UPI Circle is a feature that allows you to authorise someone else to transact from your Unified Payment Interface (UPI) account with a set limit as per requirements. This enables the secondary user to conduct transactions from your UPI-linked bank account without having their bank account linked with UPI.
UPI Circle allows many individuals to use one bank account to make UPI payments. These individuals can be family members like senior citizens, spouses or children who may not have a bank account or where the family members use a single bank account.
A primary user can delegate up to five secondary users and secondary users can accept delegation from only one primary user, says National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI).
Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to use UPI Circle
For this story we have used the BHIM-UPI app, however you may use other apps as well.
Step 1: Go to the BHIM-UPI app and click on ‘UPI Circle’. A new page will open and here you need to click on the ‘Add Family or Friends’ button. You have two ways to add family or friends in your UPI circle-Scan the QR code or enter their UPI ID.
115107949Source: BHIM-UPI app
Step 2: In this story, we will use the UPI ID option. When you add your friend’s or family’s UPI ID click on the ‘Add to my UPI Circle’ button. A new page will open and it will ask you to type the phone number of the person you want to add in your UPI circle. Do note that this person needs to be in your contact list otherwise he or she can’t be added.
Source: BHIM-UPI app
Step 3: Now you have two access type options — ‘spend with limits’ or ‘approve every payment’. In the first option, you set a predefined limit and the secondary user can transact only within that limit. In the second option (approve every payment) you have to approve each transaction initiated by the secondary user. Make the selection based on your requirements and then click on ‘Proceed’.
Source: NPCI BHIM YouTube Channel
Step 4: In this story we have selected the first option — spend with limits. When you select this option you have to give three inputs — the allowed monthly spends, end date of this authorisation and your bank account from which the money is to be deducted. Once done click on ‘Proceed’. Enter your UPI PIN to authorise. That’s all, now the secondary user will be added to your UPI Circle.
Source: NPCI BHIM YouTube Channel
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Some important things to know about UPI Circle
Here are some important things to note about UPI Circle:
• Required app version: UPI Circle is available for the BHIM app version 3.8.1 and above.
• Keep UPI IDs handy: Keep your friend or family member’s UPI ID handy and save their number in your contact.
• Your money is in your control: Your money won’t be debited or transferred until the secondary user completes a transaction.
• Activation of limits: Full delegation limits will activate after 30 minutes. However, for urgent payments, the secondary user can still request approval from the primary user.
• Find approval requests: Approval requests will be sent as a notification and will also appear as a pop-up in your app. If you miss it, you can access the request through the bell icon or the ‘Approve to Pay’ section on the homepage.
• 24-hour cooling Period: For every new member added, a 24-hour cooling period applies. During this time, transactions are limited to Rs 5,000.
