UPI Tap & Pay and MyUPI Launched: How the New Features Will Work
UPI Tap & Pay and MyUPI Launched: How RBI’s New Features Will Work
September 10, 2026: The Unified Payments Interface (UPI) ecosystem is set to get two new capabilities aimed at making digital payments more convenient, secure and easier to manage.
RBI Governor Sanjay Malhotra announced UPI Tap & Pay and MyUPI at the Global Fintech Fest 2026 on Thursday.
UPI Tap & Pay is designed for payments through NFC-enabled point-of-sale (POS) terminals, while MyUPI is an AI-powered platform that brings UPI support, transaction information and certain account controls into one interface.
Here is a detailed look at how both features are expected to work.
What Is UPI Tap & Pay?
UPI Tap & Pay allows users to make payments at compatible merchant terminals using Near Field Communication (NFC).
To make a payment, users need to:
- Unlock their NFC-enabled smartphone.
- Bring or tap the phone against an NFC-enabled POS terminal.
- Complete the transaction according to the applicable payment requirements.
Unlike conventional UPI QR-code payments, the smartphone does not need an active mobile internet connection for the transaction. According to NPCI, the internet connection of the POS terminal is used to process the payment.
Can UPI Tap & Pay Work Without a UPI PIN?
Yes, but only within a specified transaction limit.
UPI Tap & Pay supports payments of up to ₹5,000 without entering a UPI PIN.
For transactions above ₹5,000, users will need to enter their UPI PIN on the POS terminal.
The feature also supports multiple types of UPI-linked accounts, including RuPay credit cards linked to UPI.
Where Can You Use UPI Tap & Pay?
UPI Tap & Pay will not work on every payment terminal.
Both the smartphone and merchant POS terminal need to support NFC. This means users will be able to use the feature only at participating NFC-enabled merchant terminals.
As a result, the availability of Tap & Pay will depend on whether the merchant's POS infrastructure supports the technology.
What Is MyUPI?
The second capability announced at Global Fintech Fest 2026 is MyUPI, an AI-powered platform developed by NPCI.
MyUPI uses NPCI's small language model, FiMI, and is designed to provide UPI-related information and support through a single interface.
The platform will cover information related to UPI transactions and AutoPay mandates across banks and UPI apps.
It will also offer users certain controls designed to help them manage potentially risky situations and access transaction-related services.
What Can Users Do With MyUPI?
MyUPI is expected to provide several features that can make UPI management easier.
Safety Switch
The Safety Switch will allow users to request that UPI debit transactions be declined if they believe their account may have been compromised.
This can provide users with an additional way to respond when they suspect unauthorised activity or a security issue.
UPI Number Delink
The UPI Number Delink feature will allow users to delink their mobile number from receiving UPI payments.
This gives users greater control over how their mobile number is used within the UPI payment ecosystem.
Beneficiary Information
MyUPI will also provide additional information about a beneficiary before a payment is completed.
The objective is to give users more context about the recipient before they confirm a transaction.
Automated Chargeback
Another feature is an automated chargeback facility for eligible transactions.
Users will be able to initiate chargeback requests in real time for transactions that qualify. NPCI said the feature is intended to reduce the time required to resolve eligible transaction complaints.
Transaction Replay
MyUPI will also introduce Transaction Replay.
This feature will allow users to recall and repeat previous transactions using any UPI app, making it easier to carry out recurring or previously completed payments.
Does MyUPI Replace Existing UPI Apps?
No.
MyUPI is not intended to replace existing UPI applications.
Instead, it will work as a support and control layer across the UPI ecosystem. Users will continue to use their existing UPI apps while MyUPI provides additional information, support and selected controls.
NPCI also said MyUPI will provide 24x7 multilingual support and self-service options.
UPI's Push Towards Easier and Safer Payments
The launch of UPI Tap & Pay and MyUPI comes around a year after biometric authentication was introduced for UPI.
According to NPCI, biometric-authenticated UPI transactions crossed 6.29 billion as of August 31, 2026.
The latest announcements indicate continued efforts to expand UPI's capabilities beyond traditional QR-code payments while giving users more tools for transaction support and security.
UPI Tap & Pay vs MyUPI
| Feature | UPI Tap & Pay | MyUPI |
|---|---|---|
| Main purpose | NFC-based payments | UPI support and controls |
| Technology | NFC | AI-powered platform |
| Internet on phone | Not required for the payment | Depends on the service being used |
| Key feature | Tap phone on POS terminal | Safety Switch, Transaction Replay and more |
| PIN requirement | Up to ₹5,000 without PIN | Depends on the transaction/service |
| Existing UPI apps | Works with supported UPI-linked accounts | Does not replace existing UPI apps |
Key Takeaways
- UPI Tap & Pay enables payments through NFC-enabled POS terminals.
- A smartphone's active mobile internet connection is not required for Tap & Pay transactions.
- Payments up to ₹5,000 can be made without entering a UPI PIN.
- Transactions above ₹5,000 require a UPI PIN.
- Both the smartphone and POS terminal must support NFC.
- MyUPI is an AI-powered NPCI platform using the FiMI small language model.
- MyUPI will offer features such as Safety Switch, UPI Number Delink and Transaction Replay.
- Eligible users will also get an automated chargeback facility.
- MyUPI is designed to complement, not replace, existing UPI apps.
- NPCI says biometric-authenticated UPI transactions crossed 6.29 billion by August 31, 2026.
Conclusion
The introduction of UPI Tap & Pay and MyUPI adds two new capabilities to India's digital payments ecosystem. Tap & Pay focuses on making merchant payments possible through NFC-enabled terminals, including situations where the user's phone does not have an active internet connection.
MyUPI, meanwhile, focuses on providing a central layer for UPI-related support, information and controls. Features such as Safety Switch, beneficiary information, automated chargebacks and Transaction Replay could give users more control over their digital payment activity.
As these capabilities become available across the UPI ecosystem, their practical usefulness will depend on adoption by banks, UPI apps, merchants and users.
Comments
Post a Comment