NPCI Unveils New UPI Features: On-Device Biometrics, Aadhaar Face Authentication, and Cash Withdrawals via Micro ATMs

On Tuesday, the National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI) introduced several new initiatives focused on its flagship Unified Payments Interface (UPI). These changes include on-device biometric authentication. Additionally, NPCI has launched Aadhaar-based face authentication in UPI. This will allow Aadhaar-linked biometric authentication to be used to set or reset UPI PINs.

According to an official statement from NPCI, a new method for cash withdrawals using UPI through micro ATMs has been launched at UPI Cash Points, operated by Business Correspondents (BCs). Department of Financial Services (DFS) Secretary M. Nagaraju launched most of these products at the annual Global FinTech Fest.

An official statement stated that on-device authentication for UPI will allow customers to use security options on their smartphones, such as fingerprint or face unlock, as an alternative to manually entering the UPI PIN. This feature will enable users to authenticate UPI payments. The statement added that this feature will be available to customers who choose to use it, giving them control over their preferred method of authenticating their transactions.