UPI to remove money request feature from October 1: What it means for you
NPCI's new directive leaves little room for ambiguity. From October 2, 'no P2P collect transaction should be initiated, routed or processed,' it said in a note to banks, payment service providers and UPI apps. Systems must be updated to block such requests altogether.This doesn't mean UPI itself is getting harder to use. In fact, most features remain untouched. You can still:-- Send money instantly using a UPI ID, mobile number, or bank details.-- Scan a QR code to pay friends, family, or shopkeepers.-- Approve requests from verified merchants, such as delivery apps or online retailers.The change applies solely to peer-to-peer collection requests. Merchant collection requests will continue, with their existing higher transaction caps. (Previously, P2P collection was limited to Rs 2,000 per request.)Safety over simplicityBy cutting off P2P collection, NPCI is removing what it sees as one of UPI's weakest security links. Approving a fraudulent request required little more than a careless tap, making it a favoured trick in online fraud kits.'The objective is to protect consumers and strengthen trust in UPI,' the organisation has said, framing the decision as a pre-emptive strike against rising fraud attempts.Of course, for genuine users, it does mean losing a shortcut. Instead of raising a request, you'll now have to ask for your share directly, either by sharing your UPI ID, generating a QR code, or simply dropping a payment reminder on WhatsApp.UPI has been India's digital payments crown jewel, handling billions of transactions every month. Its popularity rests on three things: speed, simplicity, and zero transaction costs. But that very simplicity has left it vulnerable to misuse.Fraudsters have tried everything from phishing texts and fake OTP requests to imitating bank officials. The collect request feature was just another arrow in their quiver. Removing it, NPCI argues, is about building resilience before the problem grows further.What this means for usersadvertisementFor most people, little will change. Sending money will remain instant, free, and widely accepted. The only thing missing will be that polite nudge via UPI. It might be mildly inconvenient to craft your own reminder messages or share a QR code instead, but the trade-off is clear: fewer ways for fraudsters to trick people into parting with their cash.UPI's future, then, is one of tightened safeguards, less about offering every possible shortcut, and more about ensuring every tap and swipe is secure.- Ends
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Time of India
an hour ago
- Time of India
‘Make in India' milestone: Electronics exports jump 47% in Q1; 99% of mobiles now made domestically
India's electronics exports have hit a major milestone, recording a sharp jump in the first quarter of the financial year 2025-26. Union commerce and industry minister Piyush Goyal announced on social media platform X that exports touched $12.4 billion, marking a surge of more than 47% compared with the same period in 2024-25. "Our electronics exports have seen a surge of over 47% in Q1 of 2025-26 over the same quarter in 2024-25. It is a sweet success story for 'Make In India', which has led to an exponential growth in our electronics production from $31 Bn to $133 Bn in a decade beginning 2014-15," the minister wrote. Highlighting the government's efforts to boost self-reliance or making India Aatmanirbhar in manufacturing, Goyal said India has grown from just two mobile manufacturing units in 2014 to more than 300 today. "One of the greatest journeys has been our transformation from a mobile importer to becoming the world's second-largest mobile phone manufacturer. The electronics sector has also generated large-scale employment opportunities with solar modules, networking devices, charger adapters, and electronic parts, also playing a key role in strengthening our exports," his post read. The data shared by the minister also showed that exports of electronic goods had risen eight-fold over the past decade, jumping from Rs 38,000 crore in 2014-15 to Rs 3.27 lakh crore in 2024-25. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Could This NEW Collagen Blend Finally Reduce Your Cellulite? Vitauthority Learn More Undo In 2014-15, only 26% of mobile phones sold in India were made locally, with the rest imported. Now, that figure has completely flipped, with 99.2% of all mobile phones sold in the country being manufactured domestically. The value of mobile phone manufacturing has also soared, from Rs 18,900 crore in FY14 to an astonishing Rs 4,22,000 crore in FY24, according to Goyal. Stay informed with the latest business news, updates on bank holidays , public holidays , current gold rate and silver price .
