Digital payments are no longer limited to internet access, as users can now send money through UPI even without mobile data or Wi Fi.
The National Payments Corporation of India introduced a USSD based service that allows UPI payments through basic mobile phones and smartphones without internet. This service works by dialing a simple code and is especially useful in low network areas or during emergency situations when data is not available.
Offline UPI payments can be made by dialing *99# from a mobile number that is registered with a bank account. The service is supported by eighty three banks and four telecom providers across India. It is available in thirteen languages including English and Hindi. The current transaction limit for each offline UPI payment is five thousand rupees. A service charge of fifty paise is applied on every transaction.
To activate offline UPI, users must first enable the service on their registered mobile number. Start by dialing *99# from the phone dialer. Then choose a preferred language from the available options. After that, enter the IFSC code of your bank. Select the linked bank account by choosing the number shown on the screen. Enter the last six digits of your debit card along with its expiry date for verification. Once verified, the offline UPI feature will be activated.
To send money using offline UPI, dial *99# from your registered mobile number. Select option one for Send Money. Enter the receiver’s details using either UPI ID, mobile number linked to UPI, or bank account number with IFSC. Enter the amount which must be within five thousand rupees. Finally, enter your UPI PIN to complete the transaction.
Users should remember that this service works only from the mobile number registered with the bank account. The transaction limit is five thousand rupees per payment. A service fee of fifty paise is charged per transaction. The service is available in thirteen languages and does not require internet or mobile data.
The offline UPI service acts as a reliable backup when connectivity fails. Though the transaction limit is lower than regular UPI, it proves highly useful in emergencies and in areas with weak network coverage.
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