123PAY: UPI for Feature phones

March 9, 2022

On 8^th March 2022, Reserve Bank of India (RBI) Governor Shaktikanta Das launched Unified Payments Interface (UPI) for feature phones called “UPI123Pay”.

About UPI 123PAY

UPI ‘123PAY’ is a three-step method to initiate and execute services for those who use feature phones. Except ‘scan and pay’ option, all other transactions can be done by feature phones, with the help of UPI 123PAY.
Available services include initiating payments, paying utility bills, recharging FAST Tag, checking bank account balance, setting or changing UPI PIN.
Bank account should be linked to feature phone to use UPI 123PAY. There is no need for an internet connection, to initiate and execute transactions.

Four technology alternatives

According to RBI, four technology options can be utilized by users of feature phones for various transactions. They include:

Calling an IVR (interactive voice response) number
Application functionality in feature phones
Missed call-based approach
Proximity sound-based payments.

‘Digisaathi’

Along with UPI 123 PAY, RBI Governor also launched the “DigiSaathi”, a 24×7 helpline for digital payments. It is set up by the National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI).
Digisaathi will assist customers with their queries and grievances on digital payments via website and chatbot.
Customers can also use www.digisaathi.info or call on 14431 and 1800 891 3333 for grievance redressal or queries on digital payments.

These initiatives are expected to help around 40 crore mobile phone users in India who possess feature phones.

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