From April 1, 2025, a significant change is coming to UPI (Unified Payments Interface) transactions. To strengthen security and prevent financial fraud, the National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI) has introduced a new rule regarding mobile numbers linked to UPI accounts. If your UPI-linked mobile number is inactive, your UPI account may be unlinked, and you might have to re-register. Here’s everything you need to know about the changes and how they might impact you.
What’s Changing?
As per the new NPCI guidelines, if your mobile number linked to UPI has been inactive for a long period, it will be removed from the bank’s records. This means:
If your mobile number is inactive, your UPI account may be suspended.
To continue using UPI apps like Paytm, Google Pay, or PhonePe, you’ll need to register again if your number has been removed.
Banks and payment service providers (PSPs) must update their customer’s mobile number records weekly to ensure the information is up to date.
Why This Rule?
Inactive mobile numbers disrupt UPI services and can pose a security risk, especially when numbers are recycled and reassigned to new users. To address this, NPCI has asked banks and digital payment providers to:
Use the Mobile Number Revocation List (MNRL): A monthly list published by TRAI of permanently disconnected mobile numbers.
Leverage the Digital Intelligence Platform (DIP): A system that allows real-time data exchange between telecom operators, banks, and law enforcement to track inactive or recycled numbers.
Who Will Be Impacted?
These three groups of mobile users may need to re-register their UPI accounts starting April 1:
Users who have changed their mobile number but haven’t updated it in bank records.
Users with inactive or recycled mobile numbers still linked to UPI.
Users who have surrendered their SIM cards but haven’t updated their mobile details with their bank.
What Can You Do?
To ensure uninterrupted UPI services, follow these two steps before March 31:
Keep your registered mobile number active. Make calls, send texts, or use mobile data to show activity.
Update your bank records. If you have changed your number, inform your bank and update your mobile details.
Final Thoughts
This new rule is part of NPCI’s efforts to enhance digital payment security and reduce fraud. If you regularly use UPI for transactions, take a few minutes to ensure that your registered mobile number is active and up to date to avoid any disruptions after April 1.
