Published: 7 October 2025Business TodayEconomy
UPI Biometric Authentication Launched: Face and Fingerprint Replace PIN
From October 8, 2025, millions of Indian UPI users can validate payments using fingerprint or face recognition as an alternative to the conventional numeric PIN. The feature, called on-device biometric authentication, leverages smartphones' built-in security features linked with the Aadhaar system.
Initially, biometric transactions are capped at ₹5,000. Biometric data is processed on the user's device and not shared with NPCI or banks, ensuring privacy. The Department of Financial Services Secretary M. Nagaraju unveiled the feature at the Global Fintech Festival 2025 in Mumbai. NPCI clarified the feature is optional, enhancing customer experience without replacing PIN-based authentication.
Mains angle
Q: Discuss how UPI's biometric authentication rollout from October 8, 2025 enhances India's digital payments architecture.
Answer (50 words):
From October 8, 2025, UPI users can authorise payments using fingerprint or face recognition instead of a PIN, capped at ₹5,000. Unveiled by DFS Secretary M Nagaraju at the Global Fintech Festival, Mumbai, biometric data stays on-device rather than with NPCI or banks, complementing existing PIN authentication while Aadhaar-based face authentication remains a separate PIN set/reset flow.
6-axis classification
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Practice MCQ from this story
SolveTap an option below. Correct or incorrect feedback appears instantly.
Linked questionMedium
For insurance and capital market UPI transactions, what is the cumulative 24-hour limit set by NPCI?
Explanation · Correct answer BFor insurance and capital markets, the cumulative 24-hour UPI limit was raised to ₹10 lakh.
