Big news for PhonePe, Paytm, Google Pay users. The National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI) has announced a new regulation stating that UPI services will be unavailable for inactive or reused mobile numbers starting April 1, 2025. This initiative aims to combat fraud and unauthorized transactions.
What does the new regulation entail?
As per NPCI, any mobile number that remains unused for 90 days will be disconnected from its linked bank accounts. This measure is designed to enhance the security of the UPI system and mitigate the risk of fraudulent activities.
What risks do inactive numbers pose?
Telecom companies often reassign inactive numbers to new users. If an old user’s UPI account is still linked to that number, the new user could potentially carry out unauthorized transactions. To address this concern, NPCI has implemented this regulation.
What happens if your number is inactive?
If your mobile number is inactive and connected to your bank account, you will be unable to access UPI services. This could lead to difficulties when trying to make transactions on payment platforms like Google Pay, PhonePe, or Paytm.
What should you do now?
Verify your mobile number: Contact your telecom provider to check if your number is inactive.
Reactivate your number: If it is inactive, take steps to reactivate it.
Update your bank account: If reactivation isn’t possible, link your bank account to a new, active number.
NPCI has directed banks and UPI platforms to refresh their list of inactive numbers weekly. This will help ensure compliance with the new rules and reduce instances of fraud.
What changes can we expect in the future?
In the future, users will be required to provide explicit consent when linking or updating mobile numbers with their UPI IDs. This measure will further enhance user security.