Google Pay launches Aadhaar-based authentication for UPI activation

Google Pay on Wednesday launched support for users to register for UPI using Aadhaar-based activation in association with the National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI).

The NPCI owns and operates the Unified Payments Interface or UPI.

“With the Aadhaar-based UPI onboarding flow, Google Pay users will be able to set their UPI PIN without a debit card,” said Google Pay in a statement, adding that the move is expected to help users set up UPI IDs and enable them to make digital payments.

“The Aadhaar-based onboarding facility on UPI is provided to make it available to a greater number of users and further financial inclusion,” Google Pay said.

On Google Pay, users will have the option to select between a debit card or Aadhaar-based UPI onboarding. If users select Aadhaar, then they will need to enter the first six digits of their Aadhaar number to initiate the process. To complete the authentication process, users will need to enter OTPs received from UIDAI and their band.

Subsequently, the respective bank will complete the process and the users can set their UPI PIN.

Following the setup process, customers will be able to use the Google Pay app to make transactions or check their account balance.

As per the data by the Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI), over 99.9% of the adult population in India have an Aadhaar number and use it at least once a month.

This feature is currently available to bank account holders of supported banks, while more banks are expected to follow soon, as per the statement.

“Aligned with the government’s vision to drive financial inclusion, this feature will further strengthen our efforts to drive deeper penetration for digital payments in India. Over the years, we are very heartened by the ready adoption digital payments have witnessed in the country, and this feature will help boost the UPI ecosystem even further,” said Sharath Bulusu, Director of Product Management from Google.