UPI Payments: Empowering Users, Challenging Banks | 24 Jun 2023

Why in News?

The rapid rise in Unified Payments Interface (UPI) transactions in India has led to the introduction of various daily limits by banks and apps, creating a complex landscape of limitations in terms of value and volume.

• The surge in UPI transactions has revealed the need for continuous development and improvement of banking infrastructure and technological capabilities.

What are the Daily Limits on UPI Payments?

• The National Payments Corporation of India (NCPI) set a limit of 20 transactions per day and ₹1 lakh per day in 2021. However, banks and apps have implemented their own limits, adding to the complexity.
  • For instance, ICICI bank allows 10 transactions in 24 hours, while Bank of Baroda and HDFC Bank allow 20 transactions in the same period.
• Certain specific categories of transactions, such as capital markets, collections, insurance, and forward inward remittances, have a higher limit of ₹2 lakh.
• For UPI-based ASBA (Application Supported by Blocked Amount system) IPO and retail direct schemes, the limit for each transaction was increased to ₹5 lakh in December 2021.

How has the Number of UPI Payments Increased Over Time?

• UPI gained popularity as an alternative to cash after demonetization in India.
• The surge in transactions from May 2018 to May 2023 was primarily in terms of volume rather than value.
  • In May 2018, the value of UPI transactions was ₹33,288 crore (₹1,756 per transaction).
  • In May 2023, the value rose to Rs.14,89,145 crore (Rs.1,581 per transaction), representing a decrease of Rs.175 per transaction in five years.

What are the Effects of these Trends for Users and Banks?

• Positive Impacts:
  • Convenience and Efficiency: Quick and hassle-free digital transactions through smartphones.
  • Financial Inclusion: Access to digital payments for individuals.
  • Reduced Cash Dependency: Minimizing risks and combating illicit transactions.
  • Enhanced Transparency: Tracking and monitoring financial activities.
  • Boost to Digital Economy: Promoting digital entrepreneurship and innovation.
• Negative Impacts:
  • Users:
    • UPI as an Alternative to Petty Cash:
      • Consumers are increasingly using UPI for smaller transactions, replacing petty cash. The declining value per transaction over time reflects this trend.
    • Limited Transaction Flexibility:
      • The complex web of limitations set by different apps and banks on UPI transactions creates confusion and restricts users' flexibility in terms of transaction volume and value.
      • Users have to navigate through varying limits, impacting their ability to carry out transactions according to their needs.
    • Increased Transaction Failures:
      • The struggle of banks to upgrade their infrastructure and technical systems to keep up with the surge in UPI payments can result in transaction failures. This can frustrate users and hinder their seamless payment experience.
  • Banks:
    • Infrastructure Challenges for Banks:
      • Banks face difficulties in keeping up with the surge in UPI payments, leading to transaction failures.
      • Upgrading banking infrastructure and technical systems is crucial to meet the growing demand.
        • Banks need to ensure that their servers are able to handle the increasing volume and frequency of UPI transactions without any glitches or downtime.
    • Security and Fraud Prevention:
      • With the rise in UPI transactions, the risk of cyber threats and fraudulent activities also increases.
      • Banks need robust security measures, including encryption, two-factor authentication, and fraud detection mechanisms, to safeguard user data and prevent unauthorized access.

Way Forward

• Agile Infrastructure Development:
  • Invest in robust infrastructure and advanced technology solutions to handle the increasing volume and frequency of UPI transactions.
  • Embrace edge computing, and distributed ledger technology (DLT),
    • DLT is a decentralized digital system that enables secure and transparent recording, storing, and sharing of information across multiple participants in a network to ensure scalability, security, and real-time transaction processing.
• Personalized Financial Insights:
  • Leverage data analytics and artificial intelligence to provide personalized financial insights to UPI users.
  • Offer real-time spending analysis, budgeting tools, and tailored recommendations to empower users in making informed financial decisions.
• Blockchain Integration:
  • Explore the integration of blockchain technology into the UPI infrastructure to enhance transparency, security, and scalability.
  • Smart contracts can automate transaction processes, reduce intermediaries, and enable seamless cross-border transactions.
• AI-Powered Fraud Prevention:
  • Harness the power of artificial intelligence and machine learning to detect and prevent fraudulent UPI transactions in real-time.
  • Implement advanced anomaly detection algorithms that analyze user behavior patterns and transaction data to identify suspicious activities.

Source: TH