India’s National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI) has launched biometric authentication for UPI payments, allowing users to approve transactions using fingerprint or face recognition instead of entering a PIN. Announced at the Global Fintech Fest 2025 in Mumbai, this feature marks a significant leap in making digital payments faster, more secure, and more accessible.
NPCI Rolls Out UPI Biometric Payments: Key Features
The new on-device biometric authentication enables customers to use their smartphone’s built-in security features—fingerprint sensors or face unlock—to authorize UPI transactions. Each transaction is independently verified by the issuing bank using robust cryptographic checks, ensuring security isn’t compromised for convenience.
Three Major UPI Enhancements Launched
| Feature | Description | Benefit |
|---|---|---|
| On-Device Biometrics | Fingerprint/face authentication for payments | Faster, PIN-free transactions |
| Aadhaar Face Authentication | Reset UPI PIN using facial verification | Easier onboarding for first-time users |
| Micro ATM Cash Withdrawal | UPI-enabled cash withdrawals | Enhanced accessibility |
How Biometric UPI Authentication Works
Users can opt in to authenticate UPI payments directly through their smartphone’s built-in security options, making digital payments faster and more secure. The feature leverages existing device biometrics, eliminating the need to remember PINs while maintaining bank-level security through cryptographic verification.
The Aadhaar-based feature offers users an alternative way to set or reset their UPI PIN directly within UPI apps, aiming to make onboarding faster, simpler, and more inclusive for first-time users, senior citizens, and those without easy access to cards.
RBI Compliance and Security Standards
The Reserve Bank of India recently mandated multi-factor authentication methods beyond the standard numeric PIN, making banks fully liable if safeguards fail. Every domestic digital payment must be verified using at least two distinct factors of authentication, with Aadhaar biometrics and native device biometrics acceptable as inherence factors.
Aadhaar’s Biometric Success
India’s biometric infrastructure is massive. In August 2025, UIDAI recorded 2.21 billion Aadhaar authentication transactions, with at least 186 million face authentication transactions executed. On September 1, UIDAI observed its highest ever face authentication transactions in a single day at over 15 million.
NPCI may soon extend Aadhaar-based facial authentication to high-value transactions, with UIDAI officials advocating biometrics as the most reliable way to verify identity in financial transactions.
UPI’s Growing Digital Dominance
With approximately 18 billion digital payment transactions monthly, UPI has positioned India as a global leader in digital payments. The biometric feature enhances this ecosystem by removing friction points while strengthening security protocols.
For more fintech and payment technology updates, visit Tech2Sports and explore the NPCI official website.
FAQs
Do I need to enter a PIN for UPI payments with biometrics?
No, you can authenticate transactions using fingerprint or face recognition instead of PIN.
Is biometric UPI authentication secure?
Yes, each transaction is verified by banks using cryptographic checks and complies with RBI’s multi-factor authentication mandate.
