes the need to remember or enter PINs when making payments.
With this update, users will be able to approve UPI transactions using facial recognition or fingerprint.
This feature is expected to launch from October 8th and is seen as a major step forward for Digital India.
How the Biometric System Works
The new system will be entirely Aadhaar-based. When users choose the biometric payment option, their phone’s camera or fingerprint scanner will activate.
The scanned data is then matched with the Aadhaar database, and once verified, the payment is processed within seconds.
This feature will work only for users whose bank accounts and UPI IDs are linked to Aadhaar. It benefits people who forget their PINs and enhances security, making payments safer and faster.
Implementation and Security Benefits
The National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI) plans to showcase this technology at the ongoing Global FinTech Festival in Mumbai.
While NPCI hasn’t made an official statement, sources confirm that preparations are complete, and the rollout will happen soon.
The move follows recent RBI directives to improve security and encourage innovation in digital banking.
Biometric authentication addresses risks associated with PINs, such as theft or phishing.
Since every person’s face and fingerprint are unique, biometric payments are extremely difficult to hack, making digital transactions more secure and convenient than ever before.
