The Unified Payments Interface (UPI) has entered 2025 as a transformative force in the world of digital payments. Widely adopted for its simplicity and efficiency in making purchases, paying bills, and transferring funds, UPI has become an integral part of millions of users’ financial lives. Over the past year, it achieved remarkable milestones, including the full rollout of WhatsApp Pay, exciting cashback offers for international transactions, and broader acceptance across multiple countries.

Here’s a detailed look at the latest developments:

1. Full-Scale Rollout of WhatsApp Pay

In December 2024, the National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI) removed the onboarding limit for UPI users on WhatsApp. This change allows the app’s entire Indian user base of 596.6 million to access WhatsApp Pay.

Previous Limitations: Initially capped at 1 million users in 2020, this number increased to 100 million by November 2022.
Current Update: Now, every WhatsApp user in India can use UPI for transactions, marking a major milestone in UPI’s accessibility.

2. Cashback on RuPay JCB Card Transactions Abroad

Indian travellers using RuPay JCB credit or debit cards can enjoy 25% cashback on international Point-of-Sale (PoS) transactions in:

Japan
Singapore
Indonesia
Philippines

Key Details:

No minimum transaction amount is required.
Cashback is capped at ₹3,000 per transaction and ₹15,000 overall during the offer period (October 30, 2024 – January 29, 2025).

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3. UPI’s Growing Global Acceptance

UPI’s international presence expanded in 2024, making payments seamless for Indian travellers:

New Entrants:
- France: The Eiffel Tower became the first French merchant to accept UPI. More merchants are joining, enabling smoother travel experiences.
- Nepal and Qatar: Enabled UPI for reservations and payments.
Existing Locations: Bhutan, Mauritius, Singapore, Sri Lanka, and UAE continue to accept UPI payments.

4. Link International Numbers to UPI

NRIs with NRE/NRO accounts can now link international mobile numbers to UPI.

Eligible Countries:

Australia
Canada
France
Hong Kong
Malaysia
Singapore
UAE
UK
USA

Read in detail: Expansion on UPI: List of Countries Now Accepting UPI

5. UPI One World Wallet for Tourists

The UPI One World Wallet simplifies transactions for international tourists in India. With this app, visitors can:

Pay at Indian merchant outlets by scanning QR codes.
Complete full KYC using their passport and visa.
Transfer unused balance back to their original payment source per forex regulations.

6. Delegated Payments via UPI Circle

Launched in 2024, the UPI Circle feature allows users to delegate transaction authority:

Fully Delegated Users: Can spend up to ₹15,000 monthly with ₹5,000 per transaction.
Partially Delegated Users: Require the primary user’s UPI PIN for transaction approval. This feature is perfect for families, especially if the primary user is unavailable.

Read in detail: What is UPI Circle and How Does it Work?

7. Personal Accident Coverage for RuPay Cardholders

RuPay cardholders can access personal accident insurance globally:

RuPay Platinum: Coverage of ₹2,00,000.
RuPay Select: Coverage of ₹10,00,000.

Eligibility: To be eligible for this benefit, you need to make at least one successful transaction using your RuPay card at a PoS terminal or on an e-commerce site within 30 days before the accident, including the day the accident occurred.

Disclaimer: The information provided in this article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute professional advice or an endorsement of any particular product or service. While we make every effort to ensure the accuracy of the details shared, the content is based on publicly available information and reliable sources. Readers are encouraged to verify the details independently and consult with a professional advisor before making any decisions. Please exercise caution and stay informed when making any decisions.