Is VPA the same as UPI ID? UPI Handle vs VPA, Format & Key Details

When it comes to digital payments in India, terms like UPI ID and VPA (Virtual Payment Address) are often used interchangeably. But if you’ve ever wondered whether they are the same or if there’s actually a distinction, you’re not alone. To clear up the confusion, let’s break it down step by step and understand the difference between UPI ID and VPA.

UPI ID Meaning

A UPI ID is a unique identifier used to send and receive money on the Unified Payments Interface (UPI) platform. Think of it like your email ID, but for payments. Instead of sharing sensitive bank account details like your account number and IFSC code, you can simply share your UPI ID to receive funds.

For example:

• username@bankname
• mobilenumber@upi

This makes transactions faster, more secure, and user-friendly.

VPA Meaning

Now let’s look at the VPA meaning. A Virtual Payment Address (VPA) is the technical term for what most people know as a UPI ID. It is essentially the ‘address’ that uniquely identifies your UPI account. The virtual payment address definition is simple: it’s a digital identifier mapped to your bank account that allows seamless fund transfers without sharing account details. For example: Ved@ptaxis and Sitapriya@pthdfc. So in reality, your UPI ID is your VPA.

UPI ID Format

A UPI ID (or VPA) always follows a simple and consistent format: [unique-username]@[UPI-handle]

Unique Username → This is the part you create or that’s auto-generated by the app. It can be your mobile number, your name, or even a custom word you choose.

• Example: 987xxxx210, rahul123, or priya.pay.

UPI Handle → This is the suffix after “@” that shows which bank or payment service provider (PSP) is managing your UPI account. Each PSP has a unique handle such as @okaxis, @oksbi, @ybl, or @paytm.

So, a complete UPI ID looks like this: username@bankhandle, Example: 987xxxx210@paytm

UPI ID on Paytm Example

Paytm supports four partner bank handles: @ptsbi, @pthdfc, @ptaxis, @ptyes.
For each handle, Paytm offers multiple UPI ID styles (so you can pick what’s easiest to share/remember).

Examples:

• SBI → mobilenumber@ptsbi, name@ptsbi, customword@ptsbi
• HDFC → mobilenumber@pthdfc, name@pthdfc, customword@pthdfc
• Axis → mobilenumber@ptaxis, name@ptaxis, customword@ptaxis
• Yes → mobilenumber@ptyes, name@ptyes, customword@ptyes

What this means for you

• You can choose the most suitable UPI ID (mobile number, name, or a custom word) under any of the four handles.
• All these UPI IDs map to the same linked bank account.
• It’s important to set one UPI ID as ‘Primary’—that’s the default ID others can use to send you money (e.g., via collect requests).
• All UPI IDs under the same bank account can still be active for multiple uses (sending money, scanning & paying, merchant payments, etc.); the Primary just ensures a consistent address for receiving.

In short: per handle, you get several UPI ID formats to choose from; pick your favourite, set one as Primary for receiving, and keep the rest active for everyday use.

All of these UPI IDs can point to the same Paytm account, but they route transactions through different banks. This makes Paytm’s UPI service more reliable and gives users flexibility.

UPI Handle vs VPA

This is one of the most common areas of confusion when it comes to UPI. People often mix up the UPI handle with the VPA (Virtual Payment Address), but the two are not the same.

• UPI Handle
  The UPI handle is simply the part that comes after the “@” symbol in your UPI ID. It shows which bank or payment service provider (PSP) is powering your UPI account.
  • Example handles: @pthdfc (HDFC Bank), @ptsbi (State Bank of India), @ptaxis (Axis Bank), @ptyes (Yes Bank).
  • Think of it like a domain name in an email address (e.g., @gmail.com in [email protected]).
• VPA (Virtual Payment Address)
  A VPA is your full unique UPI ID, which includes both the identifier you choose (the part before “@”) and the handle (the part after “@”).
  • Example VPAs: rahul@pthdfc, 9876543210@ptsbi, priya@ptaxis.
  • This is what you actually share with others to send or receive money.

In Short

• name → Identifier created by you or assigned automatically (like your mobile number, nickname, or custom ID).
• @pthdfc → The UPI handle representing your bank or PSP (here, HDFC Bank).
• Together (name@pthdfc) → This forms your VPA / UPI ID, which is your digital payment address.

How Does a VPA Work Compared to UPI?

To understand this, think of UPI as the entire payment system, while a VPA (Virtual Payment Address) is just your personal address inside that system.

• UPI (Unified Payments Interface):
  • Developed by NPCI, UPI is the backbone of digital payments in India.
  • It connects multiple banks, enabling instant money transfers 24/7.
  • UPI works like a digital highway — it’s the infrastructure that moves money securely from one bank account to another.
• VPA (Virtual Payment Address):
  • A VPA (also called UPI ID) is your unique identifier within the UPI system.
  • Instead of sharing sensitive details like bank account number and IFSC code, you just share your VPA.
  • Example: Shiv@pthdfc or 987xxxx210@ptsbi.
  • When someone sends money to this VPA, UPI routes the funds directly to your linked bank account using the ‘highway’ (UPI system).

In Simple Terms

• UPI = The system (the network).
• VPA/UPI ID = Your personal address inside that system.

What Is the Difference Between a UPI ID and a VPA?

There is actually no difference between a UPI ID and a VPA. 

• A UPI ID is simply the user-friendly term most apps and people use.
• A VPA (Virtual Payment Address) is the technical term defined by NPCI.

But both refer to the exact same thing — your unique digital payment address used for sending and receiving money via UPI.

Is VPA the same as UPI ID?

Yes. VPA is the same as UPI ID.

The terms are often used interchangeably by:

• Banks (SBI, HDFC, Axis, etc.)
• UPI apps (like Paytm)
• Users (everyday customers like you and me)

So, whether you see a prompt that says:

• “Enter UPI ID” or
• “Enter VPA”

You can safely enter the same information, because both mean your unique payment address.

Key Differences Explained in a Table