UPI 123Pay Launched: In India, there are approximately 114 crore phone users. According to TRAI, 40 crore people in the country use feature phones and about 74 crore use smartphones.

In order to provide a digital payment facility to these 40 crore feature phone users, RBI has started UPI 123Pay facility. Through UPI 123Pay facility, feature phone users will be able to make digital payments just like smartphone users. In the last four years, digital transactions have seen a growth of more than five times.

NPCI (National Payments Corporation of India) had been working for a long time to introduce this UPI 123Pay platform. On the occasion of UPI 123Pay launch, RBI said that feature phone users can initiate payments to friends and family, pay utility bills, and recharge their vehicles' FASTags.

Additionally, a 24X7 helpline facility called DigiSaathi has been introduced to address any complaints or issues related to digital payments.

What are feature phones?

Feature phones, also known as basic phones or dumb phones, are mobile phones that provide limited functionality compared to smartphones.

They are designed primarily for making calls and sending text messages, with additional features such as a basic web browser, a camera, an FM radio, and some basic multimedia capabilities like music and video playback.

However, their capabilities and user interface are typically much simpler and less advanced than those of smartphones.

To register for UPI banking on your feature phone:

1. Dial one of the IVR numbers (080 4516 3666, 080 4516 3581, or 6366 200 200) from your linked mobile number.

2. Mention the name of your bank during the IVR call.

3. Select the desired bank account from the provided list.

4. Set your UPI PIN by entering the last six digits of your debit card and the received OTP. If the UPI PIN is already set, you can skip this step.

5. Once completed, you can start using the 123PAY service via the IVR number on your feature phone to make digital payments.

Step-by-Step Guide: Transferring Money with 123PAY via IVR on Feature Phones

1. Call one of the IVR numbers (080 4516 3666, 080 4516 3581, or 6366 200 200) and select "Money Transfer" as the payment type.

2. Complete the registration validation process.

3. Enter the mobile number of the beneficiary to whom you want to transfer funds.

4. Confirm the details of the transaction.

5. Specify the amount you wish to transfer.

6. Enter your UPI PIN to authorize the transfer.

7. The transaction will be processed by debiting your account and crediting the beneficiary's account.

By: Pradip Choudhary