The National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI) is exploring major upgrades to the Unified Payments Interface (UPI), aiming to boost security for digital transactions. Sources indicate that NPCI is in discussions with companies to integrate biometric authentication into UPI payments.
Under the proposed upgrade, users would be able to authorise transactions using fingerprint sensors on Android devices or Face ID on iPhones. This move is intended to address ongoing security concerns, as scams involving UPI payments continue to affect users.
Currently, UPI transactions are secured by a four or six-digit PIN, but this method has not completely prevented fraud. Reports of scams, such as the OLX fake UPI payment scam, have prompted the introduction of warning messages on some platforms to alert users about potential risks.
While the timeline for implementing biometric authentication is unclear, NPCI's initiative reflects a broader effort to enhance the security of digital payments. It remains to be seen which UPI apps will support this feature and whether users will have the option to choose between PIN and biometric authentication.
The move could eventually lead to a shift away from traditional PIN-based security, once biometric technology proves to be a reliable alternative for securing financial transactions.
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