News18
an hour ago
- News18
Great News For Barcelona! 2 Big Stars Registered Before Start Of La Liga
Barcelona have been able to register Marcus Rashford and Joan Garcia for their LaLiga opener against Mallorca. In an excellent, positive news for Barcelona, they have registered new forward Marcus Rashford and goalkeeper Joan Garcia in time to feature in the Spanish champions' LaLiga opener at Mallorca on Saturday. Barca announced on Saturday that Rashford and Garcia are both part of coach Hansi Flick's squad for the trip across the sea. Rashford signed last month from Premier League giants Manchester United on loan with an option to buy, while Garcia joined from rivals Espanyol in June. The Catalans have found themselves scrambling to register players for the past few years due to financial fair play rules complications. Experts blame it on their high spending on player signings and wages in proportion to their sales and other revenue. Rashford and Garcia's profiles are now listed on LaLiga's website. However, notably, left-back Gerard Martin and keeper Wojciech Szczesny are absent. It suggests Barcelona could be unable to register them together and might be staggering the process over the next few days. Barca have had to get creative to ease their registration woes. It included some curious internal negotiations involving captain Marc-Andre ter Stegen, with the German keeper initially refusing to sign a long-term medical leave agreement that would clear 80% of his wages and help the club comply with financial rules. He was stripped of captaincy while dealing with injuries and only got it back upon agreeing to the deal. Barca were said to be confident that their sale of future proceeds from VIP seats at the Camp Nou for €100m in December last year would help get the registrations over the line. But that's not it, the club's board also agreed on emergency financial action at a recent meeting to get a bank influx of €7million (Around Rs. 71 crore) with club executives putting their personal wealth at risk as a guarantee. According to The New York Times, Barca are yet to resolve their issues completely, including a €1.3bn (Around Rs. 11,376 crores) of debt from when Laporta returned as president in 2021. Barca, at the same time, continue to blame La Liga for differential treatment against them. (With agency inputs) view comments First Published: Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
News18
an hour ago
- News18
Why It's Time To Focus On Foreign Tourist Arrivals Too
Our destinations are second to none, but India has to get its act together to maximise their appeal as viable choices for foreign holidayers To counter US President Donald Trump's increasing efforts to corral and penalise India economically while soft-pedalling America's real threat, China, some are suggesting India must increase foreign tourist arrivals. That is a brilliant idea: not only does it earn forex and create jobs, but a lot of people from around the world planning to holiday in the US are looking for alternatives, as are lakhs of Indians who go there every year. So why not divert US tourism traffic? After all, barring Disneyland and Yellowstone National Park's 'Old Faithful", there are hardly any lures the US can offer for which India does not have an alternative, although the size and scale may not be identical. After all, the US is three times the size of India area-wise, although its population is one-fourth that of India's. Our destinations are second to none, but India has to get its act together to maximise their appeal as viable choices for foreign holidayers. The US has Niagara Falls, India has Chitrakoot Falls. The US has the Empire State Building, India has the Taj Mahal. The US has the Rockies, India has the Himalayas. The US has the Statue of Liberty, India has the Statue of Unity. The US has the Grand Canyon, India has Gandikota Canyon. The US has Hollywood, India has Bollywood, Mollywood, Tollywood, etc. Not to mention beaches, adventure sports, sand dunes, forested vistas, architecture, and even casinos and shopping. But what India boasts by way of tourism assets is, sadly, offset by wide gaps in supporting infrastructure. To overcome that lacuna as fast as possible requires political will as well as public participation, as there is more to a holiday than just the place; it is the entire experience. If India sets its mind to it, there is no reason why travellers thinking of an American holiday won't seriously consider an Indian one instead, even if Trump might prefer to visit Balochistan. Roads and air connectivity have improved immensely in India, especially in the past decade. Although there are complaints about delays and airport glitches, these are no different from the usual operational snafus in European and American airports during peak season or extreme weather. Train