Google Pay has introduced a new feature that enables Aadhaar-based authentication for UPI activation. This integration allows users to register for the Unified Payments Interface (UPI) without the need for a debit card.
The purpose of introducing the Aadhaar-based UPI onboarding flow is to simplify the process of setting up UPI IDs for a larger user base and promote digital payments. Currently, this feature is available to bank account holders of supported banks, with more banks expected to join in the future. According to the Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI), over 99.9% of India’s adult population possesses an Aadhaar number, using it at least once a month. Leveraging this widespread adoption, the Aadhaar-based onboarding facility aims to promote financial inclusion by extending UPI services to a greater number of users.
To initiate UPI onboarding using Aadhaar, users need to ensure that their registered phone number with UIDAI matches their bank records and that their bank account is linked to Aadhaar. Once these prerequisites are met, users can follow these steps on Google Pay to complete the onboarding process:
- Open Google Pay and select the UPI onboarding option.
- Choose Aadhaar as the preferred method and enter the initial six digits of the Aadhaar number to start the process.
- Enter the One-Time Passwords (OTPs) received from UIDAI and their respective banks for authentication.
- The user’s bank will then finalize the process, allowing them to set their UPI PIN.
Once the UPI activation is complete, customers can perform transactions and check their balance using the Google Pay app. It is important to note that when users enter the first six digits of their Aadhaar number, the information is securely sent to UIDAI via the National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI) for validation. Google Pay assures that it does not retain or store the Aadhaar number.