No PIN Needed: Google Pay, Paytm, And PhonePe Users Can Pay Using Fingerprint Or Face Scan

Starting October 8, India’s favourite digital payment system, UPI, is getting a big update. You’ll soon be able to make payments just by scanning your face or fingerprint, without typing a UPI PIN. Also Read: ChatGPT On UPI App? PhonePe Partners With OpenAI, Here's What Will Be Changed

The National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI) has confirmed that the new biometric authentication option will go live from tomorrow, making transactions faster and easier for millions of users across the country. Also Read: Paytm Launches AI-Powered Travel App ‘Paytm Checkin’ To Book And Plan Everything

How Will the New System Work?

Until now, every UPI payment required a six-digit PIN for verification. With this update, you can instead choose to authenticate using your face or fingerprint – similar to how you unlock your phone or verify Aadhaar-based services. Also Read: NPCI Launches AI-Powered ‘UPI Help’ Assistant To Simplify Digital Payments: What Is It, How It Works

The system will use Aadhaar-linked biometric data to identify and authorise users. When you initiate a payment, supported devices will prompt you to scan your fingerprint or show your face for verification. Importantly, entering a PIN will still remain an option, so users can pick whichever method they’re most comfortable with.

By allowing biometric verification, the RBI and NPCI hope to make UPI more accessible, especially for those who struggle with passwords or find digital interfaces complicated – like senior citizens and rural users.

How Will It Benefit?

Biometric authentication could reduce fraud and unauthorised access, since fingerprints and facial data can’t be easily duplicated. It also makes transactions nearly instant, removing the small friction of typing a PIN every time.

Industry experts say this feature could encourage even more people to adopt digital payments. “Biometrics make payments virtually frictionless for users who aren’t tech-savvy,” noted fintech expert Rohit Mahajan.

Other New UPI Features Announced

Alongside biometric payments, NPCI also launched:

UPI Multi-Signatory: For joint accounts that need approvals from multiple users before completing a payment.

UPI Cash Point: Lets users withdraw or deposit cash using a QR code at local shops and pharmacies.

UPI Lite on Smart Glasses: Enables hands-free, PIN-free payments using voice and QR scans through wearable devices.