UPI without bank account? Here how the FIRST Digital RuPay Credit Card makes it possible

Everyone loves the ease of scanning a QR code and making instant payments with the Unified Payments Interface (UPI). Whether it's buying groceries, splitting a bill, or paying for a cab, UPI is fast and reliable.

But what if you’re a student in a new city? You’re living on a monthly allowance and haven’t opened a bank account yet. You may still want to pay digitally, order food, or use ride-hailing apps. Or perhaps you are someone who doesn’t want to expose your primary bank account to every app you use.

In all these cases, the idea of a digital card for making UPI transactions—without needing to access your bank account—makes perfect sense. That’s exactly where the FIRST Digital RuPay Credit Card comes in.

Let’s break down why this digital card is a game-changer and how it works.

The traditional way of linking UPI with your bank account
 

Usually, if you want to make any UPI payment, you will have to link a UPI app to your bank account. That means you:

1. Need a savings account or a current account
2. Fill in basic personal and bank details to link the account
3. Generate a UPI PIN that is linked to your bank account
4. Pay directly from your bank balance with every UPI transaction

While this system is effective, it excludes individuals who do not have bank accounts. The ease of access makes control over spending difficult. Also, every transaction reflected in the main bank statement becomes a privacy concern.

How the FIRST Digital RuPay Credit Card lets you use UPI without a bank account
 

Now imagine if you could do all the same things—scan and pay—without needing to link your bank account at all. That’s exactly what a digital card like the FIRST Digital RuPay Credit Card allows you to do.

Here’s how this UPI credit card works :

1. The FIRST Digital RuPay Credit Card is a virtual add-on linked to your existing IDFC FIRST Bank Credit Card
2. IDFC FIRST Bank issues it instantly, with no physical card—everything is managed online
3. You can link this digital card to popular UPI apps like PhonePe, GPay, Paytm, BHIM, and more
4. Once linked, you can use your digital card to pay at any merchant that accepts UPI
5. Just scan a QR code or enter their details to pay

This means you can now pay with UPI using your RuPay card without needing a bank account or disclosing your details if you already have one.

Note: You cannot use the FIRST Digital RuPay Credit Card to transfer money to people. Only merchant payments are allowed.

When is a digital card for UPI more useful than a bank account?
 

Let’s look at a few everyday situations where a digital card linked to UPI makes life easier:

1. Students just starting out
 

Many students, especially those who have just moved to a new city for college, may not have a bank account. But at the same time, you need to pay for food, tuition, books, and leisure expenses.

With the FIRST Digital RuPay Credit Card, parents can give you a monthly allowance. You can then use this digital card directly with any UPI app to make QR payments or shop online. There’s no risk to the main bank account. And you get the freedom to make digital payments with just a few taps.

2. People with more than one bank account

Managing multiple bank accounts on UPI platforms can get confusing. Which one should you link to UPI? What if your balance is low in one account but high in another? Using a digital card cuts out this hassle completely.

Instead of linking UPI to any of your bank accounts, you can just connect your FIRST Digital RuPay Credit Card. All your UPI payments will then come from the credit limit on that card. This will be a clear and centralised way to track your spending.

3. Frequent travellers who value security
 

When you're travelling—whether for work, study, or leisure—you often use different networks, devices, and apps to manage your money. This increases the risk of exposing your primary bank account to fraud or data breaches.

Instead of linking your main bank account to UPI apps, you can link your digital card. That way, even if your phone is lost or hacked while you're travelling, your bank account stays untouched. You can dispute any unauthorised transaction with your card issuer. This way, your money remains secure.

The point is, this isn’t just a backup. It’s a more convenient way to pay, especially if you prefer flexibility.

UPI via bank account vs. UPI via RuPay credit card – how do they differ?
 

How to link your RuPay credit card to UPI apps in under 5 minutes
 

With the FIRST Digital RuPay Credit Card, you can click on this link and scan the QR code using any popular UPI app to link your card instantly.

Alternatively you can follow the below steps for linking other RuPay credit cards to UPI apps:

Step 1: Download any UPI-enabled app such as PhonePe, Paytm, or Google Pay.

Step 2: Once you're in the app, select the option to add a RuPay credit card.

Step 3: Input the last six digits of your RuPay credit card, along with the expiry date, and verify using an OTP.

Step 4: You will need to create a UPI PIN if you haven’t done so already. This PIN is essential for authorising payments.

Step 5: Once linked, your digital card will be ready to make payments. You can now use UPI payments to buy goods, pay bills, and make transfers to merchants.

How UPI transactions work with a RuPay credit card
 

Here's how a UPI transaction works when you use your digital card:

1. You open your UPI app and scan a QR code at a shop
2. Instead of your bank, you choose your linked card
3. Enter your UPI PIN and confirm the payment
4. The amount gets deducted from the credit limit of your primary card
5. The shop receives the money instantly, just like any other UPI transaction

Is it safe to use a credit card for UPI? Here’s what you should know
 

Yes, it’s safe—and, in many ways, safer. Your digital card is backed by credit card-level protections. This includes one-time password (OTP) verification and PIN-based authorisation. Additionally, your main bank account remains unaffected during transactions.

So even if your UPI app gets compromised, your actual savings aren’t exposed.

That said, there are certain things you must keep in mind when using a RuPay credit card for UPI transactions:

1. Pay your credit card bill on time to avoid penalties and credit score degradation

2. Keep your credit utilisation low by spending below 30% of your available credit limit

3. While person-to-merchant (P2M) transactions are allowed, person-to-person (P2P) payments are generally not allowed when using a RuPay credit card on UPI

Ready to try UPI without a bank account?
 

There’s no longer just one way to use UPI. With the FIRST Digital RuPay Credit Card, you get all the convenience of UPI. And the best part? You don’t need a savings account! It's flexible, secure, and designed for how we live today.

Don’t miss out on the benefits of UPI without a bank account. Apply for your FIRST Digital RuPay Credit Card today. Start enjoying seamless, secure, and hassle-free payments. To learn more and apply, click here!