Catenaa, Tuesday, October 14, 2025- India will enable users to authorize digital payments through the Unified Payments Interface using facial recognition and fingerprints beginning October 8, sources familiar with the matter said.
The authentication system will leverage biometric data stored under the government’s Aadhaar identification program, moving away from the current numeric PIN requirement for UPI transactions.
The rollout follows recent Reserve Bank of India guidelines permitting alternative authentication methods, aiming to enhance convenience and security for millions of digital payment users across the country.
Early demonstrations of the new feature are expected at the ongoing Global Fintech Festival in Mumbai, according to the sources, who spoke on condition of anonymity.
The National Payments Corporation of India, which operates UPI, has not immediately provided an official comment.
Industry observers say the move could accelerate digital adoption and reduce friction in payments for both consumers and merchants, particularly in urban and semi-urban areas. Experts also highlight potential privacy and data security considerations as biometric authentication becomes widespread.
India’s UPI system has emerged as one of the world’s largest real-time payment networks, processing billions of transactions monthly.
Integrating biometric verification could make digital transactions faster and more user-friendly while reinforcing the government’s broader push toward a cashless economy.
