UPI Payment: The world is rapidly moving towards digitalization. As the world progresses, the ways of doing business are changing. Just look at the method of making payments; earlier, people carried cash with them because that was the only means of transaction. Now times have changed; a single click on the phone is enough to make a payment instantly. People still carry cash, but the use of UPI (Unified Payment Interface) has become more prevalent.

UPI payment without internet

However, being based on internet access, online payments sometimes become difficult due to poor network, lack of mobile data, or the use of basic phones. To solve this problem, the National Payments Corporation of India has launched offline UPI payments through a USSD-based service. This option works without the internet and has simple text menus that anyone can follow. By simply dialing a short code from your registered mobile number, you can send money even in areas with low network coverage.

What is Offline UPI Payment?

Offline UPI payment is a feature that allows users to make UPI transactions without any internet access or Wi-Fi. It works through a USSD service, which can be accessed by dialing *99# from any mobile number linked to your bank account. To start using offline UPI payment, you need to activate it on your registered mobile number. Follow these steps:

• First, dial *99# from your phone.


• Select your preferred language.


• Enter your bank's IFSC code.


• Select the bank account you want to link.


• Enter the last six digits of your debit card.


• Enter the expiry date of your debit card. After verification, offline UPI payments will be enabled.


• Once activated, you can use this USSD-based service anytime without internet access.

How to make offline UPI payments?

• After activation, sending money through offline UPI payment is easy:


• Dial *99# from your registered mobile number.


• Select option '1' to send money.


• Enter the recipient's UPI ID, mobile number, or bank account details with IFSC.


• Enter the amount (up to ₹5,000).


• Enter your UPI PIN to complete the payment.


• The transaction will be processed instantly using the USSD system.