services, often seen as a more eco-friendly way to travel, are not, however, comparable to those in Europe and the US, either in speed, punctuality, or onboard facilities. With a majority of Indians already using the railways for internal journeys, the pressure to provide upgraded services of international standards across the board is a tough ask—but it is not impossible. State-of-the-art, maybe even seasonal, foreign tourist-specific trains (perhaps with hard currency fares) on certain routes are an easy first step, with airport-like hubs in major metros, perhaps. That would take some pressure off airports and airline seats at peak times. Roads, airports, etc, being the responsibility of governments, the main stumbling block for entrepreneurs is the sheer number of permissions required to set up new hotels and other private tourism facilities. On average, there are twice as many permissions required from government departments in India than in our closest tourist-magnet neighbouring countries, such as Thailand and Malaysia. That hindrance can and should be speedily addressed by the government. Yet, given that India has a high population density and pressure on land, permissions for new tourism infrastructure have to be targeted, keeping ecological concerns in mind. More hotels and resorts cannot be allowed to encroach on farmlands or undisturbed biodiversity hotspots in the name of development and jobs. One solution could be to offer government incentives to upgrade thousands of existing tourism-related properties to international standards. Once tourism infrastructure, both the government and private components, is complete, then—and only then—there must be a renewed publicity campaign in major international markets (especially those considering the US as an option!) spearheaded by the government, using all the new media tools now available, including influencers. Campaigns have to include not only information about the destinations but also the quality of the infrastructure and safety. Incredible India was an incredible success, but it must be reworked to address a new generation of travellers. Not all of them are only attracted by the 'exotica" aspect of India, from fortresses and coconut palm-fringed beaches to Mughal monuments. India's wildlife sanctuaries—the only place to see, say, Asiatic lions or the one-horned rhino—to golf and wellness retreats are a powerful draw. But only if a comfortable journey and a safe sojourn can be ensured. But even the best efforts can fail due to misinformation campaigns about India, probably at China's behest. Negative publicity, especially on safety and security issues, is endemic. The US, however, is spared. It is seen as safe, though the FBI's crime statistics estimates for 2024 released last week say that a violent crime occurred every 25.9 seconds: a murder every 31.1 minutes and a rape every 4.1 minutes. And yet this actually marked a 4.5 per cent drop from 2023! Terrorist attacks in India are far less than the number of mass shootings in the US per year—Pahalgam in 2025 versus 270 mass shootings up to mid-August. But warnings for tourists are routinely issued, particularly by Western nations, only for India. Visitors to the US, including Indians, are undeterred by those scary rape and shooting statistics, but a single well-chosen terror attack on an Indian tourist spot queers the entire pitch. Conspiracy theories are warranted. More so, as even a casual perusal of the internet will throw up plenty of 'news" about rapes of tourists in India, but only concerted digging will unearth instances of similar violence against female tourists in any European country or the US. The suppression of some news and highlighting of others to exaggerate the prevalence of rapes in India versus the rest of the world points to manipulation. Experts need to be roped in to counter algorithmic disinformation. If properly planned and implemented, there is no reason why upgrading India's tourism assets and amenities will not tempt visitors from all over the world, including those intending to holiday in the US, and even Americans used to domestic vacations, within the next couple of years. Then, after his White House stint ends and when Mar-a-Lago becomes a bit boring for a retired President, Trump himself may want to vacation in India too, rather than Pakistan. The author is a freelance writer. Views expressed in the above piece are personal and solely those of the author. They do not necessarily reflect News18's views. Click here to add News18 as your preferred news source on Google. tags : bollywood hollywood Taj Mahal tourism view comments Location : New Delhi, India, India First Published: August 16, 2025, 20:24 IST News opinion Opinion | Why It's Time To Focus On Foreign Tourist Arrivals Too Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
