UPI disruption sparks chaos as digital payments fail; social media explodes with jokes and memes — ‘Maal kaha hai?’

In what felt like a digital apocalypse, India’s beloved UPI system went down on Wednesday, leaving millions stranded at cash counters, restaurant tables, and even chai stalls. Users of Google Pay, PhonePe, and Paytm faced failed transactions, sparking panic, frustration, and —unsurprisingly—an outpouring of memes.

The National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI) later clarified the issue, stating, “NPCI experienced intermittent technical issues, leading to partial UPI disruptions.