NPCI launches biometric, wearable glass authentication for UPI payments

Another innovation unveiled at the event was a UPI Lite feature for wearable smart glasses, designed to make small-value transactions completely hands-free. Users can simply give a voice command to their smart glasses to authenticate and complete payments — no phone, PIN, or touch required. All it takes is a quick QR code scan.

NPCI also announced the launch of multi-signatory accounts on UPI, a feature that allows joint account holders to make payments that require approval from one or more signatories. This will make managing shared accounts — such as family or business accounts — more convenient and transparent.     

The systems build on the Aadhaar infrastructure, which already holds residents’ fingerprints, iris and facial data. This biometric information will now be integrated into the UPI framework for payment verification. When a user initiates a UPI transaction, they can choose to authenticate it by scanning their fingerprint or using facial recognition through supported devices, making the process both secure and user-friendly.

The new initiatives follow the Reserve Bank of India’s recent approval for using alternative  authentication methods in place of traditional PIN-based verification.

The service was officially launched in the presence of M. Nagaraju M, Secretary, Department of Financial Services, Ministry of Finance. He described the feature as a milestone in India’s digital journey, offering “a secure, user-friendly alternative that simplifies transactions while maintaining the highest standards of safety.”

According to NPCI, users will soon be able to approve payments made through the UPI network using facial recognition, without the need to enter a PIN. The technology leverages on-device biometric capabilities such as fingerprint sensors and facial recognition tools, already available on most smartphones.

The new system will also allow users to set or reset their UPI PIN and even withdraw cash from ATMs using biometric authentication. Importantly, this is an optional feature, and customers can choose whether to continue using the traditional PIN or switch to biometric verification.

“Each transaction will be independently verified by the issuing bank using robust cryptographic checks,” NPCI said. “This ensures the highest level of safety while keeping the payment experience smooth and intuitive.”

The upgrade is particularly aimed at senior citizens, rural users, and first-time digital payment users, many of whom find PIN-based systems cumbersome. NPCI said the Aadhaar-linked face authentication will make onboarding faster and easier, especially for users without debit cards.

“Until now, creating a UPI PIN required entering debit card details or Aadhaar OTP verification,” NPCI said. “With Aadhaar-based face authentication, users can onboard in seconds, making the system more inclusive for all.”

The introduction of biometric authentication marks another major milestone for UPI, which today powers billions of monthly transactions and serves as the backbone of India’s cashless economy. With this move, NPCI aims to make digital payments not only easier but also more secure and accessible to every Indian.