Biometric UPI Payments Gain Traction, Enable PIN-Free Transactions up to ₹5,000

Biometric authentication is emerging as a new layer in India’s UPI ecosystem, allowing users to approve payments using fingerprint or facial recognition instead of entering a PIN for small transactions. The feature, capped at ₹5,000 as per regulations, aims to make digital payments faster, more seamless, and secure while retaining PIN-based authentication for higher-value transactions.

ICICI Bank has rolled out this capability on its iMobile app, enabling biometric approvals for peer transfers, QR-based merchant payments, and online purchases. The system relies on biometric data already stored on users’ devices, ensuring privacy without collecting new data, while also allowing users to switch between biometric and PIN authentication as needed.

Fintech platforms like PhonePe and CRED have also introduced similar features, signalling a broader shift toward frictionless payments. While biometrics improve convenience and reduce errors like incorrect PIN entry, platforms maintain PIN fallback options to ensure security and reliability across different conditions.

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