UPI has become the backbone of digital payments in India.
From buying groceries to paying bills, millions of people use UPI every day.
Since its launch in 2016, UPI has continued to add new features to make payments easier and more flexible.
One such feature is UPI Circle, which allows trusted people to make payments directly from your bank account.
What Is UPI Circle and How Does It Work?
UPI Circle lets a primary UPI user allow others, called secondary users, to make payments from their bank account.
The primary user’s bank account remains linked, while the secondary users only make payments using their own phone.
A secondary user can scan a QR code or request a payment, but the money is deducted from the primary user’s account.
At present, up to five people can be added to one UPI Circle.
This feature is available on popular apps like BHIM, Google Pay, PhonePe, and Paytm.
Full vs Partial Payment Access Explained
UPI Circle offers two types of payment permissions.
With full payment delegation, the secondary user can make payments directly up to a fixed limit.
They do not need the UPI PIN for every transaction.
With partial payment delegation, every payment made by the secondary user needs approval from the primary user.
This option gives more control and is useful for added safety.
How to Activate UPI Circle Step by Step
Start by opening your UPI app such as BHIM, Google Pay, or PhonePe.
Look for the “UPI Circle” or “Delegated Payments” option. If you don’t see it, update the app.
Next, tap on “Add Secondary User” and enter the person’s mobile number or UPI ID.
Send the invite and wait for the other person to accept it.
After acceptance, choose full or partial delegation and set spending limits, such as a daily or monthly cap.
Once this is done, the secondary user can begin making payments.
Is UPI Circle Safe to Use?
UPI Circle comes with strong security controls.
The primary user sets spending limits and receives real-time alerts for every transaction.
The secondary user never gets access to bank details or the UPI PIN.
The primary user can pause or remove any secondary user at any time, making it easy to stay in control.
Who Can Benefit Most from UPI Circle?
UPI Circle is especially useful for elderly parents who don’t use smartphones often but need help with daily payments.
It also works well for children or students, as spending limits can be set.
Domestic helpers, drivers, and caregivers can make small payments easily without cash.
Even people without a bank account or smartphone can make digital payments as secondary users.
What Is UPI and Why Is It So Popular?
UPI, or Unified Payments Interface, is an instant payment system developed by NPCI
It allows money to be sent and received directly from bank accounts in real time, 24 hours a day.
You only need a mobile number, QR code, or UPI ID to make payments.
There’s no need to repeatedly enter bank details, which makes UPI fast and convenient.
UPI has also gone global. It is now active in countries like France, UAE, Bhutan, Nepal, Mauritius, Sri Lanka, Singapore, Namibia, and Trinidad and Tobago.
With features like UPI Circle, the system continues to evolve, making digital payments more inclusive and user-friendly for everyone.
