We all know how simple it is to make a payment using UPI on any smartphone. But what about those who do not have access to a smartphone or an internet connection?
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Approximately 290 million people own a feature phone in our country, that’s a substantial population deprived of digital payments. That’s why NPCI brought the revolutionary UPI 123Pay. In 2022, National Payment Corporation of India (NPCI) gave access to UPI payments for all feature phone owners (non-smartphone) and individuals who face internet connectivity challenges.
What is UPI 123PAY?
UPI 123PAY is a real time solution to digital payments provided by the National Payment Corporation of India (NPCI). This facility is specifically designed for all the feature phone owners who wish to make payment in minutes through Unified Payment Interface (UPI).
UPI 123PAY, which was launched in 2022, streamlined the digital transaction procedure by eliminating the need for internet access. To activate the UPI account, the user initially needs to create a unique UPI ID.
How to Create a UPI ID on Feature Phone?
To make a successful payment using UPI 123PAY, you need to register yourself. Follow the below mentioned steps to create your unique user ID.
Step 1: Dial *99# on your phone and then choose your bank.
Step 2: Enter the last six digits of your debit card along with the expiry date.
Step 3: Share the OTP received and set up a strong 4-6 digit UPI PIN. Make sure you remember this pin since it is asked before every transaction you make.
Step 4: Once your UPI PIN is set, your UPI account will be activated from that very day.
How to Pay Using UPI 123PAY?
Digital operations such as money transactions, FASTag recharge, LPG gas refill, mobile recharge, and so on can be carried out using any of the procedures listed below.
Payment Through IVR Number
Step 1: Call on predefined IVR number i.e, 080 4516 3666 & 080 4516 3581 & 6366 200 200
Step 2: A menu is displayed on your phone screen, choose the digital activity you wish to carry out.
Step 3: Enter the UPI PIN to complete the transaction method.
Payment Through Missed Call
Step 1: At the billing counter, the merchant will create a token using the customer mobile number, amount and operational bill number.
Step 2: The customer will then give a missed call on the number provided by the merchant.
Step 3: Immediately after the missed call, the merchant will call back the customer.
Step 4: The customer will have to enter the UPI PIN to complete the transaction.
Payment Functionality Enabled Through OEM
- There is a third party app that partners with the feature phone mobile manufacturers to enable a particular payment app that is embedded in C language. The app is almost like other regular UPI apps.
- In this app, the users will have all the facilities except for “scan and pay” since it is a feature phone. .
Payment Through Sound-Based Technology
Step 1: Call on IVR number 6366 200 200 to initiate the transaction.
Step 2: Tap your phone on the merchant’s device (POD) and then enter ‘#’ once the POD emits a unique tone.
Step 3: Enter the amount that needs to be paid and your UPI pin to complete the transaction.
Benefits of UPI 123PAY
Following are some benefits of UPI 123PAY for the users:
- Accessibility: The UPI 123PAY is launched specifically for the feature phone owners to facilitate instant digital payment through their UPI account.
- Eliminates internet dependency: UPI 123PAY is different from the conventional UPI app that requires a smartphone and internet connection. Whereas, UPI 123PAY does not require any of the two to process a transaction.
- Multilingual facility: Along with national languages (Hindi and English), UPI 123PAY has regional languages as well such as Kannada, Tamil, Bengali, Malayalam and Telugu to improvise accessibility.
- Transaction security: The two-factor authentication method makes your transaction secure and decreases fraudulent activities.
Disclaimer: This blog is written to make it easy for readers to understand complicated processes. Some information and screenshots may be outdated as government processes can change anytime without notification. However, we try our best to keep our blogs updated and relevant.
