UPI Payment Request Ending Soon: NPCI’s Step to Prevent Fraud and Boost Security

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Starting October 1, 2025, the National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI) will permanently discontinue the Person-to-Person (P2P) Collect Request feature on the Unified Payments Interface (UPI) platform. This strategic decision aims to enhance digital payment security by removing a common source of fraud that has affected millions of users nationwide.

What is the UPI P2P Collect Request Feature?

The P2P Collect Request, also called a “pull transaction”, allowed UPI users to send payment requests to friends, family, or acquaintances. It was commonly used for:

Splitting bills at restaurants or social gatherings

Paying back friends or relatives

Requesting funds without sharing bank account details

Recipients could approve these requests by entering their UPI PIN, making the transfer simple and convenient.

Why is NPCI Removing the P2P Collect Request?

Although convenient, the P2P collect feature became a target for scammers. Fraudsters sent fake payment requests pretending to be:

Trusted contacts

Government officials

Banks or financial institutions

Users, believing these requests were genuine, would authorize payments, leading to instant fund losses. Earlier, NPCI limited collect request amounts to around ₹2,000 to reduce fraud. However, this did not fully prevent malicious activity, prompting the permanent shutdown.

By removing P2P collect requests, NPCI aims to eliminate a major fraud vector, ensuring safer UPI transactions for millions of users.

What Changes Will UPI Users Experience?

From October 1, 2025, users should expect:

No more P2P collect requests: Sending or receiving money via P2P collect on apps like PhonePe, Google Pay, and Paytm will no longer be possible.

Alternative payment methods: Users can still pay through QR codes or direct transfers using UPI PIN authorization.

Enhanced security: Fewer phishing attempts and fraudulent payment requests will increase user safety.

Merchant Payments Remain Unaffected

It’s important to note that this change does not affect merchant-initiated collect requests. Online platforms such as Flipkart, Amazon, Swiggy, and IRCTC will continue to process payments as usual, with secure UPI PIN authorization. This ensures digital commerce remains seamless while P2P security is improved.

Impact on India’s Digital Payment Ecosystem

NPCI’s move underscores a commitment to balancing convenience and security in India’s fast-growing digital economy. By removing the P2P collect feature:

Users gain better protection against fraud

Merchant payments continue uninterrupted

The overall trust in UPI increases

Tips for UPI Users After October 1

Verify payment requests: Confirm the authenticity of requests from any source.

Prefer QR codes or direct transfers:Avoid approving unsolicited requests.

Stay updated:Follow NPCI and UPI app provider notifications for new security updates and best practices.

Conclusion

The permanent discontinuation of P2P collect requests is a proactive step by NPCI to make digital payments safer for millions of Indians. While person-to-person convenience is slightly reduced, the move strengthens fraud prevention and ensures that merchant payments remain secure and seamless.

Mark your calendars for October 1, 2025, and adapt your payment habits to enjoy a more secure UPI experience.