National Payments Corporation of India’s wholly owned subsidiary NPCI BHIM Services Limited has launched a biometric authentication feature for UPI payments on the BHIM App, making digital transactions faster and more convenient.
Fingerprint and Face Unlock for Payments
With the new feature, users can now approve UPI transactions up to ₹5,000 using:
- Fingerprint authentication
- Face recognition
This eliminates the need to enter a UPI PIN for smaller transactions, significantly improving user experience.
Faster and Hassle-Free Transactions
The biometric feature can be used for:
- Sending money to friends and family
- Scanning QR codes at shops
- Making online payments
It will help reduce failed transactions caused by:
- Incorrect PIN entry
- Forgotten PINs
Focus on Security and Accessibility
NBSL Managing Director and CEO Lalitha Nataraj said the initiative aims to make digital payments simpler, safer, and more accessible.
She added that biometric authentication:
- Reduces dependence on PINs
- Links transactions directly to the user
- Enhances overall security
Enhanced Security with Device-Level Protection
The feature also strengthens security as biometric data (fingerprint/face) remains stored securely on the user’s device, reducing the risk of misuse or PIN sharing.
However, for transactions above ₹5,000, users will still need to enter their UPI PIN, ensuring an additional layer of protection for higher-value payments.
Available on Android and iOS Devices
The feature is currently available on Android and iOS devices that support fingerprint or face recognition technology.
