Is a debit card necessary for UPI? Here’s what you need to know

Unified Payments Interface (UPI) has become very handy for all day-to-day digital transactions, offering a seamless and instant payment experience. One of its key advantages is the ability to make quick and secure payments via QR codes, which eliminates the need for cash or card swipes. However, while onboarding a UPI app, you may require debit card verification.  To enhance security, users can link their debit cards for verification, ensuring a safe and authenticated transaction process before enabling UPI payments on their mobile banking apps. 

Is a debit card necessary for UPI?
 

All banks, by default, request a debit card during UPI opening since it enables them to verify your account details and establish a UPI PIN. The benefit is that even you can use UPI without a debit card.

How to activate UPI without a debit card?
 

If your bank allows Aadhar-based UPI registration, then you can follow the below steps:

• Download a UPI app: Select a UPI-enabled app like PhonePe, Google Pay, or Paytm.
  
  
• Select your bank: Provide your Aadhar-linked mobile number registered with your bank account.
  
  
• Select Aadhaar verification: If the bank supports Aadhar onboarding at NPCI’s end, , select Aadhar-based verification over debit-card based verification.
  
  
• Verify using OTP: Enter the OTP’s received on your Aadhar-enabled mobile number & bank account registered mobile number.
  
  
• Set your UPI PIN: After verification, set a secure UPI PIN.

This method has the potential to offer UPI services of bill payment, online payment, and money transfer to non-debit card holders.

How to create UPI ID without a debit card?
 

To obtain a UPI ID without a debit card, make sure your bank has an Aadhaar-based UPI registration. Alternatively, you can:

• Request a debit card to enable UPI.
• Make payments using wallet-based UPI apps such as Paytm wallet or Amazon Pay.
• Select bank accounts with zero-debit-card UPI registration facilities, such as some digital-first banks.

Seamless UPI banking by IDFC FIRST Bank
 

IDFC FIRST Bank offers seamless registration of UPI through digital savings accounts. Customers have:

• Easy UPI registration: Register through mobile banking or net banking.
  
  
• Competitive interest rates: Earn one of the best interest rates in the industry with monthly interest payouts to boost your savings.
  
  
• Secure payments: Multi-level authentication for fraud security.
  
  
• Zero-fee banking: Enjoy zero fees on all common bank account services, including ATM withdrawals, online money transfers, debit card and DD issuance, chequebook reissuance, and more.  

IDFC FIRST Bank provides secure online banking facilities to enable easy payments and UPI activation with or without a debit card.

Conclusion
 

Though the debit card is not the conventional pre-requisite for UPI, Aadhar-based registration enables customers to leverage this facility. IDFC FIRST Bank makes UPI easy with digital savings accounts, interest-sweet returns, and transaction security. Choose the appropriate banking partner and make digital payments easy today!