Bureau, a unified risk decisioning platform, has launched Silent Mobile Verification (SMV), a solution that verifies a mobile number and its connection to the SIM card on the requesting device in real time. Developed in line with specifications from the National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI), the capability works through mobile operators’ data networks without relying on SMS-based one-time passwords (OTPs).
The solution can support user login, Unified Payments Interface (UPI) SIM binding, and transaction authentication. Its launch follows NPCI circular OC-238, which expands India’s UPI device-binding framework and recognises SMV as an alternative method alongside SMS-based binding. UPI members and application providers must combine both methods, making SMV an additional security layer rather than a replacement for existing SMS verification.
During UPI registration, the application shares the user’s mobile number and device IP address with Bureau. The platform routes the request through the relevant telecom operator, which uses mobile network intelligence to check whether the submitted number matches the SIM associated with the device. The operator returns a match or no-match response, which Bureau says is delivered in under 4 seconds. Users do not need to enter a code or complete any additional manual steps.
Bureau positions SMV as part of a broader, layered approach to UPI security. The company clarified that the solution focuses only on mobile number and SIM verification. It does not replace Know Your Customer (KYC) checks, identity verification, or comprehensive fraud risk assessment. Instead, it works alongside identity, device, behavioural, network, and transaction signals to support fraud prevention.
Beyond UPI registration and SIM binding, the capability can also support onboarding, login, and transaction authentication. It adds network-verified mobile information to the security controls already used by businesses.
Parag Modi, Business Head at Bureau, said SMV has more than 96% coverage across India’s 3 main mobile operators. The platform processes more than 3 million transactions daily across over 20 live enterprise clients. He also highlighted Bureau’s collaboration with NPCI and Indian telecom operators in bringing the solution to market.
Ranjan R Reddy, Founder and CEO of Bureau, described the launch as part of a broader shift towards background authentication using signals that can be assessed in real time. According to the company, mobile networks already maintain information about the relationship between subscribers and devices. SMV aims to make these signals available during onboarding, transactions, and SIM binding, reducing unnecessary user steps while retaining additional security controls where required.
For UPI members and application providers, the key operational requirement is to use SMV alongside SMS-based binding. This approach adds another verification layer to device binding and supports the expanded framework outlined by NPCI.
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