From 1st April 2025, UPI will be closed for those customers whose mobile numbers are linked with their bank accounts and the numbers are not in use. From April 1, 2025, Google Pay, PhonePe and Paytm will not accept UPI transactions from bank accounts which are linked with mobile numbers that have been inactive for a long period of time, the National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI) has announced.
The decision has been made as part of efforts to reduce increasing cases of cybercrime. It has been reported that inactive mobile numbers have caused some technical issues in the banking and UPI systems and thus, there are risks of fraud. Telecom providers usually reallocate numbers that are not in use and this could be a risk that could be taken advantage of by fraudsters.
To avoid any inconvenience, it is crucial that the user ensures that the mobile number that is active is linked to the bank account. If your mobile phone has not been used for a while or has not been charged, it is recommended to check with your telecom provider about the status of your mobile number. If the number is not in your name anymore, then you should either reactivate it or inform your bank about the new number that you will be using.
In order to ensure that there are no disruptions, the NPCI has asked banks and UPI platforms to update the list of inactive mobile numbers on a weekly basis.
Google Pay, PhonePe and Paytm users are advised to act now to be able to access their accounts and make payments in future. It is, therefore, important to have up to date banking details in order to use UPI without any hindrance.
