The National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI) has announced a significant change to the Unified Payments Interface (UPI) system. From October 1, 2025, the option to request money through UPI will be discontinued. This decision comes as a response to a rising number of scams targeting users through the money request feature.
Why Is NPCI Removing the Money Request Option?
Originally, the money request feature was designed to make transactions easier. It allowed users to request money directly from peers for things like splitting bills or reminding someone about pending payments without the need to send a separate message. While this proved convenient, it also became a loophole for fraudsters. Many users, especially those unfamiliar with the platform, were tricked into approving fraudulent payment requests, resulting in unauthorized deductions from their accounts.
To combat these scams, NPCI has mandated that starting October 2, 2025, no person-to-person (P2P) collect transactions will be processed by banks, payment apps, or any other UPI-enabled channels. System updates to block these kinds of requests must be implemented immediately across all platforms.
What Changes for UPI Users?
The removal of the money request feature means you can no longer send or receive payment requests among peers through UPI. However, other payment methods remain unaffected, and users can still send money easily by:
- Scanning QR codes to pay friends, family, or merchants
- Using UPI IDs, bank account details, or mobile numbers for direct transfers
- Approving payment requests from verified merchants like delivery apps or online stores
While the money request feature is being removed due to security concerns, this measure is expected to enhance user safety and trust in the UPI payment system.
Though this change impacts how people split bills or remind others about payments, it significantly reduces a common avenue for fraud, making the platform safer for all users. The move is seen as a step forward in protecting consumers and encouraging wider, more secure UPI adoption.
In summary, starting October 1, 2025, you will need to directly request payments without relying on UPI’s money request option. The focus now shifts to pushing payments securely rather than pulling them via requests, keeping your money safer in the digital payment ecosystem.
